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pr public relations communications entrepreneur advocacy politics policy cannabis hemp cbd
Biography
Evan Nison is the Treasurer and youngest member of the Board of Directors of NORML, and sits on the Board of Directors of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. In 2013, he founded the PR firm NisonCo which connects leaders in the legal cannabis, medical marijuana, CBD and hemp industries with influential journalists across the U.S. and the world. NisonCo has been recognized as a top cannabis pr firm since 2016. That same year he co-founded Whoopi & Maya, a women-focused medical cannabis product with actor Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Elisabeth, creator and owner of Om Edibles.
In college, Evan studied business with the goal of creating socially conscious for-profit businesses. During his career as an advocate, where he was personally involved in public relations, Nison was instrumental in the passage of the New York 911 Good Samaritan Law, the New York medical marijuana law, and a US Conference of Mayors resolution calling for the legalization of marijuana.
Experience
Founder & President
NisonCo
January 2013 - present
Self-started political and public relations consulting company specializing in cannabis
- Leading a 15 employee cannabis-specific PR firm, NisonCo, as the sole employee with no startup capital, that has represented over 100 industry leading clients and manages over 3,400 active relationships with reporters and reviewers
- Provides pro bono services to nonprofits and exceptional socially driven for profits
- Began as the Field Director for Compassion & Choices, acting as campaign manager overseeing two field organizers and coordinating with PR and government relations firms, promoted from Field Organizer
Co-Founder
Emerald Farm Tours
January 2018 - present
Canna-tourism company based out of San Francisco, CA
- Advising on business operations and financial decisions
- Contributing insights on funding and cash management
- Providing branding, PR, and networking assistance
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
Whoopi & Maya
February 2016 - present
Women focused cannabis products for PMS and menstrual relief
- Managing finances and investment drives
- Identifying partners to expand the brand to new states and countries
- Liaisoning between the board and staff and business plan
Executive Director
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – New Jersey (NORML-NJ)
October 2012 - present
NORML New Jersey
- Expanded organization by creating grassroots field teams
- Implemented city-wide ballot initiative campaign to de-prioritize marijuana arrests
- Appointed multiple positions and committee chairs
- Worked with legislators and partner organizations to introduce and advance legislation
- Testified on behalf of NORML NJ at legislative hearings
- Promoted from Ballot Initiative Coordinator
Treasurer, Board of Directors
National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws
September 2015 - present
- Maintaining the financial records of the organization
- Updating Bylaws to increase inclusivity (gender neutral pronouns), increasing transparency (self assessment) and increasing fundraising efforts
- Providing direction for the organization and its mission
- Advancing the goals of the organization
- Progressing from Board Member in January 2018
Member, Board of Directors
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)
March 2015 - present
- Providing direction for the organization and its mission
- Advancing the goals of the organization
- Leading fundraiser
