Day 1
10:30 am - 11:15 am CST
Opening Session
Cannabis Law Today: The impact of 2020, a new administration and the push for federalization
Overview:
This opening discussion will focus on pivotal moments in cannabis law in 2020, what this will mean for cannabis in 2021, what's next, and how the effects of a pandemic and new administration will shape the industry moving forwards.
Moderator:
Chair, Cannabis Practice
Akerman
Panel:
Managing Partner
Ad Astra Law Group
President
National Cannabis Bar Association
Partner and Founder
Law Offices of Omar Figueroa
Vice President & General Counsel
Trulieve
11:30 am - 12:15 am CST
Case Study / Presentation
The Complexities of Practicing Across State Lines
Overview:
Cannabis operations are governed and regulated by State law and local regulatory bodies. This impacts how your clients operate their day-to-day businesses and it also impacts how attorneys advise clients in the acquisition and disposition of cannabis assets.
This session will examine considerations for:
- Attorneys advising their clients on general business activity; I.e. compliance, employment, advertising, vendor agreements, securing credit, banking
- Clients who want to acquire or dispose of a cannabis operation
- Challenges unique to State cannabis laws; I.e. regulatory approvals, ownership transfer restrictions, limitations on the amount of licenses one may hold, disclosure requirements, timing considerations
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm CST
"Ted" Style Session
Emerging Focusses in Cannabis Law: Cannabis Tourism & Hospitality
12:45 pm -
1:30 pm CST
Lunch / Virtual Networking Session
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
1:45pm - 2:30pm CST
Presentation
A Review of Client Engagement, Intake and Risk Best Practices
Overview:
Because of federal illegality and the ethical issues associated with representing cannabis clients, attorneys must have robust screening and intake processes to prevent problems such as malpractice, conflicts of interest, and other problems that arise surprisingly often. This session will discuss problems that arise in representing cannabis clients and offer options to mitigate risk.
2:45 pm -
3:30 pm CST
Panel Discussion
Collaboration in Cannabis Law: Utilizing Firm Resources to Provide Holistic Client Services
Overview:
The utilization of legal services by the cannabis industry has evolved quickly over the past few years. From small trailblazing cannabis-focused law firms that often had limited depth and breadth in other practice areas, to more recent “big law” entrants that may lack the requisite context and nuance of the legal and historical issues important to cannabis industry leaders, a new “holistic” model of client legal service is emerging for this industry. This discussion will include perspectives from in-house and outside counsel on lessons learned and how both cannabis companies and law firms may seize upon new opportunities to effectively collaborate in this growth sector.
Moderator:
Partner
Wilson Elser
Panel:
Senior Vice President/Legal
BellRock Brands
3:45pm - 4:30pm CST
Panel Discussion
The Evolving Relationship Between IP Law and the Cannabis Supply Chain
Overview:
This panel discussion will examine current trends and issues regarding the impact of trademarks, patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights on the cannabis industry.
This session will address:
- Patent and Plant Variety Protection rights
- Trademarks and Franchise rights
- IP Considerations in M&A transactions
- Trade Secret considerations
Moderator:
Principal
Offit Kurman
Panel:
Principal
Offit Kurman
Vanita Spaulding
Cannabis Practice Leader | Partner, Valuation
SingerLewak
4:30 pm -
5:30 pm CST
Cannabis Industry / Legal Profession Virtual Networking
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
Day 2
10:15 am -
10:30 am CST
Chairpersons Welcome Remarks
10:30 am - 11:15 am CST
Opening Session
Overcoming the Stigmas of Cannabis Law
Overview:
Reputation risk, changing mentalities, roadblocks and opportunities
11:30 am - 12:15 pm CST
Panel Discussion
Financial Inclusion: Banking in the Legal Cannabis Industry
Overview:
This panel discussion is a deep-dive into current trends and topics in cannabis banking including the SAFE Banking Act and whether it might finally pass this year; the availability of cannabis banking nationwide, including California; big banks and their approach to providing services to cannabis related businesses; alternatives to traditional cannabis banking; proliferation of cannabis payment solutions; and access to capital.
Moderator:
Partner
Burns & Levinson
Panel:
Partner
McGuireWoods
Partner
Stinson
Shareholder
Stradling
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm CST
"Ted" Style Session
Emerging Focusses in Cannabis Law: Fintech and Cannabis - An Evolving Industry Within an Evolving Industry
Overview:
This session will discuss the evolving Fintech industry that has developed within the cannabis industry. Fintech companies operating in this space span many industry segments from payments to financial services compliance. This niche sub industry has emerged to fill holes left by traditional Fintech companies that have refused to provide services to the cannabis industry. This session will discuss some of the leading Fintech services being provided by these companies as well as some of the key legal and regulatory issues they face
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm CST
Lunch / Virtual Networking Session
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
1:45pm - 2:30pm CST
Panel Discussion
Addressing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Cannabis Law
Overview:
This discussion will focus on social equity, implementation, challenges, wins, and notes for navigating this pivotal piece of cannabis law reform.
Moderator:
Partner
Clark Howell
Panel:
Transactional Attorney
Law Office of Omar Figueroa
Associate Director, Office of Cannabis
City & County of San Francisco
Municipal Cannabis Consultant
2:45 pm -
3:30 pm CST
Panel Discussion
Collaboration in Cannabis Law: Changing the Law to Fit Legalization - Working with the Lawmakers, the Supreme Court, and the FDA
Overview:
The ending to cannabis prohibition requires major changes to various laws, regulations, and caselaw.
This session will discuss those ongoing changes:
- What changes have already occurred,
- what is currently happening under the new administration, and
- what is expected to occur?
The session will discuss where we are and how to influence the coming changes in cannabis law at the Federal, State, and local level.
Moderator:
Shareholder
Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney
Panel:
Partner
Fox Rothschild
Of Counsel
McElroy Deutsch
3:45pm - 4:30pm CT
Panel Discussion
Differentiation in Cannabis Law
Overview:
If 2020 was any indication, the cannabis industry has a demonstrable ability to grow during times of adversity that would cripple other business. As the industry matures and new states come online, the competition for business will only intensify.
This panel discussion will:
- Highlight how to differentiate your firm/practice
- Examine considerations for individual lawyers
- Provide insights from the client perspective
Moderator:
Partner
Sheppard Mullin
Panel:
Partner
Zuber Lawler
Partner
Foley Hoag
4:30 pm -
5:30 pm CT
Cannabis Industry / Legal Profession Virtual Networking
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
Day 3
Thursday, May 6th
10:30 am - 11:15 am CT
Opening Session
Psychedelics: Removing Barriers to Access through Legalization & Litigation
Overview:
Changes to law and impact litigation matters that are opening avenues to access
Moderator:
Partner
Clark Howell
Panel:
Special Counsel
Emerge Law Group
Founding Partner
Plant Medicine Law Group
11:30 am - 12:15 pm CT
Panel Discussion
2021 M&A Activity Outlook
Overview:
As more state states legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana—New Mexico recently became the 17th state—and with a slightly more cannabis-friendly presidential administration and U.S. Congress in place, there is substantial momentum for M&A activity. This panel will examine deal activity over the past few years, share what they expect to see over the remainder of 2021 and beyond, and provide some insights and lessons learned from their past M&A work.
Moderator:
Partner
Nixon Peabody
Panel:
Partner
Jenner & Block
Senior Associate
Law Offices of Omar Figueroa
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm CST
"Ted" Style Session
Emerging Focusses in Cannabis Law: Cannabis Appellations
12:45 pm -
1:30 pm
CT
Lunch / Virtual Networking Session
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
1:45pm - 2:30pm CT
Presentation
The Ethics Gauntlet of Cannabis Law
Overview:
2:45 pm -
3:30 pm CT
Panel Discussion
Collaboration in Cannabis Law: The roles of the boutique law firms and larger law firms, how they currently serve and will best serve the cannabis industry as legalization moves forward
Overview:
The cannabis industry has been a fascinating legal landscape with an inherent juxtaposition between state and federal legality, which has historically only allowed Boutique firms to serve the industry. As states continue to legalize and the federal legalization conversations continue, we can expect to see a shift in how different sized firms can serve the industry.
Join Moderator Christian Sederberg and Panelists Nicole Howell, Rachel Schaefer, Rebecca Stamey-White, and CJ Chapman as they discuss what this currently looks like and what it will look like as cannabis legalization continues to sweep the nation.
Moderator:
Founding Partner
Vicente Sederberg
Panel:
Partner
Clark Howell
Associate
Fox Rothschild
Partner
Hinman & Carmichael
General Counsel
BellRock Brands
3:45pm - 4:30pm CT
Panel Discussion
Quickfire Questions:
What's next?
Overview:
What's next for:
- Hemp?
- Recreational?
- Medical?
- Pharma?
- Psychedelics?
Moderator:
Amanda Ostrowitz
SVP
Fyllo
Panel:
Partner
Zuber Lawler
Counsel
Vicente Sederberg
Founder
Calyx Law
Partner
McGuireWoods
4:30 pm -
5:30 pm CT
Cannabis Industry / Legal Profession Virtual Networking
Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking sessions
Registration Options
Registration is open
Team Rates are available on request, please contact us for more information
Guest Pass
Access to select conference, and networking sessions only
SOLD OUT
Full Pass
Access to all Cannalaw Summit virtual conference and networking sessions, and on-demand content
SOLD OUT
Day Pass
Individual day passes are available, for each day of the event
