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Ben Cort Author of 'Weed, Inc.' | Addiction Treatment Specialist | Speaker on Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention
Ben’s passion for recovery, prevention, and harm reduction comes from his own struggle with substance abuse. Sober since 6/15/96, Ben has been a part of the recovery movement in almost every way imaginable, from a recipient to a provider to a spokesperson.
In 2007, Ben left his position as an HR director inside of a Denver-based S&P 500 firm to help start the Colorado-based nonprofit Phoenix Multisport, now “The Phoenix”. As an original board member and then their first full-time employee, Ben was instrumental in building this organization, which has received frequent national recognition for its innovative approach to building sober communities around sports and healthy activities.
In 2012, Cort joined the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), where he ran the marketing, business development, and admissions departments for their substance abuse treatment services known as CeDAR. He left that role in 2017 to consult inside of treatment, athletics, and organized labor.
Throughout this time Ben has remained active in the discussion around marijuana, assisting several states’ efforts to hold back Big Marijuana and always advocating for recovery. These efforts keep him close to the national discussion and make him a frequent guest in the media. Ben has earned a reputation as being pro-logic and recovery-oriented rather than anti-anything.
In November 2019, Ben moved from a consulting role with the Foundry Steamboat Springs with his old colleague and dear friend Dr. Michael Barnes to CEO. After 4 years in that role, Ben stepped back as CEO but remains the managing partner of The Foundry’s parent organization, NRT Behavioral Health.
In 2023, Ben started and remains CEO of Union EAP, an Employee Assistance Program dedicated to organized labor unions.
Cort is considered a subject matter expert on ethical treatment practices, having written widely adopted curriculum on the subject and frequently discusses the topic on national platforms and media. He is also utilized by professional sports leagues, clubs, and collegiate athletic programs to determine appropriate treatment for their athletes, coaches and their families, as well as develop recovery-oriented policies.
Ben is faculty at numerous institutions and serves on the board of directors for:
SAM
NALGAP
Johnnys Ambassadors
International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis
Sober AF Entertainment