Catalyst Conversations | 2.21.23 | Gain an Edge and Make an Impact – Community Benefit Agreements

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NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinar series is our premier digital educational series featuring a variety of interactive programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when you need it most.

NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations series is an advanced webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.

In this edition of our Catalyst Conversations series originally aired on Tuesday, February 21, we hosted a dynamic and practical conversation with members of NCIA’s Retail Committee, alongside cannabis industry leaders based in Chicago – Doug and Gary – surrounding the importance of businesses collaborating with community members, and how to create mutually beneficial partnerships between communities & businesses through community benefit agreements.

Going through the licensing or permitting process? Trying to figure out how to launch your business model in a municipality that isn’t set up for it yet? Are you operating already, and looking for insights as to how to keep your license or strengthen your business model?

You’re in luck as you’ll leave this conversation with a better understanding of what Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) are, and how they are a necessary component of the licensing and license retention process.

On top of gaining insights into how to develop a CBA that works for your business’ bottom line while also creating community impact you’ll also learn about existing CBA’s and the success we’ve already seen in these early stages.

Panelists:

Mike Lomuto
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
NCIA

Doug Kelly
Executive Director
Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition

Gary Little
Dispensary Manager
Nature’s Care Dispensary

Shannon Vetto
CEO
The Evergreen Market

Ace Castillo
CEO
Banyan Tree Dispensary

#cannabis #community #business #retail #leaders #partnerships #webinar