Meet The Team
Inga Selders - Founder &
Executive Director
Inga Selders, serving as a City Councilmember in Prairie Village, Kansas, has emerged as a vocal proponent for cannabis reform. Her journey began with a bold move in 2021 when she worked to decriminalize cannabis in her city. This effort was driven by her conviction that law enforcement's focus on cannabis prohibition was a misallocation of resources, especially given the legal status of cannabis just across the border in Missouri. Despite the ordinance not passing, it sparked a significant conversation, leading the City Council to endorse the full legalization of cannabis as a key issue in the City’s Legislative Platform.
Faced with the inertia at the state level, Selders recognized the need for more effective advocacy. She noted the lackluster lobbying and educational efforts, which failed to make significant inroads with state legislators. She also noted a deep partisan divide surrounding discussions of cannabis reform, even with a majority of Kansans of all political affiliations supporting the full legalization of cannabis.
In 2024, Selders founded Cannabis Justice Coalition, a group dedicated to rallying support for ending cannabis prohibition in Kansas. The coalition brings together a diverse group of individuals, including concerned citizens, key stakeholders, and supportive legislators, all united by a shared vision for cannabis policy reform. The coalition is poised to make a significant impact, advocating for bipartisan support and striving to overcome the legislative hurdles that have historically impeded progress in this area.
Weldon Angelos
Board Member
Weldon Angelos is a music producer who has worked with legends like Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur’s recording group, and Tory Lanez.
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In 2004, Weldon became the national face of criminal justice reform after he was sentenced to a mandatory 55-year prison term for a $1000 worth of cannabis. His cause was championed by Senators Cory Booker & Mike Lee, celebrities, leading news organizations like the Washington Post & Rolling Stone magazine, and even the Koch brothers, which led to an early release in 2016 after serving 13 years of his 55-year sentence.
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Since his release, Weldon has become a leading activist working to end the cannabis prohibition and reform our federal criminal justice system.
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Leslie Byram
Board Member
Leslie Byram is an estate planning and probate attorney who regularly works with individuals with special needs, mental health disorders, diseases linked to age and other complex medical issues. Leslie is a member of both the Missouri Bar and the Kansas Bar and practices primarily in the Kansas City metropolitan area where she lives on the Kansas side with her husband and three children.
Through her practice, Leslie has heard from many individuals and their family members of the benefits of cannabis as a natural treatment for various conditions such as seizure disorders, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, among others. In recent years, she has seen several clients move to states where cannabis is legalized so they or their family members could seek the treatment provided by cannabis without being in violation of the law. Leslie strongly supports changing the penalties and stigma associated with cannabis. She appreciates that there are many benefits beyond therapeutic reasons associated with legalization such as reallocating law enforcement resources, new opportunities in agriculture and research, creating jobs for residents and increasing tax revenue that could be used to fund various statewide programs such as Medicaid for Kansans.
Ian Graves
Board Member
Ian Graves is a dedicated public servant based in Prairie Village, Kansas. Currently serving as a city councilor, Ian is known for his data-driven approach to policy-making and decision-making. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, which he applies both in his civic duties and in his professional role as a software engineer.
Ian has been a staunch advocate for the decriminalization and de-stigmatization of cannabis. He is driven by a firm belief that the prohibition of cannabis has unjustly affected disadvantaged communities, particularly the poor and people of color. His work in this area reflects his commitment to equitable and just policies.
Ian is a devoted husband and father of three children at home, prioritizing family amidst his busy schedule. His role as a councilor in Prairie Village underscores his dedication to his community, striving to bring informed and practical solutions to the challenges his constituents face.
Barry Grissom
Board Member
After twenty-seven years of private practice, Mr. Grissom was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in August of 2010. He served in that position until April of 2016.
During his time as U.S. Attorney, he was selected by Attorney General Eric Holder to serve as one of 14 United States Attorneys on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (“AGAC”) – a group that meets regularly in Washington to advise the Attorney General on matters of administration and policy. As part of the AGAC, Mr. Grissom contributed to the Attorney General’s efforts to reform the federal criminal justice system through the Smart on Crime initiative and was involved in formulating responses to the myriad of policy and administrative issues that confront the D.O.J. every day. As a result of his service on AGAC, Mr. Grissom was asked by the Brennan Center at New York University Law School to be part of a Blue-Ribbon Panel on redefining federal prosecution priorities. This Blue-Ribbon Panel, which included a small number of current and former U.S. Attorneys, as well as former high ranking department officials, public defenders and academics examined how shifting federal prosecutorial priorities can reduce violent crime while also addressing the issue of over-incarceration which culminated in the September 2014 release of a report entitled Federal Prosecution for the 21st Century.
He continues to speak out on criminal justice reform, having most recently lobbied members of Congress on Federal Sentencing Reform with Drug Policy Alliance as well as lobbying efforts for the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML).
Todd Harris
Advisor
Todd Harris: Co-founder, CEO, Plift
Proven leader and strategist with 20 years of experience across the stack of brand and growth functions. At Plift, Todd is responsible for the "above the line' functions of the company which includes sales, branding, marketing, and communications. Before Plift, Todd served as SVP of Global Strategic Alliances at Valtech where he defined and built a 240M business unit. A veritable growth swiss-army knife, having been battle tested at all levels of scale, from Startup to Fortune 500, and across industries from Media to CPG and Tech. Passionate about healing a broken world, providing consumers from all walks with a social alternative to alcohol, and bringing meaningful economic opportunities to people of color.
Jim McNair
Advisor
Jim McNair is a seasoned business executive with over four decades of experience driving success in various industries. He brings a unique blend of financial acumen, strategic vision, and leadership expertise to every role he undertakes.
McNair's foundation for success began in his hometown of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, where he graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1974. He continued his education at Kansas State University, graduating with honors in 1977.
McNair leveraged his accounting background to embark on a distinguished career in business. He has held senior management positions for over forty years, leading with a results-oriented approach. His impressive resume includes serving as the past Managing Director for Western Europe Operations for Farm Equipment Manufacturer.
McNair's commitment extends beyond the boardroom. He has dedicated his time and talents to various organizations that contribute significantly to the Kansas City community. Notably, he served as the past President of the American Royal, a renowned agricultural exposition, demonstrating his passion for agriculture and the region's heritage. Additionally, he has held leadership positions such as Vice President for Strategic Planning for an international organization and Treasurer for the Pride of Kansas City Foundation, showcasing his commitment to strategic growth and community development.
Currently, Jim McNair serves as the CEO of American Shaman, a leading company in the rapidly growing CBD industry. His leadership is instrumental in propelling the company's growth and shaping the future of the CBD market.
Jim McNair's career trajectory exemplifies a dedication to excellence in business and a commitment to serving the community. His proven track record of success, coupled with his extensive experience and leadership qualities, positions him as a prominent figure in the Kansas City business landscape.
Eapen Thampy
Advisor
Eapen Thampy is a Kansas City-based state and federal lobbyist who has been working on cannabis policy since 2009, with a specialty in conservative and law enforcement outreach.