Matha Figaro

Founder & CEO, CannPowerment LLC | Founder, ButACake
Chair, NJCBA Manufacturing Committee
Email: matha@cannpowerment.com

Professional Summary

Equity-driven cannabis manufacturing executive with 15+ years of regulated food production experience, multistate cannabis expertise, and a proven record in shaping policy, compliance, and consumer safety. Founder of ButACake (2015) and CannPowerment (2021), New Jersey’s leading Black woman–owned Class 2 cannabis manufacturer. First minority woman medical cannabis manufacturer in Delaware, contributing to adult-use equity program development. Trusted regulatory advisor, educator, and speaker for Rutgers Law, NYU, and Delaware Technical Community College.

Professional Experience

Founder & CEO, CannPowerment LLC (Class 2 Manufacturer – New Jersey)

2021 – Present

·       Operate one of New Jersey’s most compliant and equity-driven cannabis manufacturing facilities.

·       Write proposed regulation that shaped the current New Jersey expanded edibles category.

·       Lead development and production of compliant infused brownies, cookies, cereal bars, beverages, and other specialty SKUs.

·       Establish and enforce rigorous QA systems, batch traceability, METRC integration, SOP frameworks, and product safety standards.

·       Build statewide white-label and private-label manufacturing programs, expanding equity access and small business participation.

·       Collaborate with NJ dispensaries and regulators to support consumer safety, product consistency, and equitable market growth.

Founder & Product Developer, ButACake (New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland)

2015 – Present

·       Created one of the region’s most recognized artisanal edible brands, using scratch-made recipes and clean-ingredient standards.

·       Responsible for New Jerseys expanded edible program and first legally infused baked goods.

·       Expanded back to New Jersey from Delaware medical cannabis market as the first minority woman medical cannabis manufactured edibles brand.

·       Supported Delaware’s transition to adult-use by advising on equity-centered manufacturing and licensing pathways.

·       Developed 50+ infused and non-infused SKUs across baked goods, cereal bars, beverages, and specialty product lines.

·       Built a compliant multistate manufacturing and distribution framework integrating food science, safety, and regulatory practices.

Bakery Department Manager, Whole Foods Market (NJ & NYC)

Before 2015

·       Led bakery operations at Whole Foods NJ store level + corporate level and later at NYC Tribeca store level.

·       Managed production teams, ordering, quality control, product assortment, and food safety standards.

·       Supervised high-volume scratch baking operations and implemented scalable systems that met corporate compliance requirements.

Selected Policy Contributions

·       Lead author of multiple policy submissions to the NJ-CRC on extraction-method disclosure, product safety, sampling reform, and equitable manufacturing pathways.

·       Architect of shelf-life extension standards and packaging flexibility recommendations now under CRC review.

·       Developed framework for edible product safety, scoring reform, and 100mg single-serve regulatory modernization.

·       Influential contributor to Delaware’s adult-use equity program.

·       Created training structures for small manufacturers, including SOP templates, QA guides, and compliance education.

Public Recognition & Media

·       Featured entrepreneur in the documentary *Kiss My Grass*, premiering at Tribeca Film Festival 2025.

·       Profiled in Essence magazine for leadership in cannabis manufacturing and equity.

·       Highlighted across New Jersey media for building a best-in-class manufacturing facility and equity-focused brand.

·       Recognized by dispensaries, community partners, and statewide organizations for contributions to product safety and equity.

Speaking, Teaching & Multistate Education Leadership

·       Wrote the Delaware Technical Community College cannabis manufacturing curriculum.

·       Speaker, Rutgers Law School Cannabis Program – manufacturing, product safety, workforce development.

·       Speaker, NYU Cannabis Law Program – equity, compliance, product regulation.

·       Industry educator on regulated food production, cannabis policy, and safe manufacturing practices.

Core Competencies

·       Cannabis Manufacturing & Compliance

·       Regulatory Policy Development

·       Product Safety & Quality Assurance

·       Edible Product Development

·       Multistate Operations & Compliance

·       Workforce Development & Training

·       Packaging, Labeling & Stability Standards

·       METRC Traceability & Facility Compliance

·       Equity Advocacy & Small Business Development

·       Cross-Agency & Legislative Collaboration

·       Public Health & Consumer Safety

Education & Training

Le Cordon Bleu 2010 

Classically Trained Pastry Chef – 15 years professional experience in food science, baking, and manufacturing.

Extensive leadership roles in cannabis industry policy, manufacturing standard-setting, and regulatory compliance.