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OUR SPEAKERS

Learn from the Best in the Cannabis Industry

Ika Washington

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 Ph.D. (Health Policy & Equity) Student, MSc., BSc.

Ika Washington is a public health professional and has worked with marginalized, racialized and underrepresented communities in Canada. She is the principal consultant and founder of DiversityTalk, where she works with stakeholders on equity-focused policy and program development work within health and cannabis. In Canada, she is actively involved at federal, provincial and local levels in promoting health and social equity and justice, promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups in research and practice. Ika is a doctorate student in Health Policy and Equity, focusing on community engagement and policy development. 

Dr Machel  Emanuel 

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Lecturer/ Researcher  in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica

He received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Botany, a Master of Science in Plant Production and Protection and PhD in Botany from the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, Jamaica. The title of his thesis was, “The biochemical and physiological modifications during ripening and storage of ackee Blighia sapida.” His area of research is Crop Science with a focus on post-harvest of fresh tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables. He is also an internationally certified (IFOAM) Organic Farm Inspector. In 2016 he received an award for best oral presentation at the 3rd All African Horticultural Congress held in Ibadan, Nigeria. 

Dr Emanuel is the Principle Investigator of the Life Science Cannabis Research Group in the Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies Mona Campus. His research team conducts research in the area of Tropical Horticulture for Cannabis sativa, its application, consistency, efficacy and quality control throughout the Cannabis value chain. He is the Vice- chair of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica Cannabis Technical Committee for the development of standards for the Jamaica Cannabis Industry. Technical member of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Cannabis Taskforce and Chairman of the Product Development Sub-committee. In 2015 he was the 2nd place winner in the Best New Style Farming Category at the High Times World Cannabis Cup held in Negril Jamaica.

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