Boston Conference Program

Are you trying to raise capital for your early-stage company or are you an investor considering an investment in an early-stage company? Which type of financial instrument is appropriate? How should you pitch to an investor? How does an investor vet pitches from a company? This panel is designed for both entrepreneurs and early-stage investors. We will review many of the key elements and terms of capital-raising from the viewpoint of early-stage companies and investors vetting the same capital raises. The panel will cover topics ranging from which financial instrument makes sense from the company vs the investor’s perspective to how a company should pitch to investors and prepare for capital raises. Come learn what are the key elements investors look for in a pitch, including some of the biggest turn-offs for investors. Your presenters will include experienced cannabis investors and company advisors.

Lack of minority and women representation in ownership and C-suite positions in the Cannabis Industry has been a hot button topic. Join some of the industry’s leading figures as they discuss the challenges of “A corporate culture change.” Topics will include executive recruitment and how cannabis corporations go about it today, what should change in this regard and how to make positive progress.

Are you looking to enter the cannabis industry and are unsure what road is the best one to take? Then this class is for you! Quickly identify the national business opportunities, legislative parameters, associated risks, business models, regulations, due diligence and steps necessary to purchase, invest or open a cannabis business.

Presented by:  Chloe Villano, President, Clover Leaf University

Who should attend: This class is for anyone in or interested in becoming part of the cannabis industry as a business owner, partner, investor or employee. 

• Module One will cover business opportunities, company structure, product development, and creating award-winning companies and brands.

• Module Two will discuss the best way to enter the industry. Is it best for an entrepreneur to partner with an existing licensee who is already profitable by investing directly in the business? Is it better to purchase the business, or compete for a license? This class will discuss the risks, the financials, the benefits, and the rewards, for each of these business opportunities. Learn the critical due diligence necessary to vet these companies properly, and what a successful business should encompass to be a strong candidate for purchase or investment.

• Module Three will cover the merger and acquisition process for cannabis businesses including values, timelines, and the transfer of ownership process.

Join us for this extensive four-hour course as we discuss all of these options on a national scale!

Learn how to appropriately scale into the business the best and fastest way possible. Once you have taken this class, you will understand the essential business fundamentals to get started in the cannabis industry.

Space is limited. Don’t wait. Sign up now!

This is a historically unique time where people can pursue the American dream. This business is set to produce billions of dollars in revenue next year. Get in on the ground floor of America's premier cash crop.

This session will focus on strategies to minimize the impact of 280E. We will discuss the importance of entity selection and how those choices are applied across the industry. We’ll also discuss current positions of the IRS on businesses in the cannabis industry.

This panel of experts will address the interplay between state laws legalizing recreational and/or medical marijuana uses and the Federal Controlled Substances Act; enforcement and application of other regulatory regimes governing the operation of marijuana-related businesses, such as banking and securities laws; and the ethical considerations for an attorney advising a client engaged in a marijuana-related business; as well as other timely issues.

While the number of overall positions in the cannabis industry continue to reflect a large majority of men, there is a large and growing number of women in powerful leadership roles in the Massachusetts cannabis industry. Female executive leadership has been overlooked by the media for far too long and it’s more than time to recognize how women are leading and shaping the marijuana landscape in Massachusetts. The women on this panel represent all facets of the industry. Come hear their stories and listen to their advice as these dynamic women share their wisdom and insight on making a career in the cannabis world.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about what can and can’t be patented in the countries in which prohibition is still relevant; the value of existing patents relating to cannabis patents; the take-away message of the invalidation of claims in the recent US IPR relating to GW’s patent”; and the big-picture impact that cannabis patent wars will have on the cannabis landscape over the coming years. This talk will clear up some of that misinformation. And, really, what is a “U.S. Plant Patent” and what does it cover.

Topics addressed in this session will include going public in Canada, raising capital in the sector and the opportunities for companies in the capital markets today.

Military service, whether in peacetime or combat, has been a source of trauma for millions of veterans. The history of veterans in the United States is a record stuck on repeat–every generation has had to fight the federal government for recognition and treatment of the harms they experienced while serving the country in uniform. The failure of government extends to the treatment veterans receive at home, reflected by the more than 100,000 veteran deaths by suicide and overdose since 9/11. Today, many veterans have experienced profound relief and benefit from cannabis-based treatments, and community advocates are actively pushing their elected officials across the country for equal access and robust research. Join a panel of veteran advocates to hear about the potential of cannabis and CBD to make a positive impact on the health of those in need and how they are working to shape cannabis policy.

With legalization expanding at the national and global level, the legal cannabis market and the 'average' consumer is rapidly evolving. This presentation will focus on changing consumer attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and preferences as a result of increased legalization and "mainstreaming," with a focus on Northeast consumers. We'll explore the consumer evolution as a whole as markets move from illicit to fully adult-use legal, and how (and if) Northeast consumers differ from other mature markets in the US. Understanding how consumer attitudes, behaviors, preferences, and need-states evolve through stages of legalization is essential to setting a go-to-market strategy in the ever-expanding legal cannabis market. These unique insights, powered by BDS Analytics' consumer research, present an opportunity to map the growth and trends of emerging markets as prohibition fades across the US.

Guy will showcase the potential of hemp to alter our food, clothing, and medicine for the better. Guy will outline Hemp’s medicinal benefits and explain how Hemp interacts with the endocannabinoid system in all of us, which ailments Hemp is great for, and what we can learn about Hemp for healing as more research is conduction. He’ll discuss the various components of the hemp plant and how these components can serve as a sustainable, eco-friendly sources of food, clothing, biodiesel, and plastic. He’ll equip attendees with tips on how they can bring this conversation to the forefront and help us redefine the way we live.

This panel provides a glimpse of the Cannabis Industry through the lens of faith based organizations. Our panel will tackle the various challenges faith based communities face as they begin to enter into the emerging Cannabis Industry. 

Earn Up to 6 CME/CE Credits Pending                                           
A unique opportunity for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, all medical professionals interested in expanding their clinical working knowledge. Legal and practice management approaches will be also covered. This full day programming is also being offered in half day sessions (morning and afternoon programming) where you will be provided CME (MD, DO, PA, APRN) and CEU/CLE (RN, LPN, PharmD, Esq) credits.

In addition to those mentioned previously, this symposium is designed for LCSW, MSW, LMT, Nutritionists, AP/DOM, DDS, D.C., CNA, Naturopathic & Homeopathic Doctors, PT/OT's, Certified Personal Trainers, Health Coaches and Wellness Coaches.

The CME/CEU 1-day program includes breakfast and lunch.  Half-day accredited sessions are $300 and include lunch.

You may attend the full day program as a non-CME/CEU seeking attendee without receiving credits for $300 and either half-day for $200.  Lunch is not included for either the full or half-day non-CME/CEU options.

Presented by: Kristen Beury, President/CEO, Medical Resource Association, Inc.

Agenda

8:00 a.m.  Registration Opens
Keynote – Breakfast – Welcome – Introductions – Networking

         Michelle Snyder, PA-C, Symposium Moderator

Speakers Include:

         Monica B. Taing, PharmD, RPh

         Tricia Reed, PharmD

A panel discussion with dispensary owner/operators from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Real-life examples will lead this discussion, encompassing all aspects of owning and operating a cannabis dispensary, including but not limited to: obtaining a license, deciding on a location, navigating local zoning, staffing, community relations, inventory management, transitioning from medical to adult-use, and managing ongoing compliance issues in a rapidly changing legal environment. This is sure to be a deeply informative session for anyone who is interested to know more about owning and operating a cannabis dispensary. A must-attend session for any level of attendee!

Women are often overlooked when it comes to the business side of science, medicine and pharma in cannabis, yet there is a growing number of women with science and medical backgrounds at every level. This panel will bring together a scientist, a nurse, a pharmacist, a doctor and a specialist from big pharma    discussing not only their experiences, but their growth within the industry in building their business platforms.

Federal vs. State law: Which laws do business operators need to follow to sell hemp and CBD products? Spoiler alert: It's both… and don't forget about the local laws and ordinances. Don't miss this session for a deep dive into the regulations and other best practices you need to know to launch your hemp or CBD business and navigate the ups and downs of recent regulations and bans. Attorney Michelle Bodian's experience working with the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture before joining the leading firm in cannabis law and policy, Vicente Sederberg, means she has a perspective that will be exceptionally valuable to attendees concerned about hemp regulations and limits on CBD. This presentation will also feature a prediction on where the FDA, FTC and Department of Public Health will decide on the CBD issue in Massachusetts, and provide a valuable risk assessment on specific products for retailers.