In this Damien Cornwell interview, CANY President and Just Breathe founder lays out how his path—from college courses to UPS logistics and social entrepreneurship—prepared him for cannabis leadership. Conducted on May 15, 2025, by Josh Kasoff, the discussion covers his educational background, career pivots, community work, and CANY’s roadmap for equity and growth.
Key takeaways from Damien Cornwell interview
- Liberal arts foundation. At SUNY Broome, Cornwell focused on psychology and history, skills that sharpened his regulatory and negotiation abilities.
- UPS to cannabis. A UPS strike and subsequent management role gave him deep supply-chain insights—crucial for operating a dispensary and advising growers.
- Serial entrepreneur. From restaurants and a radio station to adjunct teaching and multimedia, he learned that community-first ventures build lasting impact.
- Urban League leadership. As Director of Operations, he designs self-sustaining daycare and workforce programs that support single-parent families and reduce local unemployment.
Path to Cannabis Association of NY presidency
Just Breathe was among NY’s first dispensaries. Cornwell’s industry relationships with CANY founders led to a board invitation. He retooled CANY to serve all sectors—wholesale, retail, cultivation—aiming to become the state’s de facto cannabis Chamber of Commerce.
Challenges & policy solutions
He outlines the CAURD licensing hurdles—lawsuits, paperwork delays—and contrasts them with large operators’ capital barriers. To remedy this, he calls for streamlined applications, low-interest equity grants, and a federal rescheduling advocacy plan.
Community impact & future vision
Just Breathe hosts veteran poker runs, childcare fundraisers and cornhole tournaments as community-building events. In the damien cornwell interview, he emphasizes that lasting change hinges on partnerships across business, government and nonprofits.