The City of Portland will hold their first press conference that will highlight cannabis policy advancements and statements from notable local cannabis entrepreneurs and industry influencers.
WHO: The City of Portland Cannabis Program team will be joined by City of Portland officials, members of the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team, and other cannabis industry experts to host a formal program to unveil the 2021 Cannabis Policy Report that outlines the recommendations underway to destigmatize cannabis use, expand racial equity, and support Portland’s growing market.
Scheduled speakers include:
- City of Portland Cannabis Program Manager Dasheeda Dawson
- City of Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty
- City of Portland Cannabis Policy Oversight Team Chair Al Ochosa
- City of Portland Cannabis Policy Oversight Team Vice Chair Travis Maurer
- Endocannabinologist and Certified Cannabinoid Medicine Specialist Dr. Rachel Knox
WHEN: Formal program begins on Monday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. PST
WHERE: Outdoor plaza and main entrance of Portland City Hall (1221 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97204) across the street from Terry Schrunk Plaza.
WHY: The Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT) will summarize its 2021 Cannabis Policy Report with the Office of Community & Civic Life and the communities served by the City of Portland.
Although 2021 was another record sales year for the Oregon cannabis industry, the triple-uppercut punch of COVID, burglaries, and wildfires left the cannabis industry without any lifeline. CPOT immediately got to work and advocated for the $1.33 million Cannabis Emergency Relief Fund, which was approved by City Council on Dec. 1, 2021.
CPOT, supported by Commissioner-in-charge Jo Ann Hardesty, is ready to summarize their equity-centered recommendations. These policy recommendations include a focus on:
- Human Equity
- Environmental Equity
- Economic Equity, and
- Social Equity
All media, including cannabis policy advocates from around the country and world, will participate as this event will be livestreamed for global audiences to view.
LIVESTREAMING & CALL-IN DETAILS:
If you are planning to share this with your readers, please have them tune in via our YouTube Livestream link: bit.ly/3jc0Dpb
A recording of the video will live on this link following the press conference.
About the City of Portland Cannabis Program
The City of Portland’s Cannabis Program oversees all regulatory, licensing, compliance, education, and equity initiatives for the City’s legal cannabis industry.
A centralized cannabis regulatory office for the City of Portland helps businesses thrive and keeps our community safer. The Cannabis Program helps ensure Portland’s cannabis business community creates local jobs, supports public health and safety, employs a diverse workforce, invests in their staff and their communities, and provides consumers with safe, legal options to buy and consume cannabis.
The Cannabis Program is an equity-centered regulatory management framework operationally designed to deliver on the reparative and restorative potential of the global cannabis decriminalization movement. The City’s program continues to be an aspirational benchmark for local, state and federal jurisdictions demonstrating the cannabis industry’s ability to impact systemic racism globally.
Check out the Cannabis Program Fact Sheet or visit the Cannabis Program website for more information: portland.gov/civic/cannabis
About Civic Life
The Cannabis Program is housed within the Office of Community & Civic Life (Civic Life). Civic Life connects the people of Portland with their City government to promote the common good. Our programs create a culture of collaboration, expanding possibilities for all Portlanders to contribute their knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve local problems and make life better in the city we all share. portlandoregon.gov/civic
