Unpacking Schedule III
Speakers
Shanita Penny
Executive Director·Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR)
Wanda James
CEO & Candidate for Congress·Simply Pure
Wanda James is a candidate for Congress in Colorado’s Congressional District 1, the Co-Founder and CEO of Simply Pure, and a nationally recognized leader in cannabis reform, equity, and entrepreneurship. In 2009, she and her husband, Scott Durrah, made history as the first African Americans legally licensed to own a dispensary, cultivation, and edibles company in the United States. She is also a proud Emerge graduate and looks forward to continuing to support women running for office. In 2022, Wanda James again broke barriers by becoming the first cannabis business owner elected to public office in Colorado, winning a seat as Regent for the University of Colorado (District 1), overseeing a $6 billion budget across the university’s four campuses. As President of the Cannabis Global Initiative (CGI), Wanda advises government agencies and private enterprises on diversity development, responsible regulation, and equitable cannabis policy. Her leadership and advocacy have helped shape legalization frameworks in Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, and Jamaica. Her impact has been recognized across the industry and beyond: Ad Week 2021 Trailblazer, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and MSNBC President Rashida Jones MJBiz Hall of Fame Inductee (2019) ATACH 2023 Retailer of the Year Grow Up Conference 2023 Champion of Justice & Equity Named among the Top 25 Business Women in Colorado (2023) and the Top 50 Women in Cannabis by High Times Wanda’s national profile includes features in Black Enterprise, The Atlantic, Sensi Magazine, Cannabis & Tech Today, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, among others. A U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, Wanda James has combined her military discipline with entrepreneurial innovation to become one of the most respected voices in the fight for cannabis justice, equity, and federal reform.
Meg Sanders
CEO·Canna Provisions
Meg took it upon herself to help revitalize the cannabis industry in the United States. She worked directly with the governor of Colorado to develop its updated cannabis laws, then personally led the charge by opening one of the state’s first dispensaries. She partnered up with Erik to help other firms navigate this industry throughout the United States, and is now one of the biggest forces in the new Massachusetts cannabis cultivation and consumer sales fields. She’s an established pioneer and eagerly awaits the opportunity to help you map your own journey.
Alissa “Ali” Jubelirer
Of Counsel·Benesch Law
Ali is a seasoned attorney and business advisor with deep experience in the cannabis and hemp industries, bringing a rare dual perspective as both legal counsel and a former owner/operator. She advises cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, investors, and ancillary businesses on regulatory compliance, licensing, transactions, disputes, and strategic growth in highly regulated markets. With more than 25 years as a labor and employment attorney, Ali also counsels clients across industries on workplace policies, employee relations, investigations, wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, executive compensation, collective bargaining, and employment litigation. Having served as both in-house and external counsel, she is known for delivering pragmatic, business-minded guidance that balances legal risk with operational realities. Ali’s cannabis and hemp practice includes advising on license acquisitions and sales, funding and strategic transactions, managed services agreements, multi-state regulatory compliance, and engagement with state agencies and regulators. Prior to joining Benesch, she operated licensed cannabis and hemp businesses in New Mexico, served as General Counsel to a multi-state cannabis operator, and founded CannaMatch to support Illinois social equity licensees. Earlier in her career, Ali held senior legal roles at Groupon, including VP & Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, and previously worked at Tribune Company and Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She holds a B.A. from Penn State Honors and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and is a certified CCEP and SPHR. A recognized industry leader, Ali is a Global Top 200 cannabis attorney, frequent speaker, and active participant in cannabis and hemp advocacy and industry organizations.
Shanita Penny serves as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), where she leads the organization’s mission to advance evidence-based cannabis policy reform through collaboration, education, and stakeholder engagement. With more than 20 years of experience as a coalition builder, advocacy leader, and business strategist, Shanita is recognized for her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful policy change in the cannabis industry. Her leadership is instrumental in shaping CPEAR’s strategic initiatives, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and advocating for responsible cannabis regulation at the national level. Shanita’s professional cannabis journey includes founding Budding Solutions, a boutique consultancy that supported cannabis businesses in launching and scaling compliant operations, and co-founding DocHouse, a craft cannabis cultivator and manufacturer acquired by Ayr Wellness in 2020. She has served as Vice President and President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and held board positions with several advocacy organizations and non-profits, amplifying her impact on policy reform. Shanita’s deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and commitment to inclusive policy reform position her as a leading voice in the ongoing evolution of cannabis policy, regulation and responsible industry growth.
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