PHILADELPHIA, PA − October 25, 2018 − ‘2018 Cannabis Conference: Seeking Higher Ground’  − PA Senator Sharif Street, 3rd District joined the Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities (DACO) to host a two-day conference on the emerging opportunities in the Cannabis Industry for marginalized communities on Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20^th, 2018 at Temple University Medical School located at 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.

The event which drew over 700 participants in two days was hosted by The Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities and opened with a  welcome address by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and a message on Social Justice from US Senator Cory Booker. Senator Street and  DACO aims to open the dialogue for opportunities in education, wellness, social justice, policy, entrepreneurship and workforce development. A diverse group of exhibitors and speakers converged to offer a variety of programming including a job fair, legislative panel of past and pending cannabis reform, expungement clinic and more. 

PA Senator Sharif Street (3^rd District) added, “The issues of cannabis reform are economic issues, social justice issues and equity. The absurdity and history of US Drug Policy has been imbedded in the prohibition of cannabis and driven by the overincarceration of black and brown communities.  I am proud to offer legislation to decriminalize cannabis at the state level. I am proud to offer my office to constituents to sign up for Medical Marijuana cards and I am proud to join DACO in educating and empowering our communities to participate in this emerging industry. It is time for Pennsylvania to grow its economy and legalize cannabis in a fair, just and equitable way. ” 

Chron Perry-Thomas Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, of the Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities (DACO) said, “The 2018 Cannabis Opportunities Conference did what it set out to do which was to bring awareness of opportunities in cannabis to our communities.  Desiree Ivey and I have received much positive feedback about the education and networking opportunities. We were able to bring elected officials, experts, lawyers, doctors and community stakeholders together to ask questions, and learn about the cannabis as an entry to wellness and for economic empowerment.”

“The success of the very first Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities Conference (DACO) shows nothing but how promising and beneficial this industry is on a number of levels – including medicinal, economic and entrepreneurial,” said Councilman Derek S. Green (At-Large). “I’m grateful to State Senator Sharif Street, as well as to the members of DACO for inviting me to be part of this endeavor. I look forward to future conversation and collaboration on this front.”

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