Watch the September Town Hall: Marijuana is Legal in Virginia, Now What?

Initiatives of Change USA held a Town Hall, “Marijuana is Legal…Now What?” on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7PM EST via ZOOM. Virginia is the first southern state to legalize marijuana. What are the implications for the community? 

This discussion features three knowledgeable, actively engaged panelists: Ngiste Abebe, Vice President of Public Policy at Columbia Care, one of the nation’s leading cannabis companies; Bishop Ernest Moore, Jr. M.Div., Lmr'20, a premier faith leader, community activist, human service professional and mentor; and Sheba Williams, a Norfolk State University alum with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management who started her own nonprofit, Nolef Turns in 2016.

Listen to this important discussion and hear the panelists’ thoughts on the life altering consequences to the new marijuana legislation. Among the topics discussed are racial justice for the Black and Brown people currently incarcerated on marijuana charges, the retail and medicinal markets, and when marijuana sales will begin in Virginia. 

 It has been proven over and over again that when communities come together to become aware and participate in they live and work in; it has a profound impact on their everyday lives. Our collective exhaustion with today's challenges appear far more easier to overcome when we talk together, share our thoughts and put a human face on upcoming issues facing our community. 

Let’s learn from trusted voices about the priorities and concerns of the new marijuana legislation. We also want to hear from you! 

BIOS 

Ngiste Abebe is Vice President of Public Policy at Columbia Care, one of the nation’s leading medical cannabis companies. She serves as the President of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association and on the board of the District of Columbia Cannabis Trade Association. Prior to that, she was co-founder of Undaunted Ventures, a political consulting firm which specializes in innovative narrative, training, and leadership coaching services, and which grew out of her work training progressive organizations and working on campaigns across Virginia. She is the co-founder and co-director emerita of New Leaders Council Virginia, a progressive leadership institute. Ngiste holds a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She happily gives and receives recommendations for sci-fi novels and board games. 

Bishop Ernest L. Moore, Jr. M.Div., LMR’20, is a premier faith leader, community activist, human service professional, and mentor. Currently, he is the pastor of The Destiny Community Church of Richmond, VA. 

Sheba Williams was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She is a Norfolk State University alum with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, she has professional licenses in Cosmetology and Barbering, and her Master Instructor's license. In 2012, Sheba began working exclusively as a mobile barber stylist, traveling to clients anywhere from DC to NC. Meeting so many people from different walks of life and being actively involved in so many community service projects, Sheba found that more people than she realized had at least one thing in common with her... a felony conviction. Her passion for helping others be more than a conviction led to her starting a nonprofit, Nolef Turns in 2016. The organization was born to be a support system for those with justice and court involvement but quickly evolved into a day to day fight for removing the policies and stigmas around a past conviction.