Kyle Finnegan Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Ice Miller LLP

Kyle Finnegan is an attorney in Ice Miller's Litigation and White Collar Defense & Investigations practice groups. His experience includes litigation and internal investigations on high-stakes matters in a variety of highly-regulated industries: cannabis, private equity, financial services, health care, utilities, academic institutions, and publicly traded companies.  

He has handled litigation over acquisition disputes, commercial contracts, wrongful termination, legal malpractice, and civil fraud litigation in state and federal courts. He has significant experience developing litigation strategies, assessing risk exposure, briefing and arguing motions, taking depositions, overseeing large-scale eDiscovery projects and managing local counsel in international and out-of-state commercial fraud matters. 

He regularly counsels clients through responses to civil subpoenas, civil investigative demands (CID), and grand jury subpoenas, as well as inquires by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). 

His practice also includes internal investigations into whistleblower complaints and allegations of bid-rigging schemes, breaches of fiduciary duties, and other unlawful conduct. 

David Ruskin Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

David is a partner with the Chicago-based law firm, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.  Following 25 years of litigating business and tax disputes, in 2016 David turned his full energy to focus on providing legal counsel to the cannabis industry, representing entrepreneurs, investors and business owners, both plant touching and ancillary trades.

David Ruskin leads the firm's Cannabis practice. He advises both public and privately companies on a wide range of corporate issues including mergers, acquisitions, and financing and tax transactions. David counsels entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners to help achieve their goals in the Cannabis industry. He represents companies facing business and tax litigation and provides outside general counsel services.

Having worked with cannabis companies for nearly a decade, David’s cannabis practice touches every part of the industry. He represents national and expanding brands, licensed retailers, cultivators and processors, and delivery services. David also advises non-plant touching and start-up companies as they look to grow in the evolving industry, and he helps both investors and companies seeking capital create the appropriate agreement to accomplish their goals.

David helps clients navigate unsettled and differing statutes, regulations, and industry-specific legal developments. He enjoys guiding clients through the state licensing process and counseling on issues that arise from early-stage application steps through the company’s lifespan. David has assisted license holders from over 15 legalized states in expanding their operations into new jurisdictions, empowering them to enter new markets with compliance and confidence.

With extensive litigation experience, David represents clients in an array of issues litigated in the cannabis industry and beyond. He often represents clients in partnership, ownership, and contract disputes and defends clients involved in whistleblower (qui tam), False Claims Act claims, and multistate tax issues. David represents clients before state courts, administrative tax tribunals, appellate, and federal courts.

Prior to joining the firm, David was a partner in the Litigation Group and led the Cannabis practice at HMB Legal Counsel, a well-established, corporate-focused law firm based in Chicago, Illinois.

David was recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in 2024 for Cannabis Law and Closely and Privately Held Business Law by Leading Lawyers magazine.

Fatima Afia Related Seminars and Products

Associate

Rudick Law Group, PLLC

Fatima Afia is a cannabis attorney and civil litigator at Rudick Law Group, PLLC, with a background in commercial and business litigation, land use and landmarks law matters, and disability insurance law. As a litigator, Fatima was an instrumental member of the litigation team behind Washington v. Barr, a pro-bono lawsuit brought against the federal government that sought to declare the federal law criminalizing cannabis unconstitutional. As part of her work in Washington v. Barr, Fatima led the effort in securing overwhelming amicus support before the U.S. Supreme Court from seven members of Congress, 19 disparate and highly regarded organizations, and two eminent cannabis researchers and scientists. In connection with her disability insurance work, she has helped secure and maintain disability benefits for clients from some of the largest disability insurance companies in the United States, playing a vital role in the firm's successful administrative appeal against Unum Insurance Company which resulted in an award of approximately $1 million in retroactive benefits for the client. 

As a cannabis attorney, Fatima assists cannabis clients navigate the legal cannabis and hemp industry in the areas of corporate law and regulatory compliance, business transactions, litigation, and state licensing applications in various jurisdictions including New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Fatima is also a social equity advocate, providing instrumental testimony to the Cannabis Control Commission in Massachusetts in 2019 which resulted in an expedited license application-review process for women-and-minority-owned businesses that were unfairly excluded from the regulatory definition of a social equity applicant. Fatima is also an article contributor for Marijuana Venture, has regularly organized and chaired CLE panels and events for the International Cannabis Bar Association (“INCBA”), and is the Co-Chair of INCBA’s CLE Committee. She was the Moot Court Winner at the Medical Cannabis Conference held at Columbia University in 2019, and in 2021 was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Fatima attended Brooklyn Law School where she graduated in the top 20% percent of her graduating class. 

Zachary Kobrin Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Saul Ewing LLP

A regulatory and transactional lawyer by background, Zack Kobrin is a nationally recognized leader in cannabis law. Having previously served as the Vice President and General Counsel for one of the largest cannabis companies in the U.S. and as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a publicly traded, multi-state cannabis company, Zack’s practice focuses on cannabis, marijuana, and hemp law. In his prior capacity, Zack was responsible for all corporate and regulatory legal matters, including transactional, banking, and insurance matters; as well as ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local government regulations. Zack was also a key member of the team that helped take his former company public on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Zack’s practice involves advising clients on the evolving, complex legal and business issues impacting companies with interests in this heavily regulated industry, including all manner of corporate, real estate, and regulatory legal issues. He speaks frequently at business, legal, and industry events and advises a number of entities on areas such as business development and formation, as well as legal and regulatory and compliance issues in the emerging growth cannabis, marijuana, and hemp industries throughout the United States and international markets. Zack also advises clients on developing federal and state public policy matters and banking and insurance issues impacting clients in the cannabis, marijuana, and hemp industries.

In addition to his work in the cannabis industry, Zack’s practice focuses on antitrust, where he advises clients on the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) review and filing process required to obtain federal antitrust approval for certain mergers and acquisitions. Zack works with clients on HSR reportability and transaction structure issues to ensure compliance with federal antitrust regulatory requirements.

Jordan Wellington Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Strategies 64 LLC

Jordan Wellington is a partner at Strategies 64, where he regularly advises government officials, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations around the U.S. and across the globe on the responsible regulation of cannabis. He is also host of S64’s Weed Wonks podcast, which features conversations about timely cannabis policy issues with state cannabis regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders.

?Jordan has played a key role in drafting cannabis legislation and regulations in Colorado and other states, and he has served on several public and private sector advisory boards and working groups dedicated to developing sensible cannabis policies. He has co-authored white papers on behalf of cannabis industry organizations regarding cannabis packaging, labeling, and testing policies, and he often appears in the media discussing cannabis policy and business matters. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he taught a class titled, “Regulating Cannabis.”

?Prior to arriving at S64, Jordan joined Vicente Sederberg LLP as compliance director in 2014 and helped launch the firm’s regulatory compliance practice. He also co-founded Simplifya, a cannabis regulatory compliance software company.

?Previously, Jordan was a legislative staffer in the Colorado House of Representatives, where he shepherded legislation through the General Assembly to implement the state’s voter-approved legalization law, Amendment 64. He was then hired as a senior regulatory analyst for the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division in the state Department of Revenue, where he organized the division’s stakeholder engagement process and drafted many of the state regulations governing retail and medical cannabis.

Mitzi Vaughn Related Seminars and Products

Founder

MV Law PLLC

Mitzi Vaughn is the founder of MV Law PLLC, a law firm she founded when Karr Tuttle Campbell, a firm with 120 years of history in Seattle, closed its doors. She is an internationally recognized attorney who has spent more than a decade providing high-level corporate, mergers, and acquisitions service to cannabis and hemp clients as well as clients in more traditional industries. Her skill set includes complex transactions, regulatory compliance, national and international expansion, and governance. Mitzi was a founding board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and currently sits on its Advisory Board.

Mitzi has spoken in Zurich, in the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas), and before the Hawai'i Legislature; she consulted with the Jamaican Cannabis Licensing Authority prior to their medical rollout. She has negotiated and drafted Washington State cannabis laws, regulations, and policies, and has served as General Counsel to The Cannabis Alliance (WA) for nearly a decade. Mitzi was a Board Member for the Drug Reform Coordination Network, an international drug policy organization which has consultative status at the United Nations. She now sits on its Advisory Board.  

Mitzi was awarded a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, studied international human rights at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and earned a B.A. in History, magna cum laude, from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mrs. Victoria Jowers Cvitanovic, Esq. Related Seminars and Products

Of Counsel

Rudick Law Group, PLLC

Together with the women of Rudick Law Group, PLLC, I work to help businesses and healthcare providers structure their businesses, build their contracts, meet their regulatory compliance obligations, obtain appropriate licensing and insurance, stay abreast of ever-changing regulations, successfully complete corporate transactions, and plan for contingencies and succession. Specializing in growth-edge highly regulated industries, particularly Psychedelic Medicine and Cannabis, I leverage my litigation background and medical malpractice/medical board defense experience to help my clients ensure that patients and other end consumers have the best possible experience while reducing risk.

Lara DeCaro Related Seminars and Products

Principal

Bond Legal & Dispute Resolutions PC

I am a business attorney and mediator admitted to practice in three states. I am also a co-founder, former Executive Officer and Board Member, and the current President of the Advisory Board of the International Cannabis Bar Association and a co-founder and the current Chair of the BASF Cannabis Law Section, founder of the BASF (LRIS) pro bono panel for social equity applicants, frequent speaker, podcast guest, and teacher at City College San Francisco. In 2022 I provided testimony on cannabis policy reform, upon invitation, to elected members of the Irish Parliament and their invitees at Leinster House in Dublin, Ireland. I also have significant experience in the areas of cannabis, intellectual property, commercial transactions/M&A, real estate, hospitality, and entertainment law, and have consistenly been named to Chambers and Partners top cannabis attorneys for several years.  

Mr. Shay Aaron Gilmore Related Seminars and Products

Attorney at Law

The Law Office of Shay Aaron Gilmore

Shay Aaron Gilmore advises and counsels exclusively cannabis and hemp operators and investors through the corporate, commercial, and regulatory complexities of California’s legal markets, focusing on private mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity financings, distribution and supply agreements, licensing and product development, and regulatory compliance matters. California’s largest legal news periodical, The Los Angeles/San Francisco Daily Journal, has recognized Shay as one of the Top 20 Cannabis Lawyers in California. Super Lawyers® Magazine has named Shay as a Northern California Super Lawyer in Cannabis Law for several years, and, in 2024, as one of the Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers across all practice areas. Shay serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco Cannabis Law Section and as the current Chair of the California Lawyers Association Cannabis Practitioners Group. In 2023, the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco appointed Shay to a seat on the San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee, to advise the San Francisco Mayor and Board of Supervisors regarding cannabis laws and regulations. Shay provides pro bono legal services to verified equity applicants under the Cannabis Equity Program administered by the San Francisco Office of Cannabis. Shay holds a B.A. in Economics from Rice University and a J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law.

Jason Horst Related Seminars and Products

Managing Partner

Horst Legal Counsel, PC

Jason Horst is the Managing Partner of Horst Legal Counsel and the President-Emeritus of the INCBA Board of Directors. Jason represents businesses, public entities, professional and nonprofit organizations, and individuals in complex civil litigation and appellate cases involving a wide variety of cannabis, real estate, contract, insurance coverage, and technology disputes. He has a proven record of success representing both plaintiffs and defendants at trial, on appeal, and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. He prides himself in the ability to deliver creative, efficient solutions to thorny legal problems. Before opening Horst Legal Counsel, Jason worked with some of the top international and regional law firms serving clients in California. His clients receive the deep knowledge and ability of large firm counsel, combined with the affordability of a boutique law firm. He has also been an active member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, where he has served as a member of the Policy Committee and Chair of the Risk Management and Insurance Committee, as well as the California Cannabis Industry Association’s Risk Management Committee. Jason has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in business litigation since 2023 by Super Lawyers® Magazine and been named as one of MG Magazine’s 30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know.

Jessica C. McElfresh Related Seminars and Products

Founder and Principal

McElfresh Law, Inc.

Attorney Jessica McElfresh delivers the legal guidance and advocacy it takes to thrive in California’s cannabis industry. As a successful defense attorney, Jessica was at the forefront of marijuana legalization in California, and uses that passion and skill to represent people at all stages of the state’s legitimate marijuana market. From retail cannabis dispensaries, large cultivators, testing facilities, delivery services, investors, and marijuana entrepreneurs, Jessica provides individuals and cannabis businesses with what they need to flourish. This includes full service legal assistance with formation, zoning, regulatory compliance, licensing, land use, employment, and everything in between.

Why Cannabis?

Even as a young lawyer, Jessica never saw the cannabis industry as something that needed to be normalized. Instead, her work focused on highlighting how normal it already was.

She saw the government waste, how the current laws violated people’s rights, and wanted to be part of building something new.

Jessica has worked in cannabis law and policy since 2010. She focuses on local and state applications, land use, regulatory compliance, and business law.  Jessica represents cannabis retailers, distributors, cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs, as well as landlords and ancillary businesses.  She has guided clients through successful applications in jurisdictions such as the City of San Diego, La Mesa, Encinitas, Lemon Grove, and the County of San Diego. 

Jessica has authored or advised on nearly ten local ballot measures to regulate cannabis businesses.  Successes include Measure U in La Mesa and Measure V in Lemon Grove in 2016 and Measure H in Encinitas in 2020.  As part of this work, Jessica has won writs of mandate at the local and appellate level to compel local governments and registrars of voters to accept petitions and count voter signatures.

Jessica represents people facing discipline or loss of state and local licenses, particularly in the cannabis industry.  She began her career in criminal defense and continues to take select cases.  Jessica has unique experience with the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege and the duties of an attorney under investigation or facing criminal charges. 

Outside of her law practice, Jessica is an advocate for cannabis and broader drug policy reform.  She is an advisory board member for A New PATH, an organization dedicated to promoting therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies.  Jessica served as a consultant for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California about how Proposition 64 affects criminal justice reform and individual rights.  

Jessica grew up in San Diego and graduated summa cum laude from Scripps College before attending the University of San Diego School of Law on a Dean’s Honor Scholarship.  She is a former Chair of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee and its Continuing Legal Education Committee, and a former member of its Board of Directors.  Jessica has spoken at conferences and taught continuing legal education classes for organizations and law schools including the California Lawyers Association, Practising Law Institute, International Cannabis Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, and University of San Diego School of Law.  Her publications include “Attorney Ethics and Cannabis: Conflicts of Laws, Conflicts of Interest, and Attorney-Client Privilege for Cannabis Practitioners” (CLA Real Property Journal Vol. 38, No. 4 2020).

Alissa Jubelirer Related Seminars and Products

Of Counsel

Benesch

Ali is a seasoned legal and business professional with deep expertise in labor and employment law, particularly as it intersects with the unique challenges of the cannabis industry. With a career spanning over two decades, Ali has guided businesses through a variety of legal, regulatory, and operational challenges. Her areas of focus include labor and employment, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and commercial contracts, with a keen understanding of the evolution of the national and international cannabis landscape.

While Ali is a key member of Benesch’s Cannabis Practice Group, she also brings significant experience working with startups and tech companies across various industries. Her tenure at Groupon, starting shortly after its public listing, provided her with invaluable insights into the legal and operational needs of high-growth tech companies. This experience, combined with her comprehensive legal background, enables Ali to effectively assist clients both within and outside the cannabis industry.

Prior to joining Benesch as Of Counsel, Ali ran a law practice called Jubelirer & Eastman, where she and her partner provided legal services to clients primarily in the tech, hospitality, and cannabis sectors. From 2022 to March 2024, Ali also ran Dynamic Jack, a licensed cannabis cultivation and manufacturing company; and most recently, she founded Dynamic Jane to develop products in the hemp-infused category, with a focus on infused beverages. Before these ventures, Ali served as General Counsel to Revolution Cannabis Co., a multi-state cannabis operator based in Chicago. She also founded CannaMatch, a company with the mission of connecting new (at the time) Illinois social equity cannabis licensees to trusted service providers. Ali enjoys writing and has been a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council for several years, publishing articles about the cannabis industry from the perspective of an operator. At the same time, you can find articles Ali has written from a legal perspective on Benesch’s website, including deep dives into what to expect in 2024 in the cannabis industry, and the likely path of cannabis rescheduling under the Controlled Substances Act.

Ali’s career prior to the cannabis industry includes nearly eight years at Groupon in various roles, culminating as VP & Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2019, where she oversaw the U.S and international employment and labor needs of the company, its global ethics and compliance program, and its immigration function. She also spent six years at Tribune Company as employment in-house counsel and five years at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, focusing or traditional labor and employment litigation. Ali holds a B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University Honors Program and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She is a certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and holds a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification. In addition to writing articles about her experiences as a cannabis operator and her legal interpretation of both new and shifting laws, Ali is a sought-after speaker on panels discussing legal developments impacting cannabis (including hemp); entrepreneurship; and her experience as a woman in the industry.

Nick Richards Related Seminars and Products

Tax Partner

Greenspoon Marder LLP

Nick Richards is an experienced tax attorney, partner, and co-chair of the Cannabis Law practice group at Greenspoon Marder LLP. As a tax controversy attorney, he represents individuals and businesses in tax audits & trials, M&A, and in managing tax debt. He also advises cannabis companies, owners and investors regarding tax and regulatory compliance matters. Mr. Richards has been a tax attorney for more than twenty years beginning his career with the IRS where he was a leading trial attorney, a Chief Counsel advisor, and a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

With his broad experience and understanding at all phases of the tax system, from reporting and assessment through appeals, court, and tax debt resolution, Mr. Richards achieves successful legal solutions tailored to his individual client’s needs. Mr. Richards also teaches tax attorneys and CPAs throughout the US and he is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Denver, Graduate Tax Program.

Taxes can be stressful and Mr. Richards’ clients find relief in his broad experience in the IRS and in representing taxpayers large and small. He understands the tax system, provides informed advice, and protects taxpayers from the mistakes and missteps of those less experienced. Several years after leaving the IRS, he represented a Colorado cannabis company in one of the first IRS audits in the legalized industry. Since that ground-breaking case, he has gone on to successfully represent companies in many cities, states, courts and before the federal government. In addition to tax audits, trials and collections, he is widely recognized as a leading cannabis industry attorney and has extensive experience in IRC Section 280E and BSA cash reporting requirements. His knowledge of the tax system is essential when advising business owners and investors, particularly in mergers, acquisitions and entity formation.

Nick Richards is a father of two young children, a proud husband, a music fan, and he enjoys the outdoors when not fighting for his clients.

Adria Berry Related Seminars and Products

Executive Director

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority

Executive Director Adria Berry was appointed as the first Executive Director of the standalone Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority on Nov.1, 2022. She was confirmed by the state senate in May of 2023 after nearly two years of overseeing the program under the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Adria Berry is a licensed attorney in Oklahoma and Texas with extensive experience in government affairs and public policy. She was a member of Governor Stitt’s senior staff, serving Oklahomans as a policy advisor and counselor. During that time, she advised the Governor on cannabis policy, building on her previous experience working with cannabis businesses and attorneys as Vice President of Government Affairs for the State Chamber of Oklahoma.

Adria Berry Headshot Photo
In June 2023 Director Berry was elected to the national board of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) — a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that convenes government officials involved in cannabis regulation across more than 40 states and U.S. territories.

Dominique Daniell Mendiola Related Seminars and Products

Senior Director, Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division

Colorado Department of Revenue

Dominique Mendiola is the Senior Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement and Natural Medicine Divisions. She is charged with leading the regulatory oversight of Colorado’s cannabis and natural medicine industries. She is also an attorney, licensed in Texas and Colorado.

Before Mendiola's appointment to Senior Director in 2021, she was the Division’s Deputy Director. She joined the Division in 2014, where she was entrusted to oversee a wide array of the Division’s operations, including the agency’s administrative enforcement actions, licensing, rule-making, legislative testimony, and stakeholder engagement. Additionally, in July 2018, former Governor John Hickenlooper announced Mendiola as Colorado's Director of Marijuana Coordination, a position she held through the end of his term. Mendiola also represents the State of Colorado as a member of the Cannabis Regulators Association. She was elected to CANNRA's Executive Board in 2022 and began her term as President in June 2024.

Riana Durrett Related Seminars and Products

Director

UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute

Riana Durrett earned her B.A. in political science from UNLV and attended law school at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law, earning her J.D. in 2008. While attending UNLV, Durrett participated in several internship and externship programs, including a judicial internship for the Suquamish Tribe, where she is an enrolled tribal member.  She recently completed her LL.M. in Gaming Law and Regulation from the William S. Boyd School of Law, where she also teaches cannabis law and regulation.

Durrett was appointed as director of the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute in August 2023. In addition, the Governor appointed her to serve as the first vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. Prior to her work with the Cannabis Compliance Board, Durrett served as the executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association, where she established the association as the primary resource on best practices in Nevada's cannabis industry -- developing the Nevada Dispensary Association into the primary regulatory and government affairs voice for Nevada's cannabis industry. In addition to her work at UNLV, Durrett currently serves on the Boards of the Nevada Taxpayer Association and the Nevada Conservation League.

Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH Related Seminars and Products

Executive Director

Cannabis Regulators Association

Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH was elected CANNRA’s first Executive Director in 2021, and served as a Senior Advisor to CANNRA before the association’s founding. 

Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH was elected CANNRA’s first Executive Director in 2021, and served as a Senior Advisor to CANNRA before the association’s founding. Dr. Schauer has worked in public health and policy for nearly two decades, and has a decade of experience working with federal and state agencies on cannabis policy, data monitoring, and research translation. Through her federal work, she founded and led the Multi-State Collaborative for Cannabis and Public Health from 2014-2021 to foster learnings and cultivate best practices for public health across states with legal cannabis. Prior to working on cannabis policy, Dr. Schauer worked on tobacco control policy. She was the Senior Editor on the 2020 Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking Cessation.Dr. Schauer is an affiliate researcher at the University of Washington and has more than 70 peer-reviewed research publications on cannabis and other substances. She has a PhD from Emory University, a Master of Public Health from University of Washington, and a Bachelors of Science from Northwestern University.

Jason Adelstone Related Seminars and Products

Attorney

Harris Sliwoski LLP

Jason Adelstone is a seasoned business lawyer, international policy advisor, and problem solver. Based in Denver, Colorado, he provides domestic and international legal counsel to a diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, corporations, religious organizations, and federal and international cannabis operators. His practice spans corporate law, international policy, and cannabis regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the complexities of the global cannabis industry and beyond.

A recognized authority in the U.S. on international drug treaties, Jason has collaborated with legal and policy experts worldwide to address evolving cannabis laws, U.S. and EU regulatory challenges, and treaty obligations. His expertise includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, contract negotiation and drafting, restaurant and franchise law, and state and federal conflicts of law.

Jason’s professional journey is as unique as it is diverse. Before becoming a lawyer, he served as a logistics supervisor for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and spent 18 years in the restaurant industry, managing both front- and back-of-house operations. These experiences instilled in him a practical, results-driven approach to solving complex legal and regulatory challenges.

Kellie Rivera Related Seminars and Products

Sr. Counsel & VP Corporate Affairs

The Cannabist Company f/k/a Columbia Care

Kellie Rivera serves as Senior Counsel and Vice President of Corporate Affairs at The Cannabist Company Holdings, Inc. f/k/a Columbia Care, one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers, and providers of cannabis products and related services, with vertically-integrated, licensed operations in 14 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

In her role at The Cannabist Company, Kellie leads the company’s legal, compliance, and regulatory affairs efforts in existing and emerging eastern U.S. markets. She also focuses on regulatory policy, market design, improvements to medical cannabis programs, and the crafting of successful and equitable adult-use markets. She regularly engages with government agencies, policymakers, and industry associations at the federal, state, and local levels. Additionally, Kellie manages relationships with cannabis regulators to serve as a subject-matter expert on comparative and emerging cannabis markets.

Kellie currently serves as Vice-Chair of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association and is an active member of both INCBA's In-House Committee and the New York State Bar Association Cannabis Law Section.

Kellie is personally passionate about the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis due to her own experience as a chronic pain patient following a spinal injury during childhood. 

Dina Rollman Related Seminars and Products

Co-Founder

KND Group

Dina is a leader in the regulated cannabis industry. She is passionate about helping businesses, especially startups, thrive. She has diverse skills gained through her myriad leadership roles in the regulated cannabis industry, including as a government affairs executive, attorney, chief compliance officer, regulatory advisor and liaison, trade association board member, and co-founder/president of a cannabis networking organization. She is committed to helping clients navigate the ever-evolving challenges of operating in highly regulated industries.  

Dina most recently served as Senior Vice President at Green Thumb Industries. She guided it in governmental and regulatory affairs matters at all levels of government, provided counsel on regulatory matters, and established and oversaw Green Thumb’s social equity program.  

Dina began her involvement in the cannabis industry in 2014 by helping Green Thumb apply for and win Illinois cultivation and dispensary licenses. She then served as external and then in-house regulatory compliance and litigation counsel. In 2018 she provided legal and regulatory support in connection with Green Thumb going public on the Canadian Securities Exchange. In 2019 she created and then led its government affairs department. Dina also created and oversaw Green Thumb’s social equity program and created its social equity License Education Application Program (LEAP), which helped applicants navigate the adult use cannabis business application process in Illinois. Through these roles and her informal roles, Dina helped Green Thumb go from an idea on paper in 2014 to a publicly traded company in 2018 and to being an industry leader today.  

Dina is an experienced attorney who, before joining Green Thumb and specializing in cannabis law, was a partner at a business litigation law firm, where she spent a decade representing plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes throughout the country. 

 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 

• Co-created and co-taught a Cannabis Law & Policy course as an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law 

• Co-founded and served as President of Illinois Women in Cannabis, a not-for-profit focused on serving, supporting and advancing women in the Illinois cannabis industry 

• Served on multiple cannabis trade association boards 

• Lecture widely on cannabis topics, addressing national trade conferences and national legal conferences. 

 EDUCATION 

• Northwestern University School of Law – Juris Doctor 

• Oberlin College – Bachelor of Arts  

 SELECT INDUSTRY RECOGNITION 

 • The American Lawyer: named a Midwest Trailblazer for 2021 

• Chicago Sun-Times: named one of the 10 most influential people in cannabis for 2018 

• South by Southwest (SXSW): featured speaker in 2024 and 2021 

• Crain’s Chicago Business: identified as cannabis industry leader in 2014, 2019 and 2020 

Ms. Christine A Baily, JD Related Seminars and Products

Owner/Managing Member

C Baily Law LLC

Christine brings decades of experience in both the public and private sectors to provide personalized legal advice to businesses and professionals operating in regulated industries, as well as individuals and citizen groups challenging governmental actions. C Baily Law LLC helps clients navigate regulatory requirements, including those operating in the emerging cannabis and hemp industries, obtain outside GC support, and get expert representation in litigation. Committed to your success, she will work closely with you to understand your unique needs and offer effective solutions.

Josefine Nowitz Related Seminars and Products

SVP of Growth Marketing

Champ Digital

Josefine Nowitz started her career working at Champ, where she spent many years servicing clients in a variety of industries, as well as providing corporate marketing and business development support to the organization. Josefine and CEO, Seth Worby, saw an opportunity in 2016 to focus on the cannabis industry as a niche, so they partnered to launch Cannabis Creative.

A gifted speaker, leader, and educator, Josefine has been featured in CBD Today, MG Magazine, and the NCIA Podcast. She holds an MBA from Fitchburg University and a BA in Business Administration in Operations & Information Management from the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Josefine moved from the East Coast to the West Coast in 2017 to fully immerse herself in the cannabis market, but continued to stay involved and play a role as a managing partner on the Board of Directors for Cannabis Creative. She is now back on the East Coast, in a more hands on role at CCG and Champ, spearheading lead generation efforts.

Ari Bargil Related Seminars and Products

Senior Attorney

Institute for Justice

Ari Bargil is a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice. He joined IJ’s Florida Office in September of 2012, and litigates constitutional cases protecting economic liberty, property rights, school choice, and free speech in both federal and state courts.

Ari is co-lead of IJ’s Zoning Justice Project, a campaign to protect and promote the freedom to peacefully and productively use property. As part of that work, Ari frequently represents property owners battling aggressive zoning regulations and excessive fines in state and federal court nationwide. He has represented a small-business owner in Dallas, Texas, and a married couple in Wilmington, North Carolina, in challenges to highly controversial “amortization” ordinances—laws that unconstitutionally seek to eradicate already-existing legal land uses. Ari has also litigated in state and federal court challenging the constitutionality of catastrophic fines for trivial code-enforcement violations. As part of his First Amendment practice, Ari has litigated in federal courts of appeals on behalf of both a state-licensed medical-cannabis dispensary owner in Mississippi who was prohibited from advertising his lawful business and a holistic health coach in Florida who was forced to obtain state Licensure in order to speak to her clients about their health.

In addition to maintaining an active litigation practice in all of IJ’s core areas, Ari also regularly testifies before state and local legislative bodies and committees on issues ranging from occupational licensing to property rights regulation. Ari has also spearheaded several successful legislative campaigns in Florida, including the effort to legalize the sale of 64-ounce “growlers” by craft breweries and the Florida Legislature’s passage of the Right to Garden Act—a reform which made it unlawful for local governments to ban residential vegetable gardens throughout the state.

Ari’s work has been featured by USA Today, NPR, Fox News, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Dallas Morning News and other national and local publications.

A native Floridian, Ari attended the Florida State University College of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2006.

Sabrina Noah Related Seminars and Products

Principal

NRM Consulting

With over 13 years of strategic leadership in government and regulatory affairs, I've guided organizations and nascent industries through complex regulatory landscapes. As a Principal at NRM Consulting, and having held pivotal roles with industry leaders like Moxie and Cresco Labs, I specialize in transforming regulatory challenges into strategic opportunities.

My approach blends deep analytical insight with a collaborative spirit, bridging diverse stakeholder perspectives to develop nuanced public affairs strategies. I'm dedicated to crafting solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also advance organizational missions with precision and purpose.

Ean Seeb Related Seminars and Products

Governor's Special Advisor on Cannabis and Natural Medicine

State of Colorado

Ean Seeb has a storied history in Colorado's cannabis industry as a seasoned entrepreneur and founding partner of Denver Relief Consulting - one of the nation's first cannabis consulting firms, which he co-founded in 2011. He previously co-owned one of Colorado's oldest and most successful medical cannabis businesses - Denver Relief, which he dismantled and sold to Willie Nelson's team as well as Terrapin Care Station in 2016. Mr. Seeb has served on multiple boards, including the first cannabis child resistant packaging company - Dymapak, Manna Molecular Science, as well as others - including one of the very publicly traded cannabis related companies. He is the former two term Chair of the Board of National Cannabis Industry Association. Ean left the private industry in 2019 to further advance the progression of cannabis normalization in Colorado through policy as a public servant. He currently serves as the Special Advisor on Cannabis and Natural Medicine to Governor Jared Polis. Ean is a 3rd generation native of Denver, Colorado.

Omar Figueroa Related Seminars and Products

Founder | Attorney

The Law Offices of Omar Figueroa, Inc.

Omar Figueroa has more than twenty six years of experience at the vanguard of California cannabis law and is widely respected as an industry expert.

Omar earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Yale College in Connecticut and his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in California. He also graduated from the Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming, and earned a certificate from the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at The Wharton School after completing the intensive “Boards That Lead: Corporate Governance That Builds Value” program in Pennsylvania for directors of corporate boards. 

Omar is a Director of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts and the Sonoma County Bar Association.  He is also a Founding Lifetime Member and Director Emeritus of the International Cannabis Bar Association, a former Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, and a Lifetime Member of the NORML Legal Committee. 

Omar has been recognized with the Distinguished Counsel’s Award by NORML, and is considered one of the Top 200 Global Psychedelics Lawyers and Policy Experts as well as one of the Global Top 200  Cannabis Lawyers. He also served a two year-term as a member of the Sonoma County Cannabis Advisory Group after being appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Omar was trained as a litigator by his mentor, legendary San Francisco trial lawyer J. Tony Serra, sometimes called the Hippie Atticus Finch.

Omar founded a legal publishing company, Lux Law Publishing, and he is the author and publisher of a series of books documenting the evolution of cannabis laws and regulations in California and New York.

Omar has earned respect for his historic work documenting the legal evolution of cannabis law and several of his books are part of the collection of the Stanford Libraries and can be found at the Robert Crown Law Library at Stanford Law School.  Omar’s books can also be found at the Lilian Goldman Law Library at Yale Law School.

Omar was trained as a litigator by his mentor, legendary San Francisco trial lawyer J. Tony Serra.  He also served a two year-term as a member of the Sonoma County Cannabis Advisory Group after being appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Omar frequently appears in media coverage as a legal expert on cannabis.  He has spoken at cannabis events around the world, such as Spannabis and The International Cannabis Business Conference in Barcelona, MJBizCon NEXT in New Orleans, The Emerald Cup in Sonoma County, and the State of Cannabis in Long Beach, to name a few. 

Omar is a member of the Ganjier Council and helped develop a curriculum to train Ganjiers (cannabis sommeliers) as well as the Systematic Assessment Protocol (SAP) to judge fine cannabis and concentrates.  

Omar’s interests are not limited to cannabis, and he has a profound, long-term interest in entheogen law and policy. Omar has served as a Legal Advisor to Decriminalize California, a campaign to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms in California by means of a statewide voter initiative.

Omar also volunteered his time as a Board Member with the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, and along with other members of its  the Law Enforcement Surveillance Technology (LEST) team spearheaded Sonoma County’s first  Surveillance Technology Ordinance.

Omar has a long record of pro bono service, including decades of successfully defending protesters and activists.  Some notable pro bono cases defended by Omar include, but are not limited to: dismissal of the first federal prosecution brought under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act; dismissal of state charges against OG computer hacker Kevin Mitnick in Los Angeles County; no jail time against journalist Will Parrish in Mendocino County; dismissal against septuagenarian forest defender in Humboldt County; hung jury trial in the Southern District of California (San Diego federal court) with no jail time against legendary activist Rod Coronado; no jail time and no felony conviction against a member of the so-called Paypal 14 in the Northern District of California (San Jose federal court); benevolent hacker Pimpshiz, motivated by a desire to alert authorities to flaws in the information infrastructure (Oakland federal court); cannabis activist and grower Eddy Lepp ( San Francisco federal court); and dismissal against animal rights activist facing multiple felony charges in Sonoma County and years in prison.

Joseph A. Bondy Related Seminars and Products

Founder | Principal

The Law Offices of Joseph A. Bondy

Named one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys and one of the Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers by the American College of Trial Lawyers, Joseph Bondy is an internationally-recognized expert in criminal litigation. With over 25 years of superlative trial and federal sentencing experience, Bondy has advised thousands of clients in complex criminal defense, cannabis business and advocacy, and crisis management matters. The New York Times has described him as “eloquent and armed with the serene demeanor of a surgeon,” saying that “his oratorical intensity hovers at the evangelical.” High Times dubbed Bondy “one of the nation’s preeminent cannabis attorneys,” and his outstanding talent for defense strategy has been hailed by such outlets as CNN, Politico, and New York Law Journal, as well as legal analysts from around the world. Bondy’s unique approach to criminal defense and public media strategies were particularly praised on a global level while he represented Lev Parnas, a Guiliani associate connected to the Ukraine scandal leading to Donald Trump’s first impeachment. Bondy and Parnas’s interview on The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) was its highest audience-drawing episode of all time, earning an Emmy nomination; and a subsequent feature on Anderson Cooper 360 was one of that program’s most-viewed episodes of the year.

Bondy serves on the Board of Directors for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and is a Vice President and Board Member of the Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA). A graduate of Columbia University and Brooklyn Law School, Bondy was a member of a team of attorneys on the seminal case Washington v Barr (2019), originally Washington v Sessions (2017), which took action against the Department of Justice with the aim to legalize cannabis federally. He is the founder of In The Know 420, a well-known early podcast on cannabis law, policy and industry. Bondy is also a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves on the faculty of Cardozo Law School’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP). 

Specialties: Defense of complex criminal cases, Cannabis business and licensing.

Laura Schniedwind Related Seminars and Products

Director and Lead Counsel, Product

PAX

Laura Schniedwind is Director and Lead Counsel, Product at PAX Labs, Inc., a leading global cannabis brand on a mission to enhance people’s lives through exceptional cannabis experiences. With experience in both start-up and global corporate environments, she provides strategic and legal partnership across the company, including product, sales, operations, business development, marketing, R&D, government affairs, and finance teams.

Her work enables the company to commercialize cannabis consumables and cannabis vaporization hardware within highly regulated frameworks on a global scale. She leads a high-performing compliance team that identifies trends and helps develop strategies and policy proposals to further the interests of PAX and our communities.

Laura has extensive experience working with companies of all sizes experiencing major growth in regulated industries. She has held a variety of legal positions serving the cannabis industry, including outside general counsel, sole practitioner, and of counsel. Prior to working for the cannabis industry, Laura was in-house counsel to a privately-held global company engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of semiconductor analysis equipment, where she gained experience establishing a company-wide export compliance program, oversaw the implementation and alignment of company policies across subsidiaries, and worked with various stakeholders to draft agreements and help drive business forward. Following the company's acquisition by a public company, she decided to leverage her experience working with companies experiencing transition in regulated industries, and established a solo practice focused exclusively on the cannabis industry. After nearly two years running a successful solo practice, she joined a boutique firm Brand & Branch LLP, focused on advising cannabis and hemp businesses on intellectual property licensing, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions, a role in which she served as outside counsel to PAX.

Based in Oakland, California, Laura is a Bay Area native and a graduate of the University of California, San Diego and the University of San Francisco School of Law. 

Gabe Parton Lee Related Seminars and Products

General Counsel

Wyld

Gabe started with Wyld in June, 2018 as its 40th employee, with the role of ensuring compliance within all operations and acquisition of new licenses. Soon after, Wyld expanded into Nevada, California, Colorado, and a nationally-distributed hemp-derived CBD brand (Wyld CBD) while expanding its real fruit-infused product offerings. 

Now, Wyld is the best selling cannabis-infused gummies brand in the US, with over 800 employees, spanning seven states and Canada, with intentions for five more markets by the end of 2022. Wyld CBD is a best-selling hemp gummies and beverage brand and is widely distributed throughout major markets in the US. 

In his capacity as General Counsel, Gabe now focuses on managing the evolving structure of the entity, its intellectual property, outside counsel litigation, its Legal and Compliance Departments, while devoting an unhealthy amount of time on regulatory affairs developing cannabis and hemp regulations on a state-by-state basis.

Erin Alexander Related Seminars and Products

Director of Legal & Compliance

Cloud 9 Cannabis and Lucky Lincoln Gaming

Erin Alexander is a seasoned attorney with deep expertise in the regulated cannabis and gaming industries. Her diverse background spans large law firm litigation, state-level regulatory enforcement, and in-house leadership at high-growth cannabis companies. Known for her pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach, Erin helps businesses navigate complex compliance landscapes with confidence.
As one of the first 100 employees at one of the country’s largest multi-state cannabis operators, Erin helped build the legal and regulatory functions from the ground up. She led licensing efforts for more than 20 cultivation and manufacturing facilities and over 50 retail dispensaries across multiple states—drawing on her prior experience as a casino gaming regulator to manage risk, scale operations, and support expansion.

In her current role as Director of Legal & Compliance, Erin serves as de facto General Counsel for cannabis and gaming businesses, overseeing licensing, commercial contracts, litigation, IP, and more. She is an active member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and a former board member of Illinois Women in Cannabis. Erin earned her J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and is licensed in Illinois.

Shannon Hartwell, JD Related Seminars and Products

General Counsel

Grön Holdings, Inc.

Shannon Hartwell is a seasoned corporate attorney currently serving as general counsel at Grön, a cannabis edibles company operating in nine states and Canada.

Before joining Grön, Shannon practiced corporate law at an Am Law 100 firm for six years. and served for twelve years as Chief Compliance Officer for a mutual fund complex and two investment advisors with assets under management exceeding $2 billion dollars. In 2018, Shannon returned to private practice at Emerge Law Group, a boutique firm formed to serve cannabis clients. During five years at Emerge, Grön quickly became Shannon’s largest client and in 2023, she became Grön’s general counsel.

Shannon holds a J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School and is admitted to practice in Oregon.

Shannon volunteers as a coach and judge for the University of Oregon’s M&A Boot Camp competition each summer and as a college essay tutor through Literary Arts of Portland.

Shannon enjoys playing Mahjong; completing multiple crossword puzzles daily; traveling to see artwork; and hanging out with her two dogs, Betty and Agnes.

Casey Grabenstein Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Saul Ewing LLP

Casey Grabenstein handles complex commercial litigation for clients nationwide across an array of industries. His litigation experience includes class actions involving securities, consumer fraud, and ERISA, including defeating class certification in multiple cases for a leading insurance company. Casey is also a member of the firm's Cannabis Law Practice and has successfully handled multiple high-profile cannabis lawsuits.

Casey also devotes a substantial portion of his practice to the litigation funding industry. He serves as both due diligence counsel and as primary counsel for funded cases. Casey is also a regular writer and speaker on litigation funding topics.

In addition to his litigation experience, Casey acts as general outside counsel for companies, particularly in the food, beverage, and cannabis industries. His work in this area includes providing legal advice on contractual and business matters, assisting with licensing, and developing compliance programs. 

Casey has an extensive pro bono practice that includes getting a death sentence vacated for a Texas man on death row for eight years and obtaining asylum for a Tanzanian woman following an immigration trial. He also has handled numerous Section 1983 cases involving prisoners and arrestees.

Jason Moscovici Related Seminars and Products

Founder | President

Provisions Legal Services Inc.

Jason Moscovici is a lawyer, biochemist, and founder of Provisions Legal Services, a Canadian law firm specialized in regulated industries. His practice focuses on intellectual property and regulatory compliance in fields such as cannabis, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, personal care products, nicotine delivery and natural health products.

Jason’s focus on the valorization and enforcement of IP, as well as the numerous compliance issues that orbit regulated businesses, have allowed him to become one of the most trusted legal advisors to the emerging international cannabis industry. His perspectives on innovation, and the commercial hurdles related specifically to the area of controlled substances old and new, are routinely solicited by industry groups and other stakeholders in this space. He sits on several committees and working groups dedicated to identifying and establishing international legal practices in these areas.

Jessica F. Gonzalez, Esq. Related Seminars and Products

Cannabis & Trademark Attorney

Rudick Law Group, PLLC

From Advocate to Architect, Jessica's passion for justice drives her groundbreaking work in the cannabis industry. Her successful legalization advocacy and policy expertise set new precedents in cannabis law. Jessica's deep knowledge of intellectual property law empowers clients to protect their innovations and thrive in this dynamic market.
Jessica Gonzalez is an award-winning cannabis attorney, adjunct professor, advocate, consultant and international speaker. An Ecuadorian immigrant, Jessica has dedicated her career to uplifting communities harmed by cannabis prohibition through advocacy and education.

In 2020, Jessica led the social impact committee for NJ CAN 2020, the coalition that ran the most successful cannabis legalization campaign in the U.S. Through her advocacy work, she has helped shape cannabis policy on the statutory, regulatory, and municipal levels in New Jersey and has advised on social equity efforts in multiple states. 

In 2021, Jessica made history with the first cannabis industry presentation to over 400 USPTO trademark examiners, further establishing her as a leading figure in cannabis policy and legal practice. As a cannabis attorney, she has assisted clients in navigating the legal cannabis industry in the areas of trademark, commercial transactions and state cannabis licensing applications for over five years. 

Most recently, Jessica’s consulting company, Veridis Quo, was selected by the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) to serve as the inaugural consultant to develop and launch the New Jersey Cannabis Training Academy (NJCTA) underscoring her significant contributions to cannabis education. Understanding the importance of cannabis education, Jessica has taught cannabis history and policy courses at both Hudson County Community College and Rowan University at the graduate level. 

She also serves as an executive board member of Supernova Women, a national nonprofit that supports small business owners of color in the cannabis economy. Jessica is also an alumnus of the New Jersey New Leaders Council, a national organization that selects civic leaders in their respective fields. 

Jessica has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People” in Cannabis by High Times Magazine, “Reformer of the Year” by Cannademix, “Top 40 under 40 Rising Stars” by Marijuana Venture Magazine and Cannabis Now Magazine, designated as a “Cannabis Law Trailblazer" by the National Law Journal and awarded “Community Game Changer of the Year” by NJ Cannabis Media. She's been quoted and featured in numerous media outlets such as New York Times, Rolling Stone, NJ Law Journal, MJBIZ Daily, Cheddar, and the Cannabis Business Times.

Eric P. Berlin Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Dentons

Eric Berlin leads the US and global Cannabis teams at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on cannabis and hemp law, Eric dedicates 100 percent of his work to clients involved in, or impacted by, the legal cannabis or hemp industries. He has worked on some of the industry’s biggest deals and counsels several of the top companies in the cannabis ecosystem. Eric’s own involvement in this area goes back more than a decade, when he worked pro bono with legislators and other interested parties to help draft and pass legislation creating medical cannabis programs in Illinois and Ohio.

Eric has represented large, publicly traded companies that sell products or services to the cannabis industry, companies involved in financing the industry, vaporizer manufacturers, cultivators and processors, and dispensary operators.

Additionally, Eric previously represented non-cannabis industry clients in high-profile health care and antitrust litigations. Some of his successes include a trial in a $2.3 billion Sherman Act and Robinson-Patman Act case; a False Claims Act case against major pharmacies; a bundling antitrust case against a large medical distributor; an international arbitration between agricultural companies; and appeals in the US Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Circuits.

His groundbreaking efforts for businesses and industry organizations have been well recognized. Eric is ranked Band 1 for Cannabis Law by Chambers USA, earned “MVP of the Year in Cannabis Law” by Law360 in 2020, 2022 and 2023, and was named a “Leading Lawyer in Cannabis” by The Legal 500 US, 2021-2024. Eric graduated from Dartmouth College in 1989 and from Wisconsin Law School, Order of the Coif, in 1993.

Mark J. Neuberger Related Seminars and Products

Of Counsel

Foley & Lardner LLP

Mark Neuberger provides A to Z representation of management in all areas of employment law, including general labor and employment guidance to clients. He serves as co-chair of the firm’s multidisciplinary Cannabis Industry Team and regularly advises companies both in and out of the cannabis industry on multitude of legal issues presented by legalization.

Mark regularly represents clients in the health care, hospitality, manufacturing and not-for-profit industries. In addition, Mark serves on Foley’s national Pro Bono Legal Services Committee.

Mark represents employers in employment litigation matters before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and National Labor Relations Board, arbitration tribunals, as well as state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has extensive experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions. He also negotiates and drafts executive level employment agreements. He has litigated a wide variety of discrimination claims, whistleblower actions, wage payment and Fair Labor Standards Act cases. In addition, Mark drafts and litigates covenants not-to-compete and other employment-related restrictions. Mark also advises clients on a variety of business-related immigration issues, including audits of employers’ compliance with immigration and labor regulations, preparation of employment-based immigrant visa petitions, preparation of investment and professional visas and labor certifications.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mark worked for 10 years in the human resources department of a Fortune 100 corporation. Mark is a frequent speaker and trainer on various labor and employment-related topics. Clients frequently utilize Mark’s practical experiences by retaining him to conduct in-house management training on a variety of employment-related topics.

Alexander Pe Related Seminars and Products

Associate General Counsel

Terrabis

Alexander Pe is Associate General Counsel at Terrabis, a privately held, multi-state cannabis operator headquartered in Missouri, with four Missouri dispensaries, a product manufacturing facility in Kansas City, and four dispensaries in Illinois.

Terrabis prides itself on being a trusted partner in the cannabis community, offering only the highest quality products and information. We are a team of dedicated cannabis professionals creating the best possible experience for everyone. We believe in the transformative power of education and passion, continuously staying informed about the newest advancements and trends in all aspects of the cannabis industry. You can rely on Terrabis to provide you with the highest-quality products, backed by a wealth of knowledge and a sincere interest in your well-being.

Joanne Caceres Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Dentons

Joanne, a member of the Dentons cannabis sector group, has deep experience in the cannabis, hemp, and emerging psychedelics industries, and is one of the nation’s most experienced cannabis law lawyers. Joanne has particular skill in helping clients to navigate business objectives within these complex and rapidly evolving regulatory environments. 

Joanne has helped clients attain cannabis licenses in several states, as well as a federal license to bulk manufacture cannabis. Joanne has also advised on several states’ cannabis regulations, and participated in drafting proposed legislation for descheduling or rescheduling cannabis. This vantage point has uniquely positioned her to evaluate the national regulatory environment for cannabis, hemp and psychedelics, with an eye towards future regulatory developments.

Joanne also has particular experience counselling public companies that provide services to operators in these industries, including risk mitigation and due diligence strategies to ensure such companies comply with state and, where desired, federal law. Joanne has also been integral in the public listing of several ancillary cannabis companies onto U.S. national stock exchanges. 

Joanne is a strategic advisor whose work spans corporate, regulatory, and litigation work. Current clients include single and multi-state operators, hemp product manufacturers, large publicly traded companies selling products or services into the cannabis industry, life science companies researching psychedelics, real estate investments trusts, and other companies involved in financing these industries.

Through her pro bono work, Joanne has helped social equity applicants with transactional work, has helped to file cannabis expungement paperwork for previously incarcerated individuals, and has advocated for federal pardons for simple possession.

Joanne is a leader in Dentons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. She serves as the designated Health Care Practice Group Diversity Partner and is the co-chair of Dentons Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA).

Ms. Mia L. Garcia, Esq. Related Seminars and Products

Of Counsel

Frantz Ward LLP

With a focus on complex regulatory frameworks, Mia advises clients on navigating the nuances of cannabis regulation, licensing, and operational issues. She represents operators in the medical and adult-use cannabis markets and in the hemp industry, supporting license acquisition, regulatory dispute resolution, zoning and municipal law, and mergers and acquisitions. As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Mia also provides counsel to nonprofit organizations on formation, governance, and compliance, supporting their mission-driven goals with practical legal strategies.

With extensive experience in contract management, Mia is skilled in drafting and negotiating complex agreements, identifying legal risks, and implementing effective compliance strategies.  Known for her collaborative approach and strategic thinking, Mia is dedicated to aligning her services with her clients’ objectives.

An active member of the community, Mia has been recognized on Crain’s Cleveland Business list of Twenty in their 20s and was selected to participate in Cleveland Foundation’s ‘Foundations for Philanthropy’ and Cleveland Leadership Center’s On Board programs.

Jessica Velazquez, CPA, CFE Related Seminars and Products

Principal, Cannabis Practice Leader

BeachFleischman PLLC

Jessica Velazquez is a Principal and Cannabis Practice Leader for BeachFleischman. She specializes in delivering comprehensive tax and advisory services to entrepreneurs and businesses. Fluent in English and Spanish, Jessica excels at tailoring tax strategies and solutions to meet the needs of her diverse client base. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in Nevada and Illinois.

Jessica is a dedicated social justice advocate who has spent much of her 20-year career championing the success of women and minority business owners.

Areas of Specialty:

• 280E and IRC 471 Consulting
• Audits
• Forensic Accounting
• Strategic Business Planning
• Tax Planning & Preparation
• Industry Experience
• Cannabis
• Financial & Professional Services

Education:

• DePaul University, Master of Science in Taxation
• Southern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Professional Associations and Activities
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• National Association of Tax Professionals

Jennifer Benda Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Holland & Hart LLP

Jennifer brings sophisticated experience as a tax attorney and former CPA to counsel businesses and individuals on emerging and complex tax controversy and litigation issues.  Jennifer handles high-dollar, sensitive tax matters with significant legal issues at stake for businesses and individuals. Drawing on experience as a tax accountant and as a tax lawyer, she is respected by clients for her ability to navigate and explain complex situations and provide front-line protection with the goal of alleviating the stress clients experience when facing scrutiny from tax authorities.

In disputes with the IRS and state and local tax authorities, she is a deft, respected negotiator in reaching out-of-court solutions; and an ardent advocate, litigating issues to ensure her clients receive even-handed treatment.

Clients appreciate Jennifer's straightforward, no-nonsense approach to tax planning: keep matters streamlined and don’t make things complicated when they don't need to be. She helps clients plan and implement proactive tax strategies to protect their assets and achieve their business and financial goals.

Bringing clarity to the hazy area of federal and state taxation of cannabis businesses, Jennifer counsels cannabis industry clients and their business advisors on tax strategy and filings, and how to navigate income, excise, and state tax audits, including IRC Section 280E adjustments and challenges.

Rachel Wright, MST, CPA Related Seminars and Products

Founder | CEO

Verdant Strategies

Rachel Wright, MST, CPA, is the CEO of VERDANT Strategies & 420 CPA, financial services firms with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Nice, France. Rachel provides comprehensive accounting, tax, fractional CFO services, and consulting to cannabis companies globally, supporting them in launching, growing, and achieving financial sustainability through a holistic approach that ensures growth and scalability. With her CPA designation, a master's degree in taxation, and a Graduate Degree in International Taxation, Rachel offers essential guidance on tax planning, entity formation, and regulatory compliance. She also has experience as an audit committee chairperson for a publicly traded cannabis company, demonstrating her deep industry expertise. Rachel's collaborative approach builds lasting partnerships with her clients, helping them navigate complex financial challenges with confidence. As a thought leader, she shares her insights at prestigious events such as Benzinga and the Cannabis Summit and contributes to publications like Bloomberg Tax, MJBiz Daily and the LA Daily Journal. She also serves on an international committee with the International Cannabis Bar Association and the advisory board of the Cannabis Summit, advancing the global cannabis sector and ensuring the financial success of the businesses she serves.

Jason Ortiz Related Seminars and Products

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Last Prisoner Project

Jason Ortiz is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project  Jason was arrested for simple cannabis possession at the age of 16 in Norwich CT, and that experience inspired him to become a cannabis justice advocate.  After graduating from the University of connecticut in Storrs with a degree in Public and Community Engagement, He was one of the founding board Members of the Minority Cannabis Business Association where he empowered legacy entrepreneurs of color to become policy advocates through the organizing of 5 cannabis policy summits that brought together dozens of stakeholders of color to draft model Social Equity legislation. 

In his home state of Connecticut, Jason was a founding member of Connecticut United For Reform and Equity and the lead drafter of 2021's HB6377, “An act creating an equitable and modern cannabis workforce”, which was ultimately incorporated into Connecticut's cannabis legalization framework.  After ending prohibition in his home state, Jason took his skills to the national level as and is the immediate past Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, where he trained hundreds of students how to end the war on drugs through community organizing, policy development and lobbying, and direct action.

In addition to his drug policy activism Jason sits on the board of the CT Working Families Party and has served as President of the Connecticut Puerto Rican Agenda where he organized for economic justice for his home island of Puerto Rico.

Tauhid Chappell Related Seminars and Products

Executive Director of NJ Dept. Of State's Cannabis Training Academy

New Jersey Business Action Center

Tauhid Chappell is the first Executive Director to lead the New Jersey Department of State's Cannabis Training Academy, the country’s first government-run program aimed at diversifying the cannabis industry by supplying free education, information and directional resources to prospective social equity, legacy, MWDV-owned, microbusiness or Impact Zoned businesses in New Jersey. Tauhid brings 10 years of experience in the cannabis space as a medical marijuana patient, a journalist who’s covered legalization efforts across the country, a former budtender for Philadelphia’s second medical marijuana dispensary and a current Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson University, where he teaches the country’s first graduate-level course that studies the impact and outcomes of equity movements in the cannabis industry.
 
After organizing two cannabis conferences focused on media and equity in Philadelphia in 2019 and 2020, he combined forces with dozens of stakeholders and organized the Philadelphia CannaBusiness Association, Pennsylvania's first Black-owned, Black-led cannabis nonprofit aimed at healing the damage done by cannabis prohibition and mass incarceration. 
 
Tauhid also serves as an Executive Board Member and a credentialed Parliamentarian of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, the first and oldest association of Black journalists in the country. An 8-year veteran of the media industry, he’s worked as a social media editor at The Washington Post, joined the Philadelphia Inquirer as an audience engagement editor, then moved to the Free Press, a media policy nonprofit focused on equitable access for broadband and internet, the break up of media conglomerates, equity and reparations in media.

Cat Packer Related Seminars and Products

Director of Drug Markets & Legal Regulation

Drug Policy Alliance

Cat Packer is the director of drug markets and legal regulation at the Drug Policy Alliance. In this role, she leads DPA’s efforts to replace prohibition with regulatory systems grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights.

Cat is a distinguished cannabis policy practitioner in residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, a Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona College of Law and a contributing author to the Thomas Reuters Cannabis Law Deskbook. She also serves as vice chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition and an advisor to the Parabola Center for Law and Policy.

Cat is the first person of color in the nation to lead a medical and adult-use cannabis regulatory program. From 2017 to 2022, she served as the first Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation.

Cat is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public policy and management and a Juris Doctor. In 2020, Cat was the recipient of the Moritz College of Law Outstanding Recent Alumna Award.

Pamela Nicole Epstein Related Seminars and Products

Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer

Terpene Belt, Inc.

Pamela is an accomplished legal professional with a wealth of experience.  Pamela currently holds the esteemed position of Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer at Terpene Belt, Inc.  In this pivotal role, she spearheads a dynamic team responsible for a diverse range of functions, including legal oversight, domestic and international governmental affairs, compliance, licensing, corporate stewardship, and corporate governance. Her unwavering dedication is focused on driving solutions that align with the company's strategic priorities while safeguarding Terpene Belt, its customers, and the broader cannabis and hemp industries.

Before joining Terpene Belt in 2022, Pamela served as the General Counsel and Chief Licensing & Regulatory Officer at Eden Enterprises, Inc a legacy cannabis operator. Her trailblazing journey in the cannabis industry began in 2016 when she founded Green Wise Companies, solidifying her position as a thought leader in the field. Pamela provided a comprehensive range of legal, consulting, and government affairs services to various segments of the cannabis supply chain in California and Arizona. She further cemented her reputation as a trusted resource on cannabis matters, lending her expertise to regulatory agencies and municipalities. Notably, she served as the Special City Attorney for cannabis matters to the City of Hollister, guiding them through their inaugural Medical Cannabis Ordinance and application process in 2018.

Prior to her groundbreaking work in the cannabis sector, Pamela seamlessly combined her passion for environmental sustainability with her legal acumen. She honed her skills as the Managing Attorney and Legal Program Coordinator for the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club's Environmental Law & Policy Clinic and later with the prestigious law firm of Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo in South San Francisco.

Pamela's diverse background, encompassing legal expertise, land use knowledge, and environmental advocacy, uniquely positions her to lead and advise her clients and the broader cannabis and hemp communities. She is recognized as an expert in her field and a fearless advocate for the normalization and advancement of cannabinoids. Pamela is a sought-after speaker at cannabis industry conferences nationwide, where she delivers engaging and insightful commentary on an array of topics affecting the cannabis and hemp sectors, offering valuable guidance to traditional market participants venturing into this space.

Pamela served two terms as the President of the Board of Directors for the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), the state's largest cannabis trade association, where she was a driving force in shaping the industry's future. Pamela also actively leads the charge to establish standards for Determining Intoxication of Cannabinoids within ASTM's D37 Committee for Cannabis and Hemp.  She also serves on the Food Drug Law Institute (“FDLI”) Cannabinoid Committee. 

Shawn Hauser Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Vicente LLP

Shawn Hauser is a partner at Vicente LLP, where she co-chairs the firm's Hemp and Cannabinoids Department and Federal and International Law Group. She helps cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics businesses navigate the intersections between state and federal law and ensure compliance as laws evolve. Her practice focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, general business representation, policy reform and strategic guidance to best position businesses for success at the state, national, and international levels.

With more than a decade of experience in cannabis law and policy, Shawn is a go-to source for businesses, industry groups, governments, and reporters seeking opinions, analysis, and guidance. She has presented on cannabis law and policy to many local, federal, and international agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and UK Parliament.

Since directing Sensible Colorado's local government implementation team following the passage of Amendment 64, Shawn remains active in policy work with local and state governments in Colorado and Texas as well as advocating for federal reforms. She is passionate in supporting the development and implementation of cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics regulations that advance the industries responsibly and in support of public health. Active in the community, Shawn currently serves on the Board of Directors of United States Cannabis Council, and previously served on boards of the International Cannabis Bar Association and on the steering committee of the American Hemp Campaign—a project of Vote Hemp—which was instrumental in legalizing hemp in Texas in 2019.

Well-regarded in her field, Shawn has received many accolades. She was named one of the top cannabis lawyers in the United States Chambers and Partners and was recognized by her peers in The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in cannabis law. Additionally, Shawn has been listed in 5280 magazine's "Denver's Top Lawyers" list since 2015 and was included in Denver Business Journal's "40 Under 40" in 2021.

After attending law school at the University of Denver, Shawn was an associate attorney at McAllister, Darnell & Gottlieb PC, one of the first marijuana-focused law firms in Colorado.

Tyler Klimas Related Seminars and Products

Principal | Founder

Leaf Street Strategies, LLC

Tyler Klimas is the founder of Leaf Street Strategies and the former chief cannabis regulator for Nevada’s medical and adult-use cannabis marketplace. He was the first executive director appointed to Nevada’s cannabis regulatory agency and oversaw the state’s meteoric rise to become a billion-dollar retail industry. Klimas also helped found the highly successful Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a non-profit association made up of chief cannabis regulators from across the United States and Canada. He led the association as its president, significantly expanding the association’s footprint and engagement efforts with U.S. federal agencies and members of Congress in Washington, D.C. Klimas also spent time as a federal lobbyist on Capitol Hill, where he led successful coalition-building and advocacy efforts on behalf of public and private sector entities. Klimas started his career in political campaigns and has served in a number of high-level roles for elected officials.

Savannah Hoover, Esq., MBA Related Seminars and Products

CEO | Founder

Seekees Consulting, LLC

Long story short: I help you build resilient and inclusive organizations by co-creating and implementing the roadmap you need to accomplish and sustain your desired outcomes. Accepting inquiries. 

By forming Seekees Consulting as an intentional company of one, I can deliver a customized and mindful approach to each entrepreneur, micro-business, organization or team that's approved as a client. 

I provide strategic consulting services for the unique needs and goals of each client. I am a writer and a marketing professional, but I'm also an artist and an attorney. I've been a leadership facilitator, a surf instructor and a wilderness guide. I've worked with sports teams, law firms, newspapers, universities and economic development groups, and I bring the lessons of these experiences to the table when we work together. 

I look forward to collaborating with those aiming to create a more inclusive, equitable and empathetic world one project at a time.

Jordan Tishler Related Seminars and Products

President

National Association of Cannabinoid Specialists

Dr. Tishler is a Cannabinoid Specialist.  He is working to increase the standard of care for patients and the level of education of his colleagues based on data and best practices.  He is the Founder and President of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists which aims to educate clinicians, lawmakers, and the industry about best practices and needed tools for proper patient care.

Dr. Tishler graduated from both Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, trained in Internal Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and is faculty at both the Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School.  He has spent many years as an Emergency Physician providing care to the underserved in East Boston and at the Veteran’s Administration. Having treated countless patients harmed by alcohol and drugs, his observation that he had never seen a cannabis overdose led Dr. Tishler to delve deeply into the science of cannabinoids’ safety and treatment.

Dr. Tishler is a national/international Keynote speaker and author on a variety of topics related to the medical applications of cannabinoids, including cannabinoid dosing paradigms, use of cannabinoids for pain management and opioid sparing, cannabinoids for behavioral health, and approaches to treatment of human sexual dysfunction using cannabinoids.  He has numerous scientific and lay publications, has developed ongoing CME educational programs through both Association of Cannabinoid Specialists, Harvard Medical School, and other outlets.  He maintains a steady roster of Ph.D. candidates and resident-trainees in his clinic, InhaleMD.

He is recipient of Clinician of the Year awards from Americans for Safe Access and the Marfan’s Society. He is an advisor to Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Alabama Medical Societies, and board member of Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation, and advisor to Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, and was awarded lifetime membership on the Hadassah Physician’s Council for his work in cannabinoid medicine.

Lovie Rodgers, PharmD, MPH Related Seminars and Products

Founder

Crescent City Therapeutics

Dr. Lovie Rodgers earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and completed an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Ochsner Health System. She also holds a Master of Public Health in Global Community Health Sciences from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Dr. Rodgers is the founder of Crescent City Therapeutics in Kenner, LA, which was awarded the tenth and final license to dispense medical marijuana in the state of Louisiana. Her innovative work in this space reflects her commitment to expanding access to alternative therapies and patient-centered care.

Her career includes leadership roles such as Director of Pharmacy at West Jefferson Medical Center and Lead Clinical Pharmacist for LCMC Healthcare Partners, a population health and clinically integrated network serving the greater New Orleans area. She also dedicated six years as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Xavier University College of Pharmacy, mentoring future generations of pharmacists.

An active member of the Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists (LSHP), Dr. Rodgers has served as Southeast Chapter President and was elected as Board Member at Large Elect. Her professional accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a New Orleans CityBusiness Woman of the Year Honoree (2018), a New Orleans Gambit 40 Under 40 Honoree (2013), a Tulane University BIRCWH Scholar, and Xavier University's Ambulatory Preceptor of the Year (2010).

Dr. Rodgers resides in New Orleans with her husband, Howard Rodgers, and their two sons, Julian and Jackson.

AnnaRae Grabstein Related Seminars and Products

Founder | CEO

Wolf Meyer

Founder and CEO of Wolf Meyer, AnnaRae Grabstein is an executive and advisor with a legacy of leadership in the cannabis industry.

Her career leading experience has spanned such roles as CEO, COO, Founder, Board Director, entrepreneur and industry advocate. Her extensive accomplishments in cannabis have made her a key player in the legal cannabis industry where she has led, operated and guided innovative and market leading companies; building and scaling businesses to fulfill market needs that previously did not exist during prohibition and in a highly regulated and complex environment. 

She is passionate and ambitious in her approach to leadership and prides herself on empowering and building capacity in people. AnnaRae is skilled at building momentum, solving problems and delivering on big visions.

The infinite potential of cannabis & psychedelics inspires AnnaRae in her quest to create and increase impactful opportunities. Consistently, AnnaRae has succeeded at pushing the envelope and rallying people together in pursuit of common goals. 

No matter the purpose, AnnaRae approaches challenges with vigor and strategy considering key elements such as: messaging, values alignment, processes, key stakeholders, resources, risks, rewards; always looking 5 steps ahead. 

Her firm, Wolf Meyer, works to grow, scale and expand the cannabis & psychedelic spaces with strategy, vision and leadership.

AnnaRae’s career highlights include being the Chief Compliance Officer of NorCal Cannabis, one of the largest vertically integrated companies in California, CEO of Steep Hill, the first ever cannabis analysis laboratory, and COO of Marin Sun Farms, a values driven meat processor, brand and distributor. 

She is a Board Member of Greenbax Marketplace, a fintech startup working to bridge solutions in cannabis banking and Chemistry, an innovative cannabis brand and manufacturing company. AnnaRae is also a Fund Advisor at JourneyOne Ventures, an early stage VC fund.

Previously, AnnaRae was an elected member of the California Cannabis Industry Association(CCIA) Board of Directors where she served amongst the top executives in the cannabis industry to help realize a thriving legal cannabis marketplace. 

AnnaRae is a long time Board Member of WWOOF USA, a non profit that creates educational opportunities on organic farms, and is founding member of Chief the only network dedicated to growing women in c-suite and board roles. 

AnnaRae holds an MBA from the University of San Francisco, School of Management.

Joslin E. Monahan Related Seminars and Products

Member Attorney

Miller Johnson

Joslin Monahan is a trial and appellate litigation attorney experienced in municipal, real estate, business, receiverships, adversarial bankruptcy, and land use and zoning litigation. Ms. Monahan has a robust, full-service cannabis law practice serving individuals and companies that grow, produce, distribute and sell a wide variety of goods and amenities.
Cannabis Law

Ms. Monahan is a recognized authority in emerging cannabis law matters, including entity formation, applicant requirements and background checks, and licensing with Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency as well as municipal licenses, permits and ordinances. She counsels business interests in the cannabis industry, which encompasses marijuana, industrial hemp and CBD. Ms. Monahan has helped with financing structures, real property use, insurance coverage, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.

Beginning in 2012, Ms. Monahan served as Cooperating Attorney with the ACLU of Michigan in the critical decision making process supporting the decriminalization of the possession and use of marijuana in Grand Rapids. Ms. Monahan continues to be a vocal advocate for social justice issues, with particular emphasis on ensuring participants within the cannabis space create opportunities for persons of color wherever possible. The Michigan Supreme Court denied further review of the signature case in 2015, affirming the Michigan Court of Appeals 2013 dismissal of the prosecutor’s lawsuit. This case helped pave the way for the eventual vote legalizing cannabis for recreational use in a statewide ballot in 2018.

Ms. Monahan is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and the State Bar of Michigan’s Marijuana Law Section.

Articles and Presentations

Ms. Monahan is a frequent speaker on various cannabis and litigation related topics, including presentations on licensing, professional ethics, hemp regulations, and FDA compliance.

Professional Affiliations, Activities, and Honors

Ms. Monahan is Chair of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (6/2015 – Present) as well as a member of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (6/2014 – Present). She is also a member of the Lawyers Committee for the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (10/2013 – Present).

Education

Ms. Monahan was awarded her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School in 2007. While in law school, Ms. Monahan was a member of the Journal of Health Care Law and Policy and a member of Phi Delta Phi. Ms. Monahan also received her Masters of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Montana in 2003, where she was the recipient of the University of Montana Philosophy Department full scholarship teaching assistantship. She obtained her B.A., summa cum laude, from Hope College in 2000 where she was awarded the Hope College Presidential Scholarship and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Ms. Monahan is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the State of Montana, the United States District Court for the District of Montana, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Steven Avalos Related Seminars and Products

VP and Associate General Counsel – Labor and Employment

Verano Holdings Corp.

Accomplished labor and employee relations attorney with expertise leading collective bargaining for Fortune 500 enterprises and private law firms. Partner with executives to ensure employee relations align with company vision and mission. Exceptional communication skills and bi-lingual in English and Spanish.

Bryna Dahlin Related Seminars and Products

Chair, Cannabis Industry Group

Benesch

Bryna Dahlin is a partner and chair of the Cannabis Industry Group at Benesch, where she works on the cutting edge of an emerging industry known for its regulatory complexity and challenging legal and business landscape. For nearly a decade, she has advised companies in all sectors of the cannabis space including growers, manufacturers, distributors, dispensaries, investors and ancillary businesses. She also advises non-cannabis companies that are impacted by cannabis laws. Her clients are nationwide and range from new entrants in the space to publicly-traded companies operating across dozens of states.

Bryna enjoys helping clients achieve their business objectives and prides herself on gaining a keen understanding of their operations. She offers real-world guidance that is clear, practical, and always focused on achieving client objectives. She understands the challenges in the cannabis industry and loves nothing more than seeing her clients grow and meet their business goals.

Bryna advises clients across the country on issues of regulatory compliance, risk avoidance, company formation and structuring, licensing, corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, advertising and product packaging, brand strategy and intellectual property protection. She also performs legal due diligence for investors in the cannabis space, and guides hemp, health and beauty brand clients in navigating Cannabidiol (CBD) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laws.

Bryna is also a skilled trial lawyer who uses her skills to help clients avoid and mitigate risk, and she does not hesitate to litigate when the circumstances call for it. Beyond cannabis, she has represented prominent food, pharmaceutical, entertainment, advertising, technology and consumer product companies in an array of high-profile cases.

Bryna’s career trajectory reflects her commitment to pursuing her professional aspirations regardless of the obstacles. When the cannabis industry was in its infancy, she left her position with a global law firm and co-founded the first cannabis law firm in Illinois before later bringing this practice to Benesch. Bryna serves as pro bono counsel to the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). She is a founding member of the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association, and member of the International Cannabis Bar, National Cannabis Industry Associations, and Illinois Women in Cannabis.

Bryna has lectured across the country on the ever-evolving landscape in cannabis law and served as an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she taught Illinois’ first law course on cannabis. She is nationally ranked by Chambers & Associates for cannabis law, is a Global Top 200 cannabis lawyer, and her cannabis practice group is recognized by the prestigious Legal 500. Past honors have included Crain’s Notable Women in Law, Super Lawyers, and the National Law Journal’s 40 under 40 in Chicago.

Laurie Parfitt Related Seminars and Products

CEO | Principal

LKP Impact Consulting, LLC

Laurie Parfitt is an accomplished executive, leader, and coach with more than 2 decades of experience driving innovation and execution across various functional areas of start-ups and Fortune 500 companies, including Kraft Foods, Beam Suntory, Topco Associates, Mizkan America, 4Front/Mission Dispensaries, and LKP Impact Consulting. Through her company, LKP Impact Consulting, Parfitt works with cannabis and other disruptive, highly regulated categories as a Fractional CMO on brand strategy/design, consumer insights, public relations, content development and commercial go-to-market strategy. Her expertise and achievements have made her a renowned speaker at prestigious industry events such as the CBT Cannabis Conference, Benzinga, CannaReg Summit, Illinois Women in Cannabis, Tony P Cannabis Events, Headset Data Nights, Cannabis Drinks Expo, MJ Unpacked, MJ Bizcon, Lackawanna College, and The Hatchery. As Vice President of Marketing & Customer Engagement at 4Front/Mission Dispensaries, Laurie played a crucial role by leading marketing efforts and engaging with customers, and she also held senior positions in marketing, sales strategy, operations, and finance at Topco Associates, Walgreens, Beam Suntory, and Kraft Foods. Laurie's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. Laurie serves on the advisory boards of EndoDNA, The Cannabis Hall of Fame, Cannabis Business Times-Cannabis Conference as well as The CannaReg Summit and has been a mentor, coach, and teacher for The Hatchery, Illinois Women in Cannabis, CIMA (Chicago Interactive Marketing Association), and Lackawanna College. Laurie's outstanding vision, execution skills, and results-driven approach make her a sought-after leader who can inspire and take any business to the next level.

Timothy L. Alger Related Seminars and Products

Owner

Alger Resolutions

Timothy L. Alger is a civil litigator, mediator, and owner of Alger Law APC and Alger ADR Services.  Tim makes himself available nationwide to mediate and arbitrate disputes among businesses and individuals, and is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s esteemed Roster of Arbitrators.  Tim’s expertise in the cannabis industry and 33 years in commercial litigation, and extensive training and experience in mediation and arbitration, make him a valuable resource for resolution of disagreements without the high cost of litigation in court.

Formerly the head of litigation, employment law and trademarks at Google and an equity partner at three major international law firms, Tim has represented leading internet, media, entertainment and advertising companies in regulatory disputes and litigation over trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, contracts, free speech, defamation, and privacy.  In addition to his own practices as a neutral and litigator, Tim serves as of counsel to the law firm of Harris Sliwoski LLP.

Tim has represented legal cannabis businesses in civil litigation and regulatory disputes with governmental entities.  Recent representations in this industry include civil litigation over trademarks, contracts, relocation of a cannabis dispensary, excessive fines on cannabis cultivators, civil rights violations by law enforcement agencies, and ownership and management disputes in cannabis business partnerships and companies.

In other industries, Tim has represented a variety of companies and individuals in disputes over corporate acquisitions, business relationships, and financial issues.  His work ranges from complex, multi-defendant class actions to disputes over subpoenas and public access to government proceedings and records.  Tim’s business litigation work included post-trial and appellate representation of an international office supply company, in which Tim obtained the reversal for his client of a $32 million jury verdict for fraud and breach of an advertising contract.  Tim’s work also included representation in the trial and appellate courts of a billboard company that successfully challenged the City of Los Angeles’ inconsistent regulation of outdoor signs.

Tim has been an outspoken advocate for First Amendment and other civil rights for nearly five decades, both as an attorney and journalist.  He was lead counsel in two watershed Ninth Circuit cases interpreting Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which provides protection to internet companies that host content created by others.  Tim also successfully represented clients in the Ninth Circuit in free speech cases of first impression involving the posting of controversial content on YouTube and on online roommate and dating services.  As outside counsel and during his tenure as Deputy General Counsel at Google, Tim led Google's defense against lawsuits over copyrighted material posted online without owner consent, and the use of trademarks without owner consent in internet search advertising by competitors.  Tim’s team obtained complete victories in two patent jury trials in the Eastern District of Texas.  Tim and Google also took leading roles during Tim's tenure in controversies over news aggregation, online piracy, privacy rights, software patents, and open source licensing. 

He recently obtained the reversal in the California Court of Appeal of a court order that held his client liable for debts incurred by a cannabis delivery company prior to the client’s acquisition of the company in a reverse triangular merger.  Other victories include the dismissal of a federal lawsuit challenging a social network’s decision to remove material violating the network’s policies, which was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, and the California Court of Appeal’s holding that electronic communications cannot be disclosed by a service provider without the user’s express consent.

Tim has offices in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Francisco, but appears regularly in courts throughout California and has a national practice in the federal trial and appellate courts. He holds mediations and arbitrations in-person at any of his offices or via video conferencing, and will travel when requested.

Tim is a frequent speaker on cannabis law, online intermediary liability, publicity and privacy rights, and defamation.  His pro bono work has included representation of a state prisoner beaten by guards, a blind college student excluded from classes because of her disability, college newspapers, a mother and daughter subjected to excessive commercial fines for a medical marijuana garden, and public school students and parents seeking special education services.

Before attending law school, Mr. Alger was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor.

Ati P. Khatri Related Seminars and Products

Counsel

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

Ati Khatri focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, financial transactions, and general counsel matters, working very closely with founders and investors alike. He assists privately-held companies, technology firms, banks, lenders, executives, investors, and investor groups in all areas of transactional, business planning, and general corporate matters. Ati is involved in the entire life cycle of a company, from inception to exit, and he prides himself on being the first phone call that his clients make for nearly all general corporate matters.

Having facilitated commercial loan transactions ranging from $1 million to $350 million, Ati has a depth of experience providing lender-side and borrower-side loan documentation for financial institutions and middle market businesses.

In addition to traditional corporate financial transactions, Ati has a strong practice leading specialty finance transactions including equipment leasing, warranty finance, insurance premium finance, and other such specialty disciplines.

Ati also focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, representing clients in numerous industries in transactions ranging from $1 million to $375 million. His finance background makes him uniquely qualified as a “one-stop shop” for merger and acquisition needs, overseeing both the purchase transaction logistics, as well as the senior and mezzanine debt financing necessary to bring the transaction to a smooth closing.

Prior to joining the firm, Ati was a partner in the Business and Finance Group at HMB Legal Counsel, a well-established, corporate-focused law firm based in Chicago, Illinois. He was also a leader in its Debt Finance and Banking practice and led its ETA/Search Fund efforts.

Marc Hauser Related Seminars and Products

Chief of Staff

Jardín Premium Cannabis Dispensary

Marc Hauser - Marc is one of the leading authorities in the U.S. cannabis industry. Currently Chief of Staff at Jardín in Las Vegas after a nearly 25-year career as a deal and capital markets lawyer handling untold billions of dollars in transactions, Marc was previously Chair of the cannabis practice at Reed Smith LLP, a global law firm, and personal deal counsel for fifteen years to Chicago-based investor Sam Zell at Equity Group Investments. He is the author of Cannabis Musings, which has been providing irreverent commentary on the industry since 2018, and teaches cannabis law as an Adjunct Professor at both the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (his alma mater) and the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. Marc graduated from Northwestern University in 1995, and cum laude from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 1998, where he was a member of the Law Review.

Natacha Andrews Related Seminars and Products

Executive Director

National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers

Natacha Andrews, Esq., is a cannabis attorney and business  consultant. Originally from New Jersey, Ms. Andrews is a graduate  of both Rutgers University (SCILS) and Howard University School  of Law. 

Natacha comes with a rich and diverse background which includes a  proven record of successful counseling, developing and negotiation  on behalf of her clients. She came to cannabis after practicing for  several years as an immigration attorney who noticed a large  number of clients across the industry facing deportation and  permanent family separation as a result of low level, non-violent  cannabis convictions. Concerned by the trend, Natacha set out to  gain a better understand of the underlying causes and connections.  What she discovered on this personal journey led Ms. Andrews to  seek avenues of advocacy and sensible drug policy reform. 

In December 2019 she began to gather a group of attorneys around  the nation resulting in the formation of the National Association of  Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL). Today, NABCL works with  attorneys from all over the United States to help advocate for  equitable, inclusive and reparative justice for those intentionally  harmed by the War on Drugs as well as those who continue to be  detrimentally affected by our fragmented US cannabis system. 

Natacha is on a crusade to assist cannabis professionals establish a footing within the cannabis industry during the re-legalization of the plant. Natacha provides invaluable expertise and guidance to those  seeking equity as they enter the burgeoning cannabis market. 

She serves as a staunch advocate for criminal justice and  comprehensive drug reform. She is an educator with subject matter  expertise, who speaks to audiences ranging from corporate entities  to community organizations. She is a volunteer for the Last  Prisoner’s Project, directs community engaged for NC ACT (North  Carolina Alliance for Cannabis Transparency), is a Parabola Center  Partner and sits on the board of the NABCL.

Chang Yi Related Seminars and Products

CEO & Chief Legal Officer

Smoakland New York

Chief Legal Officer of Smoakland Group and CEO of Smokeland New York. Chang served on the cannabis regulatory commission in Oakland, California as a commisioner between 2016 and 2019 and chaired the cannabis regulatory commission for 2 years. He helped revise the first ever, cannabis equity program developed in Oakland, California.

Prior to Cannabis, Chang worked as commercial counsel for California Closets, with retail operations across four countries and 38 states, and manufacturing operations in Arizona and Michigan.

Prior to California Closets, Chang served as commercial counsel for the Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH), now part of PATH Global as its drug development wing. At iOWH, he supported clinical trials in India, Bangladesh and Nepal and coordinated compliance with the WHO and the India Ministry of Health. Furthermore, Chang crafted unique "open source" agreements for reverse patent licensing with many multi-national pharmaceutical companies like Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi Aventis, Genentech, and others.

Nicole Elliott Related Seminars and Products

Director

California Department of Cannabis Control

Director, California Department of Cannabis Control

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2021 and confirmed by the California Senate in April 2022, Nicole Elliott currently serves as the Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), leading one of the most complex and dynamic regulatory environments in the country.

Nicole brings over a decade of public service and policy experience to this role, with a proven track record of shaping cannabis regulation at both state and local levels. Prior to joining DCC, she served as Governor Newsom’s Senior Advisor on Cannabis, helping guide California's statewide cannabis strategy. Before that, she was the inaugural Director of the Office of Cannabis for the City and County of San Francisco, where she oversaw the creation and early implementation of the city’s regulatory framework during the critical transition to adult-use commercial sales.

Nicole’s public service career spans multiple administrations and leadership roles. Under San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, she directed Legislative and Government Affairs and served as the Mayor’s Liaison to the Board of Supervisors and city commissions. Her earlier experience includes serving in then-Mayor Gavin Newsom’s administration as a policy lead in the Budget Office and as Deputy Legislative Liaison.

Throughout her career, Nicole has been known for her collaborative approach, deep policy insight, and commitment to fairness and innovation in government.

Michael Miles Related Seminars and Products

Deputy Director

Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board

Michael is the Deputy Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB)

The CCB was established through Assembly Bill 533 during the 2019 legislative session and signed into law by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. The CCB consists of five board members appointed by the governor. Board members must have expertise in a range of fields, including finance and accounting, law enforcement, medicine, regulatory and legal compliance, and cannabis.

AB 533 also established the Cannabis Advisory Commission (CAC) which serves to study cannabis-related issues and make recommendations to the CCB. The CAC consists of 12-members, eight of which are appointed by the governor, representing relevant state agencies and members of the cannabis industry and the public. Recommendations from the CAC do not bind the CCB but provide information to assist the CCB with its decision making.

Arthur Rothrock, Esq. Related Seminars and Products

Cofounder & CEO

Legion LegalTech, Corp.

Arthur Rothrock is an experienced litigation attorney who has grappled with the inefficiencies and frustrations of day-to-day legal practice. Driven by a passion for leveraging technology to streamline legal work, Arthur started Legion, the AI litigation associate.

As the co-founder, Arthur is on a mission to empower practitioners everywhere to provide top-tier legal services at a fraction of the cost. With a deep understanding of the legal industry's challenges, Arthur leads Legion in revolutionizing how legal professionals approach their work, enabling them to focus on what truly matters: advocating for their clients and achieving the best outcomes.

Aniket Sawant, PhD Related Seminars and Products

CEO

Threadeo Inc.

CEO of Threadeo, cloud and AI-based solutions for court reporting, litigation support, and law firms.

Passionate about building solutions to better manage information, learning, and networking -- from a human perspective. Generating Value through AI for Injury Lawyers.

Jeremy Siegel Related Seminars and Products

General Counsel

Final Bell Holdings, Inc.

California-barred start-up executive and general counsel with 14+ years of legal experience, hard at work utilizing a Swiss Army Knife skill set across regulatory and commercial matters, IP, labor and employment law, litigation, financing and insurance. Expertise in advising startups on regulatory compliance and risk analysis. Tech lover excited by evolving areas of the law.

Peter Homberg Related Seminars and Products

Partner

gunnercooke GmbH

Peter Homberg ist spezialisiert auf Life Sciences, IP und Gesellschaftsrecht und M&A Transaktionen.

Er berät insbesondere Unternehmen im Bereich Pharmazie, Diagnostik, Medizinprodukte und Biotechnologie bei Forschungs- und Entwicklungsverträgen, Kooperationsvereinbarungen, grenzüberschreitende IP-Lizenzierungen und IP-Strategien. Daneben hat er umfangreiche Erfahrung in der Rechtsberatung bei Compliance-Themen und berät intensiv Unternehmen im Bereich medizinisches Cannabis.

Er hält regelmäßig Vorträge auf Seminaren und Konferenzen und ist Autor zahlreicher Fachartikel und anderer Publikationen zum Gesellschafts- oder IP-Recht in den Bereichen Life Sciences und medizinisches Cannabis. Zusätzlich verfügt er über umfangreiche Transaktionserfahrung in Südostasien.

Peter berät

Zu seinen Mandanten zählen unter anderem:

Start-ups
Mittelständische Unternehmen
Börsennotierte Gesellschaften
National und international agierende Unternehmensgruppen
Finanzinvestoren
Strategische Investoren

Steve Rolles Related Seminars and Products

Senior Policy Analyst

Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Steve Rolles is a writer and policy analyst at Transform Drug Policy Foundation. As well as writing a range of journal articles, periodicals and book chapters, Steve was lead author on many of Transform’s publications, including After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation. He is a regular contributor to the public debate on drug policy and law in print and broadcast media. Before joining Transform, Steve worked for the Medical Research Council and Oxfam.