Mark and Joey are the co-founders of Best In Grass, a next-generation cannabis competition built around one simple idea, put the power of judging back in the hands of the people who actually consume cannabis. The two cannabis industry veterans previously worked together at High Times, where Mark spent years producing and running Cannabis Cup competitions and Joey became known as a knowledgeable cannabis cultivator and industry insider. Mark’s experience with the traditional C

Chris Morgan is an entrepreneur and cannabis industry professional from Rhode Island who has built his career at the intersection of cannabis, consumer products, and brand development. As the Founder and CEO of Nice Beverage Co., Chris is leading one of the Northeast's emerging THC beverage brands, focused on creating fast-acting, zero-calorie hemp-derived THC seltzers designed as a modern alternative to alcohol. Before launching Nice, Chris gained experience throughout mult

Kat Murti is the Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the world's largest youth-led grassroots organization dedicated to ending the War on Drugs and advancing drug policies rooted in science, compassion, human rights, and individual liberty. She has been a leader within SSDP since joining the University of California, Berkeley chapter in 2009, serving in numerous leadership roles before being named Executive Director. A longtime advocate for crimina

Travis Cullens is a cannabis entrepreneur, social equity advocate, and criminal justice reform activist whose life story embodies the evolving landscape of cannabis policy in America. At just 21 years old, Travis was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for a non-violent cannabis offense. Rather than allowing his incarceration to define him, he used the experience as fuel for a lifelong mission to reform the laws that impacted him and countless others.

Jimmy Romans is a cannabis clemency recipient, advocate for criminal justice reform, and returning citizen whose story has become part of the growing national conversation surrounding nonviolent cannabis incarceration and second chances. After serving decades in federal prison under a life sentence tied to a nonviolent cannabis case, Jimmy was granted clemency by President Donald J. Trump following years of advocacy efforts led by his family, supporters, clemency reform organ

Diana DiZoglio, the 23rd State Auditor of Massachusetts and one of the Commonwealth’s most outspoken voices for government transparency and accountability. Born and raised in Methuen to a single mother, DiZoglio often speaks about growing up in a working-class family and how those experiences shaped her approach to public service and advocacy for everyday people. She attended Middlesex Community College before earning her degree from Wellesley College. Before entering politic

Kevin and Seth are co-owners of Lazy River Products, a Massachusetts-based cannabis company rooted in legacy cultivation, community, and craftsmanship. Alongside a third partner, the trio—high school friends who reconnected years later—have built Lazy River into a brand that blends deep cannabis history with modern testing and compliance. Kevin’s journey into cannabis began at the dawn of Massachusetts’ medical program, where he became one of the state’s first legally licens

Charles Stockstill is a respected certified ganjier, cannabis educator, and advocate with over 20 years of hands-on experience in cultivation, sensory evaluation, and cannabis culture. Known throughout the industry as The Old Man of the Mountain, Charles has dedicated his life to elevating the cannabis experience beyond recreational use—bringing connoisseurship, craft appreciation, and community education to the forefront of the conversation. Charles is the founder of The Old

Uncle Doobie & Gene are the powerhouse duo behind Uncle Doobie’s Famous Cannabis, a globally recognized name in craft cultivation and strain preservation. With a shared passion for genetics and a deep connection to the legendary Sour Diesel, they’ve spent more than a decade perfecting the strain and elevating its legacy through careful breeding, storytelling, and education. Their expertise in cannabis genetics and brand development has earned them international recognition,

John Bayes, known throughout the cannabis community as Green Bodhi, is the founder of G.B. Genetics and one of the most respected cultivators in the modern cannabis era. Based out of Eugene, Oregon, John has spent over two decades pioneering organic, boutique-style cannabis cultivation rooted in mindfulness and sustainability. His signature approach—known as Intentional Horticulture—combines high-level Buddhist philosophy with advanced cultivation techniques, teaching growers

Grant Smith Ellis is an advocate journalist and independent investigator with a sharp focus on cannabis policy, law, and industry reform. Known for his deep reporting on the Massachusetts cannabis landscape, Grant has covered everything from regulatory battles to the corporate influence shaping the market. Most recently, his investigative work has centered on the high-profile Goldberg vs. O’Brien case, examining State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg’s unlawful firing of CCC Chair

Jimbo, better known as the Tye Dyed Tour Guide, has been showing off the streets of Boston for nearly a decade. After working on the Duck Boats, Segway Tours, and other city attractions, he carved out his own niche by blending his love of history, local eats, and a good time. With more than 8,000 guests joining his walks over the years, Jimbo has become a local legend thanks to his unique tours—like the Bostoner’s Weed & Cannoli Tour, the Pizza, Beer & Paul Revere Tour, and t

Dr. Jeff Rawson is a chemist, educator, and leading advocate for consumer protection in the cannabis industry. Born in Louisiana and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jeff earned his undergraduate degree from Bard College in New York’s Hudson Valley, his master’s from Vermont College, and his PhD in chemistry from Duke University. He went on to complete postdoctoral research at Harvard University under the mentorship of world-renowned chemist George Whitesides. Jeff’s introd

Commissioner Kimberly Roy is a public health advocate, humanitarian, and regulatory leader currently serving on the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). With a career rooted in compassion and community, she brings a human-centered approach to cannabis policy and reform. Before her appointment to the CCC, Roy served in the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, where she oversaw community outreach programs, working directly with local residents to address issues of pu

James is the Head Cultivation Technician at Tower Three Cannabis in Taunton, MA, where he leads with passion, precision, and a legacy-level understanding of the plant. A New York native, James fell in love with cannabis at a young age and started growing with his younger brother as a teenager. By the early 2000s, he was known for running elite strains from NYC to Boston, long before legalization changed the game. Since stepping into the legal side of the industry in 2012, Ja

Xavier is a passionate hashmaker and the driving force behind Unicus Nursery, a top-tier rosin and cannabis extract operation based in Maine. Originally from Massachusetts, Xavier made the move north to align his craft with a state whose cannabis regulations support his solventless approach and dedication to quality. His journey began as a teenager, when a curiosity for the plant turned into a full-blown obsession with purity, flavor, and process. From hand-washing his first

Mike, Matt, and Cody are the powerhouse trio behind Native Sun Cannabis Co., a vertically integrated cannabis company setting the bar for quality and culture in Massachusetts. With deep roots in cultivation and a shared passion for the plant, these three have helped build a brand that puts flavorful, top-shelf flower at the center of everything they do. Operating out of three retail locations—Hudson, North Attleboro, and South Boston—Native Sun is known for its strong presen

Conchiss is a Massachusetts-based legacy cultivator, recording artist, and co-op license holder known for bringing loud, terp-rich flower to the legal cannabis market — most famously with his heavy-hitting strain Gasachusetts. His journey into the plant started out West, where he was pursuing a professional snowboarding career and building a name for himself through raw freestyle raps featured in snowboard film edits.

Shawn McCarron is a passionate advocate for cannabis workers' rights and a key voice within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Cannabis Division. With a journey that began with an early introduction to cannabis at a Navy museum and a youthful connection to breakdancing culture, Shawn's personal story is deeply rooted in community and curiosity.

Toni Iovieno is the co-owner of the Dab Rite Cup and a multiple-time High Times Cup champion, recognized for his expertise in cannabis culti