The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is thrilled to include the people of Denver and surrounding areas in its Equity Workshop Tour (EWT) on April 4th. Denver will open with a special welcome from Governor Jared Polis, closing out the Southwest Region of the 2024 Tour, comprising over 25 events, spanning 20+ states across the entire country, in a series of regional mini-Tours. The tour aims to fortify the presence and influence of social equity applicants and operators in the burgeoning cannabis sector.

This hands-on tour offers a unique blend of in-depth learning and valuable networking experiences. The Tour’s Founder and lead organizer, Mike Lomuto, MCBA Board Chair and Co-Founder of Dao Mastery, grew up in San Francisco and its cannabis industry (before it was called an “industry”). Mike was instrumental in the implementation behind the National Cannabis Industry Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, and is the 2023 recipient of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association’s Advocate of the Year Award.

Event Highlights:

• Roundtable Dialogues: Benefit from the expertise of industry leaders providing actionable insights
• Collaborative Forums: Foster industry-wide unity and build on shared visions for equity
• Panels & Town Halls: Gain exclusive access to some of the cannabis industry’s most impactful leaders
• Networking Opportunities: Engage with like-minded individuals in a space designed for meaningful connection

MCBA is proud to collaborate with multiple organizations equally committed to championing social equity in the cannabis landscape, including: BIPOCann, Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), Social Equity Empowerment Network, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, The JUSTUS Foundation, Bay Area Latino Cannabis Alliance, NORML, Cannabis HR Council, Service Disabled Veterans in Cannabis, and the TRAEHNY Partnership

The Agenda:

• Opening Address: Colorado Governor Jared Polis with an intro by CU Regent Wanda James
• Expert-Led Roundtable Dialogues
• Interactive Panel Discussion with State Regulators
• The Corner Clinic 

Registration on EventHi.io is complimentary for all individuals invested in promoting equity within the cannabis industry. Spaces are limited to preserve an intimate workshop atmosphere.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, Apri 4, 2024
• Time: Open Networking starts at 9:30AM; Main Program from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: The Commons on Champa 1245 Champa St, Denver, CO 80204

Speakers, Roundtable Facilitators, and Panelists:

• Dominique Mendiola- Senior Director, Colorado Department of Revenue – Marijuana Enforcement Division and Natural Medicine Division; President-Elect of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA)
• Emma Howard, Program Manager of the Cannabis Business Office at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
• Wanda James, CEO, Simply Pure; Regent, University of Colorado
• Kelly Perez, co-CEO/founder, Cannabis Doing Good
• Ernest Toney, Founder & CEO, BIPOCann
• Michael Diaz-Rivera, Owner, Better Days Delivery; M4MM State Representative; Leader of Colorado Social Equity Group 
• Jarell Wall, Co-Founder/CEO/Creative Director, Gentlemen Quinns; Advisor on Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division Social Equity Advisory Committee 
• Mark Slaugh, CEO, iComply, LLC
• Kelly Curtin, Business Development Manager, SC Labs
• Nataleigh Jackson, CEO, Sell My Canna Harvest
• Levon Terry, CEO Capfluent Consulting 
• Rita Montoya, Attorney, Strategist, Adviser 
• Mike Lomuto, Board Chair, Minority Cannabis Business Association