L-R: Former NHLer and Co-Founder of Athletes for CARE, Riley Cote; newly elected New Jersey CannaBusiness Association Board Member, Kelley Detweiler; Sensi Magazine Publisher, Carolyn Scott; Former NFLer and Athletes For CARE Ambassador, Todd Herremans at Monarch Philly.
Earlier this year, New Jersey Senator Nicholas Scutari introduced a bill [Senate Bill No. 3195] to legalize marijuana in the Garden State, allowing for the possession and personal use of small amounts of weed for people 21 years old and up.
Calling for a licensing structure and enforcement agency, projecting the state could generate at least $300 million in new tax revenue, Scott Rudder, President of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA), said “Senator Scutari’s legislation is right on point when it comes to regulating an industry in a safe and responsible manner.”
Expanding access to medical cannabis and responsible adult-use of cannabis, the state’s leading cannabis business advocacy group and Rudder recently announced a new addition to NJCBA’s leadership team.
By unanimous vote, Kelley Detweiler became NJCBA’s newest board member, set to serve the mission of the organization and support Scutari’s bill.
“We are pleased to announce the valuable addition of Kelley Detweiler to our Board of Directors,” said Rudder.
“She will be very valuable both in her advocacy as well as her business acumen.”
An entrepreneur and advocate for multiple causes, Detweiler helped launch Athletes for CARE (A4C), a nonprofit dedicated to engaging and empowering professional athletes invested in community, advocacy, research and education issues and initiatives.
“Through my efforts with Athletes for CARE, I have worked closely with Scott and other members of the NJCBA,” said Detweiler.
A “do-er” and “completer of tasks,” Detweiler has a professional knack for connecting with leaders of Fortune 500 companies, elected officials, professional athletes and entertainers, blending “her keen sense of when to talk and when to listen.“
“There is a lot of synergy between our two organizations which makes this a perfect fit,” said Detweiler.
Founder of the tech marketing firm Kolibry, the savvy marketing strategist has a history of partnering with CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs to grow their personal and professional brands, human-to-human. Successfully hosting a symposium with NJCBA in September, as A4C’s Director of Marketing and Marketing Committee Chair, among many, Detweiler’s connection to New Jersey includes her clients, TITAN Group and Sonic Packaging Industries.
At Cooper Medical School of Rowan University last week, Detweiler worked alongside the American Pain Association and Dr. Sanjay Gupta to host the “Turn the Tide Summit,” the first stop on a national tour designed to address challenges, actionable strategies and best practices surrounding America’s opioid epidemic.
“Kelley continuously demonstrates her professionalism and a seemingly endless amount of energy in helping existing New Jersey businesses transition their current products and services into the cannabis industry,” said Rudder.
“Kelley has proven time and again her passion for educating and promoting the safe and responsible use of cannabis as an alternative to opioids as well as its benefits towards social justice reforms.”
A wife and mother of two, the Pennsylvania resident plans to hit the ground running with NJCBA, intending to develop a sustainable growth plan aimed to assist existing New Jersey businesses expand their product portfolio to better serve the growing cannabis market.
“We look forward to bringing her talents and tenacity to bear as we move forward with expanding our medical cannabis program and our growth into a responsible adult-use market,” said Rudder.
Promoting job creation, workforce development, sustainable and responsible business practices within New Jersey’s cannabis industry, Detweiler will assist NJCBA [video] as the organization collaborates with pioneers in the medical cannabis market to emerging players in the adult-use space.
“Kelley’s leadership and focus made her an instant member of our team and proved to be natural fit with our organization. We are really excited about her joining the board and helping to make this industry a reality,” said NJCBA Board Member, Felice Twaddle.
Former Philadelphia Flyers enforcer and A4C Co-Founder and Executive Director, Riley Cote, praised Detweiler’s selection to the NJCBA’s Board.
“Kelley’s charisma, work ethic and relentless attitude has helped Athletes for CARE grow in an extraordinarily positive way this year,” said Cote.
“I am confident she will provide that same level of professionalism and strategic counsel to the NJCBA as they move towards helping to strengthen NJ’s medical cannabis program and segue into a responsibly regulated adult-use market.”
Kelley Detweiler (right end) with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (fourth from left) at the American Pain Association’s inaugural “Turn the Tide Summit.” Also pictured are Riley Cote (left end), Todd Herremans (third from left), Marvin Washington (fifth from right), Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dr. Kavita Gupta and Jack Teitelman.