The Cannabis Advisory Group (CAG) cannabis advocacy organization is holding a golfing networking event on September 19th featuring former NFL player Ricky Williams.
New Jersey Cannabis Event Details
CAG advocates Jacqueline Ferraro and Alan Hans-Cohen noted you don’t have to golf to attend the event. It’s Monday, September 19th starting at 12:30 pm at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe in Middlesex County.
“It’s a great event for everyone to kick back and rela. Meet new people, and see some familiar faces,” Ferraro said.
Funds from tickets, sponsorships, and a silent auction will go to Medgar Evers College, Minority Cannabis Academy, and Balanced Veteran’s Network.
Ferraro said the “goal with the event on the 19th is to help combat the stigma and the War on Drugs.”
Thus, they want to help communities affected by the War on Drugs and groups that serve them, like Medgar Evers College, a predominantly Black college in New York City.
Football Star and Cannabis Entrepreneur Ricky Williams Featured
Former Football player Ricky Williams will be the keynote speaker.
“We have such a great group. We’re really excited to see everybody,” CAG Ferraro said.
Hans-Cohen noted the relaxed atmosphere makes everyone very warm and friendly, including Ricky Williams.
“It’s just a chill, cool environment,” she said.
“Giving back is what we’re really striving for here. We got some great conferences and networking events. This is a little different. Every attendee is giving back to the three organizations that we’ll be donating to,” Ferraro said. “It’s a great way to give back and be part of the day and group.”
“For our luncheon, we also invite Social Equity or Diversely-owned conditional applicant awardees to for free to network to meet some of the industry leaders,” Hans-Cohen noted.
The Cannabis Advisory Group has gained generous support from several companies. They include Ascend, Curaleaf, Sapphire Risk, Hance Construction, and many others who will be in attendance.
“We’re really fortunate to have such great sponsors and attendees,” Ferraro said.
Last year Medgar Evers College, the New Jersey Re-entry program, the Balanced Veterans Network, and Homefront, a women’s homeless shelter, were the recipients of the funds raised. Their golf outing last year raised $50,000 for the four charities.
Cannabis Advocacy
Ferraro noted the Cannabis Advisory Group is an all-volunteer group 501(C)3 non-profit. It’s made up of a diverse group of professionals with expertise in cannabis policy, business, and medicine. They believe in social justice.
The group was formed in 2020. They bring together a group of thought leaders, business leaders, and social justice advocates from all over the country. The organization is women-led by Ferraro, Hans-Cohen, noted accountant Stacey Udell, and former Maryland Cannabis Commissioner Deb Miran.
“We’re here to help source for Best Practices in cannabis-friendly states,” Ferraro said.
She noted they have been very active in advocacy. They have been working with towns on their cannabis policy, writing white papers, and commenting during public meetings.
Hans-Cohen noted they have been actively advocating for towns to consider implementing a cannabis legalization policy.
She noted they provide “the facts on legalization” by providing information and resources like economic data.
“We’re hoping to make an impact and give back,” Ferraro said. “This isn’t the big bad wolf coming to town. We’re here with good intentions.”
While primarily focused on New Jersey, they engage in cannabis advocacy throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
In Pennsylvania, they were instrumental in a recall of medical cannabis products being issued.
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