John Schroyer
Activism/Politics Award: Shanita Penny, director, Coalition for Policy, Education, and Regulation, Activism Award
Education and government policy have long been two of Shanita Penny’s biggest passions – along with cannabis. So it’s only natural that her career took her in the direction of CPEAR, with which she’s worked now for more than two years at the federal level on marijuana issues.
She recently accepted a job with Forbes-Tate, one of the firms undergirding CPEAR, which will broaden her work to other industries as well.
“Initially we were working together to launch CPEAR, and after about nine months, the partners took note of the work I was doing and asked me to join the team,” Penny said. “So now I’m still working with CPEAR but also working in public affairs and helping to build out Forbes-Tate’s cannabis practice. So, really excited to not just be evolving in my cannabis policy work but connecting the dots for other industries.”
Penny estimated that about 60% of her workday will still be spent on cannabis issues, and she’s “really proud” of the work she’s done with CPEAR.
She also acknowledged some cold shoulders she received from colleagues when her association with CPEAR was first announced in 2021, because the group includes some tobacco and alcohol companies – including Marlboro cigarette maker Altria, Molson Coors Beverage Co., and others – which many cannabis purists don’t like.
That experience, she said, is the toughest thing she’s had to overcome in her marijuana career.
“The toughest thing was being shut out of so many rooms and conversations about cannabis after working with CPEAR,” Penny recalled. “I’ve been in tough rooms, no doubt about it. But to have folks you’ve worked side by side with, almost discredit what you bring to the table, that’s been tough.
“But the award was an indicator for me that the work is speaking for CPEAR, and that we all are going to have a part to play in getting federal cannabis policy right. We can’t exclude each other. We have to leverage the good and bad that comes with diverse stakeholders.”
Penny further said what the industry needs is “radical collaboration” instead of working “in silos.”
Her advice to other women in cannabis?
“Show up. Take up space. Bring your expertise, bring your lived experiences, bring your whole self to this movement and this industry, and it will serve us all well,” Penny said. “When I first entered this space, there were a lot more women, and a lot more women having success. So, yes, we’ve grown as an industry, and things have changed. But we’ve got to continue. The next generation of women leaders have to step in and step up.”
