Law, Business, and Cannabis: Perspectives from Industry Experts

Sponsored by Rowan's Graduate Programs in Business, the Law and Justice Studies Department, and the Rowan University Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, & Workforce Development (RPWD).

The cannabis industry is evolving at a rapid pace - and the impacts in NJ are expected to be enormous. Experts in this panel discussion shared insights on existing and anticipated challenges such as regulations, markets, and social dynamics in NJ. We will spent about half of the session in moderated question format, then the second half of the session was spent in Q&A driven by audience interest. 

Questions addressed:

• What are some of the core issues related to advocacy, social equity, and policy reform?
• What research exists regarding crime rates in cities and states where medicinal and adult use cannabis has been legalized? 
• How might accountants, marketers, bankers, realtors, be impacted by evolving regulations and legal implications? 
• What are key requirements, skill sets, expertise, etc., needed to work in the cannabis industry?
• What are early trends for opportunities, plus uncertainties and challenges, regarding careers either directly in cannabis or in adjacent/supporting industries?
• How has the legalization of adult use or recreational cannabis affected crime rates in states that have already moved in this direction?
• Where will legal regulations from the industry come from, and who will be in charge of enforcement?

Moderators:

• Jennifer Maden, Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Studies, Rohrer College of Business, Rowan University
• Kimberly A. Houser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Law and Justice Studies, Rowan University

Chirali Patel, JD, BS Management, Cannabis Entrepreneur, Attorney at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PCl, and Co-Chair of Social Justice & Equity Subcommittee and Member of the Executive Board for the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee

Gregg Hilzer, LLM, JD, BA PoliSci, Partner at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PC

Tamieka Range, JD, BS Finance, Director of Government and Community Affairs at Cookies and Founder of Range Law Firm, LLC

Hugh O'Beirne, JD, MA, Founder of Hawthorne Ave Strategies LLC and Director of the Cannabis Advisory Group

Nichelle Pace, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Camden Business Association and President of Enchanting Media

 

Building Connections: the Finance and Social Equity Bridge 

Experts in this group discussion provided an overview of different approaches to the question of aligning finance with social equity initiatives. They shared a historical context for current social equity issues as well as an overview of its impact within certain demographic groups. Our moderators then engaged in a group dialogue with an aim to empower change agents or those who are curious about social change practices. Graduate student participants asked moderators questions on how to make some of the concepts discussed actionable in their own lives and professional career paths.

Question addressed:

• What is the role of finance in society and how is finance a viable arena for social change?
• Why is financial education so important?
• How are social equity initiatives generally funded? Why is this generally not enough?

Moderators:

Peter Gonzalez, Program Manager of Investor Education Community Outreach at the FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Peter Gonzalez is an advocate for information and education diverse communities about savings and investing. In his role as Program Manager of Investor Education Community Outreach at the FINRA Investor Education Foundation Peter focuses on facilitating community based financial capability programming in the United States. Prior to his role with the Investor Education Foundation Peter spent 16 years facilitating examinations of broker dealers at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Michelle Martinez, MBA Candidate, MBA Fellow in Innovation and Impact

Michelle Martinez is the inaugural recipient of the RCB MBA Fellow in Innovation and Impact. As an MBA Fellow, she is driven to make a positive impact in the area of finance and social equity. Michelle began her career in banking and investment management at TD Bank where she carried out customer service and account management functions including addressing financial challenges and providing support and tools for clients to achieve financial security. She then worked for The Vanguard Group where, as an Investment Specialist, she educated clients on the Vanguard family of funds. Michelle also directed and led a range of fundamental client-advisor support functions for a team of financial advisors in Bethesda, MD. In a recent role at FINRA, she assisted brokerage firms in meeting their regulatory and compliance needs. Michelle is a socially conscious investor and seeks to collaborate with other visionaries on addressing long-standing disinvestment and financial capability issues within underserved communities. Michelle enjoys exercising, hiking, reading and volunteering. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Management Leadership from La Salle University in 2013. Michelle resides in South Jersey with her family and her dogs.

Greg Payton, Co-Director, Rowan Center for Responsible Leadership and Lecturer, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship

Greg Payton is co-director of the Rowan Center for Responsible Leadership where he is developing corporate partnerships and adding a robust student engagement component to make a positive societal impact. He is also an adjunct professor at Rowan's Rohrer College of Business, chair of the Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, and serves on the Rowan University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Greg is a member of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), the largest academic organization dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship education through bold teaching, scholarship, and practice. His entrepreneurial journey has allowed him to inspire others, make a difference in the community and network with many business leaders and startup professionals. Greg believes in teaching his students the powers of an entrepreneurial mindset and encourages them to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. He was a member of the Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship team that was recognized by AACSB International—the world’s largest business education network—for serving as a “champion of change” in the landscape of business education. A retired major in the U.S. Army Reserves, Payton worked for PNC Financial Services Group, capping off his 23-year corporate career in technology and innovation as vice president of the PNC Financial Services Group's Diversity & Inclusion team. Greg is an alumnus from Rowan University’s Rohrer College of Business, and is also an alumnus from Drexel University’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship - Entrepreneurship and Innovation Master of Science program.