THE MOMS ARE COMING! THE MOMS ARE COMING!

Jessica Mantonya is a dedicated community advocate and the Chair of the Board for Moms Mobilized, where she leads with compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to empowering families across the country. Known for her steady leadership and strategic insight, Mantonya plays a central role in guiding the organization’s mission to elevate parent voices, expand educational outreach, and mobilize communities around issues affecting children, families, and access to care.

With years of experience in grassroots organizing, nonprofit governance, and family-centered advocacy, Mantonya brings a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach to every challenge. She has been instrumental in developing Moms Mobilized’s national structure, strengthening partnerships, and supporting families navigating complex healthcare, educational, and policy systems.

Mantonya is widely respected for her ability to create safe, supportive spaces for parents to connect, learn, and lead. She is a natural bridge-builder who works seamlessly with board members, volunteers, partners, and community organizations to ensure that every family’s voice is heard and valued.

Grounded by her deep love for community and her commitment to helping others, Jessica Mantonya continues to be a driving force behind Moms Mobilized’s growth and national impact. Her leadership reflects the heart of the organization—strong, compassionate, and unafraid to take action when families need it most.

Amy Dawn Bourlon-Hilterbran is a globally recognized medical-cannabis advocate, creator of the viral “Talk to the 6630507 Hand” campaign, and a featured voice in the Super Bowl LIII commercial “The Time Is Now,” which won a 2020 CLIO Award. As the founder of the American Medical Refugees, she has spent more than a decade fighting for compassionate access, patient rights, and policy reform across the United States and beyond.

A licensed CNA and seizure-care specialist, Bourlon-Hilterbran’s work is deeply rooted in personal experience as a devoted mother advocating for her son, Austin, whose medical journey helped drive national and global awareness of pediatric cannabis therapy. Her leadership has made her a trusted guide for families, legislators, physicians, and advocates navigating the complexities of medical access.

Despite her global impact, she remains a small-town girl at heart—an adoring wife, fiercely dedicated mother, and proud American whose advocacy is grounded in courage, faith, and love for her community. Her voice continues to shape conversations, inspire families, and move policy forward at the local, national, and international levels.

DeAnna North-Gaines is a nationally known advocate for disability rights and Down Syndrome activism. She is a graduate of Langston University, Oklahoma's only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and holds an undergraduate degree in Corrections from the institution.

She is also a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a Master's in Special Education. 

DeAnna began her advocacy years ago, but became an "official" disability advocate in 2009 through the Oklahoma Department of Developmental Disabilities program. 

DeAnna is on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma and is the chairperson of the Outreach Committee.

DeAnna and her daughter, Courtney, a Down Syndrom patient, are active members of the Supporting Minorities with Disabilities Coalition, which is under Oklahoma Sooner Success. 

Courtney is a Self-Advocate Board member for the National Down Syndrome Society.  DeAnna and Courtney are also Ambassadors for the 4h Congressional District with the National Down Syndrome Society.

DeAnna is on the Board of Directors for Empower Society 21, founded in Chicago in 2029

In her position as a special education teacher, DeAnna often advocated for her students and families. DeAnna has over two decades of special education expertise in the classroom as well as life experience being the mother of Courtney. 

 Sebastien Cotte is a nationally respected pediatric cannabis advocate and nonprofit leader whose work has helped reshape medical cannabis access for some of the most medically fragile children in America. Serving as the Treasurer of Moms Mobilized, Cotte brings deep expertise in nonprofit governance, financial stewardship, and compassionate advocacy for families navigating complex medical crises.

Cotte’s journey into cannabis reform began with the experience of seeking life-changing treatments for his own child, Jagger, who faced severe and treatment-resistant medical challenges. Like many families whose children suffered needlessly under outdated policies, Cotte discovered that traditional pharmaceuticals offered little relief—and that safe, regulated cannabis therapies were often the only effective option. His family’s story became a powerful catalyst for change.

Over the past decade, Cotte has become one of the country’s strongest voices for compassionate access, working directly with lawmakers, medical professionals, regulators, and patient-advocacy groups to reform policies at both the state and national levels. He has played a central role in legislative efforts across multiple states to expand and protect medical cannabis access for children with severe epilepsy, mitochondrial disorders, neurological diseases, and other life-limiting conditions.

Cotte previously served as the Southeast Regional Director for the Realm of Caring Foundation, one of the most influential pediatric cannabis nonprofits in the United States. In that role, he partnered with leading researchers, supported thousands of families seeking guidance, and helped advance clinical understanding of cannabinoid therapies.

Known for his clarity, professionalism, and ability to bring humanity to policy discussions, Cotte has been featured in numerous news outlets, educational panels, medical conferences, and public-policy forums. His testimony and advocacy have contributed to sweeping legislative changes, improved access pathways, and a more compassionate national conversation about pediatric patients and cannabis.

At Moms Mobilized, Cotte is responsible for financial oversight, board governance, compliance, and strategic planning to support a rapidly growing national movement of parents and caregivers. His lived experience, policy knowledge, and deep commitment to family-centered advocacy make him a cornerstone of the organization’s leadership.

Driven by love for his son and a determination to ensure no family feels alone in their fight for compassionate care, Sebastien Cotte continues to be a guiding force in the modern medical-cannabis movement—championing science, dignity, and hope for thousands of families across the country.

Thuy Vu is a Compliance & Regulatory Specialist and expert in training, education, gap analysis, auditing, and consulting

services for human food, dietary supplement, cosmetic, animal

feed, cannabis, hemp, psilocybin/psilocin, kava, kratom, and other

psychedelics. Specialize in food safety, compliance, laboratory

operations, occupational health, fire & life safety, certification

preparation, and regulatory engagement. Commitment to

professional partnerships with government, regulatory agencies,

and stakeholders in efforts to promote public health and safety,

advocating for informed, balanced, and fair regulations.

Melissa Mentele is a Marketing & Media Relations expert and Co-Founder of 605 Cannabis LLC, founded in May of 2020. After a 22 year career in Business, Marketing & Healthcare, Mrs. Mentele transitioned into policy work after seeing a need for honest and transparent involvement in the high-level political space. She has served as the Executive Director for New Approach SD since 2015. Mrs. Mentele served as the Campaign Manager for IM26 and as a Senior Staff Member for Amendment A which legalized both Medical Cannabis & Adult Use on the same ballot in 2020 for the first time in US History. She is currently serving as a non-voting Director of the Board for the Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota & completed a 2-year state appointment to the Medical Marijuana Oversight Legislative Committee in July 2023.
An accomplished public speaker & educator Mrs. Mentele has traveled extensively presenting to groups of all demographics on cannabis as medicine. Her work has been featured in local national and international media, most notably NY Times, LA Times. Vice, Culture Magazine & Dr. Mercola. In 2018 she was accredited by the State of SD AAMA to teach Cannabis 101 and Cannabis in Healthcare as continuing education credits for mid-level healthcare providers & support staff.
A wife, mother of 3 grown children and a Grandmother. Mrs. Mentele owns & operates a 2-acre hobby farm in her downtime. 

 Dr. Sue Sisley is a nationally recognized physician researcher and the President of the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI), where she leads some of the most groundbreaking clinical studies on cannabis in the United States. Board-certified in Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Neurology, and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Sisley has earned a reputation as one of the most persistent and influential figures fighting to expand medical cannabis research access—especially for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For more than a decade, Dr. Sisley has worked at the front lines of federal cannabis science. She became widely known for spearheading the first FDA-approved randomized controlled trial of smoked cannabis for PTSD, a study that took seven years to secure federal approval due to political barriers. Her determination to complete this research became a symbol of scientific integrity in the face of bureaucratic resistance—galvanizing national conversations about research reform, veteran healthcare, and cannabis scheduling.

At Scottsdale Research Institute, Dr. Sisley has relentlessly challenged federal monopolies and obstacles to cannabis research. Her litigation and advocacy were instrumental in breaking the DEA’s 50-year monopoly on research-grade cannabis, paving the way for licensed private growers and improving the quality of plant material available for scientific study. Through this work, she has helped propel the United States toward a more evidence-based and transparent cannabis research infrastructure.

Dr. Sisley’s clinical practice and research focus on treatment-resistant conditions, including PTSD, chronic pain, opioid tapering, and harm-reduction strategies. She is widely regarded as a champion for U.S. military veterans, working closely with veteran communities and advocacy organizations to broaden access to safer, more effective therapeutic options—and to ensure their experiences guide future medical research.

Her work has been featured in major media outlets, peer-reviewed journals, documentaries, and national policy discussions. She frequently advises lawmakers, universities, patient groups, and scientific committees on cannabis policy and research development. Her efforts have made her one of the most trusted and outspoken physician voices in the American medical cannabis movement.

Driven by scientific rigor, compassion for patients, and a refusal to accept outdated restrictions, Dr. Sisley continues to advance a research agenda grounded in truth, transparency, and patient empowerment. Through Scottsdale Research Institute, she remains dedicated to producing high-quality clinical evidence that can reshape national healthcare practices and improve the lives of countless patients who have been underserved by traditional therapies.

 Adam Smith is the Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), the nation’s longest-standing and most influential organization dedicated to ending cannabis prohibition and advancing equitable, science-based cannabis laws across the United States. A veteran strategist in drug policy reform, Smith has spent more than two decades shaping the movement that transformed America’s approach to cannabis, civil liberties, and criminal justice.

Before stepping into leadership at MPP, Smith founded and directed major justice-reform organizations, including the Oregon-based “Alliance for a Just Society” and the groundbreaking “Smart Justice” initiative, where he focused on dismantling mass incarceration, advancing racial justice, and pushing policymakers toward humane, evidence-driven criminal justice policy. His work placed him at the center of statewide and national battles over sentencing reform, policing practices, and community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Smith’s career in cannabis policy accelerated through his work as Founder and Director of MMCDA—the Medical Marijuana Coalition of Los Angeles—and later through his advisory roles on multiple legalization campaigns. His strategic expertise has supported successful ballot measures and legislative victories across the country, helping states build frameworks for both medical and adult-use cannabis systems. His voice has been instrumental in developing public education campaigns, mobilizing coalitions, and shaping messaging that emphasizes public health, safety, and regulated access.

As Executive Director of MPP, Smith leads national efforts to redesign cannabis laws in ways that prioritize patients, consumers, small businesses, veterans, and communities disproportionately harmed by prohibition. Under his leadership, MPP continues to secure state-level legalization wins, defend safe access, and push for federal policy reforms—including descheduling, equitable industry standards, financial access for businesses, and expanded research opportunities.

A respected national spokesperson, Adam Smith is regularly featured in major media outlets and policy forums, offering analysis on cannabis regulation, public safety, economic impacts, and the need for justice-centered legalization. He works closely with lawmakers, tribal governments, advocacy groups, researchers, and community organizations to ensure that cannabis reform advances both economic opportunity and social equity.

Driven by a deep commitment to civil rights, public health, and data-driven governance, Smith remains one of the most strategic and trusted voices in the modern cannabis reform movement. His leadership at the Marijuana Policy Project continues to shape the national landscape, guiding the United States toward a more just and rational approach to cannabis policy.

 James Granger is a Government Relations Specialist and  visionary executive leader with 20+ years in the cannabis industry, most recently serving as Chief Political Officer at Clear Cannabis Inc. where he built state and national alliances, chaired policy development, and served in key industry groups including Colorado Leads, Colorado Cannabis Manufacturers Association, Marijuana Industry Group, and National Cannabis Industry Association. Formerly General Manager of many medium and large-scale cannabis manufacturing facilities, he blends operational excellence with public policy strategy to drive sustainable business growth. Known for translating industry complexity and ongoing political changes into actionable intelligence, he's championed regulatory change and represented the sector through legislative advocacy, public speaking, and coalition building.  

  Tim McGraw is a dynamic C-suite executive, serial entrepreneur, and strategic visionary with a track record of disrupting industries and building category-defining businesses. With over 25 years of experience spanning real estate, finance, manufacturing, wellness, and cannabis, Tim has consistently delivered high-growth ventures driven by innovation, authenticity, and executional excellence. Tim has won, acquired, designed, built and or operated licensed cannabis operations in 11 states and 4 countries. As the founder and leader of multiple successful enterprises—including Revolution Enterprises / Global / Cannabis, The McGraw Companies, McGraw & Co Advisors, Rare Breed Companies, and Canna-Hub—Tim has built and scaled organizations that challenge conventional wisdom and prioritize quality, customer experience, and operational efficiency. His expertise in brand development, business strategy, and capital markets has made him a sought-after leader in navigating complex, highly regulated industries.A thought leader in business innovation, Tim has been recognized as one of the HT 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis, one of 40 under 40 by MJ Venture and has been featured in major media outlets including Forbes, NYT, WSJ, Medium, NBC and many more for his ability to blend entrepreneurial grit with corporate scalability. His belief in authenticity, creativity, and the power of smart execution continues to fuel his impact across industries.When he’s not leading high-growth ventures, Tim is focused on mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, investing in breakthrough business ideas, and driving forward-thinking discussions with his peers. His leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: challenge the status quo, build with integrity, and always bet on people who do the same. 

Janna Champagne is a professor of integrative medicine, a retired
nurse, a Board Certified Master Herbalist, and cannabis patient
advocate whose life took a transformative turn following a
debilitating immune health collapse in 2012. Janna had to pause her
training as a nurse practitioner due to disability, which led to finding a new path through cannabis therapy.   To her surprise, medical cannabis aided her recovery more profoundly than the
superficial pain management she hoped to achieve, and years later also
helped her safely manage her daughter's autism puberty crisis.
This experience prompted a deep dive into reputable databases of medical cannabis research, with this auto-didactic journey culminating in the realization that cannabis is profoundly beneficial, mimicking vital nutrients created in our EndoCannabinoid System, and that
further it objectively provides harm reduction compared with the
pharmaceutical approach.   Janna began to realize that cannabis was
demonized in part due to being a strong competitor with  the capitalist epistemic capture of medicine and other resource
industries.
Since becoming a cannabis specialty nurse in 2015, Janna has helped
thousands of patients optimize their cannabis therapy outcomes through
an individualized and well-informed approach. She teaches and mentors
healthcare professionals, and educates the public and medical
community about the benefits of targeted cannabis therapy.   Janna retired her Oregon RN nursing license in 2022 to boycott unethical covid and cannabis policies, and thereafter continued to advocate and successfully achieve OSBN adopting a scope of practice for cannabis nurse in 2024.  Janna's personal and professional journey has entailed transcending the challenges of parenting a child with autism, the
difficulties of integrating cannabis into mainstream medical practice,
and her ongoing advocacy for better-informed and ethically sound
healthcare.

Dr. Del Potter is a distinguished medical anthropologist and entrepreneur, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of psychedelic science. He earned his Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1980, with a specialization in ethno-psychopharmacology and the phytochemistry of psychoactive indigenous botanical pharmacopeia. Dr. Potter’s career is marked by his deep exploration of the cultural significance and psychiatric applications of these substances, which has positioned him as a leading figure in the intersection of anthropology, psychedelics, and pharmacology.

As the Chief Science Officer and founder of Aya Biosciences and Spiritus Biosciences, Dr. Potter has been instrumental in advancing the development of novel psychedelic and plant-based therapeutics. Aya Biosciences, founded in 2020 and based in San Diego, focuses on creating differentiated treatments for conditions such as insomnia, pain, PTSD, and substance abuse by leveraging the latest scientific advancements in psychedelic and cannabinoid medicine. Under Dr. Potter’s leadership, the company aims to develop biochemical strategies to optimize the psychedelic experience, offering faster-acting and more sustainable therapeutic options.

Dr. Potter’s work extends beyond the laboratory, as he actively participates in public discourse on the potential of cannabis and psychedelics to address a variety of health issues in a harm-reduced manner. His contributions to the field are not only scientific but also philosophical, as he draws from a diverse array of perspectives to inform his approach to drug discovery and development. Through his innovative work at Aya and Spiritus Biosciences, Dr. Potter continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in psychedelic science, striving to meet unmet medical needs with groundbreaking solutions.

Colorado Hemp Attorney • Agricultural Law Expert • Industry Advocate

David Bush is a leading Colorado attorney specializing in hemp law, agricultural regulations, and the rapidly evolving landscape of cannabinoid policy. Known for his deep expertise in state and federal compliance, Bush has become one of the most trusted legal advisors to hemp farmers, processors, manufacturers, and businesses navigating regulatory uncertainty.

With a career rooted in agricultural law and rural community advocacy, Bush has helped shape Colorado’s hemp framework since the earliest years of legalization. He guides clients through complex issues including cultivation and processing regulations, interstate commerce challenges, USDA compliance, licensing, testing, transportation, and product development. His work is particularly respected for its clarity, practicality, and grounded understanding of both farming realities and legal constraints. He is currently General Counsel for Moms Mobilized as well as the US Industrial Hemp Association.

A longtime advocate for agricultural innovation, Bush frequently collaborates with legislators, state agencies, producer associations, and universities to support a robust and sustainable hemp industry. His legal insights are sought after at major conferences, regulatory hearings, and industry panels across the country.

Committed to helping small and mid-sized agricultural businesses thrive, David Bush continues to play an essential role in the advancement of hemp as a viable American crop—supporting farmers, strengthening rural economies, and championing the future of U.S. hemp and cannabinoid development.

Michael Torretti was born and raised in St. Louis and attended college in Ohio before moving to Colorado in late 2006. His first entrepreneurial endeavor was scale producing hemp necklaces and millefiori Fimo beads for wholesale in 1997.

After the mountain real estate market cooled in 2009, I transitioned to managing South Park Hydroponics in Alma, CO supporting the new industry with troubleshooting for pathogens, pests, and cultivation design while also wholesaling as a medical caregiver.

I have experience starting multiple cultivations, managing retail, creating the retail experience, retail interior design & lab design with buildout project management, consulting projects focused on fertilizer, operating procedures, business & product development, brand building and everything in between.

I have focused on vape hardware product development with Kush Cart to create an IT solution that allows programming vape hardware performance in real time. By focusing on oil chemistry and terpene preservation this solution creates a turn key customer solution to quickly and efficiently onboard a client to create their subjective user experience.

From concept to reality, our achievement allows our clients to streamline their research and development process to bring a custom ODM branded vape hardware design to market in 3 months time efficiently and at the lowest cost possible.