DAY 1:

Wednesday, May 3rd

All times are listed in US Central Time:

San Francisco -2 / Chicago 0 / New York +1 / London +6 / Zurich +7 / Moscow +8 / Tokyo +14 / Sydney +15

Time 8:45 AM – 8:55 AM   / US Central Time 

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks 

CHAIRPERSON

Jason M. Horst, Managing Partner, Horst Legal Counsel 

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM / US Central Time

KEYNOTE

An Historical Perspective: Exploring the Implications (and Mitigation) of the War on Drugs and its Impact on Social Equity and Communities of Color

The War on Drugs has a much deeper history than many are likely aware. From the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 to the CSA’s (Controlled Substances Act) humble beginnings in 1970 – through the Nixon administration – the Clinton administration – to today, this useful tool of government has had a profound impact on communities of color and social equity in the United States.

This important keynote discussion will provide an historical view of the collateral damage inflicted by the Federal government’s War on Drugs while offering a critical examination of its ongoing legacy and its impact on marginalized communities, including ways in which policies and law enforcement practices have led to mass incarceration and other negative social outcomes. 

We will also consider the implications of the Federal government’s present day position on cannabis and explore potential solutions and alternatives to the current system – one that must pivot in order to promote greater social equity and justice for all. 

SPEAKER

Fatima V. Afia, Esq., Associate Attorney, Rudick Law Group, PLLC 

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM / US Central Time

PANEL DISCUSSION

State of the Union: Drug Policy Reform and The Next Chapter 

• Year in Review: Changing Market Dynamics 
• Is the Market Imploding? Assessing regulatory hurdles, competition from the illicit market and access to banking services 
• Biden Administration/Federal government’s approach to cannabis legalization 
  
• New legislation - and Inaction 
• Compare/contrast policy reform cannabis vs psychedelics, including approaches to ethical business models, social equity, benefit honoring 
  
• California Consolidation: Should we be afraid?   
  
• Is taxation killing business? 
  
• Is Investment drying up?   
• Update on International Markets 

MODERATOR

Nicole Howell, Partner, Clark Howell LLP 

PANEL

Shaleen Title, Founder and Director, Parabola Center for Law and Policy 

Christopher J. Davis, Executive Director, The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA)

Additional Panelists TBA

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM  / US Central Time 

Below the Mason Dixon Line: Changing Dynamics in Southern Markets 

• Legislation, Politics and Values: How Emerging Programs Are Faring in the US South 
• What’s driving incremental change among southern US states? 
• Medicinal debate: Perceptions around cannabis as viable medicine 
• Why the US South is something of a “final frontier” for legalization/decriminalization 
• Is there a critical mass? Balancing political pressures and cautious public tolerance 
• Challenging blanket assumptions about the South: Understanding the mentality and political nuance in the southern states and why it’s different than the rest of the country 

SPEAKER

Lisa L. Pittman, Esq, Principal & Founder, Pittman Legal

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM  / US Central Time 

Interstate Commerce: How and When Will it Happen?   

Over the past year, interstate commerce has catapulted up the list of topics drawing the focus of cannabis legal experts and industry insiders. But are we actually any closer to states starting to engage in cross-border sales? The conventional wisdom has long been that the current framework of states’ closed-circuit, intrastate regulatory schemes would continue under full federal legalization.

But recent actions in statehouses from California to New Jersey, as well as recent federal court decisions and lawsuits, suggest that interstate cannabis commerce could be here sooner than expected. If so, how will this commerce happen? How will it be regulated? How will product move between states? And, perhaps most importantly… how will the federal government respond? This discussion will focus primarily on:   

• Dormant Commerce Clause Litigation (including recent challenge to Oregon export ban) 
• Supply challenges 
• Approaches to regulation (a focus on the how) 
• Social equity and small business considerations 
• Discussion of the SHIP Act 
• Paraphernalia no longer deemed “contraband” 

SPEAKER

Jason M. Horst, Managing Partner, Horst Legal Counsel

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM / US Central Time 

PANEL DISCUSSION

Current Trends in Cannabis Intellectual Property and Recent IP Litigation 

This panel will address recent developments in patents, trademarks, and trade secrets in the cannabis industry. Our panelists will discuss how recent, or ongoing litigation is impacting intellectual property rights for cannabis businesses as well as strategies for protecting cannabis-related IP. We will also speculate how intellectual property rights might be impacted in the future based on these current litigation trends. 

MODERATOR

Luke S. Zimmerman Esq. LLMx2, Law Office of Luke S. Zimmerman APC 

PANEL

Hannah Stitt, Intellectual Property Attorney, Founding Partner, Mountain Mover, Tectonic, LLP 

Shabnam Malek, Partner, Brand & Branch LLP 

Dale C Hunt, Founder & Senior Attorney, Plant & Planet Law Firm, Founder & CEO, Breeder's Best

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM / US Central Time 

PANEL DISCUSSION

Private Equity Perspectives:

A Look Into Investment Strategies for 2023 and Beyond 

As we head into another year of political and legislative uncertainty, the landscape for investing remains hazy.

Market headwinds — declining prices, competition from the legacy market, diminishing cash balances — continue to threaten the viability of operators and trickle down to vendors and service providers. But where there are challenges, there are opportunities. During this session, panelists will discuss investment strategies, the importance of advisory representation, and identifying and vetting key targets. 

MODERATOR

Sarah Dalton, Senior Director – Strategy, co-lead for the EY America's Cannabis Center of Excellence, EY-Parthenon

PANEL

Zachary Kobrin, Partner, Ackerman LLP

Additional Panelists TBA

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM / US Central Time 

Lunch / Presentation

Top 10 Things to Know When Starting a Cannabis Business in the US

Attorneys from K&L Gates will present a 20-minute count-down of the top 10 things that individuals need to know when starting a cannabis business in the US.

• Focus will include the key differentiators that make launching a US cannabis business more difficult and riskier than in other countries.
• Topics include current issues around payments, policy, litigation, and the regulatory environment. 
• Launching a successful cannabis business in the US is not just about profit and loss statements, but also understanding the patch work of federal and state laws related to payments, policy, banking, and enforcement.

Judith Rinearson, Partner, K&L Gates LLP

Brenden Chainey, Associate, K&L Gates LLP

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM / US Central Time

PANEL DISCUSSION

Hemp Landscape: Farm Bill Negotiations, Definitions and the Future of Hemp-derived Cannabinoids 

The previous two Farm Bills established the first federal frameworks creating the hemp industry we know today, starting with agricultural research pilot programs and growing to full commercial cultivation. We saw a boom, bust, and now pivot in the supply chain to meet market demands for hemp and hemp derivatives. With 2023 Farm Bill negotiations underway, what does the future hold for hemp regulation? What will the legal hemp marketplace look like?

Join us to discuss the maturing hemp landscape, including ongoing federal policy negotiations, potential changes to the definition of hemp, and market trends leading to new regulation of cannabinoids, isomers, and other minor cannabinoids, including synthetic cannabinoids. 

SPEAKER

Courtney N. Moran, LL.M., Environmental Advocate Representing True Hemp, Earth Law LLC 

Cannabis Counselor and Attorney at Law 

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM / US Central Time 

Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking session.

DAY 2:

Thursday, May 4th

All times are listed in US Central Time:

San Francisco -2 / Chicago 0 / New York +1 / London +6 / Zurich +7 / Moscow +8 / Tokyo +14 / Sydney +15

Time 8:45 AM – 8:55 AM   / US Central Time 

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks 

CHAIRPERSON

Fatima V. Afia, Esq., Associate Attorney, Rudick Law Group, PLLC 

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM / US Central Time

KEYNOTE

From Boutique to BigLaw: My Experience Combining My Boutique Law Firm into an International Platform

Bob Hoban is widely credited with developing the contours of what it means to truly be a “cannabis attorney.” Bob started advising cannabis industry clients in 2008, far before Colorado and Washington made history by becoming the first jurisdictions to legalize adult-use consumption in 2014. Bob formed the law firm Hoban & Feola with his then partner, David Feola, in 2008. Since then, Bob has carefully curated and developed his professional network to represent the best possible providers servicing the cannabis industry, including the attorneys that comprised the Hoban & Feola legal team.

In 2016, David and Bob parted ways and Hoban & Feola became the Hoban Law Group (“HLG”). By 2020, HLG had grown it’s ranks to include fifty-five full-time cannabis attorneys and was recognized globally as a leading cannabis industry legal brand. By then, Bob’s daily life and responsibilities had transitioned from being a practicing attorney to being a business owner; and he no longer found joy in the work he was doing. As such, he sought an exit from his role and opened the door to acquisition discussions, eventually selecting international firm Clark Hill as HLG’s new home. 

In this presentation, Bob will revisit the personal, human, reasons, along with the professional reasons, that led him to seek a new home for his practice and employees. He will share the challenges he faced individually and that HLG faced generally; and will share strategies for others to follow to navigate those challenges. Finally, Bob will share his post-Clark Hill integration thoughts on leading a cannabis industry practice on an international, “BigLaw,” platform. 

SPEAKER

Robert T. Hoban, Member, Clark Hill

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM / US Central Time

PANEL DISCUSSION

Restructuring a Troubled Cannabis Business 

Debt and equity investment in the cannabis industry was down significantly in 2022, SAFE Banking did not pass in the lame duck session of Congress, while falling prices and federal tax obligations limit cash flow. These factors and others are causing a number of cannabis business to seek restructuring and work outs from investors and creditors, but existing state cannabis laws offer limited options. This panel will discuss how lenders, equity investors and cannabis businesses are restructuring troubled cannabis businesses and will discuss the prospects for legislative solutions in the coming year. 

MODERATOR

Stanley S. Jutkowitz, Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw LLP 

PANEL

Gail Rand, CPA, CEO and Founder, Grand Consulting LLC, CFO - Advisor, Viridescent Realty Trust 

Peter Su, Senior Vice President, Green Check Verified 

Arren Goldman, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP 

David Traylor, Senior Managing Director, Golden Eagle Partners

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM  / US Central Time 

Coming Soon

We will be announcing this session in the coming weeks.

TBA

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM  / US Central Time 

PANEL DISCUSSION

EHS in the Cannabis Industry: Commencing an ESG Screen on One’s Operations to Help Mitigate Environmental, Health and Safety Risks 

• Environmental, Health and Safety laws pose an emerging risk to cannabis operators 
• There’s been an increase in enforcement as well as citizen suit litigation against cannabis companies for failing to understand and comply with EHS laws 
• EHS compliance is a specialized area that most cannabis operators and most cannabis counsel do not understand and overlook 
• Commencing an Environmental, Social, and Governance screen on one’s operations can help to mitigate EHS risks 

MODERATOR

Marc Ross, Chief Instigator, Needle Consultants, LLC 

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM / US Central Time 

PANEL DISCUSSION

Cannabis On-Site Consumption: A Unique Risk Management Challenge 

A maturing cannabis market and increased consumer demand have spurred a renewed interest in on-site consumption licensing. Recent progress has been seen in cities such as Ann Arbor, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and West Hollywood, which are looking to provide a safe place for people to consume cannabis and reduce public consumption. In addition to newly eased restrictions in California and Colorado, regulations around cannabis consumption lounges are progressing in Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. 

However, at this stage in the development of the regulations and civil tort liability around on-site cannabis consumption, much remains uncertain. Because the risk profile of consumption lounges is still not well understood, regulators and local officials have proceeded cautiously. Important questions are still unanswered in most jurisdictions that are considering whether to allow on-site cannabis consumption. As we wait for the emergence of recognized standards, operators must closely follow state and local regulations and consider voluntarily adopting other measures that demonstrate advocacy for reasonable use and protection of customers. Efforts to minimize liability and risk should be a key element of business planning for those seeking to operate in this sector of the cannabis industry. In this discussion, we will explore: 

• Licensing and nomenclature disparities between states concerning on-site consumption 
• An uncertain risk and liability landscape: Risk assessment and mitigation across jurisdictions 
• Liquor liability as a model: the similarities and differences between liquor liability and the developing law around cannabis consumption 
• Understanding the limitations around available liability insurance, developing recognized service standards and implementing reliable service criteria and training for employees 
• Need for the development of recognized standards and procedures to avoid litigation 
• Considerations around a modified version of responsible beverage service training for the cannabis industry 
• Important questions raised by state regulators looking at how to license on-site consumption 

MODERATOR

Ian Stewart, Attorney at Law, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP 

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM / US Central Time 

PANEL DISCUSSION

Cannabis Regulations: An Overview of the State Regulations and Requirements for Licensing 

In this program, Aaron Pelley (Washington) will lead a panel of the top Cannabis Attorneys from four corners of the United States (California, Florida, New York and Oregon). They will examine the state of the law in Cannabis and what is occurring in licensing requirements and regulations. Each state has approached legalization differently, we can compare and contrast the restrictions, legalization process and the procedure for obtaining a license. In addition, the presenters will cover recent developments in their respective legislatures on cannabis use, advertising, and licensing. Key topics include: 

• Medical vs Recreational 
• Applications for Licenses: Open or Closed   
• Types of Licensing (Retail, Delivery, Processing and Production) 
• Residential Requirements and Criminal History 
• Social Equity Programs 
• Common Pitfalls in Acquiring Licenses 
• Restrictions (number of licenses one can hold, crossover between producers and retailers, is vertical integration allowed) 
• Laws on advertising, licensing brands, white labeling 
• Licensing issues in limited license markets (Florida and NY ) 

MODERATOR

Aaron Pelley, Founder, Cultiva Law PLLC 

PANEL

Sally Kent Peebles, Esq., Partner, Vicente Sederberg LLP 

Simon Malinowski, Attorney, Harris Bricken 

Shahiedah Shabazz, Associate, ArentFox Schiff LLP 

Ted Bernhard, Managing Partner, Cultiva Law PLLC

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM / US Central Time 

Lunch / Cannalaw Summit Virtual Networking

Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking session.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM / US Central Time

Risk Mitigation Strategies for Ancillary Cannabis Businesses

There is an enormous opportunity for legal counsel and risk mitigation in navigating the complex and intertwined ancillary cannabis business landscape. The list of businesses that touch or interact with the cannabis industry is growing, and the potential is nearly endless. While some companies are wary of interacting with licensed marijuana businesses for fear of unanticipated consequences (and may even suspect that they already have a cannabis customer), many businesses are safely and successfully serving the cannabis industry with eyes wide open.

All businesses - from insurance to financial services, to agricultural supplies, construction, farming and processing equipment, to trucking and logistics, computer software and app design, to packaging, advertising and marketing, to security services and products, and even businesses advancing completely new innovations such as intoxication detecting technology, genetics and plant patents, and more - which interact or have the potential to interact with this booming industry are wise to understand the risks and benefits presented by working with licensed cannabis businesses under our current patchwork of state regulations and in light of the continuing illegal federal status of marijuana.

This discussion will focus on the enormous opportunity for legal counsel and risk mitigation in navigating the complex and intertwined ancillary cannabis business landscape – with particular focus on where clients need guidance, such as: 

• Avoiding being considered a true party of interest and/or financier of a licensed marijuana business (and, if you are, what are the requirements, consequences, requirements, prohibitions, etc.); 
• Bankruptcy: When does working with a cannabis company render bankruptcy protections unavailable to an ancillary company; 
• Seizure & Forfeiture: Protecting against secured assets being subject to forfeiture for a licensed marijuana business partner violating state or federal law; 
• Avoiding illegality of cannabis as a defense to contract enforcement. (See, recent Medmen case); 
• BSA and SARs - When you have to report that you’re dealing with a licensed marijuana company to federal financial authorities 

SPEAKER
Heidi Urness, Attorney at Law, McGlinchey 

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM / US Central Time 

Converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new, in our face to face virtual networking session.

CONTACT US

Want to

Attend?

Speak?

Sponsor?