SPOTLIGHTS

Spotlighting Chicago NORML members!

Issue #5 February, 2021

#GoNORML MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

DAVID CLARK

Chicago NORML business member

Co-Founder of Hi Tech Consulting

David is a Chicago NORML member who came into the industry with a specific vision to be an example for others in the legacy cannabis market to pivot into the legal industry without compromising their cultural identity.

BUSINESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Doing great things in the Chicagoland cannabis business community.

Luis Plascencia

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois

Luis Plascencia is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois. His firm specializes in IRS Representation Services and Financial Statement Services to entrepreneurs, small businesses to mid-size businesses, non-profit organizations, and cannabis businesses. Mr. Plascencia is a member of the faculty at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. He has also taught at Kennedy King College, Wright College, and Daley College. Luis is the current Chairperson of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Tax Practice and Procedures Committee. He has served on multiple ICPAS Committees including the Cannabis Industry Forum Group, the Cannabis Content Advisory Group, the Tax Practice and Procedures Committee, and the Legislators Tax Guide Task Force. Mr. Plascencia is a frequent speaker at various ICPAS continuing education events including the annual Summit and annual Cannabis Industry Conference. Additionally, Luis has also delivered presentations on Cannabis Taxation to members of the Illinois Society of Enrolled Agents. Mr. Plascencia currently serves on the State of Illinois Board of Examiners (Accountancy). Luis is also a frequent guest on the Chicago Legal Clinic Immigration Issues Show where he discusses tax issues that affect immigrants.

Luis Plascencia & his CPA service information can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, & YouTube.

Mr. Plascencia has received several commendations for his work as an educator and as a practitioner. He has written articles and books on accounting and tax law. He is an avid distance runner and cyclist. Luis has volunteered his time to Chicago Area Runners Association and is a frequent charity runner for Organization for Autism Research.

COMMUNITY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Doing great things within the Chicagoland cannabis industry.

Check out where else you can find Mike and WeedTravelFood.

In addition to real estate, my passions have always been cannabis, travel and food. Since 2010, I’ve been selling real estate full time, working to build up Chicago communities, and helping people from those communities build wealth through real estate. 

The relationships I built in real estate with clients led me to the legal cannabis industry, when one of my longtime clients and friends founded his cannabis company in 2011.

Over the past 3 years, I've been traveling the United States visiting multiple cannabis cultivation, processing, packaging and retail facilities. I’ve advised operators on issues from product development and community engagement efforts to creating digital media content for social media and standard operating procedures.

I took my passions and founded the “WeedTravelFood” brand, through which I operate my companies “WTF Media LLC” and “WTF Consulting LLC”. 

WeedTravelFood is a lifestyle brand that seeks to break the negative stereotypes of cannabis use and celebrates diverse cultures, food and cannabis from around the world.

WTF Media LLC creates digital media content for cannabis, travel and food industry clients. WTF Consulting LLC is a vehicle I use to consult and create strategic partnerships within the cannabis industry.

I’m also a social equity applicant and currently have 10 dispensary license applications under review by the state of Illinois. In December 2020, I became an equity partner of the “Cronja Culture” cannabis brand. My partners have social equity distribution, manufacturing and delivery licenses based out of Los Angeles, California. We currently have ancillary products for sale in LA and Chicago dispensaries. And we’ll have cannabis products on California shelves in 2021.

I believe in the power of advocacy and I’m currently a member of Chicago NORML, Illinois Cannabis Equity Coalition, and The National Cannabis Industry Association.

My ultimate goal is to help build the cannabis community and be a resource to people who believe in the power of the plant.

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

— Malcolm X