C.E.A.S.E. Announces Sen. Connie Johnson as Keynote Speaker

2018​ ​Oklahoma​ ​Gubernatorial​ ​candidate​ ​will​ ​present​ ​alongside​ ​industry​ ​leaders Dr.​ ​Regina​ ​Nelson​ ​and​ ​Chip​ ​Paul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October​ ​30,​ ​2017 Contact:​ ​MJM STRATEGY Ph: 800-410-0835 Email: pr@ceasecon.org

Cannabis​ ​Education​ ​Advocacy​ ​Symposium​ ​and​ ​Expo​ ​(C.E.A.S.E.) announces​ ​Senator​ ​Connie​ ​Johnson​ ​as​ ​Keynote​ ​Speaker

Oklahoma​ ​City,​ ​Oklahoma​ – Visionary and maverick elected official Connie Johnson, a 33-year veteran of the Oklahoma legislature, who served as an Oklahoma State Senator for 9 years and is currently a gubernatorial candidate will keynote the inaugural C.E.A.S.E. conference event on February 24, 2018. A lifelong public servant, Johnson was first elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 2005. She served two terms before retiring in November, 2014, following her historic race for the US Senate, where she became the first African American and first woman in Oklahoma history to secure a major party U. S. Senate nomination. A fearless champion for justice who, as a state senator, led resistance to legislation designed to marginalize already disenfranchised groups, Senator Johnson authored progressive legislation on issues for the advancement of the poor and people of color, women and children, LGBTQ communities, undocumented people, and cannabis policy reform.

Johnson and other industry luminaries will share their expertise and experiences on a range of topics including the medicinal and economic benefits of the plant, the current status of cannabis legislation and the growing movement for legalization, small business and entrepreneurship opportunities, social justice and more. This curated, consumer-focused educational experience empowers attendees to educate themselves about cannabis and to embrace its benefits, so that they may cease perpetuation of misinformation and negative stereotypes, becoming agents and champions of change that will positively impact their lives, our collective communities, and the entire nation.

Joining Senator Johnson to lead the lineup of illustrious speakers are Dr. Regina Nelson, PhD, medicinal cannabis educator and advocate, and Chip Paul, a pioneer in the burgeoning Oklahoma legalization movement and co-founder of Oklahomans For Health. “We are thrilled to host Senator Johnson, Dr. Nelson, Chip Paul and all of the inspiring thought leaders and participants,” said Sasha Rivers, C.E.A.S.E. Co-Founder. “As activists and leaders in the cannabis industry, their insights challenge us all to make the most of our own resources and experiences to amplify our own informed voice and make empowered decisions to improve and sustain our collective communities.”

Author of multiple books including Time for the Talk: Talking to Your Doctor or Patient about Medical Cannabis, Dr. Regina Nelson is a respected authority on medical cannabis and a champion of community-based education and research. As co-founder of Oklahomans for Health, Chip Paul proposed multiple progressive and innovative regulations which have been included in the proposed medical marijuana initiative, SQ 788. His research in support of the initiative ultimately led to the launch of Gnu Pharma, a company studying ways to impact the endocannabinoid system using plant-based flavonoids found in common herbs.

National partners for C.E.A.S.E. include Rivermill, LLC, Oklahomans for Health, Minorities for Medical Marijuana and MJM Strategy.

“We are delighted to be a supporting partner for this historic inaugural experience and look forward to a day of education and inclusive community building in the Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana tri-state region,” said Rosalind “Roz” McCarthy, Founder and CEO of Minorities For Medical Marijuana, a national nonprofit outreach organization founded to educate and empower by providing access and information to marginalized populations.

“Whether you want to start a business, be an advocate or simply use the cannabis plant as a means to improve your health and wellbeing, it all must start with access to quality consumer education. C.E.A.S.E. is pioneering the efforts to address this need gap in the industry nationally,” says Dasheeda Dawson, President of MJM Strategy and an industry thought-leader on the rebranding of cannabis for mainstream acceptance.

Sponsor and Exhibitor registration is now open for C.E.A.S.E. - OKC which will be hosted at the Tower Hotel 3233 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Additional speakers and the full symposium schedule will be announced soon. Attendee tickets will be available for purchase starting December 1, 2017.

To learn more and stay informed, visit www.ceasecon.org and follow C.E.A.S.E. on social media:

- Facebook: www.fb.com/ceasecon

- Instagram: @ceasecon_

- Twitter: @ceasecon

About​ ​C.E.A.S.E.

Cannabis Education Advocacy Symposium and Expo (C.E.A.S.E.) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to increase awareness and to educate consumers about the medical and economic benefits of cannabis as a legalized product. Globally, the organization looks to cease misconceptions and to enhance consumer understanding, by providing a strong platform for informed cannabis industry thought leadership, innovative brand exhibition and celebration of the evolution of the cannabis plant across health/wellness, policy advocacy and business.