Trenton —The New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) today announced the addition of Pure Genesis, LLC CEO Faye Coleman and Archer & Greiner’s Bill Caruso to its Board of Directors.
“Faye and Bill are incredible additions to our organization,” said NJCBA President Scott Rudder. “Between their advocacy for cannabis legalization and vast knowledge of both the cannabis and hemp industries, they give New Jersey CannaBusiness a collective level of expertise unmatched by any other organization in the state. We are excited to have them on board, especially as we gear up for the legalization ballot question.”
Coleman is the CEO and co-founder of Pure Genesis, LLC, (PG) a women and minority-based (certified MWBE) cannabis business. As multi-state operators, PG helps patients gain access to the best medical cannabis products and education available in the New Jersey market. Coleman, the first African American woman to graduate from the School of Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University, also serves on the Governor’s working group for cannabis legalization, with a focus on legalization’s impact on social justice reform.
“This is an exciting time for the cannabis industry,” Coleman said. “I’m proud of the hard work and energy that has been focused on cannabis legalization and social justice reform. People from different communities have come together to support these initiatives. Scott and the NJCBA embrace these reforms and I look forward adding my voice to help create a responsible and inclusive industry.”
Caruso is currently a partner at Archer & Greiner and has been among the most vocal proponents of cannabis legalization in New Jersey. Soon after joining Archer, Caruso connected with leading racial and social justice voices in New Jersey to form New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform at a time when there were few substantive voices in the state advocating for comprehensive reform on the basis of racial and social justice and much needed economic development. Additionally, Caruso served nearly five years as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office in Trenton where he worked for then-Speaker Sheila Oliver, who has since become New Jersey’s Lt. Governor. Prior to taking the Assembly post, Caruso served for more than 11 years as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews.
“Cannabis legalization, and the social justice reforms and job opportunities it brings, has been a passion of mine from the beginning,” stated Caruso. “I have worked with business groups, social justice groups and patient advocacy groups for nearly a decade. Joining the NJCBA board is a natural fit considering that they hold the same values as I do.” Caruso continued, “I look forward to working with Scott and other leaders in getting cannabis legalization passed in November and establishing a responsible and sustainable industry and the needed reforms it brings.”
