Rev. Al Sharpton to Keynote the Cannabis World Congress Conference Regarding the Decriminalization of Marijuana and Diversity & Inclusion in the Cannabis Industry
PARAMUS, N.J., June 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, June 16, civil rights leader and founder of the National Action Network Rev. Al Sharpton will be the keynote speaker at CWCBExpo, the leading trade show and conference for the legalized cannabis, medical marijuana and industrial hemp industries at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
As a minister and the head of one of the country's leading civil rights organizations, Rev. Sharpton has been concerned for some time about the disproportionate number of marijuana arrests of black people in this country, including the unintended or intended consequences of national marijuana laws.
Rev. Al Sharpton said, "Just because I don't use marijuana as a minister, does not mean I have the right to impose my moral values on others. However, I will challenge the cannabis industry and its distributors in states where it is legal to support civil rights movements and ensure that we are not disproportionately excluded from business opportunities."
As a guest of Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo), Rev. Al Sharpton will discuss the need for greater inclusion of underrepresented communities in the fast-growing cannabis industry, which is expected to exceed $20 billion in 2020.
Rev. Sharpton's keynote at CWCBExpo NY will be the first time that he has spoken publicly about decriminalization of marijuana use, civil rights, and diversity in the cannabis industry, as well as the need to lay the groundwork now for a national movement to provide education and assure fair opportunity and involvement for people of color.
"Decriminalization and diversity are hot buttons for this industry, and there is a low percentage of canna-businesses owned by people of color. To have one of the nation's most prominent voices speak on this topic at CWCBExpo is an extreme honor. This is a turning point for the industry and we are proud to have Rev. Sharpton inspire real action forward," said Scott Giannotti, Managing Director, CWCBExpo Events.
CWCBExpo NY has been the keynote stage for the cannabis industry for years. At past CWCBExpo events, New York State Senator Diane Savino championed the Compassionate Care Act, NFL players like Leonard Marshall and Jim McMahon talked openly about cannabis and CBD use to alleviate pain and the effects of concussions, and advocates such as Ethan Nadelmann, Keith Stroup and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson talked about drug policy reform.
Rev. Sharpton founded the National Action Network (NAN) in 1991 and is President of the not-for-profit civil rights organization with over 100 chapters nationwide, including a Washington, D.C. Bureau and regional offices across the U.S.
As one of the nation's most-renowned civil rights leaders, Rev Sharpton has been praised by President Barack Obama as "the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden." Rev. Al Sharpton also hosts a daily radio show as well as a national cable news television show, and is an established author.
This year's powerful CWCBExpo NY Keynote Line-up will include former Governor and WWE personality Jesse Ventura, Roger Stone, political strategist for Donald Trump and marijuana advocate, as well as NY State Senator Diane Savino providing a legislature and regulatory update.
CWCBExpo NY takes place under one roof at the Javits Center June 14-16. For more info go to www.cwcbexpo.com.
About Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo)
The professionally-run Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo) are produced by Leading Edge Expositions in partnership with the International Cannabis Association (ICA). The events are the premier professional forums for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic industry. To learn more about the coast-to-coast CWCBExpos in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, go to www.cwcbexpo.com. Connect on Twitter/CWCBExpo, Facebook/CWCBExpo and Instagram/cwcbexpo.
Editor's Note: Members of the media are invited to register as press for the CWCBExpo NY. To request a press badge email: [email protected] or visit http://www.cwcbexpo.com/press-registration-form-new-york.
Media Contact: Annie Scully
201-310-9252
[email protected]
Related Images
Related Links
CWCBExpo NY Attendee Registration
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition
SOURCE Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo)
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article