Upcoming events
What’s the Tea? - ACR Virtual Sesh Featuring Miyabe Shields
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
A briefer about our guest:
Dr. Miyabe Shields, a Ph.D. pharmaceutical scientist specializing in the structural biochemistry of the endocannabinoid system for the past 14 years, has academic, industrial, and personal experience with cannabis as medicine. Following her Ph.D., she co-founded a cannabis research startup, exploring heat-transformed cannabinoids and developing new extraction methods. In 2023, Miyabe co-founded the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), a research nonprofit focused on studying natural product synergies and prioritizing lived experience.
Miyabe is passionate about public education and science advocacy, reaching over 6 million people through social media and podcasts, educating on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and psychedelics for neurodivergent brains. She runs a course/community called "The Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs" and have self-published a sci-fi novel in 2024 titled "High Hopes," about a dystopian universe with similar biochemistry to our own. Additionally, Miyabe is a musician, performing in a folk-punk guitar/violin duet, the Saltymints. We are SUPER excited to have Miyabe as the special guest speaker for our November Virtual Sesh which is also our last virtual sesh of 2024. She will dive into what scientific research shows on what "quality cannabis" is.
Free to attend.
Zoom link available HERE.
What’s the Tea? - ACR Virtual Sesh Featuring Hirsh Jain
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
A briefer about our guest:
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a firm which advises leading cannabis brands, retailers, ancillary technology businesses and venture capital funds in the United States and Western Europe. Ananda works with many of California's leading cannabis operators, helping lead their expansion strategy, competitive licensing efforts and M&A activity within California.
Hirsh also serves as Vice Chair of the California Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, which aims to promote the common interests of cannabis businesses by advocating for sound public policy and facilitating collaborations between cannabis operators.
In addition, Hirsh is on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in California, which for fifty years has been working to reform California's cannabis laws, led the opposition to the War on Drugs in California, and co-sponsored the nation's first medical cannabis law, Prop 215, in 1996.
Hirsh was previously the Director of Government Affairs at Caliva, a vertically-integrated California cannabis operator. Prior to Caliva, Hirsh was the West Coast Director of Government Affairs at MedMen, a leading cannabis retailer.
Before working in cannabis, Hirsh was the Global Policy Lead at Airbnb in San Francisco, working closely with government officials to develop legal and regulatory frameworks that enabled Airbnb to operate legally and successfully throughout the world. Before that, Hirsh was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in New York, working in the company’s Public Sector Practice.
Hirsh has a B.A. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley, where he worked as the Cannabis Lead in the Campus Public Defender’s Office, defending students that were accused of cannabis violations by the University. He also has a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where his focus was the racially disparate impacts of The War on Drugs.
Zoom link available HERE.
What’s the Tea? - ACR Virtual Sesh Featuring Tiffany Chin of Death Row Cannabis
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
A briefer about our guest:
Tiffany Chin has 13 years of experience in the entertainment space, working with world famous talent including Snoop Dogg, Eddie Murphy, and Martha Stewart. In working closely with Snoop Dogg, Chin co-founded Casa Verde Capital in 2014, as well as Leafs By Snoop (LBS) in 2015, the first widely available celebrity cannabis brand and Snoop Dogg’s first venture into the branded cannabis space. In 2021, Chin decided to pursue her other passion of fitness and helped operate Recess.tv, a tech start-up in the fitness industry with the creator (fitness professionals) top of mind. Chin guest lectures at UCLA for MBA marketing classes, and has consulted with many cannabis agencies and brands – and most recently has found her way back to working with Snoop Dogg to launch the Death Row Records Cannabis line in California in 2023, and launched a cannabis store in Inglewood named S.W.E.D. (which stands for Smoke Weed Every Day) alongside Snoop Dogg. She received her business degree at the Wharton School of Business from the University of Pennsylvania.
Free for ACR members, $20 for non-members. Zoom link will be sent day of the event via email.
What’s the Tea? - an ACR Virtual Sesh: “Did you eat yet?”
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
Zoom link available HERE.
Sesh w/ our ACR Board Members
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
Zoom link available HERE.
Sesh w/ our ACR Board Members
Join the Asian Cannabis Roundtable every 4th Thursday of the Month for a virtual freestyle sesh.
As countless generations have before us, gathering at this roundtable represents a digital ode to a modern-day tea session with friends. We warmly invite you to embrace the opportunity to (re)connect with others while weaving new memories in this timeless homage to the spirit of community and camaraderie. We are here to bring harmony and perspective for all looking to take a break from the outside world and focus on the simple transitory moment of enjoying each other’s company. Whether you seek solace, inspiration, or simply a moment of respite, join us as our worlds converge through our love of the plant.
Zoom link available HERE.
Overcoming Challenges in the cannabis industry as an aaNHpi leader
Although the cannabis plant originated in Asia many millennia ago, a variety of stigmas continue to exist today in Asian communities. Conservative family upbringings and unwavering stubbornness from previous generations often prevent AANHPI individuals from being able to fully emerge as leaders in this nascent global industry.
One of the pillars of action the Asian Cannabis Roundtable seeks to address is empowerment and representation by helping break generational stigmas. Working and operating in the cannabis space often impacts family dynamics as well as dealing with lingering deep-rooted stereotypes.
Hear our esteemed speakers share their stories of breaking through the proverbial “bamboo ceiling” to become thought leaders and game changers in the cannabis space. Listen in and learn how they’re paving the way while writing the playbook for minorities across the US and in Canada.
Registration link can be found HERE.
Sesh w/ our ACR Board Members
Happy belated 4/20.
We hope you had a spectacular “high” holiday and are ready to continue the sesh with our very own ACR Board members. Please join us for 2024’s first roundtable event in a “Ask Me Anything” type format. Learn more about the Asian Cannabis Roundtable and some of the initiatives we’ll be pursuing this year. We’d love input from interested stakeholders and to grow our community. Come join the movement!
Eventbrite link available HERE.
Ayr Wellness NJ Tour
Hop on the bus!
Join members of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable for lunch, as we tour the vertically integrated operations at Ayr Wellness' Woodbridge NJ facility. We will meet Tenisha Victor, Ayr's Director of Emerging Markets & Community Outreach and learn about opportunities to partner with Ayr.
Transportation will be provided to/from the upper west side of Manhattan.
Link to registration HERE.
Industry Brief: Rescheduling Cannabis to Schedule III on Controlled Substances Act
Join us for an exciting monthly online event, the Industry Brief! Get ready to dive into the latest trends and insights in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to stay ahead of the game.
Starting on Thu Sep 14 2023 at 19:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time), our expert speakers will share their knowledge and experiences, giving you valuable tips and tricks to succeed in the industry.
Don't miss this opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration. Mark your calendars and join us for the Industry Brief online event!
This month will focus on the recent recommendation by President Biden's HHS Department to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug. We will discuss how the DEA is likely to respond to HHS' recommendation, and what the likely timing of the DEA's finding will be. We will further explore what the legislative impacts of a Schedule III might be, and further what "symbolic" impact it might have on how banks, stock exchanges and other private actors engage with the cannabis industry. Finally, we will explore what the Schedule III finding means for legislation like the SAFE Banking Act and cannabis' state-led growth story across the country.
