Country music legend Willie Nelson, at 91 years old, remains a vocal advocate for cannabis reform and continues to make waves in the music and culinary worlds. He actively supports Kamala Harris’s push for federal cannabis legalization, collaborates with Beyoncé on her latest album, and launches his own cannabis cookbook with his wife and a renowned chef.
Actor and cannabis advocate Jim Belushi spoke at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, urging for policy reform around banking, taxation, and the Schedule I classification of cannabis. He highlighted the disproportionate burden placed on the cannabis industry compared to alcohol and advocated for cannabis as a safer alternative with therapeutic potential.
Travis Maurer, founder and CEO of 420-420, is leveraging the power of text messaging to advocate for cannabis reform and push for justice in cannabis-related cases. His company, the only SMS platform approved by major carriers for cannabis-related messaging, has played a crucial role in the commutation of a life sentence for a non-violent cannabis offense and is now working to free Edwin Rubis, who has served 27 years for a similar crime. Maurer’s innovative approach to activism is shining a light on the injustices of the war on drugs and fostering a more equitable cannabis industry.
Luna Stower, head of Impact at Ispire, made a passionate call for full descheduling of cannabis at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, arguing it’s crucial for social equity and industry growth. She emphasized the need to move beyond rescheduling, which she believes would primarily benefit larger companies with pharmaceutical backgrounds, and instead focus on a truly equitable playing field for all players. Stower also stressed the importance of proactive involvement in creating regulations to ensure a thriving cannabis industry.
Luna Stower, Chief Impact Officer at Ispire, emphasizes the critical need to prioritize medical marijuana in cannabis policy discussions. Despite the focus on adult-use legalization, Stower argues that medical cannabis remains fundamental to the movement, providing essential relief to patients suffering from chronic conditions. She also highlights the crucial role of medical marijuana in shaping global cannabis regulations, particularly in countries hesitant about full legalization.
While the adult-use cannabis market captures headlines, Joseph Lustberg, CEO of Upwise Capital, emphasizes the critical role medical marijuana continues to play in the cannabis industry. He argues for its inclusion in policy discussions, highlighting its therapeutic benefits and potential to bridge cannabis with the health and wellness sector.
