Mother’s High Tea® Speakers are influential women who share their wisdom, Experience and Encouragement with the Gathered cannabis community of Women, Children and Supportive Men.

Mother’s High Tea®

2019 Speakers

at the 7th Annual Mother's High Tea®: Tes De SudAmerica y Rio de la Plata

Ms. Jessica Peck, Esq.

Attorney

Jessica K. Peck, Attorney at Law, LLC

Keynote Ms. Jessica Peck is a Denver mother and attorney, appointed by Gov. Jared Polis, in 2019, to Colorado’s Behavioral Health Task Force and the Subcommittee on Children's Behavioral Health.

Ms. Peck was keynote speaker at the first Mother’s High Tea® in 2011 during the time she was at the forefront of several successful legal, administrative, and legislative battles that paved the way for Colorado to become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana.

Mrs. Floribeth Beckman

Co-Owner

Herbanoids

Emcee Floribeth Beckman had a previous career as an investigator and lawyer for the Drug Enforcement branch of the Honduran Supreme Court before moving to the United States. Her professional journey includes being co-owner of Herbanoids and her personal wellness and consciousness practice includes breatharian, tantric and prana energy methods.

Dr. Lisa Calderon

Executive Director

Women Uprising

Dr. Lisa Calderon holds a bachelor's degree, a master’s degree, a law degree, and a doctorate in education. Dr. Calderon has worked in public service for 30 years in the metro Denver community in areas of justice and social justice reform. Dr. Calderon is a former university professor, having taught Women’s Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, and Criminal Justice.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

Ms. Laura Blanco de Leon

President

Cannabis Studies Association of Uruguay

Ms. Laura Blanco de Leon is President of the Cannabis Studies Association of Uruguay, and a co-founder of the Plantatuplanta growers since 2005. Ms. Blanco de Leon served as an advisory board member in the National Drug Board that developed the Law on the Regulation of Cannabis and General Coordinator of the Cannabis Clubs Platform in Uruguay. Ms. Blanco de Leon participates via slideshow presentation.

Ms. Ana Medina

Sound and Energy Healer

The Well of Wellbeing

Ms. Ana Medina was born and raised in Mexico City and currently resides in Boulder. Ms Medina is a wellness, meditation and spiritual Retreat Leader, as well as a Certified Life and Energy Leadership Coach and Sound Healer. Ms. Medina is a professional musician and educator.

2018 Speakers

at The 6th Annual Mother’s High Tea®: Tea Along the Silk Road

State Representative Leslie Herod

House District 8

State Representative

Keynote State Representative Leslie Herod represents House District 8 in Northeast Denver, in State House of Representatives. Rep. Herod’s extensive experience in social services, criminal justice, mental health, and anti-poverty issues has led her to be at the forefront of setting progressive policy and passing many pieces of legislation. She currently serves on the House committees of Judiciary, Finance and Legal Services. Rep. Herod has previously served on community boards and commissions, including Urban Peak, Colorado's leading homeless youth service agency, and appointed to the state's Judicial Performance Commission, and Denver's Cultural Affairs Commission. Rep. Herod co-founded New Era Colorado, an organization focused on youth community engagement.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

Judge Shelli Williams Hayes

Chief Compliance Officer

American Standard Hemp Company

Judge Shelli Williams Hayes (Retired) served as a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois for 18 years acquiring legal experience in business, taxation, marketing and management. She last presided over the high volume Civil Jury Trial Courtroom. Judge Hayes entered the cannabis industry with the start of the Illinois State Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. She is a Founding Board member of the National Cannabis Bar Association and the Minority Cannabis Business Association. Judge Hayes currently is Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer for American Standard Hemp Company, a hemp extraction lab in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ms. Cindy Sovine

CEO

Utopia All Natural Wellness Spa & Lounge.

Cindy Sovine is a Political Consultant and CEO of Utopia All Natural Wellness Spa & Lounge. Ms. Sovine, with 20 years of experience helping regulated businesses, including Xerox and Blue Cross Blue Shield, succeed in the ever changing state legislative and regulatory environments. After seeing the medical benefits in her dad's journey with Lymphatic Cancer, Ms. Sovine switched her lobbyist efforts to cannabis and began helping cannabis businesses. In her next journey, Utopia All Natural Spa & Lounge blends Cindy’s passion for helping people and bringing to life a social use environment were Cannabis consumers’ desire for natural products and spa services becomes a lifestyle.

Ms. Samantha Walsh

CEO

Tetra Public Affairs

Emcee Samantha Walsh is co-founder and CEO of Tetra Public Affairs, and co-founder of National Hemp Association. When Ms. Walsh worked at the Colorado State Senate, she longed to move beyond politics and to make a real difference in shaping policy. In 2012, she organized Colorado hemp advocates to craft the best possible policy and deftly crafted legislation, which resulted in the historic Senate Bill 13-241, which passed with a unanimous vote. Ms. Walsh also joined the campaign efforts on Amendment 64 because the ballot initiative incorporated hemp agriculture measures. As co-founder of the National Hemp Association, Ms. Walsh directs communications strategy and manages the legislative agenda. Samantha continues to play an active role in shaping critical legislation, including the 2017 Colorado policy that defines hemp-derived CBD as a food ingredient.

2017 Speakers

At The 5th Annual Mother’s High Tea®: Coast to Coast Women

Mrs. Diane Czarkowski

Founding Partner

Canna Advisors

Keynote Diane Czarkowski is Founding Partner of Canna Advisors a cannabis consulting firm serving emerging markets. Ms. Czarkowski owned one of the first dispensary and cultivation operations in Boulder. and is a Founding Benefactor of Women Grow, Founding Member of NCIA, a Lifetime Member of the ArcView Group, and a sustaining member of SSDP and MPP. In 2016 she was named one of the 50 Most Important Women in Cannabis by Cannabis Business Executive and received Arcview’s Outstanding Member award. She is also featured in the book, Breaking the Grass Ceiling: Women, Weed and Business.

MS. Jaime Lewis

VP of Operations

iANthus

Emcee Jaime Lewis is VP of Operations for iAnthus, Founder and CEO of Mountain Medicine in Colorado, COO of Mayflower Medicinals in Boston.

Ms. Lewis has over a decade of experience leading medical marijuana dispensary operations and managing the production of medical marijuana-infused products. Jaime was the Chief Operating Officer of a large Colorado medical dispensary operation, where she was responsible for operations, strategic planning, business development, governmental affairs and community relations. She is the founder of Mountain Medicine, an infused manufacturer and distributor in Colorado. Jaime is a founding member and former chair of the Cannabis Business Alliance, an influential trade organization and a current board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, where she serves as a national spokesperson.

Ms. Ah Warner

CEO

Cannabis Basics

is CEO of Cannabis Basics. Since 1995, Cannabis Basics has formulated lotion and topical products utilizing the best of industrial hemp and marijuana therapeutics. Ms. Warner has received an MJBA Women’s Alliance Award for her focus and dedication to the women in Washington’s cannabis industry. She is a proud member of the American Herbal Products Association’s Cannabis Committee. Guiding member of Norml Women of Washington, MJBA Women’s Alliance and Founder of private social club, Women of Weed.
Coauthored law that defines Cannabis Health and Beauty Aids (CHABA) and continues to fine tune CHABA laws and regulations.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

Ms. Nina Parks

CEO

Mirage Medicinals

Nina Parks, is the CEO of Mirage Medicinals, a California state-certified medicinal cannabis cooperative that delivers anywhere within San Francisco city limits. Ms. Parks is an artist, poet, community organizer and activist. She is one of the co-founders of Supernova Women, the group that aims to educate and empower women of color around the nation in becoming self sustaining stakeholders in the cannabis industry. Ms. Parks speaks to improving the environments of communities of color and encouraging the criminal justice system to make amends for the failed war on drugs and its impact on families.

Ms. Sonia Espinosa

Co- Founder

Cannabis Cultural Association

Sonia Espinosa is co-founder for the Cannabis Cultural Association prior to graduating with Harvard’s class of 2016. CCA is an organization which strives to involve underrepresented communities in the legal cannabis/hemp industry. and MRCC, Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, who’s efforts seek to bridge the gap between communities and local legislators. A result of this effort is #WeedTalk, an educational series that helps people understand the law through visual chronicles of the science, culture, technology, and economics of the legalization of marijuana.

2016 Speakers

At Mindful Presents the 4th Annual Mother’s High Tea®:

Senator Aguilar

District 32

Colorado General Assembly

Senator Aguilar represents Denver’s Senate District 32 in the Colorado General Assembly, and has been a Primary Care Physician for 23 years.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford

Founder

Endocannabinoidology

Emcee, Christie Lunsford is a cannabis industry veteran, and was awarded the first Cannabis Woman of the Year Award at the December 2015 Cannabis Business Awards. Mrs. Lunsford is founder of Endocannabinoidology, a consulting firm providing cannabis science, technology, sustainability and education to the cannabis industry and Budding Professionals, a mentoring service for new entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Carrie Roberts Scurti

Representative

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Mrs. Carrie Roberts Scurti, business consultant for Medicine Man Technologies, and representative for LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in Colorado based legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

Ms. Eileen Konieczny

RN, BPCA

American Cannabis Nurses Association

Ms. Eileen Konieczny, oncology and end of life Nurse, and President of President of the American Cannabis Nurses Association

Mrs. Floribeth Beckman

Founder and Herbalist

Herbanoids

Mrs. Floribeth Beckman founder Herbanoids, former criminal investigator for the Supreme Court for a Latin American country’s Supreme Court of Justice

2015 Speakers

At the 4 & 20 Blackbirds Presents the 3rd BIEnNIal Mother’s High Tea®

Senator Beth Martinez Humenik

Senate

Colorado District 24

Keynote, Senator Beth Martinez Humenik represents Colorado Senate District 24 in Adams County. She is a fourth generation Coloradan who grew up in Fort Collins.

Senator Martinez Humenik received her Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s of Science degree from Colorado State University. She is actively involved with the municipal leaders in Thornton, Northglenn and Westminster.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford

Founder

Endocannabinoidology

Ms. AC Braddock

CEO

EDEN Labs

AC Braddock is a career entrepreneur. Her ability to recognize market trends and establish a profitable enterprise within a short time frame has been a hallmark of her success.

Ms Braddock met Fritz Chess, Founder of Eden Labs, in the late ‘90s. Sharing a keen interest in plants as medicine, she was impressed with his botanical extraction knowledge and his ability to engineer highly sophisticated extraction systems that were easy to operate and affordable. At this point, he had already developed the Coldfinger design and Eden’s first generation co2 system, becoming the first person in the US to extract Kava Kava and Cannabis with Co2.

In 2007 Ms Braddock left her position as Sales and Marketing Director for a multi-million dollar Built Green construction project to become Head of Sales and Marketing at Eden Labs. In 2010 Ms Braddock became CEO of Eden Labs and has successfully transformed the company into a highly respected multi-million dollar extraction technology powerhouse.

A member of two of Washington’s Cannabis Business Women’s groups; WOW (Women of Weed) and theMJBA’s Women’s Alliance, Ms Braddock is dedicated to creating a new way of corporate structure in this emerging industry. She resides in Seattle Washington.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

Ms. Kristi Kelly

Principal & Founder

Good Meds Network

Kristi Kelly is principal and founder of Good Meds Network, a group of medical marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary businesses in the Denver area; board member of Marijuana Industry Group (MIG); sustaining member of National Cannabis Industry Association; and founding board member of The Fourth Corner Credit Union, the world’s first marijuana financial institution. She is also the former co-chair and founding board member of The Association of Cannabis Trades of Colorado and a former executive board member of Cannabis Business Alliance. She has served on numerous state and local rulemaking committees and workgroups addressing issues as diverse as banking and taxation to retail best practices, and has represented the cannabis industry as a business owner, association leader, and patient advocate. Kristi has been featured on 60 Minutes, Bloomberg/Businessweek, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Al Jazeera and more.

Kristi grew up under the influence of strong and empowered mothers, aunts, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and other role models who were not afraid to define their own successes and roles in their communities absent the expectations of society. From this foundation came a lifelong passion for helping those in need and investing in areas that benefit women and children.

Ms. Diane Fornbacher

Founder

LadyBud Magazine

Diane Fornbacher is a recipient of the NORML Pauline Sabin Award (2012) for contributing nearly 20 years of activism to NORML and many other grassroots and national drug policy reform organizations, Diane Fornbacher has shared her skills as a speaker and writer to help in securing a healthier and freer future for our species; to expand and advocate for fundamental freedoms to medicate or consume cannabis, and to bring a more holistic approach to our environment through industrial hemp advocacy. Diane’s work has appeared in Philadelphia Weekly, San Francisco Gate, Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail (UK), Alternet, USA Today, and many other esteemed publications. In addition to being a Member of the Board of NORML, Diane is also co-founder of the NORML Women’s Alliance Foundation and the founder of Ladybud Magazine. Most importantly, Diane is a mother to two young sons and wants them to live in a more compassionate and sensible world.

2012 Speakers

At the Mother’s High Tea®: National Cannabis Industry Association Fundraiser for The Women’s CannabisBuSiness Network

Ms. JoAnna LaForce

R.Ph., CGP, Clinical Director

The Farmacy®, California

Keynote JoAnna LaForce, R.Ph., CGP is a Clinical Consultant Pharmacist. She graduated in 1975 and is Board Certified in Geriatric Pharmacy. JoAnna is currently Clinical Director of The Farmacy® West Hollywood, The Farmacy® Venice and The Farmacy® Westwood. The Farmacies are organic medicine centers that provide natural healing products and herbs; including medical cannabis. They are staffed by Licensed Acupuncturists, Herbalists, Massage therapists, and Licensed Nutritionists. Her Farmacies are the leaders in providing an integrative approach to wellness and have established standards and guidelines for the regulation of all aspects of the medical cannabis movement.

Ms. Betty Aldworth

Advocacy Director

Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Betty Aldworth founded Evolution Consulting, which provides public, community and media relations services to the medical marijuana industry. She also leads the Women’s Marijuana Movement, volunteers at numerous organizations – including Sensible Colorado and the Women’s CannaBusiness Network – and is advocacy director for The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

Ms. Wanda James

CEO

Simply Pure

Ms. Wanda James is the principal and owner of James Foxx Communications, LLC (JFC), a marketing communications firm that specializes in results-oriented, strategic promotion. JFC specializes in campaign management, advocacy and political outreach for both candidates and organizations. The company is dedicated to consistently providing innovative solutions through research, message development and media planning.

Ms. James served on President Barack Obama’s 2008 National Finance Committee and other Clients have included Congressman Jared Polis, Jay Fawcett for Congress in Colorado’s CD5, The White House Project, and California Speaker of the House Karen Bass.

In 2010, Ms. James and her husband Scott Durrah were named Best Medical Marijuana advocates by Westword Magazine. Currently, they own Simply Pure, a cannabis edible company.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford

Marketing Director

Dixie Elixirs & Edibles

Emcee, Christie Lunsford has consulted in the licensing and development phases of multiple Medical Marijuana Centers and Infused Product Manufactures in Colorado. She is currently a facilitator and board member of WCBN and works in the cannabis industry as marketing director for Dixie Elixirs and Edibles.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

MRs. Lynda Parker

President

Agricultural Hemp Initiative

Lynda Parker is a fourth generation Colorado native and a retired private citizen with a life-long passion for the environment and all things sustainable. Lynda spearheads the Agricultural Hemp Initiative. The goal of the organization is to invigorate farming in the western U.S. where water is scarce and to promote a range of new, sustainable agricultural practices across the country. Acting on my passion and concern for the environment, after 20 years in advertising sales at Dex Media, in 2006 I launched the Colorado Industrial Hemp Initiative. With little hope that I would accomplish my goal, I could think of no more effective way to positively impact the environment, agriculture, and the economy. As a citizen advocate, I worked with the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, Colorado legislature, the Canadian Consulate, Colorado law enforcement, agricultural organizations, Colorado State University and other interested parties for years to educate and involve key people.

Ms. Amy Poinsett

CEO

MJ Freeway Software Solutions

Amy Poinsett has trained and led technology development teams in software, application design and research analysis across various business sectors within financial services, luxury tourism and medical technology; resulting in high revenue returns and stable corporate growth. An alumnus of the University of Denver, she also co-founded and managed Wonder Dog Corporation - a premier technology and consulting company - and is a co-founder and the CEO of MJ Freeway Software Solutions.

2011 Speakers

At the 4 & 20 Blackbirds Presents the Inaugural Mother’s High Tea®:

Ms. Jessica Peck, Esq.

Attorney

Jessica K. Peck, Attorney at Law, LLC

Ms. Jessica Leroux

Owner

Twirling Hippy Confections

Ms. Jessica LeRoux was one of the original Cannabis Caregivers of Colorado with Ken Gorman started in 2003.

Ms. Susan Squibb

Cannabis Maven

Emcee Susan Squibb is the founder and organizer of Mother’s High Tea®. Ms. Squibb has been involved in legalization and cannabis business since 1996.

mrs. Georgia Edson

PrInciple

Herbal Connections

Mrs. Georgia Edson is Principle at Herbal
Connections, a medical marijuana center. She is a an advocate at NORML Women’s Alliance and Mile High NORML.

Ms. Deanna Gabriel

Herbalist

Cannabis Magic

Ms. Deanna Gabriel is a Certified Clinical Herbalist, Clinical Nutritionist and Flower Essence Practitioner. She is the herbalist for Cannabis Magic.

Ms. toni fox

Owner/ Proprietor

3D Cannabis Center

Mrs. Toni Fox is a passionate activist currently focused on ending cannabis prohibition. She is a grateful and loving mother of two amazing children and is married to the love of her life. Toni is a woman business owner of 3D Cannabis Center.

Ms. Catjia Redfern

Founder

Catnips

Emcee Catjia Redfern is formulator and founder of Catnips, a unique medical marijuana herbal tablet. Catjia is a medical advocate for the HIV+ community

Ms. Jill Lamoureux

Founder

Boulder County Caregivers

Ms. Jill Lamoureux founded the first Boulder dispensary in 2008. Jill is the only business owner to serve on both the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Medical Marijuana Enforcement divisions’ medical marijuana work groups, Jill plays an active role in development of Colorado’s first round of industry, physician, patient, and caregiver regulations