About

Eve Marie Santana has been involved in the cannabis industry since 2012, contributing through her curiosity, advocacy, hospitality, business development, and marketing skills. In 2015, she founded High Beautiful, a company offering marketing services, event experiences, and products, including organic single-origin coffee from northern Haiti. Additionally, Eve Marie served as a programming co-chair at the Equitable Opportunities Now Foundation. Currently, as a co-founder of the Cannabis Policy Coalition in Rhode Island, Eve Marie is dedicated to encouraging people to understand how the cannabis industry can be used as a means for achieving social and economic justice in communities affected by failed drug policies. 

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Mike Simpson is a seasoned cannabis industry professional with over 15 years of experience in advocacy and education. As the Co-Founder and Director of Sales at Lovewell Farms in Hope Valley, RI, he established the state’s only USDA organic hemp farm, successfully partnering with over 50 vendors throughout New England. Mike manages a dedicated team, oversees marketing initiatives, and ensures compliance with industry regulations. Previously, he served as the Deputy Director for Regulate Rhode Island, leading volunteer initiatives and organizing rallies to advocate for cannabis policy reform in the state. His earlier role as Initiative Coordinator for the Marijuana Policy Project involved significant contributions to expanding Maine’s medical marijuana program.
 
An educator at heart, Mike teaches U.S. History at Johnson & Wales University, where he integrates his extensive knowledge of policy, law, and social justice into the history and government curriculum. He holds four degrees, including a Master of Arts in History from Brown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Maine, focusing on the religious use of drugs. In addition to his teaching, Mike is a published author on cannabis-related topics, contributing to various publications on cannabis history and regulations.  

 

 

Blake Johnson, Esq. is a Rhode Island native, born and raised in Providence. She was a part of the 3+3 program at Roger Williams University with an undergraduate degree in Legal Studies and Philosophy, graduating cum laude in 2019. She then graduated from Roger Williams School of Law in 2021. While in law school, Blake focused on business and transactional classes and was a part of the Business Start-up Clinic. She was also a student ambassador and Vice President of the Alliance. She is licensed to practice in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her main area of focus is small business formations and advising, and aims to build out her expertise in arts and entertainment legal services as well. She is a member of the Rhode Island Women Bar Association on the Events Planning Committee, a Young Women Equity Coalition mentor, and a Council member for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Blake is also the founder and co-owner of Black Dragonfly Events LLC, a full service event planning company that specializes in bringing clients ideas to life. From business showers and launch parties to creative corporate events and birthday parties, Black Dragonfly Events can handle it all and take the stress off of your plate. She enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her turtle and family. In her spare time, she is an amateur photographer and cos-player with a passion for fashion. 

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A Connecticut transplant, Zara Ayanna Salmon built Cannabis Policy Coalition alongside Eve Marie Santana, Michael J. Simpson, and Blake Johnson Esq in an effort to level the playing field of ownership opportunities and ensure cannabis economically empowers communities disenfranchised by the War on Drugs.  She began her work in the cannabis equity space conducting research for her political science thesis, "Cannabis is Legal, Now What? An In-Depth Study on What the Legalization of Cannabis Means for Businesses, Business Owners, and the Marginalized Minorities Disenfranchised by Marijuana Drug Laws." Shortly after graduating with her degrees in English and Political Science she launched plant-based lifestyle brand, CRAVEInfused in 2019. Her interest in cannabis policy never left her which is why after 9-months of grassroots organizing and research, she launched Cannabis Policy Coalition to not only be a part of the conversation but also to help create the legislation. Her passion for cannabis equity work stems from a belief that  economically empowering our low-income communities will economically improve America. Outside of work, Zara enjoys traveling, watching trash reality tv, spending time with her family, and being a childless cat lady to her kitten, Lovebug.