The Cannabis Parade features Political Heavyweights Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Shumer, NYS AG Tish James, NYS Sen. Brian Benjamin

The Cannabis Parade Scores a Large Political Win To the amazement of the Cannabis Parade organizers Steve Bloom, Noah Porter, and the many volunteers helped make the Cannabis Parade an annual event. The parade was canceled last year due to COVID restrictions, and the organizers were not sure if they would be able to do the 2021 parade until about three weeks before the event. The Cannabis Parade staff scrambled to organize, secure space, and invite elected officials. In previous years, the parade could get one or maybe two elected officials such as Assemblyman Dick Gottfried, the Godfather of Marijuana legislation in New York. However, this year in coordination with Landon Dais and others, they were able to secure an All-Star lineup of politicians: Majority Leader US Senator Chuck Schumer, NYS Attorney General Tish James, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Tom Dinapaoli Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, NYS Senator Brian Benjamin, NYS Senator Jessica Ramos, NYS Senator Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Harvey NYS Luis Sepulveda, City Council Candidate Phelan Dante Fitzpatrick vying to replace Speaker Cory Johnson's seat. This was a massive moment for the Cannabis Parade because it demonstrates a general shift in the political acceptance of Marijuana legalization. Plus, the political speeches' overwhelming theme was support for well-funded Social Equity programs, expunging records, and ensuring the New York market is not dominated by corporate cannabis firms. Their support of social equity received the biggest applauds from the crowd of over 1000 people in a packed Union Square. Many people in Union Square, but mostly everyone was wearing masks and keeping a safe distance. Out of all of the speeches, Attorney General Tish James gave the best speech. It was clear that her message was compassion and empathy for those impacted by the war on drugs. The AG also spoke about the importance of getting the legal marijuana market right in New York. She pledged to do everything in her power as AG to ensure New York's social equity program is fair and impactful. The Attorney General's speech was received with thunderous applause by the crowd. Cannabis Attorney Landon Dais was slotted between Attorney General James and US Sen. Schumer in a surprise slotting. Attorney Dais spoke about the importance of the MRTA and how the MRTA is a critical political moment for New York because we have seen how other states have failed people of color in the cannabis legalization process. New York can't afford to make that mistake. In combination with Sen. Schumer and AG James, a lot of focus was placed on the importance of the soon-to-be-nominated New York Cannabis Management Office CEO and Board. It is now clear Marijuana is not only big business but also big politics. The event was also filled with influential cannabis activists and cannabis industry people. The parade organizer Steve Bloom gave a tremendous speech about the MRTA and marijuana legalization and heaping praise of Assemblywoman Crystal People-Stokes. Vlad Bautista of the famed Happy Munkey organization gave a short and sweet speech about the importance of social equity applicants getting a fair chance. He also took the time to denounce the NYS suggesting the social equity pool should be a lottery. Here is a list of the additional speakers that wowed the crowd at Union Square: Shinnecock Nation Powwow Chairman Bryan Polite Shinnecock Business National Tribal Leader Chenae Bullock, Steve DeAngelo, Leo Bridgewater, Pilar De Jesus, Jawanza James Williams, Kebra Smith-Bolden, RN Vladimir Bautista, Joy Beckerman, Jake Plowden, Grizzly Bocourt, Nicole Ricci Ryan Lepore and many more. The event was reported in Newsday. Landon Dais is the CSO of Plant Inspired Future, and a Cannabis Attorney at Forchelli, Deegan Terrana LLP.