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  3. Working Toward Equity in Cannabis Policy

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Event Series Event Series: Justice in Public Health

Working Toward Equity in Cannabis Policy

Tuesday, January 28 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CST

Location: Virtual
  • « Pregnant Women in State Prisons and Local Jails–Findings from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
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Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis in August 2023, becoming the 23rd state to do so. The criminalization of cannabis, part of the broader War on Drugs, has disproportionately impacted communities of color, leading to mass incarceration and lasting social and economic disparities. As states move toward legalization, many are including equity provisions aimed at repairing the harms caused by decades of discriminatory drug policies. This session will cover the history and impact of cannabis criminalization, equity components within cannabis legalization in Minnesota, and research and work aimed toward addressing the harm caused by criminalization in the state.

Audience for this event: All are welcome

Speaker(s)

Jon Geffen

Jon Geffen, J.D.

Director of the Legal Revolution Law Firm

Learn more about Jon Geffen, J.D.

Jon has a passion for assisting individuals overcome barriers related to the existence of a criminal record. Jon has represented individuals in expungements, pardons, licensing matters, criminal court, family court, and more. He has written extensively about the inequalities faced by those living with a criminal record and is frequently contacted by policy makers and the press because of his expertise in these areas. Jon is also the Director of the Reentry Clinic at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Jess Jackson

Jess Jackson, M.ED, MBA

Director of Social Equity at the Office of Cannabis Management

Learn more about Jess Jackson, M.ED, MBA

Jess brings extensive expertise in health equity, nonprofit development, and regulatory strategy to her role at the Office of Cannabis Management. Previously, Jess served as Director of External Affairs and Social Equity at Common Citizen, Michigan’s largest vertically integrated cannabis producer, where she managed substantial reinvestment portfolios and pioneered innovative community benefit programs, earning recognition from state regulators.

In addition to her cannabis industry experience, Jess has made significant contributions to nonprofit development and evaluation. She has worked with organizations such as the Michigan College Access Network, Teach for America, National College Advising Corps, The Redemption Foundation, PS Society, National Expungement Works, and Michigan NORML.

rhonda jones-webb

Rhonda Jones-Webb, DrPH

Associate Director of Equity and Engagement for the Cannabis Research Center and a professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health

Learn more about Rhonda Jones-Webb, DrPH

Rhonda’s research focuses on substance use epidemiology and policy, with a special focus on race, social class, and neighborhood influences. She has served as a principle investigator or co-investigator on nearly 40 externally funded research projects and conducted studies on a variety of topics, e.g., alcohol use in African American populations, implementation of policies related to high-alcohol-content beverages, alcohol outlet density, public policy and economic development, and cannabis use). Her current research interests focus on how substance use policies can be more equitably implemented and how communities can ensure all citizens benefit from health policies. Rhonda is the founding co-chair of the SPH’s Health Equity Work Group and a member of the Alcohol Epidemiology Program, Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity, and CTSI/ Community Engagement to Advance Research and Community Health Council.

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We strive to host inclusive and accessible events. To request accommodations or additional information, please contact sphevent@umn.edu

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Details

Series:
Justice in Public Health
Audience:
Alumni, Current Students, Faculty/Staff, General Public

Venue

Virtual

Organizer

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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