Christine Adams, MBA
Christine Adams, MBA
Christine Adams, MBA
Christine Adams employs evidence-based, harm reduction strategies to improve outcomes related to impaired driving and youth substance use. She advocates for sound policy to promote responsible, regulated industries, that value public safety.
Bryon Adinoff, MD
Christine Adams, MBA
Christine Adams, MBA
Bryon Adinoff MD is an addiction psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and advocate. Presently a Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado, he retired in 2018 as the Distinguished Professor of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and psychiatrist for 30 years with the Veterans Affairs. In h
Bryon Adinoff MD is an addiction psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and advocate. Presently a Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado, he retired in 2018 as the Distinguished Professor of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and psychiatrist for 30 years with the Veterans Affairs. In his semi-retired status, Dr. Adinoff is President of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform.
Chase Bearden
Christine Adams, MBA
Chase Bearden
As Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. Chase is called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature, state agencies and the private sector on issues surrounding Texans with disabilities.
Aaron Bloom
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Chase Bearden
Aaron Bloom oversees the mission & growth of DocMJ. DocMJ, founded in 2016, has over 60 licensed providers nationwide and has seen more than 400,000 cannabis visits. Our Texas-based providers now help Texans find better health with cannabis.
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Dr. Brimberry, MD was one of the first certified doctors in TX to provide access to medical cannabis for conditions related to palliative medicine. He started TCC in 2020 as a virtual tele-med consultation service working with patients throughout TX.
Kevin Caldwell
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Kevin joined MPP in December 2021. As the Southeast Legislative Manager, Kevin leads MPP’s lobbying efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia and Kansas.
Meredith Clay
Meredith Clay
Meredith Clay
Meredith is a Ph.D. student in Plant Breeding at Texas A&M's Industrial Hemp Breeding Program. Her projects include researching Cannabis trichomes and breeding for enhanced genetics, as well as specializing in Cannabis cultivation and propagation.
Liz Cross
Meredith Clay
Meredith Clay
Liz Cross has been a pediatric neurology nurse practitioner at CNCA in Austin for 13 years. In 2020, she launched Central Texas's first CBD resource clinic for pediatric patients. Liz holds a medical cannabis degree from the University of Maryland.
John Delaney
Meredith Clay
John Delaney
A veteran Texas district judge, Judge Delaney believes that criminal prohibition is ineffective in regulating drug use and produces lasting collateral harm. He has testified to the Texas legislature and is a frequent speaker in favor of law reforms.
Brad Douglas
Hans Enriquez
John Delaney
I am a veteran, attorney, father, and a staunch advocate of positive outcomes.
Hans Enriquez
Hans Enriquez
Hans Enriquez
Hans Enriquez comes with 20 years of experience in the cannabis Industry, specifically retailing, distribution, franchising, licensing, payment processing, brand building and business development.
Eric Evans
Hans Enriquez
Hans Enriquez
Eric Evans has a B.S. in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University and has spent 8 years in the cannabis field. He oversees all aspects of post-cultivation product creation and consistency to ensure goodblend provides high quality medicine to Texans.
Heather Fazio
Heather Fazio
Heather Fazio
As a grassroots organizer, Heather has trained hundreds of advocates across the state, hosted lobby days at the Capitol, and engaged media to ensure positive cannabis coverage. She is the lead organizer for the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference.
Paul Furfaro
Heather Fazio
Heather Fazio
As President of Global Medical Cannabis at Village Farms, Paul leads the company's global expansion in the evolving cannabis space. Previously, he opened 90 dispensaries for the government, driving $1B in impact during Canada's cannabis legalization.
Tony Gallo
Heather Fazio
Akeem Gardner
Considered the “OG of Cannabis Security”, Tony has been in the cannabis industry since 2013 and has worked with over 800 cannabis clients in over 35 States designing their security program from application to operations. Tony is considered one of the leading security authorities in the State/City application license process, physical sec
Considered the “OG of Cannabis Security”, Tony has been in the cannabis industry since 2013 and has worked with over 800 cannabis clients in over 35 States designing their security program from application to operations. Tony is considered one of the leading security authorities in the State/City application license process, physical security buildouts, and standard security operating procedures. Tony was recognized by High Times Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Cannabis People and the Emjay’s as the Cannabis Consultant Firm of the Year.
Akeem Gardner
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Akeem Gardner
CEO & Founder of Canurta, a leader in the future of Canadian life sciences and biotechnology, and have a founder-first mentality. Akeem's passion for botanical solutions to inflammation spurred Canurta’s early innovations forward.
Robin Goldstein
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Robin Goldstein is Director of the Cannabis Economics Group at UC Davis, where his research studies the economic impacts of policy and regulations. Dr. Goldstein's most recent book is "Can Legal Weed Win? The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics."
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Michael S. Gorby MD FACP
Michael S. Gorby, MD, FACP, is an internist, hospitalist, critical care specialist, hospice director and Compassionate Use prescriber based in Palestine, Texas. He earned his medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1982. Dr. Gorby sees patients at his own Sycamore Medical Clinic.
Katharine Harris, PhD
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Katharine Harris, PhD
Katharine Harris is the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. She examines local, state, and national drug laws.
Susan Hays
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Katharine Harris, PhD
Susan Hays is a lawyer and registered lobbyist based in Austin and Alpine, Texas. She serves on the TCUP Working Group as the public representative. She was intimately involved in the drafting and passage of Texas’s 2019 hemp law.
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Dr. Russ Jessup (Professor) leads the Industrial Hemp & Perennial Grass Breeding programs at Texas A&M University. Hemp research include developing inbred lines, triploid hybrids, NIRS chemotyping, and value-added bioproducts.
Yasha Kahn
Geoffrey Lawrence
Russell W. Jessup, PhD
Yasha Kahn is a co-founder of MCR Labs, where he leads the organization's data and brand initiatives. With more than a decade of expertise in cannabis testing, Yasha ensures MCR’s status as one of the industry’s most trusted cannabis testing laboratories. His current focus is on policy and data science, with an emphasis on data-informed
Yasha Kahn is a co-founder of MCR Labs, where he leads the organization's data and brand initiatives. With more than a decade of expertise in cannabis testing, Yasha ensures MCR’s status as one of the industry’s most trusted cannabis testing laboratories. His current focus is on policy and data science, with an emphasis on data-informed approaches to regulating laboratories and protecting consumers nationwide.
Kristopher Kem
Geoffrey Lawrence
Geoffrey Lawrence
Kris Kem is the Texas President of FLUENT, a multi-state medical cannabis operator based in Florida and proudly serving the great state of Texas. He has spent the past two years working to expand FLUENT's footprint to accommodate all Texans in need.
Geoffrey Lawrence
Geoffrey Lawrence
Geoffrey Lawrence
Geoffrey Lawrence is research director at Reason Foundation.
Lawrence has been a financial executive in both the public and private sectors and has served as chief financial officer of publicly traded, growth stage, and startup cannabis companies. Lawrence is formerly senior appointee to the Nevada Controller's Office where he oversaw the
Geoffrey Lawrence is research director at Reason Foundation.
Lawrence has been a financial executive in both the public and private sectors and has served as chief financial officer of publicly traded, growth stage, and startup cannabis companies. Lawrence is formerly senior appointee to the Nevada Controller's Office where he oversaw the state's financial reporting and has been with Reason Foundation since 2018.
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
Piper is passionate about bringing change for cannabis patients. She has a Master’s in Medical Cannabis, worked in cannabis development, and is working on producing a documentary, Potbound, which will share medical cannabis patient perspectives.
Lindy McGee
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
Dr. McGee, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, is an E-cigarette champion for the American Academy of Pediatrics and chair of the Child and Adolescent Health Committee for Texas Medical Association.
Ian McGrath
Piper Lindeen, M.S.
José Menéndez
Ian McGrath received his undergraduate degree in Plant & Environmental Soil Science from Texas A&M. He spent 3 years developing a terpene-based pesticide in the TAMU Hemp Program and is now pursuing a PhD in Molecular & Environmental Plant Science.
José Menéndez
José Menéndez
José Menéndez
Senator Menéndez currently serves as Chairman of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus and on the Administration, Business & Commerce, Education, and State Affairs Committees.
Clay Moore
José Menéndez
Clay Moore
Clay a Drug Discovery Scientist at Rare Earth Genomics, pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences at Texas A&M University, developing novel anti-cancer pharmaceuticals from plant phytochemicals replacing harmful chemotherapy drugs.
Nkem Okeke
José Menéndez
Clay Moore
Nkem, co-founder of Uniwyze and Adendox, has created and sold startups. As a former corporate lawyer and business executive, she has expertise in operations, fundraising, marketing, and legal affairs.
Lisa L. Pittman, Esq.
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Lisa Pittman has been a pioneering figure in the Texas cannabis industry since 2015. Lisa is appointed to the Texas Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Advisory Council. She is also a Non-resident Fellow for Rice University's Baker Institute Drug Policy Program. She earned the 2020 Texas Lawyer Trailblazer and 2020 National Law Jou
Lisa Pittman has been a pioneering figure in the Texas cannabis industry since 2015. Lisa is appointed to the Texas Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Advisory Council. She is also a Non-resident Fellow for Rice University's Baker Institute Drug Policy Program. She earned the 2020 Texas Lawyer Trailblazer and 2020 National Law Journal Trailblazer awards for Cannabis Law.
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Lee Rhoades is the Chief Science Officer for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority with responsibility for administering compliance oversight for the commercial Medical Marijuana testing laboratories licensed by the state.
Nico Richardson
Lee Rhoades, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Nico Richardson
Nico Richardson is the CEO of Texas Original, the first Texas-based medical cannabis dispensary in Texas. He has over a decade of experience working in emerging and highly regulated cannabis markets.
Ethan Russo, MD
Ethan Russo, MD
Ethan Russo, MD
Ethan Russo, MD, board-certified neurologist, CEO of CReDO Science, CMO of Andira Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Advisor at Canurta, Inc, has participated in 20+ botanical cannabis pharmaceutical clinical trials and written 70+ peer-reviewed journal articles.
Scott Seder
Ethan Russo, MD
Ethan Russo, MD
Scott Seder is a regulatory affairs professional that has focused on cannabis regulation since 2013. Scott is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law where he created and teaches UT's first ever Cannabis Law course.
David K. Sergi
Ethan Russo, MD
David K. Sergi
David has been a leader in the field of cannabis litigation for over 10 years. He kept Delta 8 legal in the Sky Marketing case, quashed DEA subpoenas, worked in conjunction with some law enforcement agencies to establish clear rules for vape shops, and issued entities that attempted to circumvent Texas laws on cannabis.
Sue Sisley, MD
Chelsie N. Spencer
David K. Sergi
Sue Sisley MD resides in Arizona & Montana, practicing Internal Medicine/Psychiatry.
Sue is Principal Investigator of Scottsdale Research Institute conducting FDA controlled trials on psilocybin mushrooms & cannabis flower for chronic pain & PTSD.
Learn more about Dr. Sisley
Chelsie N. Spencer
Chelsie N. Spencer
Chelsie N. Spencer
As head of the cannabis practice at Ritter Spencer Cheng PLLC, Chelsie Spencer represents clients across the cannabis and hemp industries. She frequently writes, speaks, and presents on issues affecting the cannabis industry across the United States.
Andrea Steel
Chelsie N. Spencer
Chelsie N. Spencer
Andrea Steel leads the Cannabis group at The Banks Law Firm, advising business on legalities and strategy. She is a pioneer in hemp, having been pivotal in a number of significant results impacting the industry at both state and federal levels.
Peter Stout
Joshua Van Dyke
Joshua Van Dyke
Dr. Peter Stout, HFSC’s CEO and president, initially joined the agency in 2015 as its chief operating officer and vice president. He has more than 20 years of experience in forensic science and forensic toxicology.
Joshua Van Dyke
Joshua Van Dyke
Joshua Van Dyke
I am a PhD Candidate researching uses of Hemp fibers. One of these uses involves breaking down the fibers into nanomaterials call nanocellulose which can be used as an emulsifier and in composites.
Justin Walton
Joshua Van Dyke
Nishi Whiteley
Justin is a passionate lover of all things plant medicine, with over 20 years as a student of Cannabis, Shamanism, Yoga, and Meditation. He build one of the first nurseries in California and represents the community of breeders that shaped this industry.
Nishi Whiteley
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Nishi Whiteley
Nishi Whiteley, COO of CReDO Science, authored the book Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill, several popular science articles, and co-authored 3 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Austin Zamhariri is the Executive Director of the Texas Cannabis Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking news, advocacy, and community events focused on Texas cannabis policy, industry, and culture.
Jokūbas Žiburkus, PhD
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Daryoush Austin Zamhariri
Dr. Jokūbas Žiburkus, a leading cannabis expert and neuroscience professor at the University of Houston, co-founded Uniwyze and Adendox. With 25+ publications and prestigious awards, including the Global Lithuanian Leader and Congressional Recognition, he's renowned for his Tedx Talk on epilepsy and cannabis. Holder of a PhD from LSU, he
Dr. Jokūbas Žiburkus, a leading cannabis expert and neuroscience professor at the University of Houston, co-founded Uniwyze and Adendox. With 25+ publications and prestigious awards, including the Global Lithuanian Leader and Congressional Recognition, he's renowned for his Tedx Talk on epilepsy and cannabis. Holder of a PhD from LSU, he completed postdocs at Johns Hopkins, George Mason, and Penn State.