Do you have questions regarding any upcoming events in your area or others across the country? Reach out to events@thecannabisindustry.org any time with your questions, comments, or concerns.
Interested in sponsoring one or a series of events in a particular region throughout the year in order to gain valuable exposure for your company to our nationwide network of established business owners? Please contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on series rates and associated discounts for packages.
Interested in speaking at the upcoming Cannabis Business Summit? Please contact brooke@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on remaining opportunities.
Announcing the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus Event Series
Wow, where does the time go? The end of 2015 is in sight and 2016 is fast approaching! As per usual, these past 12 months made for another landmark year for our industry where we saw enormous growth across all sectors, as well as witnessed notable legislative victories in the House and the historic first-time introduction of cannabis-specific legislation in the Senate. We continue to see increased activity and support for our issues in D.C., due in no small part to our increasingly prominent voice within the halls of Congress, spearheaded by the work NCIA is doing with your support.
Now, we are excited to announce that starting in January, we’ll be debuting a new nationwide event series! NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses will be held in the cannabis industry’s 12 most active regions, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the first month of each new quarter. The exact date will vary depending on your region, and you can view the full list of dates and locations here. The schedule for the first quarter will be:
Oregon Cannabis Caucus – Portland, OR – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Mid-Atlantic Cannabis Caucus – Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Northeast Cannabis Caucus – Boston, MA – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
FloridaCannabis Caucus – Orlando, FL – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
MidwestCannabis Caucus – Chicago, IL – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
Tri-StateCannabis Caucus – New York, NY – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
ColoradoCannabis Caucus – Denver, CO – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
SouthwestCannabis Caucus – Phoenix, AZ – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
NevadaCannabis Caucus – Las Vegas, NV – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
So. California CannabisCaucus – Los Angeles, CA – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
No. CaliforniaCannabis Caucus – San Francisco, CA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
WashingtonCannabis Caucus – Seattle, WA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
As NCIA heads into our sixth year of operation, we’re committed to growing and evolving our work to provide increased value to our members and reflect our unique position with the industry. The Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses have been designed to provide the quality and consistent programming you’ve come to expect from NCIA events, while also preparing you and your business to contribute to our legislative efforts on the national level.
You and your team will leave each Cannabis Caucus equipped with the tools to affect positive change on cannabis issues while making meaningful connections with vested industry players. Each Caucus will be free of charge for current NCIA members and include an in-depth federal policy update from senior NCIA staff or staff from a district congressional office, a comprehensive state and local policy update from a local elected official or a member of NCIA, an informational packet filled with detailed legislative analysis and recent federal policy developments, and an organizational update so you can keep up to date with what NCIA is doing for you. All of this will be offered as well as the opportunity to network with the leaders in the cannabis industry.
The Caucus also serves as an opportunity for our members to share their ideas and concerns with NCIA, which is committed to serving the industry in the best way possible
As the only national trade association representing cannabis business owners on Capitol Hill, we are your voice within the halls of Congress on a daily basis. We take this responsibilityseriously and by holding these quarterly member meetings, we hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to make your own voice heard within our ranks as well.
Every day it seems a new event is popping up, vying for your time, money, and focus. We here at NCIA know that our members’ time is one of their most valued assets, so we’ve created this event series to pack maximum information, value, and member benefit into a regular quarterly meet-up.
Do you have questions regarding the upcoming Quarterly Cannabis Caucus in your area or others across the country? Reach out to events@thecannabisindustry.org any time with your questions, comments, or concerns.
Interested in sponsoring one or a series of events in a particular region throughout the year in order to gain valuable exposure for your company to our nationwide network of established business owners? Please contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on series rates and associated discounts for packages including NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit 2016, taking place in Oakland, CA, June 20-22.
Video Newsletter: Why NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit is 2016’s Can’t-Miss Event
Then purchase your Members-Only Early Bird tickets by December 18 to save $380 off the regular price!
Not yet an NCIA member? Add a one-year membership to your ticket purchase to get the early bird discount AND $50 off your member dues!
Register today and we’ll see you in Oakland, June 20-22, 2016!
Guest Post: NCIA Board Chair Reflects on the Past Five Years
by Jaime Lewis, Mountain Medicine
Dear cannabis colleagues,
I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe that it has been five years since Aaron Smith approached me with the idea of building a national trade association for the cannabis industry. Now, five years later, the National Cannabis Industry Association has become just that for us, and then some.
I’ve been witness to some incredible growth within the cannabis industry since NCIA was established in 2010. With the passage of full adult-use measures in four states and the continual growth of support within the halls of Congress, we have effectively been noticed as a legitimate industry that is gaining respect and recognition across the country.
It’s an amazing honor to have been involved from the very beginning – from attending the very first NCIA Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., to now serving as the chair of NCIA’s Board of Directors. All of us cannabis business leaders should be so proud to have effectively changed the conversation around our work, proving that we are a responsible and politically engaged industry. And we certainly have NCIA to thank for building a community of respected business owners and for fighting for this industry on the federal level for these past five years.
I invite you to come celebrate with me, share some laughs, and reflect on the last half-decade at Looking Back, Moving Forward – NCIA’s 5th Anniversary Celebration. Taking place on November 11 at the LiNQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the night will be be an unforgettable celebration of where we’ve been and what we have to look forward to in the years ahead. I am excited to celebrate with you! Sincerely, Jaime Lewis Owner, Mountain Medicine Chair, National Cannabis Industry Association Board of Directors
Jaime Lewis, Owner of Mountain Medicine & Chair of NCIA’s Board of Directors
Jaime Lewis is the founder and owner of Mountain Medicine, a leading marijuana provider in Colorado renowned for its quality products, patient services, community engagement, and philanthropic efforts.
Since 2010, she has applied industry best practices to advance the company’s mission to provide safe and legal access to marijuana infused products and improves patient quality of life through the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. Jaime’s business management and entrepreneurial skills have contributed to Mountain Medicine success. In addition she has experience in retail and Medical marijuana dispensary in Denver, with a background in culinary arts, Jaime’s career trajectory into the medical marijuana industry began by creating compassion edibles for HIV/AIDs patients in San Francisco. In 2009, she moved to Colorado and founded Mountain Medicine, a marijuana-infused product manufacturer. She continues to oversee product development, quality control, and product consistency – the main tenants of the philosophy behind the company she founded.
Jaime is founder and Chair of the Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA), which serves as the policy voice for the cannabis industry in Colorado. CBA reflects her priority to develop sound policies and respect for the industry as it grows. She is a current board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association and has been active in campaigns to advance the interest of the industry. As a business woman and industry advocate, her participation in these organizations reflects her passion and commitment to support responsible industry policies, promote patient access, and enhance the emerging industry’s role in the economy.
You’re Invited: Celebrating NCIA’s 5th Year Anniversary
By Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events & Education
As the close of 2015 approaches, and along with it NCIA’s 5th year of successful operation, we are very excited to be gearing up to celebrate this momentous occasion with all our members and supporters! Much has changed since NCIA formed back in 2010, and there can be no denying the monumental strides achieved since then by the cannabis industry.
To celebrate these successes, we will be holding a refined retrospective-themed banquet the evening of November 11 at a breathtaking location, The Vortex, in Las Vegas. At the entrance of The LINQ promenade, The Vortex feels like a work of art, with a name inspired by its 7,000-square-foot, color-changing canopy vortex of lights. The Vortex is one of Vegas’ premier outdoor event venues and features a second-story observation deck beneath its LED canopy, situated in a prime location overlooking The Strip.
As in years past, we will be honoring elected officials throughout the evening who have been champions of our issues. We have nominated Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA 13th District), Representative Jared Polis (D-CO 2nd District), and Representative Barbara McClintock (R-CA 4th District) as the “Honorary Legislative Leaders” of 2015. During the banquet, we will be awarding one of these elected officials our coveted “Cannabis Industry Legislative Leadership” award distinguishing them as our industry’s champion this past year.
In addition to the awards ceremony, included in each $250 admission is a three-course meal, an open bar, musical entertainment by Erothyme, and a special gift bag filled with mementos to commemorate the occasion. You will also have the chance to explore our photo gallery offering an industry retrospective of the past five years of growth while making your own memories along our red carpet. In addition, you can take part in our silent auction where we’ll be offering up lots of unique cannabis and cultural memorabilia along with a few once-in-a-lifetime travel packages.
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible!
Premier Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors: Bronze Sponsor:
P.S. – Looking for more ways to support our 5th anniversary celebration? There are still a few high-level sponsorship opportunities available, as well as the opportunity to become a “Friend of the Industry” through a $500 donation.
If you would like to showcase your brand while publicly supporting NCIA’s work during one of the most important evenings of the year, contact us at events@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650 today.
Monthly Video Newsletter: September 2015 National Progress Report
Thank you for joining us for this September edition of NCIA’s monthly video newsletter.
Executive Director Aaron Smith shares the national progress report for the cannabis industry.
Not sure you’ll be making it to Vegas just yet? You can still support NCIA’s fifth anniversary by making a generous contribution to our annual fundraising drive today! All proceeds support our work defending the cannabis industry in Washington, D.C.
MONDAY NIGHT: U.S. Reps. Jared Polis & Dina Titus Join NCIA Members for Denver Reception
We are pleased to announce that Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) will be joining NCIA’s pre-conference cocktail reception on Monday, October 27, during our Infused Product & Extraction Symposium in Denver! The reception is open to all registered attendees of the symposium, and in appreciation for our members’ support throughout the year, it is also open to all NCIA members, even if you’re unable to attend the full symposium!
Congressman Polis and Congresswoman Titus will be in attendance to learn more about the problems facing the industry from those directly involved and share updates on the legislative landscape surrounding cannabis in their respective states.
The reception will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver and is only open to NCIA members, their invited guests, and registered attendees of the Infused Product & Extraction Symposium. Each NCIA member business may send up to two representatives or guests to the reception at no cost; additional guests of members will be admitted for $40 each.
Light appetizers and a hosted bar will be provided by NCIA.
Colorado Member Reception
at
Infused Product & Extraction Symposium
Monday, October 27 – 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center
Denver, CO
If you are a member of NCIA, we hope you’ll join your fellow industry leaders for this complimentary event to connect you with cannabusiness professionals while learning more about the work NCIA is doing on your behalf in Washington, DC.
If your business is not yet a member of the cannabis industry’s trade association, you can join online now and then register for the event for free.
Android Jones joins the Cannabis Revolution!
As we approach Vive la Révolution!, our fourth anniversary banquet being held next month, we are thrilled to announce that a very special guest will be joining us for the evening!
Android Jones, world renowned “trans-dimensional artist” specializing in digital mediums, will be providing otherworldly visuals to accompany the music of Erothyme. He will be creating an array of beautiful digital landscapes in the moment to compliment the musical journey while incorporating our message to inspire attendees. Keep reading to learn more about his biography, his massive and varied catalog of work, and details on a very special surprise from Android Jones to commemorate the evening!
If you are unfamiliar with Android Jones’s work, start your journey down the digital rabbit hole by watching this video of his very moving collaboration with the Oceanic Preservation Society, projected onto the United Nations Headquarters in New York City during the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit last month.
Android Jones is at the forefront of the trans-dimensional art movement. His body of work aims to emphasize creativity as the foundation of consciousness and an agent of social change. Moving beyond the traditional organic vegetable and animal technologies of pencils, ink, and brushes, Android develops latent possibilities within software programs such as Painter, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Alchemy, discovering new combinations and uses for tools that exceed the original intentions of their programmers.
Viewing the digital domain as a medium of energy and light capable of expanding the nature of reality, Android’s art encourages others to explore the potential interfaces of mind and machine in this time of accelerating change and increasing novelty.
Android Jones will be performing live during the musical portion of our program in addition to creating a unique piece of art throughout the evening to commemorate this special occasion. View highlights from one of his entirely unique live visual performances below at the Sydney Opera House as part of the grand finale of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra event in 2011.
Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on celebrating this incredible year of growth and progress for the cannabis industry while helping to raise funds for our only national trade association. Vive la Révolution! is being held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Admission includes a three-course plated dinner, a hosted bar, and a few special commemorative gifts from NCIA and our sponsors, in addition to this enchanting entertainment.
Vive la Révolution! – NCIA’s Anniversary Banquet
Celebrating Four Years of Advocacy, Education & Community
Sponsorships still available for this event but are quickly selling out! Contact us for more information now at events@thecannabisindustry.org!
Members who commemorate our anniversary with a $700 gift to NCIA will be listed as “Friends of the Industry” in our event program given to all banquet attendees and are eligible for a $100 discount on up to two tickets each. Contact us at events@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650 to make a contribution that will help us start 2015 off in the best position possible as we work on your behalf. The program listing is only available to current NCIA members. Huge thanks to all of our sponsors listed below who are helping make this event and our next year of success possible!
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Host Sponsor
Friends of the Industry
4-Front Ventures
American Cannabis Enterprises
Americann
Auntie Dolores
Berkeley Patients Group
Blum Oakland
California Growers Guild
Cannabismedecina.org
Cassandra, Queen Hecuba of Troy
CBCB
Cobalt LLP
CW Analytical Laboratories
Dixie Elixirs & Edibles
Freedom Enterprises
Gardening Unlimited
Goodwin Proctor LLP
Greenbridge Corporate Counsel
Harborside Health Center
Henry G. Wykowski & Associates
Illinois Cannabis Industry Association
Island Breeze Systems
MANTIS Ad Network
MedCanna Consulting
Medicine Man Technologies
Robert Raich, Attorney at Law
Rocky Mountain Business Products
Steep Hill Halent Labs
Venice Cookie Company
“In reality, change happens one person at a time on an individual basis. Art has the power to inspire change by making the invisible visible. We understand it takes more than a light show to change the world, but I believe we each have the power to change the version of ourselves and how we choose to interact with the world. Art can illuminate and reflect the truth of our actions.” — Android Jones
Join the Marijuana-Infused Product & Extraction Revolution!
The field of cannabis extraction and marijuana-infused products has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most consistently innovative sectors of the cannabis industry. It’s also become one of the most scrutinized and highly regulated. NCIA wants to help you capitalize on the infused product revolution while staying committed to the best, most responsible practices and highest quality products.
That’s why we’re hosting our first-ever Infused Product & Extraction Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver, CO, from October 27 to October 29. There will be no better opportunity for industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and newcomers alike to learn about best practices and cutting-edge technologies in this booming field.
Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled this short summary of who should attend and why to help make your decision a little easier!
Who Should Attend?
Infused product manufacturers
Extraction scientists and business pros
Investors & entrepreneurs
Experienced dispensary owners & operators
Attorneys & legal experts
Industry consultants
Policymakers and regulators
Why Should You Attend?
Gain insight into the rule-making process around infused products regulations from industry leaders who are directly involved.
Julie will be speaking on the “Intellectual Property, Labeling, & Branding” panel on Tuesday, October 28 from 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Receive unparalleled access to thought leaders with advice on maintaining and establishing a legitimate business within the infused products & extraction sector.
You can register for a ServSafe® Food Handler workshop taking place on Wednesday, October 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m when you register for the symposium.
Take a guided tour of two of Colorado’s premier infused product & extraction manufacturing facilities.
We are offering tours of both Dixie Elixirs and Auntie Dolores state-of-the-art production facilities located in Denver on Wednesday, October 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 to 4:15 p.m.
The morning tour is already sold-out so register now to reserve your spot!
You don’t need anymore convincing, do you? Well, just in case, we are happy to tell you that all NCIA members get a $150 discount on registration! Not a member of NCIA yet? Don’t worry! You can join today starting at the low cost of $100 a month or $1000 a year. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the first national event dedicated to infused products, while supporting the growth of a legitimate cannabis industry on the national level.
Register today for this great opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders while learning about best practices for operating a responsible and successful infused product or cannabis extraction business.
Inside the Illinois Medical Marijuana Program with the Illinois Cannabis Industry Association
The number of licenses for cultivation centers and dispensaries are quite limited – only 22 available for cultivation centers and 60 for dispensaries. What are officials with the Illinois Department of Agriculture looking at in applications to determine who will be awarded a license? Is there a chance to earn bonus points in any category?
Dan: The Department of Agriculture will be grading on a number of different features but the grow plan and horticultural experience will be heavily weighted in the scoring. In the event of a tie between competing applications for a single license the application with the higher scored grow plan will be awarded the license.
Ali: The main required categories don’t have specific bonus points available, but each application has an entire Bonus Section of areas that are not required but available for applicants to gain additional points if the required sections meet a certain score threshold. The Bonus Section areas include Labor and Employment Practices, a Research Plan, a Community Benefits Plan, a Substance Abuse Prevention Plan, a Local Community/Neighborhood Report, an Environmental Plan as well as additional points for Illinois-based applicants and businesses that are minority-owned, female-owned, veteran-owned, or owned by a person with a disability.
Dan Linn, ILCIA
State officials are making security a high priority for all applications. What kind of standards must applicants meet in their business plan regarding security measures?
Dan: Applicants will need to have full seed-to-sale inventory tracking accessible in real time by the Illinois State Police. Security measures will need to include listings of where the bulletproof glass is on the floor diagram of the dispensary, the camera field of vision, the proper-sized televisions to monitor the cameras, as well as background checks on everyone involved in the program.
What is the climate regarding banking access in Illinois? Have any banks come out to say they will allow cannabis businesses to open bank accounts?
Dan: Some banks are just unwilling to work with the cannabis industry. None have publicly come out as being willing to engage this industry, but there are a number of smaller community banks that are handling accounts for cannabis businesses in Illinois.
September 22 is the deadline for submitting applications to open a cultivation center or dispensary. What does the timeline look like for when licenses will be awarded and when is it expected that dispensaries will actually be selling product?
Ali: Recent public reports indicate that licenses will likely be issued later in the fall, probably in November or December. Based on that timeline dispensaries should be open with product on the shelves for patients in late spring/early summer of 2015.
How many expected applications for cultivation centers and dispensaries will be submitted by the September 22 deadline?
Ali: It is likely that there will be an average of at least a few applicants for each of the 82 available licenses, with total applicants numbering anywhere from 250-600.
Applications also just opened for qualifying medical patients to apply for access to medical marijuana. What is the timeline for qualifying patients to apply and when will patients find out if they are accepted into the program?
Ali: Patients with last names beginning A-L can apply now through Oct 31. Patients with last names beginning M-Z can apply Nov. 1-Dec. 31 and beginning Jan. 1 there will be open year-round enrollment for all patients. The state has 30 days by law to process a patient application, plus 14 days to mail it. This means that patients should expect to receive their approval or denial within 45 days of submission.
What are some of the regulations regarding edibles and other infused products?
Ali Nagib, ILCIA
Ali: Edibles and other infused products can be produced, but only those that can be kept at room temperature safely; products that require hot-holding or refrigeration are prohibited. Otherwise a wide range of infused products can be produced, and the state regulations have some fairly specific guidelines on the some of the production processes (e.g. which solvents can be used to produce concentrates) in addition to robust testing and labeling requirements.
Dan: Additionally, edibles and infused products must be produced in a sanitary kitchen and cannot look like candy or any name-brand food items.
What is the anticipated cost per ounce once product starts becoming available?
Dan: $250-400 is the estimated initial expected cost per ounce.
Ali: The early stages of the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program are likely to see a wide range of prices and substantial fluctuations as early supply and demand features work themselves out. It is almost certain that initial prices will be above those currently found on the illegal market, if not substantially so, but how the industry will react to the patient demand is uncertain.
The Illinois program is a pilot program that currently expires in 2017, and lawmakers must renew or extend the program at that time. What do you think lawmakers will be considering when deciding to renew or extend the program when the time comes?
Dan: They will be examining any instances of diversion, shenanigans, positive health experiences for patients, jobs created, who is the next President of the United States, how much revenue the program is creating, and probably what the overall public opinion of the program is.
Ali: We expect that by early 2017 the local and national landscape on cannabis policy reform will have continued to progress to the point that we won’t be debating whether or not to extend the pilot program but rather how and when to transition to a full tax-and-regulate framework and how to incorporate medical cannabis patients into it.
Illinois Cannabis Professionals Network in Chicago
More than 50 representatives from National Cannabis Industry Association member businesses gathered at Chicago’s Fado Irish Pub on the evening of September 16 to connect with each other and learn more about the work their association is doing on their behalf.
Attendees hear from Aaron Smith and Dan Linn about the work of NCIA and its state affiliate, ILCIA.
The event was timed just six days before the application deadline for businesses looking to open a medical cannabis dispensary or cultivation center. Illinois’s medical marijuana program was authorized by a pilot program approved by the legislature last year. The law allows for up to 22 cultivation centers and 60 medical cannabis dispensaries in the state.
NCIA executive director Aaron Smith and Dan Linn of the Illinois Cannabis Industry Association (ILCIA) spoke about the advocacy work each group is doing in Washington, DC and Springfield, IL, respectively. ILCIA is a newly-formed NCIA state affiliate that works to advance the industry’s political interests in Illinois through advocacy and the establishment of best practices.
Illinois Cannabis Industry Association board members Mark Passerini (left) and Lori Ferrara (right) pose during the Tuesday evening member reception.
The number of licenses for cultivation centers and dispensaries are quite limited – only 22 available for cultivation centers and 60 for dispensaries. What are officials with the Illinois Department of Agriculture looking at in applications to determine who will be awarded a license? Is there a chance to earn bonus points in any category?
Dan: The Department of Agriculture will be grading on a number of different features but the grow plan and horticultural experience will be heavily weighted in the scoring. In the event of a tie between competing applications for a single license the application with the higher scored grow plan will be awarded the license.
Ali: The main required categories don’t have specific bonus points available, but each application has an entire Bonus Section of areas that are not required but available for applicants to gain additional points if the required sections meet a certain score threshold. The Bonus Section areas include Labor and Employment Practices, a Research Plan, a Community Benefits Plan, a Substance Abuse Prevention Plan, a Local Community/Neighborhood Report, an Environmental Plan as well as additional points for Illinois-based applicants and businesses that are minority-owned, female-owned, veteran-owned, or owned by a person with a disability.
Dan Linn, ILCIA
State officials are making security a high priority for all applications. What kind of standards must applicants meet in their business plan regarding security measures?
Dan: Applicants will need to have full seed-to-sale inventory tracking accessible in real time by the Illinois State Police. Security measures will need to include listings of where the bulletproof glass is on the floor diagram of the dispensary, the camera field of vision, the proper-sized televisions to monitor the cameras, as well as background checks on everyone involved in the program.
What is the climate regarding banking access in Illinois? Have any banks come out to say they will allow cannabis businesses to open bank accounts?
Dan: Some banks are just unwilling to work with the cannabis industry. None have publicly come out as being willing to engage this industry, but there are a number of smaller community banks that are handling accounts for cannabis businesses in Illinois.
September 22 is the deadline for submitting applications to open a cultivation center or dispensary. What does the timeline look like for when licenses will be awarded and when is it expected that dispensaries will actually be selling product?
Ali: Recent public reports indicate that licenses will likely be issued later in the fall, probably in November or December. Based on that timeline dispensaries should be open with product on the shelves for patients in late spring/early summer of 2015.
How many expected applications for cultivation centers and dispensaries will be submitted by the September 22 deadline?
Ali: It is likely that there will be an average of at least a few applicants for each of the 82 available licenses, with total applicants numbering anywhere from 250-600.
Applications also just opened for qualifying medical patients to apply for access to medical marijuana. What is the timeline for qualifying patients to apply and when will patients find out if they are accepted into the program?
Ali: Patients with last names beginning A-L can apply now through Oct 31. Patients with last names beginning M-Z can apply Nov. 1-Dec. 31 and beginning Jan. 1 there will be open year-round enrollment for all patients. The state has 30 days by law to process a patient application, plus 14 days to mail it. This means that patients should expect to receive their approval or denial within 45 days of submission.
What are some of the regulations regarding edibles and other infused products?
Ali Nagib, ILCIA
Ali: Edibles and other infused products can be produced, but only those that can be kept at room temperature safely; products that require hot-holding or refrigeration are prohibited. Otherwise a wide range of infused products can be produced, and the state regulations have some fairly specific guidelines on the some of the production processes (e.g. which solvents can be used to produce concentrates) in addition to robust testing and labeling requirements.
Dan: Additionally, edibles and infused products must be produced in a sanitary kitchen and cannot look like candy or any name-brand food items.
What is the anticipated cost per ounce once product starts becoming available?
Dan: $250-400 is the estimated initial expected cost per ounce.
Ali: The early stages of the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program are likely to see a wide range of prices and substantial fluctuations as early supply and demand features work themselves out. It is almost certain that initial prices will be above those currently found on the illegal market, if not substantially so, but how the industry will react to the patient demand is uncertain.
The Illinois program is a pilot program that currently expires in 2017, and lawmakers must renew or extend the program at that time. What do you think lawmakers will be considering when deciding to renew or extend the program when the time comes?
Dan: They will be examining any instances of diversion, shenanigans, positive health experiences for patients, jobs created, who is the next President of the United States, how much revenue the program is creating, and probably what the overall public opinion of the program is.
Ali: We expect that by early 2017 the local and national landscape on cannabis policy reform will have continued to progress to the point that we won’t be debating whether or not to extend the pilot program but rather how and when to transition to a full tax-and-regulate framework and how to incorporate medical cannabis patients into it.
Training has been Maureen McNamara’s gig for over 20 years. Having cut her teeth in the rough and tumble hospitality world, Maureen realized her 20+ years of experience were well-suited to serve the burgeoning cannabis industry.
In partnership with the National Cannabis Industry Association, Maureen now offers a certification course in food safety for edible manufacturers as well as a responsible vendor program for budtenders, owners, and managers to teach them to sell safely, knowledgeably, and responsibly.
Start Making Sense – A Cannabis Industry Fundraiser for SSDP
The National Cannabis Industry Association is proud to be hosting “Start Making Sense,” a cannabis industry fundraiser for Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) on Tuesday, September 9 at the NCIA/Vicente Sederberg offices in Denver.
SSDP, the leading student-led drug policy reform organization in the country, is currently engaged in extensive voter education and get-out-the-vote efforts in Florida to support the passage of Amendment 2. This important voter initiative, if passed, would legalize and establish a comprehensive medical marijuana program for the first time in a southern state. We at NCIA are proud to support those efforts and all of the other great work of SSDP, so we hope our members and supporters will join us for this very special evening of music, food, and drinks while supporting sensible reform.
We wanted to throw this event not only to support our friends at SSDP but also to show our appreciation for our dedicated Colorado members who have been helping lead this burgeoning industry and supporting NCIA’s phenomenal growth over the last few years. Colorado has been a focal point for reform and helped set the example for responsible business practices. Now we invite our Colorado members to help this industry grow in an state where support is still very much needed.
We will also be hosting a silent auction throughout the night with multiple signed art prints from Black Ink, a Philadelphia-based art and design company founded by former SSDP members. They have been longtime supporters of SSDP, donating their design skills over the years to SSDP’s live-music-based program, the AMPLIFY Project. Their ongoing collaboration, the “Prints Not Prisons” Art Drive, has raised hundreds of dollars for sensible reform throughout the years. (You can view a full catalog of their work here.) Black Ink’s surrealistic style has been a huge hit among live music fans and is sure to gain some new fans during our event.
For musical entertainment we will be screening the landmark concert film “Stop Making Sense” by the Talking Heads. The movie will be projected onto the front side of our office building (better known as the Cannabis Cottage), so attendees can enjoy the last few days of summer outside before Colorado begins its annual cool-down. The inside of the Cannabis Cottage will be transformed into several themed networking rooms, each featuring different music and decorations to indulge your varied musical taste buds.
We aren’t skimping when it comes to food either! NCIA staff will be cooking up pork shoulder and beef brisket all day long (as well as a veggie option) so no one leaves with an empty stomach. In addition, a selection of fine Colorado microbrews will be on tap, along with a local wine selection and other non-alcoholic refreshments.
We hope you’re excited to join us for an evening supporting sensible reform while enjoying each others’ company and timeless music. Everything will be provided, but we are strongly urging all attendees to donate the suggested $40 for admission. Every dollar you contribute will have an exponential effect and impact on the spread of sensible reform. Please REGISTER TODAY and we’ll see you on Tuesday!
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Cannabis Business Summit
At the entrance of The LINQ promenade, The Vortex feels like a work of art, with a name inspired by its 7,000-square-foot, color-changing canopy vortex of lights. The Vortex is one of Vegas’ premier outdoor event venues and features a second-story observation deck beneath its LED canopy, situated in a prime location overlooking The Strip.
former SSDP members. They have been longtime supporters of SSDP, donating their design skills over the years to SSDP’s live-music-based program, the 