Join the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics on Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30 pm - 3 pm for an insightful roundtable discussion on the intersection of cannabis and politics and the future of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts. Our distinguished speakers will share their expertise as entrepreneurs in this evolving industry. Learn about opportunities, challenges, and strategies for success. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and network with industry leaders.
Speakers include:
- Tito Jackson, CEO of Apex Noire and Former Boston City Councilor
- Drudys "Dru" Ledbetter, CEO Zèb Boutique
- Enrique Pepén, Boston City Councilor
- Moderated by Tomás Gonzalez, Berry IOP Fellow and Co-Owner of SEED Cannabis Dispensary
Tito Jackson, CEO of Apex Noire Cannabis and Former Boston City Councilor
Tito Jackson is the CEO of Apex Noire, a 7-story cannabis dispensary, edible factory and rooftop bar in Boston, making it the first Black-owned dispensary in downtown Boston. Tito is a former Boston City Councilor for District 7, where he was the Chairman of the Education Committee and Vice Chairman of the Government Operations Committee. Tito ran for Mayor of Boston in 2017, advocating for change in the city’s wealth gap, housing displacement, and access disparities. Tito has over a decade of experience in Sales and Marketing, rising to the role of Industry Director for Information Technology in the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. As an Alumnus of the University of New Hampshire, he inspires the next generation of leaders and sits on the Boards of several organizations, including the Boston Ballet, the City of Boston’s Black Men and Boys Commission, the Global Citizens Circle and the University of New Hampshire Foundation Board. Tito holds two Honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of New Hampshire, and the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.
Drudys "Dru" Ledbetter, CEO Zèb Boutique
Drudys 'Dru' Ledbetter is an accomplished Registered Nurse, Cannabis Entrepreneur, and advocate for social equity hailing from Caracas, Venezuela. Educated at Boston Latin School and Boston College, Dru combines her 20 years of nursing expertise and her personal journey through postpartum mental health to champion the medicinal benefits of cannabis, with a special focus on women and mothers. As the pioneer behind Massachusetts' first Afro Latina-owned, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, Dru is redefining industry standards by offering products that resonate with community well-being and honor the legacy market. An influential speaker at NECANN and the American Cannabis Nurses Association, Dru's narrative is one of innovation and leadership, steering the future towards a more inclusive and compassionate cannabis landscape.
Enrique Pepén, Boston City Councilor
Born and raised in Boston, Enrique is the proud son of two Dominican immigrants that arrived to the city in the 90’s. After a major shooting at Charlestown High School and a promise by former Mayor Thomas Menino to open a police station nearby, Pepén knew he wanted to be “a part of the solution.” So, at a young age, Pepén set his sights on a career in public service. The first in his family to attend college, Pepén landed a full ride to Suffolk University. During this time, Pepén worked for former City Councilor Tito Jackson where he worked to expand the MBTA Youth Pass to work year-round and serve the residents of Roxbury. He then went on to serve as district coordinator for former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, helping constituents with federal government-related casework and teaming up with Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office to assist Puerto Rican refugees in Fall River after Hurricane Maria by finding them housing and enrolling children into school. Most recently, Pepén served as the Executive Director at the Boston Office of Neighborhood Services where he ensured all neighborhoods across the city had their essential municipal needs met and he established the weekly neighborhood coffee hours that occur city-wide.
| When | – 3:00pm |
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| Contact |
Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics
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