With the Wall Street Journal placing ’18 domestic sales at $11.2 billion, cannabis cash is in desperate need of banking. This panel session will provide an overview of both medical and adult-use marijuana cash management and banking. Beyond helping dodge common landmines, this presentation provides a tool kit to methodically address issues and forge/maintain long term banking/financing relationships, how to legally transport cannabis cash between the states and how to bank cannabis proceeds internationally. This presentation is geared towards plant-touching businesses, financial institutions, ancillary service providers and investors.

Learning Objectives:
1. What to look for and avoid in a bank offering financial services.
2. Understanding and negotiating fees banks assess on cannabis accounts; onboarding, monthly, annual, and deposits (paper, ACH and wire).
3. How to legally transport cannabis cash between the states.
4. How to legally bank cannabis cash internationally.

Session Code: WE01

Presenters:
Steve Schain, Senior Counsel, Hoban Law Group
Nancy Lake, CAMS-Audit, CAMS-FCI Director of Compliance Anchor, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank

Over the past year several new plant pathogens have been discovered that are able to infect Cannabis. Some of these pathogens can cause dramatic yield loses. It is important to understand which Cannabis pathogens you should be looking out for in your growing operations and how to combat them. Especially since pest management in Cannabis in legalized adult-use and medicinal markets differs markedly from other crops of economic importance due to limitations in chemical control options and indoor growing practices. As the industry matures with increasing demand for product knowledge and pesticide regulation, the nature of pest management in Cannabis will change. There will be greater research on the safety, application methods and efficacy of available control options. Regulations will dictate further understanding of Cannabis pest management tactics for impacts on environmental and human health. Increased knowledge of Cannabis pest management from efficacy to non-target effects will help grow and mature the Cannabis industry.

Session Code: WE02

Presenters:
Dr. Stephanie Wedryk, Director of Research and Development, Rx Green Technologies
Jeremy Warren, Director of Plant Health Dark, Heart Nursery

Has anyone ever calculated the total cost of a lack of diversity in the workplace? Kayongo tackles the subject head-on by sharing how his organization found itself grappling with the issue. He examines of how diversity and inclusion problems impact your corporate bottom line. From long-term harm to your brand and weakened stock prices to negative perceptions within the community, Kayongo reveals the potential savings that come about when employees understand the cost of no diversity and the value of their fellow employees. He illustrates with eye-opening examples, how our upbringing and unconscious biases can become a net negative to organizational growth and have a negative impact on the bottom-line. He explains his theory of  “Corporate Moral Aptitude,” an intriguing notion similar to Emotional Intelligence, but for corporations around cultural biases within the market place.

A native of Uganda and former refugee who worked his way up to become a CEO of a major American cultural institution, Kayongo has a great and noble story to tell about diversity and inclusion from an outsider’s perspective that you don’t want to miss. From executives to rank-and-file employees, audiences will walk away, inspired and positioned for success in today’s multicultural workplace.

Session Code: GEN

Presenters:
Derreck Kayongo, Entrepreneur, Global Soap Project Founder, CNN Hero, and former CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights

Water management of irrigation and climate control can aid optimizing cultivation and maintaining regulatory compliance. For growers, operators and investors, this translates to improving plant quality, improving efficiency, and creating greater visibility of their crops and return on investments.

As regulatory oversight continues to evolve, this industry is not yet governed by a national set of water use standards. This session will share how other legal states have implemented Best Management Practices (BMP’s), and how to interpret Massachusetts’s Guidance on BMP’s for Water Use.

Several innovative and effective technologies will be discussed that allow for irrigation water recycling, condensate reclamation, and proper waste stream management, as well as highlight new efforts to integrate technologies never applied to commercial farming. This presentation will also explain how to adopt data driven farm management tools and various forms of IoT technologies. Lastly, this session will review equipment that can be used to monitor, control and audit water usage.”

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand Massachusetts’s Guidance on Best Management Practices for Water Use
2. How does Massachusetts’s hazardous waste management affect water treatment for cultivation?
3. What data management tools can help improve water management?
4. What new treatment technologies are being looked at for cannabis cultivation?”

Session Code: LL01

Presenter:
Kyle Lisabeth, Director of Business Development, Silver Bullet Water Treatment

As we enter a new decade, Massachusetts caps off a full year of legal, adult-use cannabis sales; Maine’s adult-use retail market is starting to take shape, and other states throughout the Northeast and the U.S. are moving forward through various stages of legalization. Meanwhile, more established markets continue to move through hyper-growth or settle into maturity. In this session, we’ll incorporate insights from BDS Analytics’ Retail Sales Tracking, Consumer Insights, and Industry Intelligence data to explore key cannabis industry trends for 2020, and will look to mature markets to unpack how these trends will manifest in the Northeast.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding of the current state of the U.S. cannabis industry.
2. Evolution of mature/established markets within the U.S. cannabis industry.
3. Insight into current and future key trends within the U.S. cannabis industry.
4. Implications around how key trends will manifest in the Northeast market.

Session Code: LL03

Presenter:
Kate Senzamici, Account Manager, BDS Analytics

Federal tax code 280E is among one of the greatest economic challenges for businesses operating within the cannabis industry, causing major complications and tax burdens for all vertically integrated license holders and especially dispensaries. When you are in the midst of building your business, taxes may be your last area of focus. However, a lack of knowledge and understanding about the implications of IRC §280E can end up costing you a fortune in additional taxes, interest, and penalties. In this panel discussion, three top cannabis industry consultants will demystify IRC §280E; share the most current intel as to the status IRC §280 today after the Tax Court decision in Harborside Health, and deliver important foresight into the future of the industry. As we tackle the 280E issue in this lively panel, all of your important unanswered questions will be addressed in order to help you succeed.

Learning Objectives:
1. Gain a firm grasp on the implications of IRC §280E and how it’s impacting their business.
2. Receive clarity as to which expenses are deductible under IRC Section 280E, and which are not deductible.
3. Learn how to structure the ownership of their cannabis business to minimize overall tax impact.
4. Develop best practices and planning strategies to minimize their tax burdens.

Session Code: WE04

Presenters:
Steven Monacelli, Co-Founder & Partner, Restivo Monacelli LLP
Rachel Gillette, Partner & Chair, Cannabis Practice Group West, Greenspoon Marder
Jaques Santucci, President, Nucleus One Consulting

When it comes to bringing your product to the consumer, distribution is everything. But there are several strategies a brand can take to make it into a shopper’s cart. They can go direct, partner with a larger distributor or even license their product, leaving the heavy lifting to another company. In the distribution supply chain, there’s also that final gatekeeper: the retailer. How does your product breakthrough?

This panel will outline common distribution paths for cannabis companies. Our experts will relay the pitfalls that brands can face – and how to avoid them. Join this conversation to gain insight into the most essential part of the supply chain.

Learning Objectives:
1. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of various distribution channels.
2. Learn how to have your brand breakthrough in a crowded market.
3. Gain insight on how to structure a distribution partnership.
4. Get inspired by recent distribution success stories.

Session Code: WE05

Presenters:
Michael Christopher, Co-Founder & CEO, mood33
Katherine Merryfield, Owner & Founder, Kat’s Naturals
Hostos Monegro, Director of Product Management, LeafLink

Compliance is a language that must be spoken across all departments of a cannabis business, from operations and marketing to the executive suite and Marijuana Establishment Agents. Establishing and enforcing compliance protocols will not only impact the bottom line by improving efficiency and leading to a reliable product, but also by avoiding unnecessary crises and fines. This interactive session will cover all areas of compliance and feature hypothetical situations and multiple-choice compliance situations specific to marijuana establishment operations, licensing and inspections.

Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate how instituting and enforcing compliance across all departments can impact efficiency in the licensing timeline becoming operational, and increase brand strength, marketing strategies, and strategic relationships.
2. Learn how adopting standard operating procedures across all levels of the organization with respect to regulatory compliance can assist in boosting profitability and mitigating losses and liability.
3. Understand how failure to implement and enforce regulatory compliance at all levels of the organization can lead to avoidable mistakes and unnecessary crises when the organization is facing inspection, responding to necessary product recalls, or other enforcement actions.
4. Receive up-to-date information on the consequences of failure to adopt, maintain, and enforce compliance measures, and how these consequences can result in significant fines as well as intangible losses to brand reputation.”

Session Code: WE06

Presenters:
Meg Nash, Attorney, Vicente Sederberg LLP
Casey Leaver, Compliance Manager, Vicente Sederberg LLP
Scottie Gordon, VP, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Curaleaf

Do you know that a first impression is created in less than 1 second? Despite the brevity, there are marketing techniques you can employ which will put you in control of how attendees perceive your brand. In this session, you will gain skills to influence this brief moment to create lasting impressions.
Leaving with a clear blueprint to guide your crafting a memorable event campaign….to include 5 secret techniques to captivate the attendees and the perfect way to finesse impactful follow-up.

Learning Objectives:
1. Crafting a memorable event campaign.
2. Techniques to gain attendee attention.
3. Finessing memorable post event following.
4. How to craft the perfect RFP to guide all event vendor selection.

Session Code: LL04

Presenter:
Rhiannon Andersen, Chief Marketing Officer, Steelhead Productions

Members of NCIA’s State Regulations Committee, who keep up-to-date on the new laws, rules, and regulations, will provide an overview of social equity in cannabis. Learn about the different social equity programs in key states. The panel will provide a comparative analysis of the social equity programs being implemented. Also, they will host a practical discussion about what that means for your application and operations. Learn how to maximize points in your application, and practical strategies for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion in your cannabis business. Social equity is a win-win for everyone so come learn more about it.

Learning Objectives:
1. A nationwide comparative analysis of the various social equity programs.
2. Understand regional social equity trends.
3. Practical advice on how to promote and incorporate social equity into your business and community.
4. Strategies for demonstrating a commitment to social equity for a winning application.

Session Code: WE07

Presenters:
Joe Gilmore, President, Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council
Erin Fay, Vice President, External Affairs Growth Network Holdings
Chris Jackson, Government & Legislative Affairs/Social Equity Lead, Sticky
Margeaux Bruner, Lobbyist & Corporate Social Responsibility Consultant, Perpetual Harvest Sustainable Solutions
Blake Mensing, Founder & Chief Counsel, The Mensing Group

Cannabis companies put a lot of effort and resources into packaging – in part because of regulations and laws, but also because the packaging represents their brand.

Selecting the right packaging materials, considering sustainable choices, ensuring compliance with labeling laws, and protecting the products and brands from counterfeiting are issues that all companies must consider.

In this panel discussion, expert members of the NCIA Packaging and Labeling Committee will address these issues and more as they discuss the future of cannabis packaging.

Learning Objectives:
1. How to protect your cannabis products from counterfeiting.
2. Next-generation, sustainable and child-resistant packaging options for the cannabis industry.
3. Best practices for “honesty in labeling” for cannabis products.
4. A look ahead at Federal packaging and labeling compliance.”

Session Code: WE08

Presenter:
Jennifer Whetzel, Founder & CEO, Ladyjane Branding
John Kester, Director of Sustainability Services, Zoned Properties, Inc.
Karen Bernstein, Principal, Bernstein IP
Reina Steiner, Product Specialist – Security Products, Kurz Transfer Products

This presentation will focus on the 45 cities and 14 countries I have recently visited, measuring the movers and shakers in each market. Building a reference guide to the entry point in each market, white label partners and regulatory hurdles that must be met to fluidly enter global CBD and THC markets.

Learning Objectives:
1. Globalization of the hemp markets.
2. How to secure IP to insure licensing agreement are followed.
3. What products are defining international markets.
4. Status of the industry: When will it be a commodity?

Session Code: LL05

Presenter:
Peter Holzworth, President/CEO, Fly Soul Shoes

Is your Quality or Compliance Department viewed as a benefit or expenditure to your bottom line? Over 30 different regulatory structures exist for the cannabis industry in the United States and the lack of open markets result in micro-economies that work against the modern business model in an era of globalization. What best practices from other consumer packaged industries can be used to transform an average cannabis or hemp business into a market disruptor? We will investigate how smart hires on your organization chart, implementation of an effective quality management system, adoption of good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and the incorporation of risk management practices can significantly reduce your operating costs in a scalable cannabis business. Do not reinvent the wheel. Rather, implement proper planning strategies and extract best practices from parallel industries to scale your business within and outside of individual state and national boundaries. Empower your Quality and Compliance units and watch your business flourish.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the fundamental systems that will apply to all businesses regardless of the market.
2. Understand how best practices from ag, food, and pharma can integrate into the cannabis sector.
3. Recognize what skills and experience to look for when hiring for key roles.
4. Develop a greater understanding of resources that allow professionals to work smarter not harder.

Session Code: LL06

Presenter:
David Vaillencourt, President, Principal Consultant, The GMP Collective

What happens when a state like New York decides to legalize? New York has traditionally imported its cannabis from the west coast through the illicit market, and with a population of nearly 20 million people, it’s unclear how the state could grow all the cannabis it would need to supply a legal market without massive infrastructure and environmental costs. This panel will examine the movement to begin legal cannabis commerce between states, starting with the 2019 bill passed in Oregon along with the bill introduced in Congress. We’ll discuss how allowing interstate commerce will be better for the environment and patients/consumers, will undercut the illicit market, and will boost an industry that struggles to survive within the confines of state borders.

Learning Objectives:
1. Why interstate commerce makes sense environmentally and economically
2. How patients/consumers would benefit from interstate commerce
3. Ways that interstate commerce could potentially be used in a social equity model
4. How to successfully lobby for an interstate commerce bill in your state

Session Code: WE10

Presenters:
Rachel Kurtz, Outreach Manager, National Cannabis Industry Association
Adam Smith, Founder & Director, Craft Cannabis Alliance

Extraction operators have to base decisions on best estimates as to when to change parameters, or to harvest the oil. The presenters will discuss what diminishing returns means to the operator, the black hole inside the equipment, and how continuous batch can help overcome some of the challenges faced in extraction operations today.

Learning Objectives:
1. Near Infrared (NIR) and how it can help remove the trial and error steps from your operation.
2. Discuss and breakdown the profiles of various NIR readings.
3. Explain why those composition profiles matter as an operator.
4. How composition profiles improve processing efficiency in relation to automation.

Session Code: WE11

Presenters:
Andy Joseph, General Manager, Apeks Supercritical
Nick Prystash, Sales Executive, Apeks Supercritical
Chris Liska, Cannabis Manufacturing and Extraction Consultant, Liska Canna-Consulting

In February, NCIA’s Policy Council will release its first policy council paper on environmental sustainability. The same people who support cannabis legalization support the environment. The industry needs to lead on issues related to environmental sustainability, not follow. That leadership starts with taking a hard look at our growing, production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, and shipping practices. We must reduce our use of water, electricity and plastic. And we have to demonstrate to our consumers that we are taking proactive steps. Panelists will include members of the drafting committee for the environmental sustainability white paper, including policy council members and other environmental experts.

Learning Objectives:
1. How we can become the greenest of green industries.
2. How the industry can educate everyone in the supply chain about environmental best practices.
3. How the industry will continue to innovate on environmental issues.
4. How the industry can do this without governmental bodies requiring them to do so.

Session Code: TH01

Presenters:
Terra Carver, Executive Director, Humboldt County Growers Alliance
Kaitlin Urso, Environmental Protection Specialist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

According to a Gallup poll, 66% of Americans support the federal legalization of recreational marijuana and with that comes an ever-expanding retail footprint. This session is designed to address the unique challenges faced by cannabis retail leaders and entrepreneurs in planning their operations for success in a modern retail environment. The panel will take a look at Talent, Brand, and Compliance strategies with real-life case studies to help provide valuable take-aways for the implementation of a Retail 2.0 strategy.

Learning Objectives:
1. Talent – Finding and retaining the right talent for the job can be a challenge, and the industry’s high turnover rate makes it seemingly more difficult. Knowing what to look for when hiring, having solid training and developmental programs in place, and understanding what makes people leave vs stay with a company, will greatly improve your “talent farm” to ensure prosperity and longevity of your staff and your brand.
2. Compliance – Cannabis is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country, and due to its infancy, regulation and compliance are ever-evolving in order to ensure consumer safety. It is critical to ensure that your business is equipped with best practices, such as internal audits, thorough staff training, and a steadfast commitment to compliance, in order to avoid legal mishaps along the way. We will cover the foundation of best practice implementation with insight from several industry experts.
3. Brand – Building a strong brand image is crucial in the success of a retail company. When building a brand, it is important to know: how social media marketing is a key factor in creating brand awareness; that endorsements for your company speak loudly to the consumer about your brand, as do the products you build your brand around; and how to establish and live up to your Brand Standards.
4. Culture – The right culture created within a company will differentiate you from your competitors. Employees who love their job will encourage more customers to love your company, and in turn, drive the business forward and grow your brand awareness organically. The environment is key, and your culture should feel comfortable and welcoming. What makes your company unique? Are you active in the community in which you serve? Are you creating a selling culture within your team?”

Session Code: TH02

Presenters:
Ryan Rapaport, Head of Market Development, Best in Grow
Larina Scofield, Director of Operations, Wash Park Boutique, LLC
Tyler Stratford, Manager of Retail Operations, Canna Advisors
Sandy Lynskey, Counsel, Mac Murray & Shuster LLP

The Northeast region of the U.S. is a market that is rife for cannabis opportunity. Successful adult-use legalization in some states and the push for it in others makes this area a prime target for cannabis entrepreneurs. However, market potential doesn’t equal success, and this panel will help attendees navigate common licensing pitfalls and how to avoid major mistakes that could cost your cannabis business in multiple ways.

Learn lessons and insights that have been gleaned from going through numerous licensing application processes, and hear firsthand knowledge of the hiccups you need to be prepared for. Leading consultants and current Northeast operators who have been in the trenches will share entertaining stories while educating the audience in this engaging and instructive session.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand what is unique about licensing applications and regulations in the Northeast vs. other areas of the country.
2. Learn the pitfalls of planning in licensing applications — what you put too much focus on and what you forget.
3. Understand why you shouldn’t underestimate the “easy” stuff — the smallest hiccup can ruin your efforts if not handled properly.
4. Learn why everything has to be hard! Proper business planning and a solid team can make a world of difference.

Session Code: TH03

Presenters:
Victoria Trusty, Senior Account Manager, Canna Advisors
Corrinne Ogrodnik, Owner, Maitri Medicinals

Be the first to get the inside scoop after members of local and federal law enforcement, attorneys general, cannabis commissioners, entrepreneurs, associations, federal health agencies, and big tech companies gather for a closed-door summit to share information about the illicit cannabis market. Currently, this flourishing illicit cannabis market continues to:

1. Harm public health by offering untested, unregulated, unsafe cannabis products to consumers
2. Divert precious law enforcement resources away from other law enforcement priorities
3. Harm the profitability of state-legal cannabis businesses
4. Divert anticipated tax revenue from cash-strapped states and municipalities

Although the summit will be closed to the public, this meeting of the minds has provided us with a rare opportunity to share behind the scenes advocacy work in action strictly to #NECannaBizCon attendees! On Day 2 of Northeast Cannabis Business Conference, leaders from the Illicit Market Summit will present a report recapping and highlighting a path forward that encompasses best practices for sharing information through a public-private partnership and alternatives to arrest and incarceration.

Session Code: GEN2

Presenters:
Andrew Kline, Director of Public Policy, National Cannabis Industry Association
Britte McBride, Commissioner, MA Cannabis Control Commission
Ed Davis, Former Commissioner, Boston Police Department
Sarah Gersten, Executive Director, Last Prisoner Project

This presentation will provide an overview of the veterinary medical cannabis field from the first and only globally-recognized actively licensed veterinarian who consults and oversees product developers on elements required to create a safe, effective, and successful niche marketing pet product/product lines in the current cannabis industry.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn general safe product formulation considerations (accepted active molecule types/concentrations, carrier molecules, toxic substances to avoid).
2. Stay current on federal and state veterinary medical profession limitations on cannabis advice/recommendations.
3. Get updated on niche marketing considerations, labeling concerns, and phrases to avoid (organic, all-natural, vegan, lab-tested, potential vs treat/address, general cannabis benefits).
4. What a medical professional is going to be looking for now and in the future when deciding on a product (concentration vs. total dose in bottle, carrier molecule, minimum lab testing standardizations).

Session Code: LL07

Presenter:
Zac Pilossoph, General Practice Veterinarian, YouDoYou LLC

This presentation will help you learn how to take advantage of your existing business and customer data to help accelerate your marketing strategies. We will explore the best way to capture, manage and visualize your business data and how you can activate it for marketing purposes. Turning business insights and your existing customers into your most valuable asset by allowing this data to inform a custom approach, proprietary to your business, for new customer acquisition. In addition, to harnessing and understanding your customer data, we then will dive deep into the many ways you can segment and build audiences to personalize messaging across multiple advertising mediums. To deliver compliant and effective marketing campaigns at scale.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand what data within your business that is going unmeasured or is underutilized.
2. How you can turn your data into a valuable asset for better marketing.
3. Get a complete view of what is allowable when marketing THC and CBD businesses.
4. Understand how to measure the success of their marketing campaigns.”

Session Code: LL08

Presenter:
Jon Lowen, Co-founder, Surfside

Since its early days of legalization, cannabis has struggled to match its sustainable image. With the immense amounts of energy used for indoor cultivation, the water used to grow the plants, the fuel used to transport, and the packaging required to sell them, sustainability and cannabis have become anything but synonymous. But what if there was a way to couple cannabis and sustainability? During this session, Solar Therapeutics CEO, Ed Dow, will tell the Solar Thera story, discuss ways his facility is designed to achieve sustainability, and how others can begin to integrate sustainability components and help reshape a seemingly “non-sustainable industry.”

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how to achieve sustainability in cannabis cultivation.
2. Learn advantages of incorporating sustainability components to cannabis operations.
3. Learn how to strategize, plan and navigate through the financial demands required to incorporate those sustainability components.
4. Hear the Solar Thera story and how the company is making strides to be a steward for environmental responsibility in the cannabis space.

Session Code: LL09

Presenter:
Ed Dow, CEO, Solar Therapeutics

The cannabis industry has been a ride of highs and lows…extreme profits, raided fields, successful startups, jail time, quality control, social responsibility and twists and turns that change by the day. While the global legal marijuana market size is experiencing rapid growth of over 24%, many companies are still experiencing growing pains and stringent rules and regulations inhibiting growth.

The emergence of a new market creates surprises that we’ve never seen or experienced before, which leaves business owners, regulators, policy makers, researchers, and consumers caught off guard. Although there are many upsides to cannabis, it is evident now more than ever, that every decision is a risk decision for those in the cannabis business. In this session, we will discuss how to proactively examine the high growth market of cannabis and building a sustainable operation where proper risk mitigation is in place to make more informed business decisions.

Learning Objectives:
1. Explore how business resilience increases operational efficiencies, profitability and strengthens organizational reputation.
2. Understand how to identify risks hidden in plain sight.
3. Identify the 5 practices organizations do well and 5 that are ignored when implementing resilience strategies.
4. Examine the appropriate level of risk management oversight for your organization.

Session Code: LL11

Presenter:
Vanessa Vaughn Mathews, Chief Resilience Officer, Asfalis Advisors

This panel will explore the federal, state, and local regulatory changes occurring rapidly in the hemp industry. The presentation will explain USDA’s interim hemp rule, while discussing potential state responses to the USDA regulations, and potential impacts on businesses.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the USDA hemp rules, especially the “Total THC” requirement, DEA regulatory involvement, negligence sanctions, and sampling protocol.
2. Learn why most of the power to regulate hemp still lies with the states in the form of state plans, which will be submitted in the first half of 2019.
3. Understand the benefits of the 2018 Farm Bill for industry including availability of banking, crop insurance, IP protection, and bankruptcy court.
4. Learn why local governments also have a part to play in hemp regulation though bans, inspections, and permitting.”

Session Code: TH05

Presenters:
Alex Buscher, Attorney, Buscher Law LLC
Robert Selna, Attorney, Wendel Rosen LLP
Benton Bodamer, Attorney, DickinsonWright
Cindy Sovine, President & CEO, Sovine Consulting

If community advocacy isn’t an important part of your business plan, it should be. In Massachusetts, many applications have been submitted, but few are getting through since the state has given more power to local municipalities than any other state. Towns are also allowed to opt-out of legalization, resulting in a minefield of bureaucracy for dispensary hopefuls.

Businesses hoping to operate in Massachusetts in the next few years should be aware of how their company and the community can work together to get to yes. This presentation will feature Andrea Cabral, CEO of Ascend Mass who has successfully petitioned major cities and smaller towns throughout the Commonwealth, along with Amanda Ostrowitz, Founder & CEO of CannaRegs, a regulatory platform for cannabis laws in over 4,000 municipalities nationwide. Together, they’ll show how to set up a positive advocacy campaign that mobilizes local supporters and reaches lawmakers to close deals.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about Massachusetts’ approval process for cannabis companies.
2. Discuss the intersection between cannabis marketing and cannabis advocacy, as well as the obvious differences.
3. Hear real case studies on how to gain community support in Massachusetts.
4. What happens when the community says no? More importantly, what happens when they say YES?

Session Code: TH06

Presenter:
Andrea Cabral, CEO, Ascend Massachusetts
David Rabinowitz, Consultant and Social Equity Program Trainer, NewCann Group, LLC

As the cannabis industry evolves at a rapid pace with more large-scale corporations delving into the space, some experts predict a split will occur that’s similar to what has happened in the beer industry: consumers can pick a less flavorful, cheap beer – or they can go for more expensive craft brews, which boast better flavor and quality. As the current Sales Director of the premier, vertically integrated cannabis company NUG, craft beer industry veteran Ted Whitney can share firsthand advice for cannabis companies who want to maintain quality and a strong audience while keeping costs reasonable. The panel can provide lessons learned from the booming growth of the craft beer industry and advice for how to stay ahead of the curve and competition through craft cannabis.

Learning Objectives:
1. Comparing and contrasting the craft beer industry with the cannabis industry so executives in the latter can make wise decisions about the future of their companies.
2. The pros and cons of focusing on one flagship product.
3. What craft cannabis is and isn’t.
4. A future outlook based on industry trends, including the rise of cannabis beer, bridging the two worlds.”

Session Code: LL12

Presenter:
Ted Whitney, Sales Director, NUG

How do you mitigate the introduction of unintentional hazards into manufactured cannabis products? Responsible sourcing. Sourcing standards are a staple in many industries and include everything from sustainability to quality. In the wake of the vaping crisis, this presentation was created to help product manufacturers implement the best practices when sourcing products for consumer ingestion or inhalation. We will hone in on the importance of responsible sourcing as it pertains to consumer safety. During the presentation, we will cover two scenarios to outline how the lack of responsible sourcing standards can damage your brand, have costly consequences, and potentially cause unintentional harm to your best asset, your consumer.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define and understand responsible sourcing in relation to consumer safety
2. Understand how to develop responsible sourcing standards for consumer safety
3. Learn to ask the essential questions when sourcing products for consumer ingestion or inhalation
4. Understand how having responsible sourcing standards can protect you consumer and your brand

Session Code: LL13

Presenter:
Ashley Boucher, Founder and Owner, Quality Control Analytics

Cannabis companies know that growing a business in this industry is unlike any other. We are pioneers of a new domain. While that comes with a unique sense of excitement and pride, it also comes with its own unique challenges – especially when the industry is rapidly evolving from a camp of adventurous trailblazers to professionalized services.

The same fast-paced evolution can be seen in the industry’s professionalization of executive recruitment and managing human capital.

The biggest hiring challenges are often linked to the rapid pace of the industry’s evolution. Many times, newly-created roles have little (if any) previous employee reference points to determine success.

This spurs other challenges, such as choosing an acceptable compensation package, or designing the “right” candidate experience needed to attract best-in-class talent from more established industries.

Evaluating for culture fit is also incredibly challenging since most cannabis companies are still in “startup” mode, and many company cultures are still being defined.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn more about the approach and process to launch and execute the search for a strong executive-level hire.
2. Understand how to go about selecting AND winning the “right” talent with a long-term “fit” in mind.
3. Evaluate and ensure your selection process and retention is a winning strategy.
4. Recognize the industry hiring/retention shortfalls and myths.

Session Code: TH07

Presenters:
Bryan Passman, Founder, Hunter + Esquire; The GIGG
Lisa Manning, Certified EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide
Bryan Olson, Chief Human Capital Officer, Columbia Care

In many ways, innovation has stagnated in mainstream agriculture. BigAg farm methods have remained unchanged for the past 50 years. In addition, pathogen testing still relies on petri dishes – a century-old method. As climates change, ingenuity is required to produce more crops on less land in a more sustainable way. The cannabis industry offers forward-thinking solutions that may just point the way forward in modern agriculture.

In this presentation, we’ll bring together scientists and farmers developing and utilizing the latest agricultural advances in cannabis that could lead to a new era of farming. We’ll talk about breeding techniques that result in crops that respect the land and preserve water. We’ll look at technologies that support regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship. And we’ll discuss how to scale farming in a way that is not only more sustainable, but safer, as well.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss how bleeding edge breeding, bioinformatics, and gene sequencing technologies can support sustainable agriculture that results in higher yields.
2. Learn the importance of the right microbes – and how to keep out the bad ones.
3. Learn how modern breeding, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics are all tools that support regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship.
4. Examine how innovation in cannabis and hemp will not only help our industry but provide guidance for future farmers willing to exchange short-term gain for long-term stability.”

Session Code: TH08

Presenters:
Jonathan Vaught, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Front Range Biosciences
Dan McClure, VP of Agronomy, Canndescent
Milan Patel, Co-Founder & CEO, PathogenDx
Charlie McKenzie, Partner, Chief Sales Officer, Bioculture Group

The hemp industry is booming, and the regulations keep on coming! USDA hemp cultivation rules are expected any day now, and by February we’ll know more what the federal and state regulatory landscape will look like. States are also increasing regulation over the manufacture and retail sales of hemp products, especially CBD. This panel will reflect the entire supply chain, including a hemp farmer, manufacturer and retailer, moderated by attorney Jennifer Cabrera of Vicente Sederberg LLP.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the legal overview and interplay between federal and state rules, with a special focus on Northeast states including MA, NY and PA.
2. Interpret the outlook for the 2020 hemp growing season.
3. Identify the challenges of interstate transport of hemp and hemp-derived products.
4. Learn how to comply with different local rules on which CBD products may be sold at retail.

Session Code: TH09

Presenter:
Jennifer Cabrera, Attorney, Vicente Sederberg
Jonathan MacDougall, Co-Owner, Baygrown Farms
Laura Beohner, President & Co-Founder, The Healing Rose

Being first to market is key in an emerging industry like cannabis. Brand specialists, product manufacturers and even retailers who have maxed out returns in one state are looking to grow their footprint in other jurisdictions. With federal laws working against them, entrepreneurs need the capital, fortitude, and creativity to wade through all the minefields that could trip up these transactions. This session focuses on key considerations in growing your enterprise beyond state lines.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the different ways a business can expand out of state, whether via pure acquisition, an option to acquire, or through licensing arrangements.
2. Understand the legal challenges of expansion and how to overcome those challenges.
3. Summarize the state-by-state markets in adult-use and medical cannabis.
4. Understand the importance of cultural differences in different jurisdictions, and the NIMBY-ism that often stifles transactions.

Session Code: TH10

Presenters:
Charles Alovisetti, Attorney, Vicente Sederberg LLP
Ilya Ross, Attorney, Vicente Sederberg LLP

Every successful CPG brand has a secret weapon: loyal customers. Your customers will tell you what they really really want. This panel of cannabis entrepreneurs and influencers discuss how their brand developed market-leading products and how they sell experiences that consumers want. The discussion digs into the importance of data in driving strategy and product design and how companies differentiate their products in a crowded, highly regulated and soon-to-be-national market. The panelists will also share strategies that they have used to create memorable, branded consumer experiences.

Learning Objectives:
1. How to use data and customer sentiment to innovate and shift gears in a complex market.
2. Learn key metrics to capture and assess in order to carve out a new lane or launch a niche product.
3. Understand why CBD products are opening up entirely new challenges and opportunities for all companies.
4. Learn why history repeats itself: what to learn from the industry’s past mistakes.

Session Code: TH11

Presenters:
Jake Heimark, CEO, Plus Products
Merril Gilbert, Co-founder & CEO, Trace Trust