Demystifying the Cannabis Industry

Dr. Spencer Cohen is principal and founder of High Peak Strategy LLC, a research and economics consulting firm specializing in industry analysis, economic development, international trade, and U.S.-China relations. Spencer has a PhD in economic geography from the University of Washington, where his research examined land markets and local government finance in China. Spencer works with organizations across the country, including in Washington State, California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. He is the author of two recent studies on the cannabis industry, here in Washington and Nevada. Spencer is a recognized expert on economic impact analysis, regional economics, trade, and China’s economy. Dr. Cohen is a frequent public speaker on issues relating to U.S.-China relations, international trade, industry clusters, and regional economic development. He is a member and 2021-2023 Public Intellectuals Program fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and affiliate professor in the University of Washington Department of Geography.

Shannon is the CEO of Evergreen Market, a multi-state retailer headquartered in Washington and expanding into California. Shannon began working in the cannabis industry after spending 25+ years working in the global capital markets which coincided with the opening of the adult-use cannabis market in Washington State in 2015. Shannon is trained as a CPA with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and worked on Russell Investments’ global executive team as a market entry strategist and ultimately as the COO for Russell Indexes. Within the cannabis industry, she has worked directly for the private equity firm, Privateer in spearheading their global expansion of Tilray into the Asia PAC region as well as helping develop a software company, Shield Compliance, that allows banks and credit unions the ability to bank cannabis compliantly. Along with serving on the Washington CannaBusiness Association Board of Trustees, Shannon is an advocate for the legalization of cannabis and the empowerment of women with membership on the Retail Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA).

With over 30 years of hands-on experience with business ownership and operations, finance, and legal, Andy has a diverse professional background. Andy’s business and entrepreneurial achievements represent success in traditional industries, trade associations and today, in cannabis. Andy is President of Evergreen Herbal, which has been twice recognized as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Prior to establishing Evergreen Herbal, Andy was acknowledged for his business acumen and leadership. He is a three-time Governor-appointed delegate to trade missions to China (twice) and Mexico, and Andy’s pre-cannabis companies have been on the INC 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies List. Andy attended law school at Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and the University of Puget Sound Law School in Tacoma, Washington. He passed the Washington State Bar Exam in 1988 and served for 12 years as a member of the Law Clerk Board of the Washington State Bar Association, including as Chair. He currently serves as Vice President on the Washington CannaBusiness Association Board of Trustees, the trade organization in Washington State represented the licensed cannabis industry. Andy’s personal interests are as wide-ranging as his businesses. He enjoys travel, ski racing, rowing crew, running, and spending time with his wife, two daughters, son-in-law and grandson.

Joseph DuPuis is co-founder and CEO of Doc & Yeti Urban Farms, a multiple award-winning, Tier 2 producer/processor located in Tumwater, Washington. With a proven record of executive management spanning nearly two decades, Joseph has led successful operations at every level. Prior to developing Doc & Yeti, Joseph spent 12 years in Tribal gaming, serving as Slot Director, Vice President of Gaming Operations, and Chief Operating Officer at Lucky Eagle Casino. Throughout his career, Joseph’s strong commitment to his community has led him to serve on the boards of several local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County and the Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund, a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution. He also is proud to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Washington CannaBusiness Association, the trade association in Washington representing licensed producers, processors, retailers and transporters. Outside of work, Joseph’s interests include spending time with family and friends, especially outdoors. An avid boater, fisherman, and snowboarder, he enjoys summers on the water and winters on the mountain. Joseph holds a BA in International Business from Fort Lewis College and an MBA from Saint Martin’s University.