Ben Curren is the CEO and founder of Green Bits, the nation’s leading retail management and compliance platform for the legal cannabis industry.

Founded in 2014, Green Bits helps legal cannabis retailers run compliant, operationally efficient and growing stores. The platform serves more than 1,000 cannabis retailers across 13 states and processes more than $2.7 billion in sales annually through its point-of-sale platform.

In 2008, Ben co-founded Outright, an accounting program used by businesses for freelancers and consultants, that web-hosting company GoDaddy acquired in 2012. Ben is a frequent commentator in national outlets about tech, trends, business issues, and state and federal policy and regulation in the legal cannabis industry.

Orange County Native and Canna-Mom, Mieko Hester-Perez shot to fame a decade ago as one of the first cannabis advocates in the national spotlight, when a 2009 segment on Good Morning America showcased her journey to treat her son Joey's autism and muscular dystrophy using a cannabis strain developed specifically for him. "The moment the cameras turned off I knew that my life had just changed forever in ways I never anticipated," she says now. Mieko's tireless advocacy for her son extended Joey's life years beyond his doctors' expectations; he passed one year ago at the age of 19.

Her tireless legal advocacy work as President of CA Corporate and Attorney Services inspired Mieko to create the Unconventional Foundation for Autism, an advocacy and information resource for families, autism organizations, universities and healthcare professionals. She serves on the respective Boards of the NORML Women's Alliance; the California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center; Chalkin Social; and the E.P.I.C. Economic & Policy Impact Center; and is an Honorary Board Member (and the only non-MD) on the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Ciencia y Medicina Cannábica in Puerto Rico.

In 2013, Mariah Dodson attended Virginia State University to begin pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. After one year, she enlisted into the United States Army and begun the fast track to learning what the true definition of professionalism and synergy were. After graduating basic training at the top of her class, the next phase was schooling for her assigned military job, 92A Logistics Specialist.

Fast forward to 2017 - Mariah and business partner, Vanessa Macias received both Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Licenses; making the duo the youngest license applicants in the state under their company, Dust To Diamonds Incorporated- currently the majority shareholder into the development of an eco-friendly, medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing facility in California City, CA.

Dust To Diamonds promotes self-reliance through holistic health, self-empowerment, and true wellness awareness with CBD infused health and lifestyle products. Their shop offers many CBD clinical wellness products for those looking for a more harmonious nutritional routine, boasting topicals, capsules, droppers and natural essential oils.

Mariah and Vanessa ended 2016 with the commencement of a true dedication to philanthropy by launching community benefits company, United Herbalism- an organization focusing on holistic education, creating enriching experiences for individuals, families and communities. By December 2017, United Herbalism donated 1.5 million pounds of clothes internationally, as well as to local Los Angeles homeless missions.

United Herbalism continues to fulfill their mission by hosting quarterly “Day of Prosperity” events, where free haircuts, clothing, and many other resources are provided to families in Southern California communities. Arts, crafts, and empowerment seminars are provided as well. On a monthly basis the duo focuses on mind, body and soul wellness at the local senior centers and medical clinics.