Thanks for the comment Steve and glad to post it online to continue and share the dialogue with our 25,000 plus subscribers of licensees, ancillary businesses, regulators and investors. As usual, when you do any list, you know that it will be controversial and there will be a number of folks that some will argue should or should not be included. We are definitely guilty as charged in that respect but wanted to recognize those that we felt deserved notice from top to bottom. There are only 100 slots on this year’s lists so yes we get to make the choices because it is CBE’s list! By and large, the activist community has done a great job of raising the bar and the issue as to whether the benefits of ending prohibition outweigh the benefits of continuing on a policy path that is destructive morally, ethically and in real human and destructive versus constructive costs. CBE is an advocate for the legalization of cannabis but we are very editorially focused on the mechanism’s (laws and regulations) that need to be in place to drive the new industry forward. We were looking for those that influence the industry bottom line which boils down to access for consumers, whether for medicinal or recreational use. We recognized several members of the US House and Senate and, as we both know, there are many who have contributed time, energy and resources to supporting legislation that furthers the cause that were not on this year’s list. We welcome any and all feedback of those that wish to comment, we mention in the lead-in article that we knew there would be those excluded and encourage all to present those overlooked. If you are a regular reader, you would notice that we always do a list follow-up piece recognizing those that the readers make a good case for so I hope that you bring others that deserve attention to our attention. Your comment is duly noted are you intending to recommend that we recognize you or others that you deem worthy? Hope you continue the dialogue with CBE, it helps the industry grow, learn from its successes and failures and ultimately succeed! Cheers! Rob Reply
Using and growing cannabis is a natural human right as ruled by the supreme court in Mexico. Human rights are extended to all human beings regardless of borders or geographical location, if you are a human being, you have rights. Taxation on your natural human right is an act of war, marijuana legalization has been an act of war and is still prohibition through over zealous restrictions, fees, fines and taxation. Only a total repeal will bring peace and stop the humanitarian crimes promoted by monied legalization groups like NORML, MPP and DPA as well as politicians that lock in goose step with said organizations. Reply
The problem with these kind of lists is that people who have been absolutely critical in the advancement in Cannabis policy reform by show leather community based advocacy, deft media manipulation, and various forms of regional organizing get overlooked for peripheral individuals who have higher degrees of media exposure. Kudos to all of the folks on the list for their contributions. However, hundreds of people who have dedicated their adult lives to cannabis reform, industry, and normalization, some at great risk and sacrifice, have been overlooked for others who have played a very minimal role but have higher media visibility or stature of some other kind. I, personally, have received my share of attention. But I can think of a slew of other activists who are as or more deserving who seldom get any mention, and who have played a vital role in the forward thrust of cannabis reform and industry. Reply
Appreciate the comments Vivian and agree their are many advocates who deserve notice by the industry at large. As a business to business publication our goal was to identify people who were instrumental in getting legislation started or passed at the state level or were influential in establishing a regulatory environment, by state or country for that matter that allows for cannabis to be accessed by consumers for medical or recreational/adult use. Consumers translate into revenue for the licensees and ultimately ancillary businesses as well and CBE follows the industry leaders that are building a viable industry. We did recognize the good the bad and the ugly when we launched in November of 2014, The CBE Political 50 and you were actually part of it! Feel free to share your list with CBE’s readers, we would be happy to publish it. best regards, Rob Meagher Reply
Rob, thanks so much for the swift and thoughtful reply. What? I was part of it? I must have been in the ugly part, he he. I can accept your response and reasoning, and I appreciate you focusing on the cannabis industry and community very much, to any extent. So, I plead the fifth dimension. What an exciting time to be involved in advancing justice and equality for all. Be well and take care. -VM Reply