Metro Philadelphia Cannabis Industry Power Players

Chad Harlacker entered the industry in 2017 and worked his way up to an executive level position. He noticed that a lot of patients found the process of obtaining their medical card both confusing and intimidating. Because of that, he founded PAMMJ in 2019 with the goal of making the process as simple as possible while still being compliant with the laws. PAMMJ’s motto is “Patients Helping Patients.”

Where do you see the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania in five years?
I believe that Pennsylvania is going to live up to its nickname and be the keystone of the cannabis industry in the North East.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
After contracting Lyme disease, I found cannabis to be one of the only things that helped relieve my symptoms. I was fascinated by that, and I also enjoy helping people on a daily basis.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
The endocannabinoid system in our bodies is one of the most important physiological systems involved in establishing and maintaining our health.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit.
I do my best to eat clean, whole foods. I also try to make sure to have a consistent sleep routine. As an entrepreneur, my days can be extremely busy. Rest and recovery at night are essential to being able to perform day to day.

(left to right) Jaime Toigo, Mark Toigo, Eric Hauser, Ryan Simpson

Eric Hauser is a pharmacist with more than 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His experience brings a clinically focused insight to how the company’s dispensaries are operated. Eric is passionate about supporting his team as they strive to improve the overall wellness of patients through affordable quality medical marijuana products. As a pharmacist, he works closely with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on clinical studies with patients using medical marijuana.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
The uniqueness of the industry and the opportunity to help patients in ways not currently possible with traditional medications.

Ryan Simpson is a seasoned financial professional who is well versed in all aspects of navigating the complex financial environment of the legal cannabis industry. He is responsible for all banking, payroll, and tax related aspects of the business. His role is ensuring compliance to the regulations and tax rules. He is actively involved in vendor selection and monitoring, payroll administration, and operational decisions as they relate to fiscal responsibility.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
The opportunity to be part of a new high growth industry within Pennsylvania that helps patients struggling with traditional medications.

Jaime Novinger-Toigo is an experienced professional with more than 20 years of business ownership in the service industry. Her applied knowledge of the construction industry comes as a third-generation family member in construction with an emphasis on sales, marketing, and business development. Jaime’s successful background in business management stems from her customer centric focus with a strong emphasis on building relationships. She is a dedicated professional who thrives on building successful businesses with like-minded individuals.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
Shakespeare smoked cannabis. Maybe his source of inspiration?

Mark Toigo is an entrepreneur and passionate leader with more than 30 years’ experience in successfully founding and operating agricultural and food processing facilities in domestic and international markets. His proven ability to collaborate with development partners and capital investors has positioned him as one of Pennsylvania’s leading owner/operators in the medical marijuana industry. Under Mark’s leadership, the company has expanded to include five dispensaries, and a state-of-the-art cultivation, processing, and research center.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
I believe this is a real opportunity to hit the reset and allow our younger folks to make an impact… I really enjoy being part of this.

Derrick Hawthorne is the CEO of Maitri Medicinals, a medical cannabis company in Pennsylvania. The company aims to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program to help individuals that are suffering and to support efforts of intervention to address the state’s opioid crisis. Finally, at Maitri, they believe in providing team members with career training and thus in creating more well-paying jobs for local residents. Derrick is also a Certified Public Accountant. 

Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild’s Cannabis Law practice, Joshua Horn is ranked by Chambers USA among the nation’s leading Cannabis Law attorneys. He helps industry leaders and emerging companies solve complex regulatory challenges, enabling them to access new markets and complete commercial transactions such as mergers, acquisitions and financings. Joshua leads a national team — named 2021 Cannabis Group of the Year by Law360 — serving the diverse needs of businesses in the legalized cannabis and hemp sectors.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania in five years?
I see a robust adult-use program.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
The ability to create something out of nothing and to create new law.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
The clients.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit. 
Running on Forbidden Drive.

Ryan Hudson is the co-founder of The Apothecarium, which operates medical marijuana dispensaries in California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. His aim was to create dispensaries where one could find both high quality cannabis and high quality patient support and information. Ultimately, The Apothecarium’s mission is to educate its patients on how to find the right medicine for their needs and how to use it in a secure and effective manner via in-depth one-on-one consultations.

Damian is a professional executive with over 15 years of combined experience in multimillion-dollar client business asset management, marketing, public relations, project management, staff management, and finance. With this experience, Damian was able to build a vast array of professional clients across the NFL, NBA, and entertainment industry. Damian’s experience, knowledge and relationships allowed him to successfully form long-term strategic business partnerships with corporate CEO’s, celebrities, media, television networks, politicians, foreign dignitaries and journalists globally.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania in five years?
I see it Booming! Pennsylvania already has a rooted medical marijuana program since 2016, and legislative support to eventually go recreational in the future. I believe this foundation will spearhead Pennsylvania’s growth as the industry continues to mature.

What attracted you to the cannabis industry?
The industry attracted me. Phynally was founded off of pain. I have close friends and family who are medical marijuana patients and noticed the employment barriers they were experiencing when career searching.

Tell us one fun fact about cannabis.
It was the first plant to be declared war on by the United States in 1971.

Cannabis has clear value to people’s health, tell us your favorite way you stay healthy & fit.
My favorite way to stay healthy and fit is to meditate. It’s my favorite thing to do and I do it daily. I believe meditation in combination with cannabis for me, has allowed me to expand in ways greater than I could ever imagine.

Stephen K. Klasko is the CEO and President of Thomas Jefferson University. In 2016, he accepted a 3 million dollar donation to create the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp, and has since accepted a further $2 million to invest in the cannabis space.

Chris Kohan co-founded The Healing Center in 2013 with the aim of educating the Pennsylvania Assembly about cannabis and its medicinal benefits and lobbying for a Medical Marijuana Act. Once Governor Wolf signed Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act in 2016, The Healing Center became a small chain of medical marijuana dispensaries. In 2021, Chicago-based Verano Holdings Corporation purchased The Healing Center, acquiring its three Pennsylvania dispensaries. 

Ben Kovler is the founder, CEO, and chairman of Green Thumb Industries, a leading cannabis CPG company devoted to serving its people with safe and quality cannabis. Since 2014, Ben has been able to bring his management and philanthropic experience to Green Thumb Industries, which has resulted in it becoming a national leader in cannabis in both manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, Green Thumb Industries now owns Rise™, a national, fast growing chain of retail cannabis stores. 

Jordan Lams is the CEO of Moxie, a Long Beach based cannabis company with operations in five states, one of them being Pennsylvania. In 2018, Moxie received one of the first grower/processor licenses from the state. Moxie has since become the first carbon-negative cannabis company. Jordan is also one of the founding directors of the National Hispanic Cannabis Council, and now sits on the committee of economic development.