Getting Drenched: How To Prepare for “Hemp-Derived THC Beverage” Tidal Wave

Steve Schain Related Seminars and Products

Senior Counsel

Smart Counsel

Winner of National Law Journal’s “2019 Finance, Banking, & Capital Markets Trailblazer” award, Steve Schain runs 100% woman owned, national cannabis law firm Smart-Counsel, LLC's PA and NJ practices and Chair its Financial Services Group. Admitted to practice in PA and New Jersey, Steve represents entities, governments and individuals in litigation, regulation and compliance, license applications, entity formation, and drafting legislation. Steve is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of, and teaches “Cannabis Law” at, Stockton University, one of only 5 universities offering a minor in Cannabis Studies. A nationally recognized Cannabis, banking law and consumer finance litigation expert, Steve serves as a court appointed judge pro tempore and arbitrator, is a The Legal Intelligencer, New Jersey Law Journal, and Cannabis Business Executive columnist, and frequent presenter for the National Cannabis Industry Association, International Cannabis Bar Association, Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Group, Marijuana Business Daily, Pennsylvania Bar Institute and National Bar Institute.

Diana Eberlein Related Seminars and Products

Chair

Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives

Diana Eberlein has worked in cannabis beverage for the past 7 years. Diana is particularly passionate about the cannabis beverage category because it’s the only way Diana consumes cannabis. As a low-dose consumer, beverage was the only way she could achieve a consistent and buildable experience, all while blending into any social setting. She leveraged her infused beverage industry knowledge to found the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA) in 2024 to unite the alcohol and cannabis beverage industries to establish one voice for sensible regulation. As the acting Chair, she oversees advocacy and education on behalf of the industry in Capitol Hill to influence regulation for the cannabis beverage category. She has spoken on cannabis-beverage related topics at SXSW, Adweek NY, BevNET Live, Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, and more. Diana was also featured in Marijuana Venture’s 40 Under 40 in 2023 and Benzinga’s Top 20 Most Influential Women in Cannabis in 2024.

Andrea Steel Related Seminars and Products

Principal

The Banks Law Firm, P.A.

Andrea Steel is a principal with The Banks Law Firm, where she leads the Firm’s Cannabis practice in addition to bringing extensive experience in affordable housing and community economic development law. With over 20 years of experience in law and criminal justice, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to her diverse clientele.

Andrea is a pioneer in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, with deep rooted knowledge and experience, having been pivotal in securing a number of significant results impacting the industry at both state and federal levels. Andrea advises cannabis business clients, from startups to established enterprises across the supply chain, both plant-touching and ancillary, from cultivators to retailers, as well as manufacturers, distributors, testing labs, landlords, property owners, lenders and more. Her practice encompasses legalities and strategic advising for businesses with respect to all forms of cannabis, inclusive of hemp, cannabinoids (biosynthetic, semi-synthetic, synthetic, hemp-derived and other chemical forms, including delta-8 THC and other novel substances), medical marijuana, and adult-use marijuana, serving clients across the country with a focus on Texas. She advises on regulatory compliance, cannabis business licensing, risk analysis and mitigation strategizing, product labeling/marketing, entity formation, entity structuring and governance, contract negotiations, and real estate issues.

Andrea has also provided subject matter expertise to several other attorneys and law firms in various business transactions as well as litigation matters, assisting other lawyers in navigating the complexities with their clients. She has helped shape laws and policy in both Texas and federally, providing useful insight and specific language with respect to formulating statutes and regulations, an area Andrea truly enjoys.

In the affordable housing area, Andrea represents both for-profit and non-profit developers across the country, including public and private entities, as well as public housing authorities and tax increment reinvestment zones. Her work is concentrated on the legal representation of developers of affordable housing utilizing both 9% and 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax exempt bond financing, CDBG and HOME Program funding and other federal, state and local subsidy and economic development programs, as well as stimulus grants created in response to disaster recovery and economic downturn rescue programs such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill (CARES Act), Housing and Economic Recovery Act, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the Tax Credit Assistance Program, Tax Credit Exchange Program (Section 1602 Program), Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery funding, and Economic Development Administration grants.

Andrea serves as a Board Member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and serves as Vice President of Operations as well as co-chair of its Legislative Advisement Committee. Andrea has also served as a Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law and Policy Committee since 2021. She is a sought-after speaker at industry events, providing insight into recently approved and proposed laws, rules and regulations and other cannabis business matters. At her prior firm, she successfully launched, led and grew their cannabis business practice group.

Courtney Moran, LL.M. Related Seminars and Products

Founding Principal, Attorney & Counselor at Law

EARTH Law LLC

Courtney N. Moran, LL.M., Founding Principal of EARTH Law, LLC, and Chief Legislative Strategist for Agricultural Hemp Solutions, LLC, has a passion for policy reform and precedent-setting. She liaised with the offices of Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in drafting and negotiating the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, the language included in the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalizing hemp in the United States. Courtney is a highly accomplished attorney and lobbyist with extensive knowledge and expertise in hemp law. Courtney was awarded the Oregon State Bar Leland R. Berger Lifetime Achievement Award on September 27, 2024, the highest honor bestowed by the Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section. She was designated a 2024/2025 Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyer and a 2023/2024 Top 200 Global Psychedelic Lawyer and Policy & Regulatory Expert. The docuseries, Legalize It: Triumphs in Hemp Lobbying overviews the 12 pro-hemp bills she led to passage between 2016-2024. Her tenacity, unparalleled success rates, and commitment to promoting fair and equitable regulations have earned her recognition as a trusted voice and leader within the industry. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden acknowledged "In a sentence, we would not have hemp legalization without Courtney".

Courtney is admitted to practice in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. As Founding Principal of EARTH Law, LLC, Courtney is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to individuals and businesses operating in the cannabis, hemp, and agriculture industries. She works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that align with their goals while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Courtney successfully litigated the landmark cases KaB, LLC v USPIS (2018) and RNF, LLC v USPIS, MLB 18-113 (2018) establishing the precedent for the shipment of hemp, specifically hemp-derived CBD and viable hemp seeds, through the US Postal Service. In 2022, Courtney won a hemp-derived delta-8 seizure case, upholding the protections of the 2018 Farm Bill for the transportation and shipment of hemp and hemp-derived products. Throughout 2023, EARTH Law secured a release of a Detainment Order for a hemp crop testing above 0.3% total THC, attained an update to Hemp Program rules on resampling and retesting crops with not more than 1% total THC, and expertly negotiated a Stipulated Settlement Agreement for licensing and production violations, protecting the client's ability to sell their harvest lot and continue future licensing within the state Hemp Program. In 2024, Courtney, in serving as expert co-counsel, obtained a case dismissal for felony charges of unlawful export and unlawful distribution of hemp-derived THCA concentrate.

As Chief Legislative Strategist for Agricultural Hemp Solutions, she actively engages in advocacy and lobbying efforts to shape cannabis, hemp, and agricultural policies at the state and federal levels. Courtney strategically guided the initial implementation of hemp programs in Oregon, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Alaska, and Missouri. She continues to influence hemp policy development in numerous states throughout the U.S. and federally. In 2021, she led the passage of HB 396 in Montana, authorizing hemp food ingredients as commercial animal feed, opening markets for hemp grain, fiber, and whole plant products. In 2022, Courtney served as a Governor Appointee on the HB3000/SB1564 Taskforce on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production, representing hemp farmer interests throughout the state of Oregon. From 2021-2024, Courtney led efforts with IND Hemp and the National Hemp Association championing policy for industrial hemp agribusiness, co-authoring the federal Industrial Hemp Act of 2023 (S. 980, H.R. 3755) included in the base text in both the House and Senate 2024 Farm Bills, to reduce regulatory barriers for grain and fiber farmers, support industrial hemp supply chain growth, and expand industrial hemp grain and fiber market opportunities. 

In addition to her legal and policy work, Courtney is a sought-after speaker and educator. In Fall 2021, Courtney joined the Oaksterdam University Faculty teaching Business of Cannabis: Hemp and CBD. In Spring 2022, she joined the Lewis and Clark Law School Faculty as an adjunct law professor, teaching the first Hemp Law & Policy course in the U.S. Courtney inspires her students to make a difference and encourages their ability to cultivate change.

Courtney serves on the Oregon State Bar Agricultural Law Section Executive Committee, the Oregon State Bar Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section Executive Committee, Portland Psychedelic Society Action Fund Board of Directors, National Hemp Association Board of Directors, the Global Hemp Innovation Center Advisory Board, the National Hemp Association Standing Committee of Hemp Organizations, the national NORML Board of Directors Emeritus Board, and the International Cannabis Bar Association Advisory Board.

Courtney was voted by the HIA membership as the 2018 Hemp Industries Association Advocate of the Year. She was also awarded as Hemp History Week’s Leading Grassroots Advocate. Courtney was celebrated by Capital Press newspaper as the Western Innovator: Leading the ‘green rush’. 

Courtney is also a certified OSU Master Gardener Volunteer and has maintained active certification since November 2016.