“This particular discussion is one that was a long time coming,” said Kogod dean, John Delaney, as he introduced the most recent Kogod Connections webinar, “Opportunities and Challenges in the Cannabis Industry.” Panelists discussed the history, future, and challenges of the rapidly expanding cannabis industry in the US. Held on February 14, 2022, the event was hosted by director of alumni relations, Jim Waite. Industry veterans Michael Keller, Tom Grebenstein, and Graham Farrar attended to speak about their experiences in the field.
As a retired financial executive and Kogod alumnus, Keller’s career has taken him across many fields. Since graduating, he’s spent time in the securities industry, directed an investment banking firm, and performed lobbying work in DC. He also served as a cofounding investor for Glass House Brands, a California-based cannabis company headed by fellow panelist Farrar.
An experienced entrepreneur and the president of Glass House Brands, Farrar also has a storied career. Farrar worked with technology companies and environmental non-profits before he began his foray into the cannabis industry through his work in agriculture and hydroponics.
Rounding out the panelist group is Tom Grebenstein, an alumnus of American University’s School of International Service. He has worked in public health and pandemic response and currently serves as the chief revenue officer of Tikun Olam, Israel’s first regulated medical marijuana provider.
Kogod's ability to host a conversation on the cannabis industry represents a notable shift in public attitudes towards cannabis products, and this change in perception is reflected globally—Grebenstein explained that Tikun Olam’s founder, Tzahi Cohen, initially used medical marijuana illegally in treating his patients. After significant lobbying, Cohen was able to work with the Israeli Ministry of Health to regulate his products and improve their availability.
That isn’t to say that opposition to cannabis is a thing of the past. Farrar believes that attitudes will continue to shift toward tolerance over time. “The biggest indicator of what someone’s view is going to be on cannabis is their age,” Farrar explained. “Time passes, and the people who grew up steeped in DARE and ‘Just Say No’ naturally fall away.”
This natural shift in public opinion means that both Farrar and Grebenstein are generally unfazed by opposition to cannabis legalization. “There are enough people who need help, who need direction,” said Grebenstein.