We’d love to hear from you. Do you have someone special you’d like us to recognize?
Email: heather@cannabistrainers.com
We are honored to recognize Kayvan S.T. Khalatbari.
He is a Founding Partner of Denver Relief Consulting and entrepreneur extraordinaire!
Q: We asked Kayvan what he loves about the cannabis industry? 
A: The diversity in the opportunities it creates. For 13 years I’ve been involved in cannabis policy reform in some fashion, as a protesting activist, an advocate working hand-in-hand with federal, state and local officials on legislation, regulations and rules, an entrepreneur, and now getting into the entertainment and cultural side of things. Progress in cannabis creates furtherance in accessible safe medicines, ending the failed drug war, and creating new local economic opportunities. It encompasses agriculture, consumer product manufacturing, retail industry, patient education, a host of ancillary products and services, culture, art, and more. And that’s not to mention hemp, something that will exceed medical and social cannabis in its economic opportunity. The cannabis industry is vast, and it’s just getting started.
Q: What are you concerned about regarding the cannabis industry?
A: Along with that progress we’re making, come more participants, both lawmakers and those in private industry, most of whom aren’t considerate of those opportunities beyond those of economic significance. They’ve lost sight of the fact that providing safe medicine to dying patients and keeping people out of jail were the impetus behind this progress. This is particularly true when looking at minority inclusion, or the lack thereof. The communities that have been most negatively impacted by the drug war for decades aren’t finding their share in this new environment, neither in ownership because of limited license structures, or in support roles because past cannabis convictions that preclude their participation. Those fighting for that equity are few, but the Minority Cannabis Business Association is changing that. If you’re reading this I hope you will join the MCBA and help bring minority inclusion to the front of the conversation, just as the industry did so successfully for the participation of women a couple years ago. We’ve got a long way to go.
For more information and how you can get involved, please check out: http://www.minoritycannabis.org/
