Jodi James is a respected speaker, teacher, debater, strategic planner, thought-leader, and mentor with more than 20-years experience in cannabis policy. She began as a patient volunteer in 1996, bringing a decade of business experience to the movement to change marijuana laws. By 1998, she had a staff position with the Coalition Advocating Medical Marijuana (CAMM) while volunteering for the newly formed Florida Cannabis Action Network (FLCAN).
Jodi served as the Executive Director for the FLCAN from 2011-2019, overseeing the development of their four-prong platform. During her tenure the organization put together the first marijuana bill in Florida since 1978, introduced and eventually passed the legislation removing hemp from the controlled substance act, produced dozens of public education programs annually, helped patients earn medical necessity through the courts and built a statewide constituency that influences lawmakers to this day. In addition to her work with FLCAN, Jodi spent three years with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, an international speakers bureau of current and former law enforcement professionals.
Jodi has spoken at national conferences including the National NORML conference, the Marijuana Policy Project conferences, Patients Out of Time Conferences on Cannabis Therapeutics; and international events including the Drug Policy Alliance and MENSA. In Florida, she has shared her humor, wisdom and experience with audiences from the Panhandle to the Keys. Â In the spring of 2014, she shared the stage with Florida Sheriff Association President, Sheriff Judd, in a panel discussion regarding Amendment 2.
Today, Jodi serves as Chair of Floridians for Freedom, a committee organized to put The Right of Adults to Cannabis on the Florida ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. She remains an active member of the Board for FLCAN and is also on the advisory board of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access.
