There's A New Boss At New Mexico's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Cannabis News World

Jul 30

There's A New Boss At New Mexico's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce
CANNANNEW REPORT

The Albuqueque Journal reports Ben Lewinger has journeyed from the world of traditional business to the latest New Mexico frontier: the cannabis industry. Once an employee of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Lewinger now leads a much "scrappier," but similar, organization: the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. "It's much to my chagrin to find myself in this position now," Lewinger says. "I am a hard-core progressive, and oftentimes, my personal views don't align with the views of industry. "What I do know how to do really well is broker ideas and help people understand bigger picture things in all situations. I think my niche is working on really messy, challenging things that are going to make the world a better place." Lewinger's role at the traditional chamber was heading the Albuquerque Reads program, which pairs volunteer tutors with elementary students. He also has been state director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and a director at the New Mexico Community Foundation. But his biggest projects came with his role at Strategies 360, a nationwide public policy and marketing firm. Lewinger was on the team that helped launch the New Mexico United soccer team, and he worked on a successful tax-boost proposal for the BioPark in 2015. He now runs the Fable Communications marketing company with a childhood best friend. But Lewinger still holds fast to a childhood dream: becoming a religion teacher. "I think religion creates and conveys meaning," Lewinger says. "It's how we move what's important and what matters from generation to generation. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a religion teacher. So if any of your readers works at UNM or CNM …" How did you get involved in the cannabis chamber? "I was suckered into it. I'm not a cannabis advocate.…