Christopher Cano is a United States Air Force Veteran and Public Administrator who currently serves as Executive Director of Suncoast NORML. Armed with multiple degrees from the University of South Florida and years of experience in Florida politics, Chris works at the forefront of multiple movements for justice in American society. Christopher's professional experience working as a Legislative Analyst in the Florida Legislature, for several Social Justice Organizations and Labor Unions, and a major Fortune 500 Company in the Pharmaceutical Industry give him a wealth of knowledge that he applies everyday. His post-graduate research in cannabis prohibition policy and his academic experience in the cannabis sector are an asset to our organization. Chris is a founding member of our chapter and has worked alongside fellow advocates to bring us to the current state of affairs. He is motivated to work with our board of directors to help achieve the mission of legalizing safe access to cannabis for all responsible users.
An MBA from Nova Southeastern University, Carlos Hermida has been working in the cannabis industry since 2013. In 2014 he co- founded Suncoast NORML with Christopher Cano in an effort to represent total cannabis legalization during Florida's medical marijuana movement, and he has been Deputy Director since the start. Currently, Carlos also works as co founder and CEO of Chillum Inc, which founded the 1st and best CBD Dispensary in the Tampa Bay area.
Tiffany Lewis is an Orlando/Titusville native and currently splits her time between Los Angeles (cannabis thc) and Florida (hemp cbd) working for the #1 edible company in the nation, Wana Brands, as Territory Manager. Her activist and professional background in the cannabis and hemp industry spans over 10 years. With a steadfast passion and dedication for patient access to quality care and products continues to be a driving force in her life both personally and professionally. She has been on the board as Suncoast NORML's Financial Director since 2017. University of Central Florida Alumni with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with focus in Management. She also holds various other financial, IRS, and managerial certifications renewed yearly to ensure proper legal and financial standing.
Gary Stein, MPH, received his Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Health Education and Health Policy. A native of Detroit, Gary has been a blogger for the Huffington Post since 2009. He has also written for Context Florida, Health News Florida, Flori da Politics, and Politics of Pot and continues to contribute to several blogs and magazines, including High Life and Revive. He is about to release a book about medical cannabis called, "The Great Green Hope", a book about the history, prohibition, research and the people affected by medical cannabis. He has worked as an advocate, activist and consultant on issues of health and health equity including Medicaid expansion, needle exchange programs, gun violence and increased access to healthcare, and continues to advocate and organize for issues regarding access to medicinal cannabis, hemp production, and responsible adult use of cannabis. Gary serves as our director of public policy and co-host our public relations podcast The Rotation.
Carla is a born and raised Floridian. She has over 15 years in the food and beverage industry, catering, hosting nonprofit/formal/networking events, and former Director of Marketing for several companies. Some of her previous work in the cannabis industry includes being the Vice President of Tampa Bay Green Rush and Master of Grand Openings for Surterra Wellness. Holding events to promote cannabis education and awareness in the community are very important to her. She is also a certified personal nutritional coach with extensive knowledge in Herbology. This drives her passion to fight for legalization of Cannabis as she has experienced and seen how many positive things can come from this amazing plant. As Suncoast NORML's secretary and director of events, she serves our membership through business outreach and organizing amazing member events to support our mission.
Kelly Wahlers Parrott is a United States Army veteran, nurse, mother, cannabis patient, and currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan-Flint. She also serves as the Vice President of the Weed for Warriors Project in Tampa Bay, a veterans organization focused on lowering veteran suicide rates through advocating for cannabis and other plant based medicines as therapeutics in lieu of addictive and harmful pharmaceuticals as seen by the opioid crisis exacerbating the VA healthcare system. Kelly is a small business owner in the cannabis space that focuses on cannabis education and sponsoring veterans' medical appoitnments to obtain medical marijuana cards. She is a member of American Legion 426 which is one of the few cannabis and psychedelic friendly posts in regards to treatment for veterans. Post 426 is currently suing the DEA, DoJ, and AG in an effort to have the VA healthcare system provide and pay for psychedlic therapies that have shown to reduce depression, PTSD, suicide, and anxiety. As Suncoast NORML's director of patient & veteran affairs, she serves our membership as a liaison for medical cannabis patients to ensure their needs are put forward in our advocacy work.
Sue Green has a Masters degree from USF in Rehabilitation Counseling and is a retired licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received her bachelor degree from Siena College with Social Work being her field of study. Her work experience was primarily in mental health settings, residential, and vocational with adults and children. She also worked many years as a Hospice Counselor until she had to stop due to disability. It was then she immersed herself in natural health earning certifications and managing to stabilize her own health. She has always been a supporter of cannabis legalization. As far back as the 70s, she was academically reporting on the benefits and history of the cannabis plant while in high school. She never expected it to take this long for prohibition to end so she has joined in the fight to help legalize it. As Suncoast NORML's director of membership, she serves to liasion member relations with our board and one another, you will typically find her at our Suncoast NORML booth during events.