Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT)
Read CPOT's 2020 Annual Cannabis Policy Report!
CPOT provides the Office of Community & Civic Life with diverse stakeholder perspectives on cannabis-related public policies. It consists of cannabis industry representatives and others that possess an in-depth understanding of issues affecting and affected by the cannabis industry. The Body’s objective is to discuss and develop policies that support equitable access and outcomes for the cannabis industry, cannabis consumers, and all City of Portland residents.
*Please Note: Due to COVID-19 CPOT Meetings are held virtually the second and last Thursday of each month, from 6:00 to 7:30PM.
To join in please call:
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 916 1733 6597
Link to CPOT's October 12, 2020 Letter to Council>>
Link to CPOT's March 24, 2020 COVID Response letter here>>
Link to CPOT's May 20, 2020 FY 2020-21 Budget Advocacy letter >>
Link to CPOT's June 10, 2020 FY 2020-21 Divestment & Reinvestment Advocacy letter >>
Link to full description of the CPOT advisory body
2021 CPOT Meeting Dates (2nd and Last Thursday of month; TENTATIVE)
|
Date |
Agendas & Materials |
Meeting Audio |
Meeting Minutes |
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Feb. 25, 2021 |
Feb.25, 2021-No Audio File |
Click here for 2016-2021 CPOT Archives |
Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT) Roster
RETURNING MEMBERS
Al Ochosa (Chair) – Director of Licensing & Corporate Relations, Cura Cannabis Solutions
Al began his career with Cura in 2015 as the Director of Retail Operations, and now serves as Director of Licensing & Corporate Relations in 2016, overseeing the Company's licensing and permitting needs in multiple jurisdictions, among directing the Company's regulatory and governmental affairs, among other duties. Al has also volunteered for the Minority Cannabis Cabinet and Cannabis Tax Allocation Steering Committee in the City of Portland. Other affiliations: Oregon Entrepreneur Network (Cannabis Leadership Team)
3-year Term: January 2019 - December 2021
Stephanie Neil (Vice Chair) – Director of Photography, High Vision Arts
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from California State University, Fresno. She has thrived in commercial advertising, digital media, and film production for over a decade. In 2016, after successfully publishing an interview with Senator Merkley, Representative Earl Blumenauer, and Tyson Haworth in The Huffington Post, OregonLive, and Time, Stephanie joined Oregon’s Finest as Compliance & Sustainability Manager. With over 20 years of management experience in craft hospitality industries, she has excelled at leadership, business administration, HR, compliance, and sustainability initiatives. Stephanie is a member of the Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Committee.
3-year Term: January 2019 - December 2021
John Monteleone (Vice Chair) – Co-Founder, Fidus Family Farms
Fidus Family Farms transitioned from licensed production and sales through Oregon’s Medical Marijuana program to Oregon’s recreational cannabis program. John developed and leads Fidus in its organic, sustainable, small batch craft cannabis production and sales. Fidus Family Farms and Fidus PDX operates within the City of Portland.
3-year Term: January 2019 - December 2021
Competency Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
Laura Valden-Vega – Co-Owner, Green State of Mind
Laura is the co-owner and operator of Green State of Mind, a national media award winning cannabis company that was started in Portland in 2014. They received their recreational license in 2017 and the company has since expanded into multiple markets, collaborated with premiere industry brands and consulted on business viability and brand creation. Laura has a law degree from George Washington University and sits on the board of NuLeaf, a Portland non-profit providing funding and entrepreneurial up-skilling for cannabis businesses owned by people of color.
3-year Term: January 2019 - December 2021
.Small Business Support Subcommittee (Vice-Chair)
Dr. Rachel Knox – Chair, Oregon Cannabis Commission
Dr. Rachel Knox, MD, MBA is an Endocannabinologist and Cannabinoid Medicine Specialist who co-founded the American Cannabinoid Clinics, Pivital EDU, and Cannabis Health Equity Movement. She currently serves as Chair for the Oregon Cannabis Commission, is a founding board member for the Minority Cannabis Business Association, and board member for Doctors for Cannabis Regulation.
3-year Term: January 2019 - December 2021
Community Impact Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
Erik Vidstrand – Program Specialist, Multnomah County Health Department
Erik Vidstrand, MPH, has almost 32 years of tobacco control and prevention experience from California, Texas, and Oregon. He is currently a Program Specialist with the Multnomah County Health Department where he started as a health educator in 2000. Vidstrand assisted Portland and Mt. Hood Community Colleges and then Portland State University with implementing their tobacco free policies. He has also contributed to passing strong comprehensive tobacco free policies with Multnomah County, City of Portland Parks and Recreation, and has provided technical assistance for Trimet, Metro, and the VA Hospital. He coordinates enforcement of the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act and is an inspector with the Tobacco Retail Licensing program. Vidstrand holds a Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Child Development from California State University, Northridge.
NEW MEMBERS
Kaitlyn Dent - Attorney, Emerge Law Group
Kaitlyn Dent is an attorney at Emerge Law Group, a boutique full-service law firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Kaitlyn focuses her practice primarily on litigation and working with cannabis clients on OLCC and City of Portland licensing and compliance. Kaitlyn is also a core member of the Emerge Law Group psychedelics practice group and assisted in drafting Measure 109, the 2020 Oregon petition to legalize and regulate the therapeutic use of psilocybin mushrooms. Kaitlyn is on the National Cannabis Industry Association Cannabis Cultivation Committee and volunteers with the National Lawyers Guild as a trained legal observer.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Bret Born - Owner of Rec Rehab Consulting, Ascend Dispensary and Perfect Puff Brand
Prior to working in the cannabis industry Bret spent 25 years working in public education as a special education teacher, administrator, and social equity coordinator. Bret holds advanced degrees in special education, educational administration, and educational policy. As a business owner Bret has been focused the on developing curriculum and an internship program in order to eliminate the experiential barriers within the cannabis industry.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Small Business Support Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
Gabe Cross - Co-founder of Odyssey Distribution
Gabe Cross is a founding member of Odyssey Distribution, a licensed cannabis wholesaler and brand development firm. After completing his MBA at Pinchot University, he started Odyssey with 3 partners and has been an active participant in the Oregon cannabis community ever since. A longtime advocate for drug enforcement reform and sound policy, Gabe maintains active leadership roles in both local and national cannabis organizations and is at the forefront of policy discussions and planning that will shape the future of our burgeoning industry.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Small Business Support Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
Jesce Horton - Owner of LOWD
Jesce Horton is an engineer by education, an energy management and automation expert through training, and a horticulturalist by passion. In 2013, soon after moving to Portland, OR, Jesce began growing medical cannabis in his home for two elderly patients who were suffering with cancer, pain and insomnia. After having success in medical cannabis cultivation, Jesce founded LOWD, an adult-use Tier I indoor connoisseur focused cultivation facility in metro Portland. Also, he co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), the first and largest non-profit organization founded to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Small Business Support Subcommittee (Chair)
Amber Peterson-Phillips - M.B.A., D.M. Doctoral Candidate
Amber has continued moving through degrees and years, now she is working on the final stage of her doctoral degree in management and Organizational Leadership. She has been a member of Portland Neighborhood Teams (PNET) since 2011 being trained in basic and advanced first aid, search and rescue, earthquake aftermath mitigation, and other trainings. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, snowshoeing, gardening, cooking and reading. Amber is committed to listening to all points of view, digging deep to find solutions, and most of all committed to the City of Portland and all community members within.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Community Impact Subcommittee ( Chair)
Michael D. Rochlin, RN, MN, COHN-S, CSP - President, Founder of Confidential Therapeutics, LLC
As the founder of Confidential Therapeutics LLC, for over five years Michael has written medical and scientific literature reviews. Additionally, he has developed observational study protocols, which studied the health effects of Cannabis usage among medical patients with Neuro & Immune diseases. Last, but certainly not least, Michael has educated diverse patient groups, legislators, regulatory agencies, and public forums on cannabis competency.
3-year Term: January 2021 - December 2023
Competency Subcommittee (Chair)
CPOT ongoing recruitment is opening soon!
We are seeking members. Link to Civic Life's advisory group application will be posted here.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Dasheeda Dawson, the Cannabis Program Supervisor at 503-823-1871 or CPOT@portlandoregon.gov