Brandon Deboer

Cultivation Manager, Ilera Holistic

Biography

Brandon Deboer attended college at Delaware Valley University and graduated with a horticulture degree. He worked in the hydroponic greenhouse growing lettuce, tomatoes, strawberry’s and, eventually, hemp. He also worked on orchid tissue culture for a research project and presented research at a convention in Washington DC for ASHS.

After graduating, he worked for Ilera healthcare in Pennsylvania as a cultivation tech working on IPM (integrated pest management), irrigation management, and created the tissue culture department. He started as cultivation manager and was promoted to cultivation director. Brandon is responsible for everything from growing and future cultivation projects.

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Bravo

Founder, Tree One Eight

Biography

Bravo, Hemp & Opportunities

The founder, of Tree One Eight, widely known as Bravo, sees cannabis as a space where the possibility exists to create new and exciting opportunities as well as begin to undo the socioeconomic damage done by the war on drugs.

TREE ONE EIGHT™ is the first Black-Owned cannabis lifestyle company based in Shreveport, LA. They are a media and marketing group whose aim is to connect consumers, cultivators, cultural enthusiasts, connoisseurs, the curious, and other cannabis businesses and services throughout the cannabis community. They focus solely on the promotion of cannabis products and services using media and marketing.

Bravo’s experiences as a community and political organizer along with a direct connection to cannabis, allowed the perfect combination to create an independent and relatable approach to marketing cannabis products and services. Tree One Eight hosts all of its media, news, and resources on its website www.TreeOneEight.com. There, visitors can shop for their favorite brands and accessories. Creators can sign-up for influencer marketing assignments. Companies can also schedule a discovery consultation to find out how Tree One Eight can help promote their services.

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Brian Bolyer

Owner, Okhish Mound Farm

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Biography

Brian Bolyer was born in the small community of Coushatta, Louisiana. Brian took over the family business in 2006 and is a third generation automotive technician. While running a successful automotive business in Coushatta, Brian and his family lost their son Jakob from seizures in 2009.

Now a single father raising two children, Brian started reading articles about how cannabis was “curing” seizures in children, which was a breath of life. This led to research on the benefits of the cannabis plant.

After much research, Brian wanted to help others so he furthered his efforts by creating Okhish Mound Farm.

Created in 2020, Okhish Mound works with LSUS in it’s “Careers in Cannabis” continuing education course and is amongst the first members of the National Hemp Growers Co-op (NHGC).

Okhish Mound is the seed coordinator for the NHGC assisting ULM, LSU, and farmers on both sides of the Mississippi Delta.

Brian Bolyer and Okhish Mound are at the forefront and driving the new Hemp industry in the South.

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Dr. Kevin Murnane

Associate Professor

LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport

Biography

Dr. Kevin Murnane is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience and the Department of Psychiatry at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center – Shreveport. He also serves as the Director of Basic Sciences Research for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center.

His research group is focused on the etiology and treatment of disorders of the central nervous system. Areas of special emphasis include substance use disorders, comorbid mood changes and neurocognitive impairments, as well as neurodegenerative decline following exposure to abused substances. Recent studies have focused on the relationships between natural products, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and brain monoamine systems that are associated with mood, motivation, and cognition, with specific research lines investigating cannabinoids, serotonergics, omega-3 fatty acids, and neuropeptides.

Dr. Edgar Feinberg

Thoracic Surgeon

Biography

Dr. Edgar Feinberg, a native of Bogalusa Louisiana, is a practicing Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon who has seen patients benefit from healthy lifestyle habits that include diet, exercise, and stress reduction. Consequently, indexing with patients who have CV disease he would often see lifestyle choices and stress as significant contributors to CV problems.

Natural remedies have often been overlooked in favor of more lucrative pharmacological approaches.

Dr. Feinberg began seeing patients with decreased stress and anxiety as a result of cannabinoids and was compelled to begin researching cannabis. As a result of his research, he has co-developed a software tracking program that allows patients and providers to gather information regarding the interaction of cannabinoids and their impact on a healthy lifestyle.

Greg Morrison

Owner, Delta Medmar LLC

Biography

Greg Morrison is the owner of Delta Medmar dispensary with business partner William Windham.

Delta Medmar LLC dispensary is located at 111 McMillan Rd in West Monroe.

Jennifer Boudreaux

Pharmacist, HOPE Dispensary Shreveport

Biography

Jennifer Boudreaux, R. PH.

Jennifer is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University, and has special training in Nutritional Symposium, Functional Endocrinology, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Compounding Instruction.

Jennifer is co-owner with Doug Boudreaux of HOPE Dispensary, located in Shreveport, Louisiana.

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John W. Sutherlin

Chief Innovation Officer, ULM

Biography

John W. Sutherlin, PhD is the Chief Innovation & Research Officer at the University of Louisiana Monroe. As such, he is responsible for the research and development of all intellectual property at ULM. He is a patented inventor, author and has produced and directed documentary films for PBS. Dr. Sutherlin sat on the Board of Directors for an environmental company based in the UK. His expertise in environmental regulations, technology, and management has allowed him to travel around the world. Dr. Sutherlin has advised governments, nonprofit groups, and corporations in South and Central America, Europe, and the Middle East. Dr. Sutherlin was instrumental in changing Louisiana state law regarding industrial hemp and research.

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Kevin Caldwell

Southeast Legislative Manager
Marijuana Policy Project

Biography

Kevin Caldwell joined Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) in December 2021. As the Southeast Legislative Manager, Kevin leads MPP’s lobbying efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, and Kansas.

Kevin founded CommonSenseNOLA, a grassroots cannabis reform organization, in 2012 and was the President until 2021. He served as a board member of Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana from 2014-2020.

Kevin has advocated and lobbied on the municipal and statewide levels for medical cannabis, removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession, and tax and regulate bills, in addition to other criminal justice reforms. Kevin worked at the City of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and was a board member/Vice President of the Broadmoor Improvement Association from 2006-2012.

Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of New Orleans. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia but has made New Orleans home since 1992.

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Kevin Murnane

Associate Professor

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Health Sciences Center 

Biography

Dr. Kevin Murnane is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience and the Department of Psychiatry at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center – Shreveport. He also serves as the Director of Basic Sciences Research for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center. His research group is focused on the etiology and treatment of disorders of the central nervous system. Areas of special emphasis include substance use disorders, comorbid mood changes and neurocognitive impairments, as well as neurodegenerative decline following exposure to abused substances. Recent studies have focused on the relationships between natural products, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and brain monoamine systems that are associated with mood, motivation, and cognition, with specific research lines investigating cannabinoids, serotonergics, omega-3 fatty acids, and neuropeptides. 

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Melinda Cooksey

Ilera Holistic Healthcare,

Account Manager

• Email Melinda
• Visit Website

Biography

Melinda Cooksey, The Healing Clinics

Melinda Cooksey is the Marketing Specialist at The Healing Clinics. Before joining the team there, she was with Ilera since August of 2021 and has held positions in sales and marketing. Melinda’s focus is to educate physicians and the community about medical marijuana.

Michael Lawson, Jr.

Cannabis Media Collective

Biography

Michael Lawson, Jr. is a mental health professional, entrepreneur and cannabis advocate who’s vision is to educate, empower, and change the cannabis narrative in the U.S. and abroad.  Michael is a Los Angeles native who witnessed the evolution of the cannabis industry with the passage of California Proposition 215 which permitted the use of medical cannabis. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. While studying clinical mental health counseling Michael discovered the Endocannabinoid System and developed a deeper understanding of the therapeutic value of the cannabis plant.  Michael soon realized the majority of medical professionals, consumers, and cannabis manufacturers were not familiar with contemporary science behind medical cannabis. The mission of the Cannabis Media Collective is to educate consumers and practitioners, empower producers and manufacturers, and ultimately change the cannabis narrative in mainstream media.  CMC aims to accomplish this by creating innovative and groundbreaking content partnering with medical professionals, industry leaders, brands and manufacturers.

Michelle Williams

Pharmacist, Owner The Medicine Cabinet

Biography

Michelle D. Williams, R.Ph is the owner of The Medicine Cabinet, one of the designated medical marijuana pharmacies for Louisiana.

Michelle was born in Baton Rouge, LA, and knew at a young age that she wanted to be a pharmacist.  She graduated from ULM (formerly NLU) and worked as a retail pharmacist for over 19 years with K&B/Rite Aid in Alexandria, LA.

In 2007, her dream of becoming a pharmacy owner was fulfilled when she and her husband, Joe, opened an independent retail pharmacy.  For over 13 years, they owned and operated three locations of The Pill Box Pharmacy in the Alexandria area.

In April 2018, they were awarded one of the nine Therapeutic Marijuana permits by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and opened their doors to The Medicine Cabinet Pharmacy a little more than a year later.

Michelle has a true love for patient care and she says, “Meeting with new patients to discuss their specific needs as it relates to cannabis has been quite fulfilling.”  She is encouraged by all of the success stories that so many patients share with her on a daily basis and she is thrilled about the growth that she has seen in this industry in just the first two years.

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Peter Prevot

COO, Bridge West Consulting

Biography

In 2014, Peter dedicated his career to the cannabis industry after learning about the unique tax and banking regulations surrounding legal marijuana in the U.S. and he formed a consulting firm to serve the industry.

 

Peter merged his practice with Bridge West CPAs and Advisors in 2018. Peter is responsible for ensuring that the Firm’s clients have the necessary resources and information to make sound business decisions, retain more of the bottom line for business growth, and comply with laws and regulations.

 

His core professional competencies include regulatory analysis, license procurement, management consulting, corporate governance, accounting information systems, banking regulations, and internal controls. Peter previously held board seats with the Louisiana Cannabis Association and the Pointe Coupee Enrichment Fund and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Upbeat Academy Foundation and the Veterans Alliance for Holistic Alternatives. He is also the founder and Executive Director of the Louisiana Association for Therapeutic Alternatives.

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Thomas Uhle

Founder, Louisianabis

Biography

Thomas Uhle, Owner, Louisianabis

Born and raised in New Orleans, Thomas Uhle ventured into the cannabis industry around 2011 in Colorado. Louisianabis, his company, is a clean nursery providing vigorous rooted hemp clones, and future breeding.

“Growing cannabis in my home state is really a dream come true,” he stated.

William P. Davis

Owner, Euphoria Eats Co.

Biography

William P. Davis, President of Euphoria Eats and Cannabis Consultant for Southern Greauxers, is from the great state of Texas with Louisiana roots. 

Southern Greauxers was created to provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to embark into the Cannabis business. This network of relationships and business partners allow start-ups to gain access to the resources needed to navigate within the industry. Davis felt this company would be essential for others because of the uphill climb it took for Euphoria Eats to get to the main stage. The US Army Veteran used his passion for creating tasty recipes to create an alternative way for others to consume Hemp/CBD through food 

Davis obtained his BA from Louisiana Tech and MBA from Grand Canyon University. Davis started out as a caterer and created his own barbeque sauces and receiving applause and awards for his tasty creation. 

Euphoria Eats Co provides gourmet Hemp/CBD infused condiments/T.V dinners. Euphoria Eats’ condiments are award- winning in taste, as well as character. The hemp/CBD is lab tested for quality from one of the premiere labs in America. Hemp/CBD is a component in the plant that doesn’t contain ( >.3% ) THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) . “Hemp/CBD is used for a plethora of things and why would a person not like to taste Louisiana in every bite along with hemp/CBD. Our mission is simple- give consumers an alternative way to consume hemp/CBD and enjoy great tasting condiments,” explained Davis. 

Euphoria Eats Co has been featured in several publications such as Voyage Dallas, Lab Zero (Japan), numerous blogs, and the USA CBD Expo in Atlanta, GA. The thriving company recently received a 9/10 endorsement on Master P Reviews as the next up and coming company in the CBD market. Mr. Davis was recently name one of the top (entrepreneurs) talents in the Cannabis Industry by Lab Zero and also was selected in the inaugural COHORT sponsored by Parallel and Black Canna Business. 

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