Tuesday, September 15th - Thursday, October 15th

Chicago NORML celebrates our Latinx Trailblazers, their

contributions and activism in the cannabis sector.

We are midway through the celebration and recognition of Latinx Heritage Month! All month and into the second full week of October, the city of Chicago has not allowed the pandemic to interrupt the celebration and recognition of Hispanic and Latinx Americans who have greatly contributed to this country.

Latinx Heritage Month began on Tuesday, September 15 and ends Thursday, October 15 of this year.

— Alexandra De F. Szoenyi   | 3 Latinas in Cannabis you Need to Know  |

Yvonne Pérez Emerson

Yvonne Pérez Emerson, founder and creative director of the nonprofit WeMake and founder of company Make & Mary, is a Latina woman you need to know in the cannabis industry. Yvonne managed to complete The Initiative, the first ever cannabis accelerator program for female founders while running her own full-spectrum CBD wellness business and design firm.

 — Dasheeda Dawson

| 20 Outstanding Black & Latinx Men Leading Change in Cannabis  |

Jason Ortiz

Jason Ortiz is the board president of the Oregon-based not for profit organization, The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA,) a business league created to develop, accelerate, serve, and advocate for the cannabis industry by increasing diversity of owners, employees and consumers nationwide. Jason has done endless work on the War on Drugs, diligently working on electoral and issue-based progressive campaigns such as changing drug policy law in the state of Connecticut.

— from NECANN

Luis Vega

Luis Vega is CEO and founder of Wepa Farms, a hemp farming business in Connecticu,t as well as a member and advocate of the groups CURE CT, Minority Cannabis Business Association, and Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana. Through his dedication to Wepa Farms and advocacy for cannabis, Luis has inspired both families and farmers who share interest in growing in the hemp and cannabis farming industries.

—  Warren Bobrow

| on Frances González founder of Latinas Cannaprenuers digs into cannabis |

Frances González

Frances González is a trailblazer in the cannabis industry inspiring herself and others to enhance the next generation of Latina Cannabis Entrepreneurs.

Frances hosted the Minority Cannabis Business Association first event in Puerto Rico and has collaborated with events such as Women’s Grow. Frances also founded the nonprofit organization, Latinas Cannaprenuers which educates, elevates, and inspires the Latinx community interested in or already within the cannabis industry.

Events Happening Near You

Chicago Public Library is hosting an array of online events for kids, tweens, and adults.

Northwestern University’s Multicultural Student Affairs and Latinx Studies Programs has been hosting online events as well - most are open to the public.

With the election approaching, there are many local and national events taking place for Voto Latino, the grassroots political organization whose purpose is to unite and empower the Latinx community to vote.