The path to a successful cannabis business is not a smooth and easy one to navigate. It is full of ever-changing laws and regulations, complicated tax, insurance, compliance issues, and many other complex hurdles to overcome. Join us for a comprehensive overview of the core verticals for starting and operating a successful and compliant commercial cannabis business. In this pre-summit workshop, attendees will hear from legal, tax, employment, and insurance experts who will take your cannabis business entrepreneurial dreams from idea to the open market.

Session Code: MO03

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore corporate strategy and structure for starting your cannabis business.

2. Understand how to navigate the local and state licensing application process.

3. Explore key compliance issues including developing standard operating procedures and compliance programs.

4. Review information on changes related to Tax Codes, Sales and Use Tax Laws.

Bring your questions for this interactive, engaging crash course in propelling your CannaBusiness.

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

PRESENTERS:
Kimberly Simms, Attorney, Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms, APC

Sara Presler, Attorney & Consultant, Presler Consulting, LLC

Stephanie Bozzuto, Co-Founder & President of Marketing, Cannabis Connect Insurance Services

Jeffrey David, Associate Attorney, Call & Jensen

Simon Dufour, Certified Public Accountant, Hall & Company

The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) will offer 6-hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE)* for the fifth year during the National Cannabis Industry Association’s (NCIA) annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo.

Attendees are in for something special with California’s final regulations coming online this year. The program will examine the regulations and pain points application to each stop in the vertical chain of commerce and each license type, including those faced by cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, delivery services, retail spaces, and more. Each panel includes a regulator pertinent to the topic and will compare and contrast the issues that each type of licensee faces from the perspective of multiple jurisdictions, often using California to compare and contrast different state-level methods.

*CLE credits obtained for California, with credit pending in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey, among others, based on INCBA’s CLE Credit Policy.

Session Code: MO01

Full agenda and presenters here.

With the passage of the U.S. 2018 Farm Bill, the hemp industry is growing at an explosive rate. Serious gaps in the supply chain offer many opportunities for both established business and entrepreneurs to develop profitable ventures. Join NCIA and The Hemp Biz Conference for a comprehensive day of hemp business education to set your business of for success.

In this pre-summit workshop, attendees will learn business implications of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, explore a case study of state-level hemp programs in California and Colorado as well as gain understanding on all areas of the nascent industry from farming, processing, product manufacturing, marketing CBD products to opportunities in the next wave of hemp growth: industrial applications.

Session Code: MO02

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how the passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill opens the creation of an entirely new industry.
2. Explore current hemp market trends and industrial hemp’s potential impact in revitalizing the U.S. agricultural and manufacturing economy.
3. Gain knowledge from a farmer with three years of experience cultivating hemp in two different climates.
4. Explore the development of the Cannabidiol product manufacturing industry, including three hot CBD trends to implement into your product development strategy.
5. Identify and avoid compliance issues regarding marketing your Cannabidiol products, including developing FDA compliant product labeling and marketing claims for nutraceuticals.
6. Understand opportunities in hemp beyond CBD: fiber, food, and industrial applications.
7. Assess if investing or becoming involved in the hemp industry is right for your business.

Bring your questions for this interactive, engaging crash course in propelling your hemp business forward.

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

INSTRUCTORS:
Christie Lunsford, CEO, The Hemp Biz Conference

David Wunderlich, Senior Attorney, McCallister Garfield

Steven Turetsky, Managing Director, SHI Farms

Eileen Konieczny, RN & Founder, Olive’s Branch

Claire Kaufmann, Director of Client Services, Brightfield Group

Ian Terry, CEO, Cannaissance Creative

Andrew Kline, Director of Public Policy, National Cannabis Industry Association

This full-day workshop will be held at Legion of Bloom’s soon to be open indoor grow facility, which will be one of the largest in California. Come learn how to design, build, and manage a large-scale cultivation facility in this pre-operational complex. Begin your experience with an overview of the Legion of Bloom brand, the build-out and licensing process, and their growing methodology. Attendees will learn how to retrofit a building along with the decision-making factors behind selecting grow mediums and nutrient systems. Attendees will then begin sessions focusing on sustainability and regulatory compliance. These sessions, based on Legion’s growing methods, will teach attendees how to calculate and assess energy, water, and waste usage as well as how to evaluate adherence to California Regulations (CDFA), FDA (sanitization, product handling, record keeping), and OSHA. Before leaving the facility wrap-up the day with a Q&A session with the entire group.

Session Code: MO06

Sign up today! Space is limited.

Buses will depart promptly at the posted schedule time.

All attendees must have a government-issued ID and must be at least 21 years of age.

Pick-up and drop-off | Outside Peet’s Coffee at the Hilton

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

INSTRUCTORS:
Kim Stuck, CEO, Allay Cannabis Consulting

Jacob Policzer, Director of Science and Strategy, The Cannabis Conservancy

Brian Farmer, Director of Certification Services, The Cannabis Conservancy

Aaron Vickles, Chief Operations Manager, Legion of Bloom

Marcos Morales, General Director, Legion of Bloom

Jeffrey B. Antrim, President, Growers Builders Inc.

What better place to visit and get a peek into the first analytical laboratory dedicated to medical cannabis in California; Steep Hill has led the science of cannabis since 2008. During that time, the lab has made market changing discoveries (like High-CBD genetic markers) and pioneered the implementation of self-regulation throughout the cannabis industry. Today, we employ sophisticated technology and rigorous science to solve problems: whether you’re cultivating, processing, or dispensing – we’ll help you diagnose, solve, or avoid costly errors in your workflow.

Join us for an exclusive look at Steep Hill lab and an aspect at the testing process, gain the valuable information you will need for your personal and business development.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the next location.

Next stop is at Harborside, one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cannabis retailers in the world, Harborside has played an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California consumers.

Harborside stores are known for having the world’s best-curated selection of award-winning flower, concentrates, edibles, and other cannabis products from California’s most respected growers and manufacturers. Get a peek at the back of the house, and a journey of the then and now and hear how the industry has evolved with legalization.

The Harborside team is a passionate, diverse group of individuals with a deep connection to the power of the cannabis plant as a way for people to find balance and wellness – whether that’s to heal, laugh, create, think, love or one of the many other ways cannabis can help you get a little more out of life. We stand proudly in favor of diversity, sustainability, and economic justice in the industry

The last stop on the tour is at Dark Heart Nursery, get a behind-the-scenes look at the leading cannabis clone nursery in California. Founded in 2007, Dark Heart Nursery has perfected the process of creating healthy and vigorous clones that farmers need for a successful harvest. You’ll begin this tour in the garden, see the propagation process up-close, and then finish with quality control and distribution. Along the way you’ll learn more about their Clean Plant Program performed through advanced tissue culture methods. Their knowledgeable staff will be available for questions throughout the tour. Their facility is located in sunny East Oakland, the heart of the Bay Area cannabis industry.

Session Code: MO08

Space is limited, sign up today! Buses will depart promptly at the posted schedule time.

All attendees must have a government-issued ID and must be at least 21 years of age. This is a multi-stop tour, stops include Steep Hill Labs, Dark Heart Nursery, and Harborside.

Pick-up and drop-off | Outside Peet’s Coffee at the Hilton

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

Just because you are good at doing your job, doesn’t mean you are automatically good at managing others. As you grow, you must understand how to delegate and spend more energy managing instead of doing the actual work. The process makes profit a repeatable event, and it is only through good management skills that the process can be created, organized, delegated and followed.

This session will help you learn to successfully manage employees and become a better manager to avoid growing beyond your level of competence. By evaluating management skills and recognizing limitations, you can find the balance between doing and managing. Learn the steps of successful delegation and how to develop a plan to avoid micromanaging staff and become a better manager.

Session Code: MO04

Learning Objectives:

1. Improve your management skills.

2. Explore the 7 Steps to successful delegation.

3. How to stop “doing” and start “managing.”

4. Define successful completion.

5. Create a structure with an eye to growth and the future.

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

PRESENTER:
Leslie Shiner, Trainer/Author, The ShinerGroup

This half-day tour will explore a local dispensary and a behind the scenes look at their grow facility. Purple Lotus, located in San Jose, California, is an award-winning dispensary carrying the widest selection of the highest quality cannabis products. It is the home of one of California’s most popular cannabis brands like Blue Chip Genetics, which is grown in-house with passion and power by Treemigos.

Session Codes: MO10

Space is limited, sign up today!

Buses will depart promptly at the posted schedule time.

All attendees must have a government-issued ID and must be at least 21 years of age.

Pick-up and drop-off | Outside Peet’s Coffee at the Hilton

Register for the pre-conference tours and workshops during the attendee registration process

An exclusive opportunity to network with NCIA’s most active and engaged members and learn about the great work these groups are doing on behalf of NCIA and the industry. Other attendees will include members of NCIA’s: Board of Directors, Member-Led Committees, Allied Association Program, PAC-Leadership Circle and Policy Council. Please note that this reception is INVITE ONLY. 

Former CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC), Bruce Linton will be on the main stage for the General Session on the opening day of the Cannabis Business Summit & Expo. Linton will share his unique outlook for the industry during an impactful sit-down conversation with Seth Adler. He will address the big issues facing the industry today amid a myriad of topics such as the third quarter outlook for 2019, what’s happening now in international expansion in Germany and Colombia.

Was previously served as the CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC), a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties.

Moderator:
Seth Adler, Host, Cannabis Economy

Keynote:
Bruce Linton, Former Chairman & CEO, Canopy Growth Corporation

That microwaves can transform organic products was accidentally discovered in 1945 when an engineer walked by a microwave generator with a candy bar in his pocket: instant molten chocolate. Since that time, the science of applying microwaves to heat, to dry, to extract, to synthesize, to make plasmas, to make diamonds – and to make sure that we don’t accidentally melt hidden candy bars – has moved from the lab to large scale production. The common core of all microwave applications, the reason to use microwaves, is that they bring energy to a process with precision and specificity such that the process can be faster than can be achieved with other methods. The applications most relevant to the cannabis industry are fast extraction, fast drying, and fast pasteurization. Each application must consider the details of the incoming product, the constraints of the process, and the requirements for the process output. In this presentation, I will present the science, review the production applications in place today, and consider how microwaves might serve the cannabis industry in the future.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT01

Robert Weiss, CEO, Wave-X

The presenter will provide a simplified approach to aligning your pay to your company culture and strategy. Leave with key nuggets of information shared from more than 25 years of working with a wide range of companies. The talk will lay out some basic guidelines to help support growth and competitiveness within your company. The presenter is an entertaining and often amusing speaker who provides fairly boring information in not so boring ways. Join us with your questions.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT03

Dan Walter, Managing Consultant, FutureSense, LLC

A strong food safety culture is particularly relevant to the cannabis workplace because of the unique history of the workers and the unique needs of the consumers. The behavior and mindset of workers in the cannabis industry must adjust to new regulations. Also, with cannabis legalization in several states, cannabis reaches a larger, wider population including consumers most vulnerable to foodborne illness such as people with immunocompromised systems; the elderly, pregnant women, or young people. Therefore, it’s important to develop a food safety culture in the workplace to promote safe quality cannabis for large-scale production for a wider audience.

Session Code: TU04

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the current stage of the cannabis industry in terms of food safety.
2. Define food safety within the cannabis industry.
3. Outline who is needed to develop food safety practices.
4. Learn how to integrate food safety best practices from other industries.
5. Identify when to start practicing food safety.

Moderator:
Ellice Ogle, CEO, Tandem Food LLC

Panelists:
Laurel Friesen, Founder and CEO, Heylo Cannabis
Maureen McNamara, Founder & Chief Facilitator, Cannabis Trainers
Trevor Morones, Founder, Control Point

Energy availability, reliability, and costs are a large factor in running a CannaBusiness. Whether it growing, processing, packing, or distributing, electricity is part of the equation. Energy volatility and the ability to clearly forecast operating costs are difficult. Solar + Storage, and potentially a microgrid, produce short and long-term savings, reliability, forecasting, off-grid potential, and multiple layers of ancillary benefits to any CannaBusiness.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session CodeL MT04

Ara Krikorian, Vice President Commercial Development, Solar Optimum

Session attendees will learn the importance of and process to create consistent quality products across types and brands. The discussion focuses on the end of the production life cycle, post-production, and product generation as associated with value generation.

Session Code: TU01
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives
1. Understand the relationship between price and quality to create product value.
2. Learn how to create measurable quality metrics.
3. Develop the application of quality metrics throughout the supply pipeline.
4. Create a quality control plan as a method to create customer satisfaction.

Moderator:
Alex Cooley, Co-Founder, Solstice

Panelists:
Max Salinger, Director Of Operations, Solstice Group

Bradley Miller, CPO, Have a Heart

A panel of industry leaders will discuss best practices in cannabis-related digital marketing, including; social media, websites, blogs, search engine optimization, advertising, and email marketing.

This presenters will discuss Facebook ads, Facebook organic marketing, Instagram, Messenger bots, social strategy, content, analytics, video creation, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Snapchat and will provide tips, hacks, and workarounds you can put into practice immediately to make social media work for you.

Attendees will leave with successful marketing tips and techniques for high-end brands of cannabis products. In addition, learn more about the legal aspects of cannabis advertising and advertising for cannabis branded products, including common mistakes such as showing consumption in advertising.

Learn how to create effective social media strategies for building brand awareness, such as using Facebook Live, Instagram and paid influencer partnerships to avoid censorship. Develop paid social media ads for cannabis products to offer non-cannabis giveaways to bring in new audiences and followers, then marketing cannabis products solely to followers.

Creating unique customer experiences like creating an Alexa Skill or Google Home App to allow voice commands on topics such as dispensary locations and strain characteristics and availability.

Session Code: TU02

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how to best use digital marketing effectively, within the tight regulations imposed on the cannabis industry.
2. Learn how to translate effective marketing strategies from high-end consumer products to successfully integrate into the cannabis industry.
3. Develop a plan on how to avoid censorship and banned from social media and search platforms.
4. Understand how to create meaningful engagement with customers and influencers.
5. Learn from real-life cases about effective and ineffective uses of digital marketing.

Moderator:
Amy Larson, Vice President of Marketing & PR, Simplifya

Presenters:
Amber Mayo, Partner & Founder, WYD Agency

Kimberly Dillon, Chief Marketing Officer, Papa & Barkley

Erin Alexander, Associate General Counsel, Cresco Labs

The global cannabis and hemp tidal wave continue. This session digs into the fascinating world of the cross-border marijuana trade and the creation of global cannabis and CBD brands. The trend for major investments in the cannabis and CBD space by the soft drink, alcohol, pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, and tobacco industries is accelerating. Companies and brands are jockeying for a position, and the question is no longer will there be legalization at the federal level, or which states will legalize next, but where will the U.S. fit into the global marketplace? With the 2018 Farm Bill and pending federal legalization, companies should start pivoting to an international strategy. This panel of experts from cannabis brands with international operations and members of the Legalign Global Cannabis Law team will discuss the primary legal, regulatory, and practical challenges for operating across borders in North America, Europe, Latin America, and beyond. They will also discuss best practices to embrace ahead of inevitable federal cannabis legalization.

Session Code: TU03

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the current international cannabis, CBD, and hemp markets.
2. Appreciate potential loosening of international regulations.
3. Identify primary regulatory challenges for cross-border cannabis activity in several countries.
4. Discuss claim risks in the context of cross-border cannabis related commercial activity.
5. Discussion of best practices to embrace ahead of inevitable federal cannabis legalization in the U.S.

Moderator:
Ian Stewart, Chair, Wilson Elser’s National Cannabis Law Practice Team

Panelists:
Charles Pyfrom, Senior Vice President – Commercial Programs, CannGen Insurance Services, LLC

Afzal Hasan, President and General Counsel, Origin House

Eduardo Provencio, General Counsel, Mary’s Medicinals LLC

Jason Horst, Principal, Horst Legal Counsel

As support for legalization continues to climb and speculation of “cannabis reform” at the federal level continues to swirl, one critical opportunity stands to be lost in the fray of voices and messages: Social Justice. Cannabis reform, alone, stops short. The deeper work is addressing convictions, providing opportunities, and reinvesting in poor and minority communities that have been battered for decades by the “war on drugs.”

With focused attention, we can shape policies and legislation to expunge records, provide employment opportunities, and further offset the disproportionate affects on people and communities of color. Expungement of misdemeanor charges, alone, can mean the difference in getting a job or housing for residents of poor and minority communities across the country.

Session Code: TU05

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn more about the Cannabis’ regulatory landscape and as it relates to social justice (what program localities and states are implementing / what needs amending).
2. Recognize the business level impact on hiring, training, and advocacy.
3. Gain a better understanding of the community-level impact on individual actions and building coalitions.
4. Identify the policy level impact when running for office, voting, and being vocal to elected officials.
5. Assess expungement opportunities for those impacted for future employment and ownership.

Moderator:
Lisa Jordan, Vice President of Marketing, Canna Advisors

Panelists:
Felicia Carbajal, Director, The Social Impact Center
La Wanda Knox, Consultant, Make Green Go
Omar Figueroa, Owner, Law Offices of Omar Figueroa

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT05

Jeffry B Antrim, President, Grower Builders Inc.

During this session we will discuss about the process to remediate oil above the permitted THC legal limits.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642

Session Code: MT11

Dwayne Dundore, PhD, President, Khrysos Industries, Inc.

Attendees will learn the differences between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Hemp Isolates. They will also learn the recommended uses and benefits of each these products. Lastly, attendees will learn how to successfully market these products to consumers.

Session Code: TU09

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn why hemp-derived CBD is important to our industry
2. Understand the differences between hemp-derived Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate CBD
3. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of each hemp-derived extract
4. Learn which hemp-derived extract is right for your business model
5. Learn how to bring your hemp-derived extracts/products to market

Moderator:
Chanda Macias, Chairwoman & CEO, National Holistic Healing Center

Panelists:
Marvina Thomas, CEO & Founder, 420 Skincare and 420 Mediables
Jennifer Culpepper, Founder & CCO, Brand Joint
Fleesie Hubbard, Founder, FiveTen Wellness
Jessica Velazquez, Managing Partner & Founder, Indiva Advisors LLP

We have all heard about the problems that IRC 280E creates, but you have a business to run. This presentation focuses on the day-to-day, practical steps you need to take to build a working accounting system that addresses 280E limitations while also ensuring that you have a clear-eyed view of the profitability of your business.

Session Code: TU08

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to identify production, acquisition, and sales/admin expenses.
2. Examine how to estimate federal tax liability.
3. Discover the five most common accounting mistakes and misconceptions.
4. Discover the five best accounting recommendations and solutions.

Panelists:
Todd Arkley, Owner, Arkley Accounting Group
Dean Guske, CPA, President, Guske & Company, Inc

Third party quality and safety certification that supports consumer confidence and market demand are standard in much of the international agricultural world. This presentation and panel discussion will briefly touch on the history of certifications that are drivers in the marketplace today (e.g. Certified Organic, Global GAP, Non-GMO Project, Fair Trade). Based on the last decades trajectory of 3rd party certifications in other parts of the agricultural world, the panel will discuss how independent certification of cannabis and hemp will help the industry as a whole by assuring safety and quality through transparent systems of assessment and certification and help producers mitigate risks, increase sustainability and efficiency, and lower costs of production.

Session Code: TU06
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how internationally recognized certification systems work.
2. Learn the importance of transparency in the assessment of products.
3. Recognize the potentially fast trajectory of certification requirements within the cannabis industry.
4. Examine the reasons to assess your business using external certification systems.

Moderator:
Brittny Anderson, Co-Founder & Director of Operations, The Cannabis Conservancy

Panelists:
Kelly Dunn, Co-Creator, Dragonfly Earth Medicine
Rebecca Anderson, Technical Key Account Manager, GLOBALG.A.P.
Tina Gordon, Owner, Moon Made Farms
April Crittenden, Chief Certification Officer, California Certified Organic Farmers

According to a 2018 Gallup poll, two in three Americans now support the legalization of cannabis. However, even as public opinion has shifted, Congress has been reluctant to pass legislation that would reform our outdated laws. As the industry continues to spread across the nation, the question has shifted from ‘when’ do we legalize to ‘how’ do we legalize at the national level. This panel will address the ‘how’ and discuss how we can build an industry that we can all be proud of.

Session Code: TU10

Learning Objectives:
1. If the majority of American voters are ready for decriminalization and legalization, why hasn’t Congress taken action?
2. What are the remaining obstacles stopping Congress from enacting full legalization?
3. How should cannabis advocates navigate the path to end prohibition?
4. What issues need to be tackled in order to fairly and responsibly allow the cannabis industry to flourish?

Moderator:
Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Manager, National Cannabis Industry Association

Panelists:
Shanita Penny, President, Minority Cannabis Business Association
Steven Hawkins, Executive Director, Marijuana Policy Project
Caroline Phillips, Founder and Executive Producer, National Cannabis Festival
John Hudak, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

The inevitable end of prohibition will create new interstate and global commercial opportunities that will alter the dynamics of supply and demand, and market share, forever. Currently, various creative and traditional cannabis supply chain control efforts have been utilized to meet growing demand under unique legal conditions. However, it remains to be seen which integration model will turn out to be the most viable and scalable in the impending global marketplace.

This panel will review different types of integration models, potential growth opportunities, important considerations, and the various advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. Also, panelists will discuss prospective variables and uncertainties, including considerations as to the viability of horizontal and vertical integration under the current legal landscape and the inevitable expansion of an internationally connected legal market.

Session Code: TU07

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the differences between integration models.
2. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy.
3. Understand the changing legal landscape and potential impact on each business model.
4. Criteria for informed integration decisions.
5. Alternative for integration options.

Moderator:
Sabrina Fendrick, Director of Government Affairs, Berkeley Patients Group

Panelists:
Kristin Nevedal, Executive Director, International Cannabis Farmers Association

Lara DeCaro, Partner, Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick LLP

Joseph Segilia, General Counsel, Terra Tech Corp

Local licensing for retail delivery is still coming on-line, and a successful delivery business means both understanding who to market to and how best to serve them within the boundaries of the regulatory framework. This session will be exploring delivery both for new operators and those coming from the collective medical market.

Session CodeL TU14

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand state regulations on delivery services.
2. Assess ways to navigate local licensing.
3. Learn how to distinguish yourself as a delivery service and target customers.
4. Contrast your delivery service from the storefront market.

Moderator:
Zachary Pitts, CEO, Goddess Delivers

Panelists:
Steven Domingo, CEO, WeDrop
Andrea Unsworth, General Manager, The People’s Remedy
Nurit Raphael, Owner and Founder, Ona Life

The industry has both an opportunity and a responsibility to elevate its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Setting standards for responsibility for those who play a role within the legal cannabis industry can: The industry has both an opportunity and a responsibility to elevate its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Setting standards for responsibility for those who play a role within the legal cannabis industry can:

• Build credibility for the industry through responsible practices.
• Align and leverage common principles and practices across diverse jurisdictions.
• Help the industry mitigate negative impacts and leverage best practices from within and outside the industry to protect and enhance social license to operate, and to minimize harm.

Members of the panel will discuss their approach to CSR and the role it plays within their overall corporate strategy; how the industry is doing when it comes to its commitment to CSR; where it needs to focus its efforts and the benefits of making investments in CSR.

Session Code: TU15

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the benefits of CSR for the industry.
2. Learn how implementing leading standards of responsibility can work across diverse jurisdictions.
3. Recognize the value of collaboration with a variety of stakeholders.

Moderator:
Kim Wilson, Executive Director, Global Cannabis Partnership

Panelists:
Tom DiGiovanni, Chief Financial Officer, Canndescent
Terry Lake, Vice President of Coporate and Social Responsibility, HEXO
Damon Goodwin, Vice President, Revenue & Partnerships, Civilized

Genomics research and proper plant breeding practices for nascent industries like cannabis, including hemp, are critical for the efficient and predictable development of plant varieties with commercially valuable traits. These varieties support the large-scale production of consistent, stable, and profitable crops.

Modern-day large-scale agronomic crops have benefited from decades of professional breeding programs to streamline production systems. The success of cannabis and hemp cultivation hinges on similar systems to provide efficient mechanical harvesting and target desirable characteristics like disease and pest-resistance, yield, and performance across different growing environments. This production system ensures a stable supply chain for ingredients derived from these crops and growers’ compliance with federal and state regulations.

Discussion will address how embracing genomics-driven breeding technologies will allow growers in the cannabis industry and beyond to produce reliable, consistent, and profitable crops at scale. Presenter can draw on insights gained from his company’s industry-leading breeding platform for cannabis varieties and their research partnership with UC Davis to map the hemp genome.

Session Code: TU11
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding of genomics-driven breeding technologies.
2. Gain knowledge of the risks associated with large-scale production and how to mitigate them through breeding processes.
3. Transferring the plant breeding process from other agricultural industries to cannabis and hemp to maintain a strong supply chain and a safe end product for consumers.
4. Learn about the benefits of mapping the cannabis and hemp genomes for growers (current findings from UC Davis research study included).

Presenter:
Dr. Jonathan Vaught, CEO & Co-Founder, Front Range Biosciences

More companies are doing business in the cannabis market and are being confronted with customers who no longer want to pay Cash and are looking for credit terms. In this session, we will review what cannabis companies need to do when they start extending credit. Demonstrate the need to implement Accounts Receivable Management structure to ensure that credit risk are evaluated properly and how to manage collections so that cash flow is ongoing. We will review:
• Why would you extend credit to your customer?
• Who is a Credit & Collection Manager and why do you need one?
• Developing a Trade Credit Policy
• How to Evaluate Credit Risk for New and Existing Customer’s
• Handling Customer Disputes
• Developing A Collection Strategy to Manage Your AR
• When Do You Need a 3rd Party Collection Agency?
• What is Order To Cash Software and Why Do You Need it?
• Outsourcing the Credit & Collection Process?
• Case Study on a Cannabis Company That Have Accounts Receivable Management System

Session Code: TU12

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about a trade credit policy and how do you implement it.
2. Understand the value and risk associated with extending credit.
3. Learn how to evaluate and monitor credit risk and determine how much credit a customer is worth.
4. Discuss how to create and manage your internal or external collection process.

Moderator:
Sam Fensterstock, Sr. Vice President, Business Development, AG Adjustments

Panelists:
Brett Gelfand, Managing Partner, CannabizCollects
Jim Swift, CEO, Cortera

Banking for Marijuana-Related Businesses (MRBs) is at the top of the list of challenges faced by everyone seeking to enter the industry in the US. Attendees will get an overview of banking services available for MRBs and will also learn how cannabis businesses can access banking services.

Session Code: TU13

Learning Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn how to complete the application (is the application process different from any other applications?)
2. Learn more about banking criteria for applicants.
3. Understand the regulatory steps for compliance and how to prepare for a site visit.
4. Discuss and get a better understanding of future banking for cannabis businesses.

Moderator:
Sahar Ayinehsazian, Associate Attorney, Vicente Sederburg

Panelists:
Mara Gordon, Founder, Aunt Zelda’s Inc.

Dress Wedding, Co-Founder and Holistic Services Director, Harborside Health Center

Chris Call, CEO, North Bay Credit Union

Sundie Seefried, CEO and President, Partner Colorado Credit Union

https://cbs2019.wyndhamjade.com/cbs2019/modify-login.html?_ga=2.22624126.455511502.1563205401-155403845.1550768791Join thousands of industry professionals and friends at the Blues & Buds celebration featuring actor, musician and cannabis farmer, Jim Belushi and the Big Blu Soul Revue! All are welcome, but you must RSVP to attend. Enjoy light appetizers, drinks, and dancing with friends. If you’re already registered and want to attend, update your registration here.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Grand Ballroom
*Collect your drink ticket from Khrysos Industries Inc. (Booth #502)

Sponsored by Khrysos:

Must be 21 years of age and older to obtain beer, wine, and liquor. Proof of age may be required by presenting valid government-issued identification.

Join us for the second-day opening session with one of the leading researchers in the field of cannabis as he discusses the science behind cannabis in recovery from injury with a panel of major league athletes.

The UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative (UCLA-CRI) is one of the first academic programs in the world dedicated to the study of cannabis. Dr. Chen will discuss his research on the therapeutic potential of cannabis on the body. He is joined by Anna Symonds (USA Rugby), Nate Jackson (NFL), Frank Shamrock (MMA), and Jim McAlpine (Creator of 420 Games) as they share their own experiences and benefits of using the plant for recovery.

Dr. Chen, MD/MBA is a physician, researcher, and social entrepreneur pioneering cannabis research and commercialization. He is a thought leader on cannabis policy, science, and business, and has worked at the intersection of these areas for the last 5 years to accelerate research and education into the diverse impacts of cannabis legalization on society. At age 29, Dr. Chen became one of the youngest Directors of a major university research initiative in America when he became the Founder and Executive Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, one of the first university programs in the world dedicated to cannabis.

Presenters:
Dr. Jeffery Chen, Executive Director, UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative
Anna Symonds, Director of Education & Athlete, East Fork Cultivars
Frank Shamrock, CEO, FRANK SHAMROCK, INC.
Nate Jackson, Author and Former NFL Football Player
Jim McAlpine, Partner, Green Sky Strategies

Capital planning methodology is used for hundreds of years in other industries involving scale to decrease hiccups and challenges caused by poor planning and strategy.

It is a big undertaking to build and operate an efficient, compliant cannabis facility, as there are many moving parts to assemble and coordinate. Your process defines your project, and the currently accepted industry process leads to breakdowns, money issues, and delayed time-to-market.

Whether manufacturing indoors or in a greenhouse, cannabis cultivation must be addressed for what it is — an industrial-agricultural manufacturing process. Hiring a commercial builder to start a design-build process for a cannabis facility with a non-industrial approach is a sure path to spending more time and money in the long run.

Attendees will learn the secrets to cannabis facility design that save time and allow production to start faster so that there is a clear path, no surprises or wasted effort, less budget required for building, and a quicker time to production, with on-time delivery.

Session Code: WE01
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the TYPICAL way to build vs. the RIGHT way to build.
2. Learn about an owner’s representative and why you need one.
3. Learn the costly mistakes and shortcuts to avoid in the design and build out stages.
4. Identify the most cost-effective use of money in the startup phase.

Moderator:
Jay Czarkowski, Founding Partner, Canna Advisors

Panelists:
Adam Campbell, Senior Project Manager, Century 3 Engineering
Brian Anderson, Partner, Anderson Porter Design

When the market is projected to increase by almost 70% in this year alone, how do you make sure you have the right technology in place to support that kind of growth—let alone the triple-digit growth expected in the next five years? How does technology support your business goals today and in the future? Attend this session to explore the vital significance of tech and data-driven decision-making in a swiftly evolving marketplace and how to set your operations up for success.

Session Code: WE02

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about the current role of technology in cannabis lifecycle.
2. Understand the value and ROI by implementing data-driven processes.
3. Plan your future technology needs to support growth.

Moderator:
Ray Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, MJ Freeway

Panelists:
Larry Dodson, Chief Technology Officer, Urban-Gro
Katie Flannery, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships, Solo Sciences

This session will share tips on the dos and don’ts related to state and local regulatory requirements on packaging; and on print, billboard, radio, television, and social media advertising. Experts will address the critical do’s and don’ts in packaging components of products to accomplish great marketing within guidelines and required disclosures.This helps to inform what present day compliance looks like, and illustrate the flexibility required in the months and years ahead.

We’ll also explore the opportunities and limitations that many of these media internally impose on their advertisers through Terms of Service and Codes of Conduct that change rapidly. The discussion will draw from the panelists’ expertise and experience across both a range of established industries
with heavy regulatory oversight and the cannabis industry.

With such rapidly changing landscapes in multiple jurisdictions, it’s difficult to follow what’s allowed and what’s not in marketing and advertising. The NCIA’s Marketing & Advertising Committee will be offering members a resource kit this year to help with advertising, marketing, and packaging and links with the latest marketing and regulatory updates.

Session Code: WE03

Learning Objectives
1. Guidance for national brands versus local dispensaries
2. Commonalities or differences between states/regions
3. Draw attention from customers – not regulators
4. Best practice in messaging for each medium
5. Real-life examples and stories from different cannabis companies

Moderator:
Laura Wilkinson Sinton, Owner, Caligrown and Vox Advisory, LLC

Panelists:
Dave Grigsby, Marketing Director, Dixie Brands
Kary Radestock, CEO, Hippo Premium Packaging
Diane Myer Brown, CEO, iCre8t Digital Agency

As legalization spreads across the country, prospective cannabis business owners are vying for a chance to break into this burgeoning industry. However, when it comes to successfully launching a quality, trustworthy brand in a crowded marketplace–all while navigating complex regulatory obstacles that vary from state to state–there is far more than meets the eye. With cannabis gradually gaining mainstream credibility as a legitimate medical tool, the puzzle that cannabis companies must solve is determining how to operate a sustainable and compliant–yet efficient–business that goes above and beyond to ensure top-of-the-line quality and consumer safety, as well as build trust among new demographics. In this session, accomplished cannabis founder, CEO and scientist Dr. John Oram will explore how cannabis business owners can leverage sophisticated lab technology and advanced extraction processes to achieve full transparency and produce consistent, clean and pure offerings ranging from edibles to concentrates.

Session Code: WE04

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the little-known pitfalls that many cannabis companies fall victim to in terms of product quality, purity, and safety.
2. Explore opportunities to go above and beyond regulatory requirements to ensure transparent business operations.
3. Highlight the need for clear-cut, standardized laboratory testing procedures: outline where this is currently an issue as well as provide tangible ways to solve the problem.
4. Identify emerging technologies with the potential to drastically elevate the industry to a higher standard.
5. Better input for better output: utilizing superior grow and an advanced extraction process to yield the best possible end product.

Moderator:
Dr. John Oram, CEO and Founder,NUG

Panelists:
Carolina Mitchell, Chief Science Officer, Kushy Punch
Chris Harkins, COO, NUG
Emily Richardson, Vice President, Business Development, CW Analytical Laboratories

The opiate epidemic is an enormous public health problem in America. National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored studies indicate opiate-related adverse events and deaths are significantly lower in states with cannabis regulation. These results may be attributable to the fact that cannabis is an effective pain medicine and people are likely replacing opiates with cannabis as a safe and effective alternative. In this session, we will discuss how physicians are approaching cannabis as a medicine, and review exciting new research studies that provide a compelling scientific rationale for why cannabis may be a good alternative to opiates for pain.

First, Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane will describe personal anecdotes from her front-line experience prescribing cannabis as a medicine in her practice as a licensed physician. She will also discuss the many obstacles that she has had to overcome during her experience to provide patients with medical cannabis.

Next Dr. Paul Muchowski will review preclinical and clinical studies that illustrate how cannabis interacts with pathways in pain that are also regulated by opiates. Together these studies present an intriguing opportunity for the cannabis industry to play a critical role in helping end the opiate epidemic, and may have a dramatic influence on cannabis sales worldwide.

Session Code: WE05

Learning Objectives:
1. To learn about the opiate epidemic and how it is impacting America.
2. To learn about preclinical studies that provide a scientific rationale for using cannabis to replace opiates for pain.
3. To learn about studies that show states in which cannabis laws are enacted have lower problems related to opiates.
4. To learn about studies in humans showing that cannabis is an effective replacement for opiates in pain.

Panelists:
Paul Muchowski, Ph.D, CEO, Dr. Paul’s
Cynthia Shelby-Lane, MD

Chemotaxonomy is poised to have a major impact on how cannabis is categorized and understood – by both the scientific community and the general public. With a brief review on the historical basis for cannabis taxonomy we will set the stage for a detailed review of cannabis chemotypes and the various models of chemotaxonomy proposed in the scientific literature. We will close with a discussion on what key attributes must be achieved in a cannabis labeling system to convey complex phytochemical and chemotaxonomic information in a simple to understand retail level product label.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT06

Jeremy L Sackett, Founder and Chief Science Officer, Cascadia Labs

With legalization gaining momentum worldwide, innovation within the industry is continuing at warp speed, creating exciting new market segments virtually overnight. HEXO, one of the leading licensed growers in Canada has taken the unique step of building an Innovation Lab to drive new product development – an imperative for its mission of becoming the premier global cannabinoid-based consumer goods company. As just one example, HEXO recently announced a joint-venture partnership with Molson Coors, one of the largest breweries in North America, to produce non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages. Join Adam Miron, Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer as he outlines the science and technology required to make this happen, going into detail about the multi-stage innovation process HEXO has developed in the area of innovation and product development. Adam will also describe the strategic role innovation and product development plays in its mission – from decisions on whether to buy innovation or build it, to why he firmly believes the Cannabis company of the very near future won’t grow a single plant.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT07

Adam Miron, Co-founder & Chief Brand Officer, HEXO

In recent years, many new studies have come forward with cannabis legalization. Up until that point, most educational content on cannabis was based on anecdotal evidence. Misinformation about products and the properties of cannabinoids have been wide-spread without much pushback, as the restrictions on marketing are similar to that of the natural products industries, with little clinical evidence to support claims. With more information published about the effects of cannabis, marketing can get more selective in what it reveals about it products, leading to confusion or blind trust by the general public. As cannabis progresses into the mainstream, it is critical that we create a standard for labeling and advertising as it could have a lasting impact on public safety.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT08

Roxanne Dennant, Co-Founder & CEO, Fruit Slabs

Courtney Maltais, Founder and Lead Botanist, The Clear™

Discover the advantages of having an auditing system that is easily accessible, to assist in making sure your business is in compliance. AuditProHBX is a user-friendly application that will help you avoid fines, by putting the experience of an auditor at anyone’s fingertips. It can often be a very challenging task to understand what rules and regulations you are responsible for in a cannabis business. Being out of compliance can be a costly mistake with huge fines or even a loss of licensure at stake. Learn about what resources are available for people just like yourself that can help you save time, money, and sleep better at night.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT09

Ezra Pryor, Applied Market Specialist, Heidolph North America on behalf of Cascade Sciences

The session will focus on implementing sustainable and environmental stewardship programs as a way to increase a company’s bottom line while reducing their costs. Presented through stunning visuals and real-world examples of using return on investment calculations for sustainable options in the cannabis industry.

Discuss a rundown of the most sustainable and cost-saving measures that cannabis operations can make and different options for going more environmentally friendly in a financially efficient manner. The presentation will also cover the business case for sustainability and the less easily grasped benefits such as employee retention and pride, customer retention, and marketing value.

By the end of this presentation, we will have laid out and explained the benefits of creating a more sustainable business through a fiscal lens and the impacts thereof.

Session Code: WE06
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to apply sustainability cost-effectively.
2. Different operational ideas for possible sustainable upgrades.
3. The less easily graspable market value of sustainability.
4. Learn how to calculate good ROI for sustainability projects.

Moderator:
Jacob Policzer, Co-Founder & Director of Science and Strategy, The Cannabis Conservancy

Panelists:
Kaitlin Urso, Environmental Consultant, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Jake Mitchell, President, Sustainabis LLC
James Schwartz, CEO, Cascade High Organics

Join members of the HR Committee as they help you to navigate wage issues that every business faces. We will review the top issues that cannabis companies are facing by helping you identify the issues and providing the solutions you will need to implement and keep your cannabis business compliant.

Session Code: WE07

Learning Objectives:
1. Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employee Classification.
2. Independent Contractor versus Employee.
3. WHD, FLSA – Why these Agencies are important.
4. Minimum Wage, Overtime, & Meal/Break issues.

Moderator:
Kara Bradford, Chief Talent Officer, Viridian Staffng

Panelists:
Christian Robeson, Sr. Human Resources Business Partner, Canndescent
Danielle Moore, Partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP
Joanna Monroe, Advisor, General Counsel, Viridian Staffing

Despite being one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, the cannabis industry still attracts entrepreneurs, investors and other professionals by the droves. Nowhere is this more true than in California, which remains one the most attractive state markets for thousands of plant-touching and ancillary businesses to serve. For these businesses, interacting with California’s state and local cannabis laws, regulations and its regulators is a part of day-to-day business operations.

Join us for a conversation with California’s leading state and local cannabis regulators about the do’s and don’ts of working with them and their agencies. Whether you are an owner, operator, or compliance personnel, learn how work with state and local regulatory agencies in a manner that ensures maximum efficiency and transparency, and is more likely to achieve results. Just as importantly, learn about what should businesses avoid doing when interacting with agency staff and leadership. When should you retain legal and/or government relations professionals to reach out to agency, and when should you engage directly? When might such interactions actually be counterproductive? Come gain invaluable insights from California’s top regulators that are sure to serve your cannabis business well!

Session Code: WE08

Moderator:
Khurshid Khoja, Principal, Greenbridge; NCIA Board Vice-Chair

Panelists:
Rasha Salama, Acting Branch Chief, Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch, California Department of Public Health
Richard Parrott, Director, CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Cat Packer, Executive Director and General Manager, Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation
Lori Ajax, Chief, Bureau of Cannabis Control

As cannabis flower consumption falls to less than 50 percent of the market share in North America, it is clear that a considerable portion of consumers prefer the ease and convenience of extracts and edibles. Cannabis businesses preparing for the future of the industry and taking changing consumer tastes into consideration are finding that the right design to support their extraction operation is increasingly critical to business performance. Starting a processing facility is a complex process, and the industry is not yet at a point where a standard set of guidelines apply to each operation.

In this session, audience members will hear from experts in extraction from across the industry and leave with an understanding of the different considerations that go along with producing extracts. Panelists specializing in different methods of extraction will discuss important regulatory issues, common mistakes and complications when setting up an extraction facility, and innovative new technology in the extraction industry.

Session Code: WE09

Learning Objectives:
1. Explore the different methods of extraction and the major considerations that go along with producing extracts.
2. Understand important local, state, and federal regulatory issues.
3. Examine common mistakes and complications when setting up an extraction facility.
4. Discuss innovative new technology in the extraction industry.

Moderator:
Michael Leavitt, Professional Engineer, Root Engineers

Panelists:
Jake Didion, Sales Engineer, Apeks Supercritical
Julyn Andrews, Production Manager, Lunchbox Alchemy
Vince Collins, Principal and Fire Protection Engineer, Code Unlimited
Gene Galyuk, Chief Technology Officer,Capna Systems

This session will look at how cannabis events and social consumption are regulated in jurisdictions across the country, as well as explore new ideas that people have related to this. Panelists will include individuals (business owners, service providers, and regulators) from different states.

Session Code: WE10

Learning Objectives:
1. To learn how cannabis events and social consumption is being regulated in different places.
2. To get ideas about how to approach these topics with decision-makers in your jurisdiction.
3. To network with other individuals interested in cannabis events and social consumption.
4. To educate about the difference between “public consumption” and “social consumption.”

Moderator:
Lauren Mendelsohn, Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Omar Figueroa

Panelists:
Israel Nieves, Policy Director, Population Health Division, City of San Francisco
Cindy Sovine, President & CEO, Sovine Consulting
Tim Blake, Founder, The Emerald Cup
Emmett Reistroffer, Policy Consultant, Denver Relief Consulting

A comparative analysis of various cannabinoids in the medicinal versus the pharmaceutical markets. The session will include variability in dosing and titration, side effect and tolerability profile as well as patient experience in each instance. Single molecular efficacy versus the entourage effect and a brief overview of cannabinoids currently used in treating patients will be addressed.

Room: Elevation Lounge Booth #1642
Session Code: MT10

Teá Damavandi, Founder, Cannascope

Challenges, benefits, and lessons from organic indoor cannabis cultivation. Dive into high quality living soil production through the real experiences of a company that has taken the leap from conventional growing systems and overcome pertinent challenges. Learn about the benefits of growing organically, the practicalities and production methods involved, fostering soil ecology, nutrient cycling, and sustainability solutions.

Session Code: WE11
Cultivation Track Sponsored by:

Learning Objectives:
1. Why Grow Organic: Benefits and Market Opportunities.
2. Important Considerations in Design and Conceptual Applications.
3. Aspects of Soil Microbiology and Organic Nutrient Cycling.
4. Sustainability: Production Solutions with Positive Impacts.
5. Applicable Tools and Resources: What You Need to Succeed.

Presenter:
Cody Hitchcock, Horticulturist, Smokey’s: A 420 House

In this rapidly growing market, effective cannabis packaging is critical to the entire supply chain. Presented by members of NCIA’s Packaging & Labeling Committee, this panel session will dive into key aspects of cannabis packaging that impact today’s businesses. Hear from branding and packaging agency experts on how to objectively evaluate packaging options and think outside the box. Get tips to streamline your packaging process and avoid common mistakes to protect your profits. Learn what a dispensary buyer looks for in a package for efficiency and merchandising. And look ahead to the future with a discussion on the industry’s push for sustainable solutions, recycling programs, and next-gen packaging.

Session Code: WE12

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to evaluate the best packaging options for your product.
2. Discuss ways to find inspiration to think outside the box.
3. Identify and avoid common packaging mistakes.
4. Develop how to streamline your packaging process.

Moderator:
Lisa Hansen, Vice President, Plaid Marketing

Panelists:
Azia Weisz, Director of Marketing, Greenlane Holdings, Inc.
Mauria Betts, Founder/Creative Director, Potency
Karen J. Bernstein, Managing Partner, Bernstein IP
Brian Smith, Inventory Manager, Sartori Wellness

If there’s one constant in this industry, it’s ever-shifting state regulations. What are the most important recent changes? What’s on the horizon? What regulatory trends are emerging? What’s happening in newly legalized markets? What’s happening in more mature markets? And, of course, the most important question: What should savvy industry members be doing now as a result? Join members of the NCIA’s State Regulations Committee for an interactive roundtable to answer the questions that operators and ancillary businesses are asking.

Session Code: WE13

Moderator
Maureen McNamara, Founder & Chief Facilitator, Cannabis Trainers

Panelists:
Greg Huffaker, Director of Client Services, Canna Advisors
Michael Cooper, Co-Founder & Managing Member, MadisonJay Solutions LLC
Juli Crockett, Chief Compliance Officer, MMLG
Sam Tracy, Government Relations Director, 4Front Ventures

As more states adopt regulated cannabis and transition from medical-only markets to recreational markets, the industry is in a state of rapid growth and constant change. This dynamism can be overwhelming for even the most experienced and sophisticated retail operators.

This session will discuss the necessary balance and attention placed on the various aspects of running a successful cannabis retail outlet. The session covers the core principles of compliance management, which is unique to the cannabis industry, combined with methods for developing efficient operations and sales growth, which draw from best practices in general retail settings.

All of this is against the backdrop of running a business with limited access to basic business services such as banking, payment processing, and insurance. Attendees will benefit from the best practices Green Bits has observed in serving more than 1,000 retail cannabis locations in a dozen states.

Session Code: WE14

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how to evaluate and balance the competing priorities of a retail cannabis store, ranging from compliance management to growth and new customer acquisition.
2. Develop steps to ensure you run a compliant cannabis store.
3. Learn about the trends in multi-channel and how to capitalize on this evolving landscape.
4. Learn how to navigate and procure business services (banking, payments) and available options.

Moderator:
Ben Curren, Founder & CEO, Green Bits

Panelists
Nick Maduros, Director, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
John Hudak, Deputy Director of Center for Effective Public Management and Senior Fellow in Governance Studies / Senior Adviser, Brookings Institution and Freeman and Koski, Inc.

NCIA has been leading a coalition of scientists, doctors, CBD and Hemp entrepreneurs, and FDA lawyers to inform and influence FDA rule-making on CBD. Public comments were submitted to the FDA before the July 2, 2019 deadline. NCIA’s Director of Public Policy, Andrew Kline, testified at FDA’s public hearing on May 31, 2019. The panelists in this session lead the drafting and editing of our coalition’s public comments and will discuss the questions asked by the FDA, the answers provided by our coalition and anticipated regulatory actions by the FDA.

Session Code: WE15

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about what the FDA was interested in learning about and why.
2. Gain a better understanding of how our industry coalition responded to the FDA’s scientific questions.
3. Learn about the panel’s predictions for how the FDA will regulate CBD/Hemp and what this might mean for cannabis.

Moderator
Andrew Kline, Director of Public Policy, National Cannabis Industry Association

Panelists:
Vanessa Marquez, Founder and CEO, CBD Care Garden
Alena Rodriguez, Managing Director, Rm3 Labs
Eduardo Provencio, General Counsel, Mary’s Medicinals LLC
Dr. Paul Muchowski, CEO & CSO, Defined Concentrates