Bronx native Amarys Grullon,), Hot97's own DJ Camilo, & Raven of PR2Politics could be seen amongst the large sized crowd during the early part of the ribbon cutting celebration. The company, which began last year with a location on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is designed to harness the economic power of New York’s recreational marijuana industry while aiding former victims of the War on Drugs. The new dispensary will not only expand access to legal marijuana, it will give a second chance to more people rebuilding their lives after serving time behind bars.
Coss Marte, Alfredo Angueira and Junior Martinez opened CONBUD because, as entrepreneurs of color, they have experienced New York’s criminal justice system firsthand. The men know all too well the toll that a marijuana conviction can have on a person’s life. Michael Blake, founding CEO of Atlas Strategy Group, served as master of ceremonies for the event & personally feels that “it’s time for us to own” after having two brothers who served time as a result of War On Drugs.
We at the Chatroom couldn’t agree more. Rather than tearing communities apart, CONBUD represents an opportunity to provide jobs for an underrepresented community & a safe space for marijuana smokers alike.
Comments