Everyone paying attention knows that 2016 will be a huge year for the cannabis community and industry. How to exactly legalize marijuana for all adults, how to best regulate medical cannabis, access to banking, the 280E IRS tax code, are all issues that voters and policymakers will be grappling with throughout the year. All of these issues will be addressed at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in San Francisco this February 13th and 14th.

California industry participants are dealing with the new medical regulations passed by the California Assembly and activists are still weighing whether to fully support the “Sean Parker Legalization Measure” or back more progressive measures. Respected activist and pioneering entrepreneur Debby Goldsberry, the executive director of Magnolia Wellness Collective, is uniquely qualified to lead the “Legalization in California” panel at the ICBC as she has the experience in activism, politics and business that can bring the different perspectives and worlds together. Everyone interested in the California cannabis industry and community, or anywhere for that matter, should attend this important and timely conference.

Below is a blog from the International Cannabis Business Conference, that contains an interview with Debby Goldsberry where she discusses some of her experiences in the cannabis industry and her initial thoughts on the the Golden State moving towards full legalization:

If you have any experience in the cannabis movement and industry, you know that Magnolia Wellness Collective Executive Director Debby Goldsberry has been a true pioneer in both activism and business. Mentored by the iconic Jack Herer, Debby has traveled the globe helping bring freedom to the cannabis community, mentoring and inspiring many activists herself. We are so proud, honored and pleased that she helps us organize the International Cannabis Business Conference and as she helps provide the combination of business savviness and activist heart that make the ICBC a unique industry event.

Goldsberry’s accomplishments are actually too many to list on a blog, she deserves a book. Winner of the 2005 NORML Pauline Sabin Award in recognition of the importance of women leadership positions in ending marijuana prohibition, Goldsberry has crashed through the glass ceiling and shouldn’t be considered a top “female” leader, as she has been a longtime leader of the cannabis movement, regardless of gender. High Times recognized the impact of Ms. Goldsberry when she was named Freedom Fighter of the Year in 2011.

We are fortunate that Debby had a moment in her busy schedule to answer a few questions for our blog:

After helping found Berkeley Patients Group and helping turn BPG into one of the nation’s model cannabis dispensaries, you have now found your way to Magnolia Wellness, how has your transition gone?

I left BPG 5 years ago, thinking it would be easier to become involved in an Oakland dispensary project. As an Oakland resident, with 5 generations of family having lived here, it was really where my goals were focused. Helping this community grow and thrive is important. I joined the Magnolia Wellness team nearly 2 years ago, as an Ambassador, which was a part time outreach position. Over those same years, I helped a variety of small collectives and cannabis businesses grow, doing coaching, mentoring, and gap management. This gave me a lot of hands on experience with dream building and problem solving, and I developed additional skills helping operationalize a variety of cannabis businesses. And, after leaving BPG, I took over as the Professor of Patient Relations and Procurement and Allocations at Oaksterdam University, which gave me the ability to both teach and learn from people around the world, right at the campus in downtown Oakland.

You rose from Ambassador to Executive Director at Magnolia, any tips for others that start out in a cannabis business with goals of working their way up?

The cannabis industry is built on trust, understanding, and good old fashioned proving yourself. When I arrived at Magnolia Wellness, the leadership told me that there was only one way forward, and that was to work my way up. After two years of dedication to the organization, helping increase membership by over 65% in the last year alone, the board finally adopted me into the role of Executive Director. Magnolia has already been operationalized and running nicely for several years, so I am taking the lead at a dispensary ready to take next steps, fine tuning and building upon existing standard operating procedures. This means a lot of analysis right off, learning what works and does not, and making clear choices about expansion and budgeting. My advice, set your goals, and spend time developing the skills, making the connections, and proving both your abilities and who you are as a person, before expecting a leadership role in the cannabis industry.

Under your leadership, BPG became a shining example of caring for the community as part of a good business model. Can you share some thoughts about that and whether that same focus has carried over to Magnolia?

Yes! Magnolia’s board of directors is staying the same, with some key additions, including a hospice nurse, and they originally built Magnolia using BPG as a model. The founder, Dave Spradlin, has a heart of gold, and has always focused on the “wellness model” as a key to developing the dispensary. This includes offering free services to members, doing community service work in Oakland, donating to key groups like Parents 4 Pot, and giving free medicine to people most in need. Nothing will really change, except that we plan to continue to grow the collective and to fulfill it’s founding vision. As far as my personal long standing goals of ending cannabis prohibition, freeing prisoners, keeping families together, and stopping the misguided war on drugs, we will absolutely keep up that fight, until each person who needs cannabis medicines can receive them and all the people are free.

Any specials or deals of Magnolia’s that you would like to highlight?

Ed Rosenthal and Amber E. Senter have both joined the Magnolia Wellness team last month, so you can expect some epic happenings soon. The first event is our New Year’s Day party, from 12 – 8 PM, with a DJ, free samples, and lots of specials on the cannabis medicines.

Magnolia has a daily deal for members, so each person can choose which day to come to find a deal that meets their medical need and budget. Check out menu at http://magnoliawellness.org/. You can also find the calendar of services here. We are soon launching regular classes and events, and are in the middle of a remodel to help improve patient care. Plus, we are putting all of our cannabis on display in one big case in our lobby, to show off the amazing offerings we have in stock.

California’s legalization battle already seems pretty heated within the community. Can you share any of your initial thoughts and concerns?

Personally, I think it will be important to unite behind one initiative, even if the wording is not perfect and the execution of it does not work out exactly right. As we saw with CA’s Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, even an imperfect law can accomplish major goals. We have had near legalization for medical patients here for 20 years, which granted has been an uphill battle to implement, but from it sprang legalization around the world. If we have to unite behind the Sean Parker backed initiative to make changes, or at least agree to remain silent in public about concerns, to take steps that will end arrests and free people from jail, we should do that. I favor the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform initiative, which, if funded, has better language and a greater likelihood of ending prohibition.

To learn from Debby Goldsberry and other activist and industry pioneers, get your tickets to the upcoming ICBC in San Francisco on February 13-14. The first 500 ticket purchasers get exclusive access to a VIP party with Tommy Chong, featuring performances by Rocker-T and hip-hop legend Del the Funky Homosapien. Get your tickets before prices go up and the event sells out.

This International Cannabis Business Conference blog is reposted here with special permission.