Freedom, Representation, and Reform
At our recent Emerge Virtual CannabisConference & Expo, transformative thinkers and innovators voiced their insight on diversity, expungement, and prison reform to hundreds of eager virtual attendees. The event hosted several prominent speakers from the industry, boasting a powerhouse assembly of cannabis enthusiasts. Hemp and cannabis culture is all about community; it’s a space where everyone deserves representation. As the demand for cannabis continues to grow, many revolutionary leaders within the industry, including Andrew DeAngelo, Wanda James, Steve DeAngelo, and others have been fighting for change within the hemp space to better reflect the inclusive nature of the plant.
Wanda James
James is the CEO of Simply Pure and the first African American woman to own a dispensary in Colorado.
On why James transitioned from working in politics with President Obama to becoming a successful cannabis entrepreneur:
“When I met my brother and I discovered the grave injustice that was done to him, 10 years with a prison sentence, four years picking cotton, to buy his freedom for having possessed less than four ounces of weed. That to me, was an American failure on a grand scale when I found out that it wasn’t just my brother, but 800,000 people a year. And when you find out those kinds of statistics and it hits your family, then that political policy becomes very personal to you.
“I’m tough as nails. So whatever you throw at me, we can do it, thank you military. I understand business, thank you Fortune 50
