INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University’s Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) will host its annual fall roundtable on Wednesday, November 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This year’s discussion will focus on cannabis legalization efforts, challenges, and opportunities in New York State.
The hybrid event will take place in Hamilton Hall, located at 274 Pompton Road on the University’s Wayne campus, and will also be accessible via Zoom.
The program will feature a panel of experts from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, including Program Analyst Nate Jenkins, Senior Economist Sarah Meyer, and Special Assistant Alexandrea Hatcher.
Anthony Bowrin, dean of William Paterson’s Cotsakos College of Business, will deliver opening remarks. The panel will be moderated by Rahi Abouk, professor of health economics and director of the Cannabis Research Institute.
“New York stands at a pivotal moment in cannabis legalization, offering the public a rare opportunity to observe public health strategy, economic development, and regulatory innovation unfold in real time,” says Abouk.
State leaders, he notes, are working to transition a large illicit market into a transparent, legal system “while shaping new enforcement models that reduce criminalization and prioritize community protection.”
Now in its sixth year, William Paterson University’s Cannabis Research Institute brings together faculty and staff from a range of disciplines to provide evidence-based research on cannabis, opioids, and other substances. Abouk, who has conducted and published extensively on topics in health economics with a focus on marijuana, has served as the institute’s director since its founding.
Forthcoming policy shifts in New York must address how to prevent underage access, ensure product safety, and refine medical access frameworks to expand treatment options without compromising clinical standards, Abouk explains. “Together, these dynamics make New York an essential case study for understanding how legalization can balance economic opportunity, health and safety, and equity.”
Pre-registration is required to attend the event virtually. Register here.
For more information, email the Cannabis Research Institute at CRI@wpunj.edu.
