American TV personality Montel Williams, who uses medical cannabis to manage his multiple sclerosis symptoms, will speak at the 5th annual Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition in New York City, May 30 to June 2.

A prominent medical cannabis advocate, Williams will discuss its legalization and acceptance, a movement that has gained increasing attention in the MS community in recent years.

He will deliver his speech at 10 a.m. Friday, June 1, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It will occur at a time when interest in the legalization and acceptance of medical and recreational cannabis is building in the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which have already passed legislation on the subject.

“To put it mildly, we live in interesting times when it comes to cannabis policy,” Williams said in a press release. “I’ve been actively involved in reforms passed throughout the tri-state region, and I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to deliver the keynote at CWCBExpo here in the city I called home for so many years.”

Williams, a former naval officer, author, radio and TV talk show host, entrepreneur and wellness advocate, was diagnosed with MS in 1999. He has used cannabis products since then to manage his symptoms. One of his advocacy projects was helping lead a push for military veterans to legally access medical cannabis without the threat of losing their benefits.

Williams started a medical cannabis-related company, LenitivLabs, in September 2016. He said he created it to develop a line of high-quality products, fund research, work closely with regulators, and provide proper education on medical cannabis to the public.

In November 2016, LenitivLabs teamed up with BAS Research, California’s first licensed medicinal marijuana manufacturing and research company, to develop, produce and market medical-grade cannabis products.

BAS’s products are aimed at people with chronic diseases like MS, other kinds of serious conditions — such cancer or epilepsy — and people experiencing acute pain.

Before establishing LenitivLabs, Williams worked on advocacy campaigns that helped pass medical marijuana legislation in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The New York event is co-produced by Leading Edge Expositions and the International Cannabis Association.

The business-to-business event targets members of the legalized cannabis industry. It is one of the leading forums for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, lawyers, and entrepreneurs in the medical cannabis field.

It offers participants an opportunity to network and to discuss the next steps in the legalization of cannabis. In addition to Williams’ speech, the congress will feature a seminar program that provides a roadmap of success for new or established businesses.

Led by industry experts in the fields of agriculture, science, law and others, the program will include presentations, lectures and discussions. Topics will range from the basics of cannabis to policy, legal and advocacy discussions.

For more information about the congress, including how to register, please visit this link. Opening-phase registration discounts are available until April 6.