Metro Philadelphia Cannabis Industry Power Players

Ekaterina Fedorova started her career in the substance use field as a counselor within HIV prevention projects among people who inject opioids in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2005. Over the past decade her research focus was medical cannabis use and its relationship with other substance use and mental health in the context of major life events. Currently, she is a co-investigator on the Drexel University Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Study.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
Great risk/benefit ratio compared to other treatments; can greatly improve quality of life.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
Cannabis is legal in Russia. Possession of small amounts (up to 6 grams) of cannabis is an administrative offense.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit.
Move as much as possible.

Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman has emerged as one of Pennsylvania’s leading progressive voices, focusing on common sense reforms that benefit the middle class, the poverty-stricken, and marginalized communities. John chairs the state’s Board of Pardons, presides over the state senate, and chairs the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council. He serves on special projects at the request of Governor Wolf. In that capacity, he completed a 67-county tour in 2019 to hear constituents’ opinions on adult-use marijuana.

Ted Flowers is the co-owner and co-founder of Moriconi Flowers LTD, a litigation firm that is focused on cannabis business development and compliance. Ted developed an interest in the regulated cannabis business, and is thus involved in the contract drafting, enforcement, and litigation of cannabis in multiple states. He has also represented a medical marijuana dispensary permit winner in Philadelphia. Today, he represents a handful of grower/processor and dispensary permit holders in Pennsylvania. 

Josh Genderson founded Holistic Industries in 2011, and now acts as CEO of the private multi-state operating cannabis company. His aim is to bring his customers the safest and highest quality cannabis medicine in the country. Josh directly oversees the company’s operations in Pennsylvania, including its five dispensaries–one which is in the Pittsburgh area, and three which are in the Greater Philadelphia area– all branded as Liberty Dispensary. 

Ziad Ghanem is the president and COO of TerrAscend, a leading cannabis company with operations in five states, including Pennsylvania, and in Canada. Ziad oversees and manages all of TerrAscend’s operations, and brings with him almost two decades of experience in retail operations, cannabis, and healthcare services. Before working at TerrAscend, Ziad was the president of Parallel, one of the largest private multi-state cannabis operators in the US. 

Seth Goldberg counsels clients in business and litigation, with a particular emphasis in highly-regulated industries such as cannabis, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. He serves as a team lead for the Duane Morris Cannabis Industry Group, and has been recognized by various publications for his work in the cannabis space. Companies, directors, and individuals involved in commercial litigation, product liability and regulatory matters rely on Mr. Goldberg’s experience with complex legal issues to guide them toward optimal results.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania in five years?
Cannabis will be legal for recreational and medical use in Pennsylvania in five years.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
Cannabis is an emerging industry with complex business and legal issues.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
Cannabis drinks are going to be extremely popular.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit.
Running, basketball, golf, skiing.

Dr. Richard E. Greer is the pharmacy director for Trulieve, a cannabis company focused on bringing relief to its patients via medical marijuana. As pharmacy director, Richard oversees and establishes the policies for Trulieve’s pharmaceutical services. Before working at Trulieve, Richard was the pharmacy director for Solevo Wellness, another medical marijuana business, where he was responsible for the operation and management of Solevo’s dispensaries’ pharmacy department. 

Hannah Harlacker is PAMMJ’s chief marketing officer. She joined the cannabis industry in 2018 and has experience working for multiple cannabis companies in Pennsylvania. Hannah is focused on enhancing each patients’ experience as a part of the medical program through cannabis education. When it comes to cannabis medicine, her prerogative is to change the narrative.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania in five years?
I not only hope to see Pennsylvania add more approved conditions to our medical cannabis program, but evolving to an adult-use program, and expanding product accessibility.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
I simply wanted to help people and I saw an opportunity to do that by educating them about the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
Cannabis cleans the soil it is grown in through a process called phytoremediation.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit.
Eating nutritious foods, gummy vitamins, yoga, and meditation.