John Salley
John Salley, a four-time NBA champion, has become a prominent advocate for cannabis, emphasizing its health benefits and potential to enhance athletes’ well-being. After retiring from professional basketball, Salley explored alternative methods for managing the physical and emotional challenges associated with high-intensity sports. He found that cannabis offered a natural remedy, contrasting with the prescription painkillers commonly used by athletes.
In his advocacy, Salley has highlighted the importance of consuming clean, organic cannabis. He co-founded Deuces22, a premium cannabis brand, with his daughter, Tyla Salley, aiming to provide top-quality, pesticide-free products. Their commitment to purity led to a partnership with GreenSpace Labs to detect pesticides and ensure an organic product.
Salley has also been vocal about the potential of cannabis to prolong professional athletes’ careers by offering a safer alternative to traditional pain management methods. He believes that embracing cannabis can help athletes cope with the rigorous demands of their professions, both physically and emotionally.
Tyla Salley
Tyla Salley is a prominent entrepreneur in the cannabis industry, recognized for her innovative contributions and leadership. She co-founded Deuces 22, a cannabis lifestyle brand, with her father, former NBA star John Salley. The brand focuses on delivering high-quality, organic cannabis products, emphasizing both luxury and health-conscious consumption. Tyla’s mission is to ensure consumers don’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience, particularly in products like pre-rolls, which she found often lacked in standard.
Beyond product excellence, Tyla is committed to addressing social justice issues within the cannabis sector. She aims to destigmatize cannabis use and highlight the disparities faced by Black individuals who have been disproportionately penalized for activities now becoming mainstream and profitable. Through Deuces 22, Tyla also emphasizes education about cannabis, striving to empower consumers with knowledge about the plant’s benefits and uses.
Her leadership and vision have earned her recognition as one of the “12 Black Cannabis Visionaries,” highlighting her role in shaping the future of the industry.
Ngaio Bealum
Ngaio Bealum is an American comedian, musician, writer, actor, and activist renowned for his insightful humor and steadfast advocacy for cannabis legalization. Born on February 15, 1968, in San Francisco, California, to parents active in the Black Panther movement, Bealum was immersed in a culture of activism from an early age. This upbringing significantly influenced his perspectives and comedic material.
Throughout his career, Bealum has seamlessly blended comedy with cannabis advocacy. He co-hosted “Cannabis Planet,” a television program dedicated to promoting the benefits of marijuana, and published West Coast Cannabis Magazine, further cementing his role as a leading voice in the cannabis community. In 2018, Bealum served as the resident cannabis expert on Netflix’s “Cooking on High,” the platform’s first cannabis cooking show, where he provided insights into various cannabis strains and their culinary applications.
Beyond his work in media, Bealum is a regular contributor to the Sacramento News & Review, penning the “Ask 420” column, where he addresses reader inquiries about marijuana and its politics. His dedication to education and advocacy has made him a sought-after speaker at cannabis events and conferences nationwide.
Bealum’s discography includes the comedy album “Weed and Sex,” released in 2012, which showcases his unique blend of humor and commentary on cannabis culture.
Thunder Walker
Thunder Walker is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary whose contributions to the cannabis industry and real estate sector have made her a prominent figure in these fields. With over 40 years of experience in real estate, finance, and construction, and nearly a decade in the cannabis and CBD sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her endeavors.
As the host of “The Thunder Walker Experience,” she educates and advocates for cannabis programming throughout the United States. Traveling across the country, she attends major cannabis events and conducts insightful interviews within her renowned Crystal Ball Dome, featuring industry professionals, patients, and individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by cannabis.
In addition to her media presence, Thunder Walker is the founder of Proud Mary Cannabis, a company that reflects her commitment to quality and innovation in the cannabis space. She is also the creator of the “Smoke Currency Tour,” an immersive journey offering participants a rare glimpse into the cannabis industry, providing education on the plant’s cultivation, processing, and various uses. The tour emphasizes hands-on learning, networking with industry professionals, and exploring cannabis-friendly destinations.
Her dedication to cannabis education and advocacy is further highlighted through her role as Oklahoma State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), where she works to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Chris Ball
Chris Ball is the founder and CEO of Ball Family Farms, recognized as the first vertically integrated, minority-owned commercial cannabis facility in Los Angeles. His journey into the cannabis industry began in his teenage years, selling cannabis to support his education while playing football at Mt. San Antonio College. He later earned a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, and briefly played professional football in the Canadian Football League, where he developed an interest in cannabis cultivation.
In 2018, leveraging Los Angeles’s Social Equity Program, Ball established Ball Family Farms. The company is renowned for its premium, hand-crafted cannabis, grown sustainably without synthetics or pesticides. Each strain is meticulously pheno-hunted, developed, and produced in-house to the highest standards.
Beyond cultivation, Ball is a passionate advocate for social equity in the cannabis industry. He collaborates with other industry leaders to educate consumers and work towards ending the stigma surrounding cannabis use. Notably, he partnered with former NFL player Ricky Williams to create the “Ricky Baker” cultivar, aiming to share their experiences and promote cannabis culture.
Through his leadership at Ball Family Farms, Chris Ball continues to influence the cannabis industry, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and social equity.
Nichelle Santos
Nichelle Santos is the founder and CEO of CannaCoverage, a premier full-service consulting and insurance brokerage firm dedicated exclusively to serving the cannabis, CBD, and hemp industries. With a focus on protecting assets, employees, and customers, CannaCoverage offers comprehensive insurance, risk management, and cybersecurity services tailored to the unique needs of these sectors.
Under Santos’s leadership, CannaCoverage has become a trusted partner for various industry sectors, including cultivators, dispensaries, manufacturers, ancillary businesses, and landlords. The firm’s deep-sector focus allows it to provide unparalleled depth of knowledge, comprehensive risk assessments, and unique product offerings to the evolving cannabis and hemp industries.
In addition to her role at CannaCoverage, Santos has been appointed co-director of the New Jersey chapter of Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), reflecting her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Through her work, Nichelle Santos continues to lead efforts in providing specialized insurance solutions and advocating for equitable opportunities in the cannabis sector.
David Irving
David Irving, a former defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, has become a prominent advocate for cannabis reform, particularly concerning its use in professional sports. His journey from the NFL to cannabis advocacy began during his tenure with the Cowboys, where he faced multiple suspensions due to violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, primarily related to marijuana use.
In March 2019, following an indefinite suspension, Irving announced his departure from the NFL. He expressed frustration with the league’s policies, highlighting the contradiction between being prescribed various pharmaceuticals by team doctors while being penalized for choosing cannabis as a natural alternative. Irving emphasized that he preferred “plants over pills” and criticized the NFL’s stance on marijuana use.
Beyond his personal experiences, Irving has actively campaigned for the acceptance of cannabis in sports and society. He co-founded Cannabis Passport, the first rolling paper magazine, aiming to educate and inform the public about cannabis culture and its benefits.
Irving’s advocacy underscores the broader conversation about the use of cannabis for pain management and mental health support among athletes. He continues to challenge existing stigmas and policies, advocating for a more informed and compassionate approach to cannabis use in professional sports and beyond.
Jenny-Beth Dills
Jenny-Beth Dills is a prominent figure in the cannabis industry, known for her extensive experience and advocacy efforts. She is the founder of Kind Cannabis Consulting, where she leverages her deep understanding of cannabis and business dynamics to assist clients in developing, licensing, and operating various cannabis enterprises, including cultivation, extraction facilities, distribution, and retail establishments. Her expertise encompasses regulatory compliance, strategic revenue enhancement, and the creation of standard operating procedures aimed at achieving “profitability through process.”
In addition to her consulting work, Dills is the founder of Justice Served, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to restorative justice and promoting genuine equity within the cannabis industry. She also serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Pineapple Express, a Los Angeles-based retail store, and holds the position of Director of Operations at Game Over Distribution. Furthermore, she co-owns the Weed & Munchies brand, reflecting her diverse involvement in the cannabis sector.
Dills is a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing her insights at various industry events. Notably, she presented at the Hawaii Cannabis Expo, delivering a two-part series titled “Surviving Corporate Cannabis.” Part 1 focused on distinguishing between beneficial and detrimental investments (“Good Money/Bad Money”), while Part 2 emphasized the importance of preserving culture within the cannabis industry.
Through her multifaceted roles, Jenny-Beth Dills continues to influence the cannabis industry by promoting sustainable business practices, advocating for social equity, and preserving the cultural integrity of the cannabis community.
Guy Rocourt
Guy Rocourt is the co-founder and former Chief Product Officer of Papa & Barkley, a leading California-based cannabis wellness company renowned for its commitment to producing clean, solventless products. Under his leadership, the company developed a range of popular wellness products, including topicals, tinctures, and edibles, all crafted using whole-plant infusion processes with sun-grown cannabis.
In February 2022, Rocourt was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Papa & Barkley, further steering the company’s expansion into new THC markets.
Beyond his role at Papa & Barkley, Rocourt founded Guy Rocourt Consulting, where he leverages over two decades of industry experience to assist emerging cannabis brands in creating premium, differentiated, and clean products. His expertise spans formulation, cultivation, and strategic consulting, guiding companies toward success in the competitive cannabis market.
Rocourt’s dedication to clean cannabis production and his advocacy for whole-plant, chemical-free products have established him as a respected innovator in the cannabis industry.
Nurse Fame, RN
Fame Conway, RN, is a dedicated medical cannabis nurse who has witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of medical cannabis in combating chronic illnesses. Her experiences have fueled her passion for integrating cannabis into patient care, particularly for those with chronic conditions.
In recognition of her contributions to the field, Conway was featured in Minority Nurse Magazine, where she discussed her role and insights as a medical cannabis nurse.
Conway is also an active member of the Cannabis Nurses Network, a professional global nursing network dedicated to empowering nurses through education, opportunity, recognition, and advocacy.
Through her work, Fame Conway continues to advocate for the integration of cannabis into healthcare, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Siboniso Bophela
Siboniso Bophela is a prominent cannabis entrepreneur and advocate based in Cape Town, South Africa. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote its growth and acceptance within the country. Bophela was featured in the 2024 award-winning documentary “Nectarball: The Story of Cannabis,” which presents the cannabis timeline from its history through prohibition to its current status of breaking stigma due to its proven worth as medicine.
Through his work, Bophela has been instrumental in driving innovation and fostering a deeper understanding of cannabis in South Africa. His advocacy focuses on the potential benefits of cannabis, aiming to shift public perception and influence policy reform. By engaging in public discourse and participating in educational initiatives, he strives to create a more informed and accepting environment for cannabis use and cultivation.
Bophela’s efforts are part of a broader movement in South Africa to recognize and integrate cannabis into various sectors, including medicine, agriculture, and commerce. His leadership and vision continue to inspire others in the community to explore the opportunities within the cannabis industry and to advocate for its responsible and beneficial use.