Can’t miss business and networking event for the NYS cannabis industry

NY Cannabis Insider events bring together entrepreneurs and industry experts to discuss topics essential to the state’s emerging cannabis industry. Presented by Cannaspire, our next conference will be held in Tarrytown on Friday, November 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott. Event details and ticket information can be found here.

More than 20 speakers will share their perspectives on the NYS cannabis industry throughout the day. Attendees will have extensive networking time to connect with a diverse group of industry professionals. The conference will also feature onsite vendors who specialize in supporting the industry as well as lightning-round quick consultations to answer questions about accounting, legal, and other considerations specific to cannabis ventures.

The conference will feature a diverse group of industry thought leaders sharing their knowledge and expertise on topics critical for those looking to get into this space. Here’s what the final NY Cannabis Insider conference of the year will cover:

• Real talk: Five interesting people from different parts of NY’s cannabis industry will gather on stage to ask each other their burning questions. No moderator. Just real talk. Speakers: Tosin Ajayi – Founder of NYU Cannapolicy and Owner of Holistic Remedies LLC; Terrence Coffie – Adjunct Lecturer, New York University and Founder, Social Justice Network; Jeffrey Hoffman – Attorney, Law Office of Jeffrey Hoffman; Colby Piper – Director of Cannabis Real Estate, Ripco Real Estate LLC
• The downside of rescheduling: President Biden’s recent announcement about marijuana pardons and rescheduling cannabis caught the country by surprise in October. A panel of experts from the NYC and Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association will talk about what the president’s rescheduling directive could mean for the burgeoning industry in New York. Speakers: Lisa Casa – Associate, Forchelli Deegan Terrana Law; Michelle Fields – Attorney and Advisor to The Mary Jane Consulting Group; Claire Hankin – Associate, Feuerstein Kulick; David Holland, Esq. – Partner, Prince Lobel; Andrew Schriever – Partner, Prince Lobel; Sheri Tarr – Founder and Chief Advisor, ‘68 Partners
• Sharks in the water: Hear from industry veterans about the seedy underworld of early-stage cannabis markets, what’s currently taking place behind the scenes in NY, and what to look out for when getting into this game. Speakers: Colin Decker – Owner / Founder & Principal Consultant, Sensei Growth Consulting; Warren Harasz – VP of Regulatory Compliance, Cannaspire; David O’Brien – President and CEO, Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association; Tiffany Yarde – CEO x Sales, SHOKi Bev Corp
• The trials and tribulations of cannabis education: From kindergarten to college to retirement communities, education around cannabis is a tough but necessary undertaking for those passionate about informing our communities. Learn how these efforts are progressing in NY, as well as what obstacles are blocking progress. Speakers: Adrian Adams – CEO, Ontogen Botanicals, Cannabis Business Consultant; Anne Forkutza – Head of Strategic Growth, Dutchie; Esther Lelievre – 1st VP of the Community Education Council Member in District 29 Southeast Queens, Co-founder of Cultivated Community Foundation (CCF); Michael Zaytsev – Academic Director, LIM College
• Listening to opt-outs: If you’re seeking municipal approval to open a cannabis business, you will have to engage with skeptical community members who could put the kibosh on your plans. Speakers on this panel are concerned about the impact marijuana commerce could have on their communities. They will share what worries them, and how prospective business owners can address these issues. Speakers: Fred Muench – President, Partnership to End Addiction; Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds – President/CEO, Family and Children’s Association
• Labs & growers: Croptober is over and harvests are in – how’s it looking? Yeast and mold are big problems and word on the street is that a large percentage of cultivators couldn’t produce smokeable flower this year. Will the OCM revise its testing limits to allow these crops entry into the marketplace? What other takeaways have we learned from the first-ever harvest? Speaker: Leah Digiacobbe – Lead Technical Director, Talon Analytical
• Lessons from legacy: We’ve heard a lot about legacy operators going legal, but what can legal operators learn from the legacy market? Hear from legacy operators who have built an underground brand about what steps they took to construct a successful weed business while remaining under the radar. Speakers: Matt Kachmar – Co-founder, TKSxSensei; The Kolektor – Co-founder, TKSxSensei

Check out the full schedule here.

A limited number of tickets remain. Tickets and more event details are available here.

New York Cannabis Insider: Event Sponsors and Onsite Vendors

Sponsors and partners for NY Cannabis Insider events are the businesses shaping the industry locally and regionally. Look for them onsite at the event during networking breaks for advice and help with your cannabis business.

· Cannaspire provides the products, services, and consulting that business owners need to succeed in the cannabis industry, from application to expansion.

· Syracuse University College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive, and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience from anywhere in the world.

· Brown & Weinraub, PLLC is a leading-edge Government Relations & Strategic Consulting law firm representing a broad spectrum of business interests established and/or seeking to expand in New York.

· Green Light Law Group is a business and litigation law firm for the cannabis industry, empowering clients since 2014.

· Cannabis Workforce Initiative is a collaboration between the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and the Workforce Development Institute. Its mission is to promote and support social equity in the adult-use cannabis market by providing quality workforce development and legal education.

· Dutchie powers the world’s best cannabis retailers from multi-state operators to locally owned dispensaries.

· NYSIF has a mission is to guarantee the availability of workers’ compensation and disability insurance with the lowest possible cost to New York employers while maintaining a solvent fund.

· Ayrloom is a vertically integrated cannabis company rooted in over 100 years of agricultural passion and expertise in New York State.

· East Coast Cannabis Insurance are independent agents working for you to find the best coverage at the lowest cost.

· NorthEast Extracts is a large CO2 processor 400-liter capacity offering industrial scale extraction, distillation, manufacture and distribution.

· Stephen Gould Corp Safely Lock creates custom child-resistant cannabis packaging.

· Blue Skies is a cannabis business consulting firm that provides personalized help at any stage of the marijuana licensing process.

· Tri-State Carbonation provides reliable quality-driven CO2 solutions for your grow house operations.

· Cannabis360 generates awareness, engagement, and leads for your canna-business.

As entrepreneurs and cannabis professionals are preparing to move forward in the billion-dollar legal weed industry, NY Cannabis Insider events allow participants to learn about regulations, make connections, establish teams and foundations, and prepare business plans.