NYC’s First Post-Prohibition 420 and ACR’s Inaugural 2021 Meeting
On April 20, 2021, Metro NYC-based members of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable (ACR) united to celebrate the state’s first post-Prohibition 420 holiday. Members gathered at Café Cannal, New York City’s first cannabis and CBD café and lounge at 416 Broadway on the corner of Canal Street. The New York State Senate recently passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), one of the most progressive adult-use cannabis consumption bills in the country, which Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law on March 31. Subsequently, cannabinoid consumers were beyond ecstatic for this years’ commemoratory festivities. Shortly after the passing of the MRTA, Café Cannal, owned by Jeremy Chin, brother of ACR member, Dr. Junella Chin, the first-of-its-kind “Bring-Your-Own-Cannabis'' café, opened its doors with the mission of curating an inclusive, accepting social alternative for the NYC cannabis community. Offering ethically sourced artisan Colombian and Brazilian coffee from Aficionado Roasters as well as Delta-8 and CBD infused pastries, breads and baked breakfast goods made by pâtissierie Chef Anwuli Obidi, the café warmly welcomed ACR on this beautifully sunny 4/20. Maintaining compliance with COVID-19 social distancing and vaccination requirements, ACR members gathered in-person to enjoy each other’s company as well as the delectable treats at Café Cannal’s green-friendly outdoor space, accompanied by a female DJ whose uplifting tunes ensured an elevated and relaxing atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
Less than a month later and coinciding with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, ACR invited its members to gather virtually on May 12 for the inaugural open community meeting, sponsored by Cookies’ Social Impact Program. Dozens of ACR members from around the country, as well as members of our Alliance Partners and BIPOC-led organizations, joined to hear from spotlight speakers: Vanessa Gabriel, CEO and Co-Founder of Drop Delivery, the cannabis industry’s only all-in-one delivery technology solution for delivery companies and retailers, as well as previous co-founder of Greenlight Technologies, a leading order-ahead and digital loyalty software in the cannabis industry; and Susan S. Hwang, a South Korean immigrant and cannabis business entrepreneur who presides over a diverse portfolio of vertically integrated cannabis brands and a national chain of licensed dispensaries, and serves as the Market Leader of Women Grow Phoenix and Los Angeles. These two innovative and successful Asian-American women cannabis entrepreneurs provided behind-the-scenes insight into their respective companies as well as lessons learned and best practices in growing a cannabis business. Dhaval Shah, Deputy Director of ACR said of the event: “I was ecstatic to see so many people join our inaugural event! It's great to finally have a space specifically for Asians in the cannabis community where people can come connect and learn about cannabis. I look forward to seeing ACR grow and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.” Additionally, ACR announced the launch of our Committees – the Retail, Research and Science, and International Committees (with further Committees launching soon) will serve as resources for ACR members by organizing programming, publishing articles, and elevating ACR’s voice and presence throughout the various industries. ACR members concluded the night by engaging in either 1-on-1 speed networking or small group discussions; the virtual environment was full of excitement for the future of cannabis and the ACR community.
As ACR continues to grow and expand, we invite our cannabis community to join us for our upcoming networking meeting on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 8:00 pm EST. Please click here to register for the event which will primarily provide networking opportunities on the AirMeet platform.
Esther M. Kim is ACR’s Chief of Staff and an attorney and activist in the Metro NYC cannabis community.
