NJ Gubernatorial Candidate Hoffman Seeks Equity In Pot Industry

EGG HARBOR, NJ — Madelyn Hoffman, the independent gubernatorial candidate who joined the race this summer, insists that New Jersey’s new marijuana law falls well short of what voters across the state wanted.

While the legalization of pot two years ago opened the door for cannabis-related businesses to thrive, Hoffman says the profits have not been enjoyed by women-owned business — and more specifically those owned and operated by women of color.

Hoffman and Heather Warburton, her running mate and green party candidate for lieutenant governor, will host a forum on Sunday designed for women that stresses the need for more equity for women in making a living off of pot-related industries. The event will take place at 4:20 p.m. at the Ocean Heights Presbyterian Church in Egg Harbor, Hoffman’s campaign announced on Thursday.

The forum will feature a panel of experts and will include topics ranging from equity to education, dental health, and opportunities for women in the cannabis business, the campaign said in a news release. The event will also provide networking opportunities, games and samples off CBD products.

“It’s time for women and non-binary people to seize their share of the cannabis market and claim their own relationship with this plant”, Warburton said in the release.

Hoffman has partnered with South Jersey Black-owned business Ital Gardens to present a forum that she says will present the issues and highlight the struggles women-owned businesses have had in attempting to find a footing in the cannabis industry. She said that two years ago, Ital Gardens applied for a license and is still awaiting word on whether the license will be granted.

A portion of licenses have been set aside for businesses owned by marginalized people but so far none of those licenses have been issued,” the candidate said. Hoffman said she is running on a campaign that highlights a just and equitable cannabis legalization process, the release said.

“A majority of New Jersey voters have made it clear that they want the legalization of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes,” Hoffman said in the release. “They also made it clear that they wanted those disproportionately targeted by police for possession of marijuana to be made whole — records expunged, licenses for black, brown and women and non-binary people and the ability for all to home grow. New Jersey’s law falls way short. My campaign highlights that and advocates for more.”