On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Ophelia Chong and Frank Louie. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Ophelia Chong has, from 2005 to the present, specialized in marketing and designing for photographers, photography monographs, and photography agencies. Ophelia teaches Marketing and Self-Promotion to photography students at the Art Center College of Design and has been an art director in the MFA writing program at CalArts since 2008. Founded StockPot Images in 2015, the first and only stock photo agency to specialize in cannabis, hemp and psilocybin, she also founded Asian Americans for Cannabis Education in 2015 with Monica Lo and Tiffany Wu. Frank Louie is the Chief Operating Officer at California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, he is a successful sales and business development leader with a proven track record for growing revenues in early growth stage and Fortune 500 technology companies. His experiences includes ongoing success in selling and supporting technology, document management solutions and helping to pioneer and develop the emerging electronic customer communications industry. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Michael Diaz-Rivera. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Michael Diaz-Rivera is a formerly incarcerated man, now a community-focused business owner with proven expertise in motivating others to achieve goals while also prioritizing and strategizing for youth/community enrichment programs. He says he 'holds youth, family, and community in high esteem, and interacts with the greatest degree of professionalism and personal integrity." His company aligns with his values, aiming to push for true social equity while holding human and social services close to the heart. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Dr. Bridget Williams & Natacha Andrews, Esq. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities.   We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities.   On this episode: Natacha Andrews, Esq., is an attorney, speaker, author and cannabis advocate. Originally from NJ, she is a graduate of both Rutgers University and Howard Law.   Natacha’s diverse background brought her to cannabis after practicing a majority of her career as an immigration lawyer. Concerned by the trend she noticed of the disturbing number of detainees facing deportation and permanent family separation as a result of low level, non-violent cannabis convictions, Natacha set out to gain a better understand of the underlying causes and connections. What she discovered led her to seek avenues of advocacy and sensible drug policy reform.   In December 2019 she began to gather a group of attorneys from around the nation, resulting in the formation of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL). Today, NABCL works with attorneys from varied practice areas to advocate for equitable, inclusive and reparative justice for those intentionally harmed by the War on Drugs.   Natacha is on a crusade to assist cannabis professionals establish a footing within the industry during the re-legalization of the plant. Natacha provides invaluable expertise and guidance to those seeking equity as they enter the burgeoning cannabis market.   She serves as an advocate for comprehensive drug reform. She is an educator with subject matter expertise, who speaks to audiences ranging from corporate entities to community organizations. She is a volunteer for the Last Prisoner’s Project, directs community engaged for NC-ACT (NC Alliance for Cannabis Transparency), is a Parabola Center Partner and sits on the board of the NABCL.   Dr. Bridget Cole Williams is an established board-certified family physician, best selling author, and the CEO of Green Harvest Health, a medical cannabis and integrative health clinic located in Ohio. With nearly 20 years of experience in family medicine from The Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Bridget combines her medical background with certifications in life and cannabis coaching into her practice. She provides valuable “motivational talks” on medical cannabis, CBD products and business development, life balance and confidence, and a variety of additional topics.   In 2019, Dr. Bridget formulated and launched her own CBD medicinal line of products, followed by her line of hemp infused beauty products. Dr. Bridget also serves as Medical Director for several medical spas, and Collaborating Physician for mental health facilities. When not seeing patients, Dr. Bridget hosts podcast shows, creates educational curriculum, and serves on various boards.   Dr. Bridget also runs a nonprofit, GHH Community Foundation, which helps to fund her book Courage In Cannabis. She uses the nonprofit to provide an opportunity for individuals to share their cannabis stories, and become published authors. Dr. Bridget is honored to have been recognized as Top Female Business, Top Minority Business with the Ohio MBE 2021, Women in Medicine Top Doctor 2021, Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2022, Disruptors 50 Under 50 Brightest Disruptors, and is a respected and sought after thought leader, and expert in the cannabis industry.   We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with ⁠Mike Lomuto⁠ and ⁠Chris Jackson⁠: ⁠Mary Jane Oatman⁠. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Mary Jane Oatman, Founder of ⁠THC Magazine⁠ and Executive Director of the ⁠Indigenous Cannabis Coalition⁠. Mary Jane is a descendant of Chief Looking Glass of the Nez Perce Tribe of the Columbia River Plateau, wants to change the public perception of the indigenous population of the Americas and cannabis. Originally from Kamiah, in north-central Idaho, she is launching a nonprofit company called the Indigenous Cannabis Coalition. One project is to develop an interactive map that shows all the Native American cannabis and hemp cultivators, processors, testing facilities, and dispensaries in the nation. This directory, which will include companies run by tribes as well as those run by tribal members, will encourage Native American-owned cannabis businesses to support one another and band together. Mary Jane has been dedicated to reclaiming Indigenous cultures and restoring pre colonial economies in hemp and cannabis. She has worked for her tribe and other communities to advocate to state and federal agencies to protect tribal sovereignty and to ensure more effective government to government relationships are steered by building bridges between diverse stakeholders. In 2009, Oatman was the youngest member appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Damian Fagon. Mr. Fagon was appointed as the Chief Equity Officer of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management in June 2022. In this role, Mr. Fagon oversees the social and economic equity initiatives laid out in the MRTA. As a 3rd-generation farmer with a background in international development, agriculture and small business, he has led development initiatives with castor farmers in Jamaica, rice growers in Sierra Leone, and coffee exporters in Guatemala. Mr. Fagon has also launched and advised commercial cannabis operations in South Carolina, New York, and the Caribbean. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen. Tiffany is the founder of Vanguard Media. A former IT professional, she's been a grassroots organizer for cannabis for over 30 years. Vanguard is a media platform, a magazine, and most importantly, a movement that's dedicated to Women in cannabis. In addition to showcasing the efforts, innovation and creativity of Women, Vanguard affords me the opportunity to continue to help craft changes in cannabis policy, and social justice. Chris Jensen is a physical security specialist with over a decade in the cannabis space. Chris is an ArcView Group alumni, and longtime NCIA member who has worked on national security rollouts in the USA and Canada with the likes of Canopy Growth, Cresco Labs, and Highly Cannaco to name a few. Chris grew up in Utah and currently lives in Aurora, CO a suburb of Denver. Marijuana MSOs sue New York over adult-use retail license delay, and more. For Women's History Month, we highlight a handful of women in the space including Lindsey Renner, Jessica Velazquez, and previous guest Alexis Angulo. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Kay Villamin of HUSH. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Katherine "Kay" Villamin has been an entrepreneur since 2007 and has provided photography, design, branding & marketing services in the last 15 years. Currently, she owns KV Creative - an agency providing photography & creative marketing services and is also the co-founder & creative director of HUSH Chicago: a full-service event & marketing agency for the cannabis industry. Having her own photography business since 2011 has allowed her to participate in a wide gamut of industries & exposure to a diverse clientele, which eventually evolved her business to provide more services such as branding, marketing, graphic and web design. Currently, she provides leadership, strategy, creative direction, and consulting for the company and its clients. Kay’s goal is to continue to lead the development & growth of the company, be a strong influence in the global cannabis community, and be an all-encompassing resource for brands big & small by providing support through creative services, purposeful marketing, mentorship, and business development. She is a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association & currently serving as Chair for the State Regulations Committee. Kay is also a member of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, and now sits on the board as VP of Economic Development for the North River Commission in Chicago. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Benjamin Larson of Vertosa. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities.

We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. In the news this week, from BeardBros, The Cannabis Community Must Come Together – Even with Your Competition, from MJBiz Daily, Metrc threatens to close accounts of Michigan cannabis firms over late payments, and in California annual cannabis sales fell in 2022 for the first time since adult-use launch.

On this episode: Benjamin Larson is the CEO of Vertosa, the multi-state infusion technology company specializing in beverages and other fast-acting form factors. Prior to Vertosa, Mr. Larson co-founded Gateway Incubator, California’s first business accelerator and co-working space dedicated to the emerging cannabis industry.

He’s a Director and Mentor at Founder Institute where he formerly managed global operations and helped expand the program into over 100 cities around the world. Mr. Larson is a host of the Marijuana Today podcast; a founding board member of the Cannabis Beverage Association and founding member of ATACH’s Cannabis Beverage Council; and he was recently appointed to the Board for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Mr. Larson was a recipient of the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 and was recognized by Forbes in 2022 as one of the 42 pioneers to watch in the green rush.


We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Michael Webster of Falling Leaves Events. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Michael Webster is the Founder and Managing Member of Falling Leaves Évents, a US-based company advancing projects in cannabis event organizing. Following a corporate career in technical content development, Webster made the transition to the burgeoning medical cannabis industry. With more than a decade of cannabis experience in both the legacy and regulated markets, he has emerged as an influential voice in the social equity space. He is an ascending force in the area of advocacy and was most recently named host of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s weekly social equity call, The Power Hour. In the news this week: Former California industry leader Flow Cannabis Co. ‘mothballed’ as it seeks to ‘survive’, California Bill to Allow Coffee, Food, and Music at Consumption Lounges, California’s annual cannabis sales fell in 2022 for the first time since adult-use launch, and 100+ Black-Owned Cannabis Businesses to Support Right Now. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Rebecca Colett, CEO of CALYXEUM. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode, Rebecca Colett. Rebecca is an experienced serial entrepreneur, technologist, and cannabis advocate. She has over 6 years of experience in the legal cannabis industry championing minority inclusion, veteran access programs, and workforce development. The News This Week: Record Sales in December Pushes Michigan Adult-Use Market Past $3 Billion, Founders of Black and Brown Economic Power in Cannabis have a product now on shelves, Mario Vital and LaDarius McKency are new committee members at NCIA. Michigan based cannabis venture, Calyxeum produces products including dry herbs, concentrates, and topical ointments under a wholesale organic brand and distributes them to dispensaries and providers throughout the state of Michigan. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Dr. Mila Marshall, Principal Consutant at Herb & Planning Associates. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode, Dr. Marshall, an ecologist with a focus on the intersection between the environment and the economy, runs a company whose mission is sustainable cannabis rooted in equity. The Herb & Planning team of grassroots experts provides a range of services for entrepreneurs and coalitions seeking to use the emerging marijuana market to address systemic urban social and environmental inequities. They strive to connect leaders, decision makers, entrepreneurs and communites to resourcces and strategies that are economically viable and scaleable. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Chris Jackson, NCIA Board of Directors Vice Chair. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode, Mike and Chris dive deep on the latest efforts to bring equity to Main Street Cannabis coast-to-coast. They highlight some of the successes in Chris's home state of Michigan while discussing ways that policy efforts have historically fallen short. Chris witnessed how cannabis prohibition directly impacted urban America and is dedicated to reversing the negative damage caused. He is a member of various state and local boards that contribute to economic power and initiatives to drive diversity and inclusion. Aside from serving as Vice Chair for the Board of Directors, Chris serves on the State Regulations Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association and co-chairs its Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee. His knowledge spans the complex intertwining of governmental and business cannabis issues, while also remaining at the forefront of the pressing interstate commerce issues in cannabis. Chris serves in a number of capacities within organizations that have a direct impact on small businesses and the inclusion of people of color economically including: Cannabis Regulatory Agency – Michigan (DEI Workgroup, Racial Task Force Workgroup), Small Business Association of Michigan (Leadership Council, Legislative Workgroup), AQUME Foundation (Board Chair), Main Street Pontiac (Past President). We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike and Khadijah are joined by Eddie and Brandon of King Palm. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike and Khadijah are joined by cannabis entrepeneur Heather Fowler of Mary Jane’s Place. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike is joined by Alexis Angulo of Pretty and Posh. Website: https://www.prettyandposh.us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandposh_inc/ #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Doug Kelly and Peter Contos of Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition. Follow CEIC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts with Khadijah and is joined by Nydia Zamorano-Torres of UR Wellness LLC. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #MainStreetCannabis © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Elizabeth Becker of hibnb. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Christopher Johnson and Kenny Cottrell of Cannalean. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Josh Gold of National Business Capital. Listen through the episode for a special promotion offer from National Business Capital, exclusively for Cannabis Minority Report listeners. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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