Policy Council Conversations | 4.21.21 | Creating Gender Parity
In this edition of our Policy Council Conversations series originally aired on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 we were joined by the authors of the recently-released white paper series entitled “Building New Foundations in the Cannabis Industry: Creating Gender Parity through Ownership, Leadership, Boards, Pay Equality, Branding, and Capital”, for a discussion in partnership with NCIA and the Arcview Women’s Inclusion Network.
In celebration of 4/20 and in honor of those that have come before us, this webinar will dive into the toolkits and the outcomes that will create Gender Parity, through Ownership, Leadership, Boards, Pay Equality, Branding, and Capital.
Are you a leader (or aspiring leader) in the cannabis industry? Is Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Inclusion on your priority list? This webinar will be getting these big ideas into actionable takeaways.
The authors discussed the state of the industry and how businesses and individuals can embrace gender parity every day. The research, data, personal stories and case studies highlighted demonstrate why gender parity is crucial to business success in any industry, especially cannabis.
Have you read the papers? Listened to the podcasts? Just want to learn more about the topic? Everyone is welcome!
Committee Insights | 4.7.21 | Hot Topics for Accounting and Tax for the Cannabis Industry
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 we were joined by members of our NCIA’s Banking and Financial Services Committee to explore various topics around cannabis banking, accounting and tax.
Get your questions answered as it relates to 280E tax and 471(c ), other cannabis state and local tax considerations, cash and inventory management procedures, legal entity structure, cannabis tax planning and cannabis banking issues.
Panelists:
Curtis Winar
Director, Strategic Services
Cannabis Industry Practice Leader – Frost, PLLC
Peter Su
VP, Private Banking/Cannabis Banking Team Leader
Dime Bank
Naomi Granger
CFO
National Association of Accounting and Tax Professionals
NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations are an advanced #IndustryEssentials webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.
One of the most overlooked yet important tasks when creating your cannabis business is the design of your facility. Too often we are so engrossed in the myriad of other things that need to be accomplished that we do not give enough attention to this fundamental need of our business.
In this edition of our Catalyst Conversations series originally aired on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 we convened a panel of experts to demystify facilities design planning and share pragmatic steps from how to choose a company to work with to what questions you should ask, and most importantly how much it is going to cost.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain the importance of engaging facility designers at the onset of your project
• Provide pragmatic information on what you should look for when vetting facilities design companies
• Demystify the cost of getting a facility design for your emerging company
Panelists:
• Christine De La Rosa, CEO and National Co-Founder, The People’s Dispensary
• Jade Heller, Intern Architect, Fishbeck
• LaToyia Rucker, COO, Calyxeum
• Brian Anderson, Partner, Anderson Porter Design
• Jacques Santucci, Founder, Nucleus One
A special thank you to the benefactors of NCIA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program which are listed below!
Committee Insights | 3.30.21 | How Your Facility Design Ensures Business Success
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 we were joined by members of our Facility Design Committee for an advanced session covering best practices to ensure design and commissioning parameters set you up for operational success.
Attendees will walk away with these key insights:
• What do we call the planning phase, and how does this all tie into PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)?
• What is commissioning (Cx)? When does it happen, what are the different terms of art from the cross-disciplines, and why is it vital to a facility and successful operations?
• How to optimize OpEx and CapEx – what is Operational Efficiency, how is it defined, and how does it affect facility design?
Panelists:
Dario Boyce
Project Manager
Anderson Porter Design, Inc.
David Dixon
President
davidcdixonllc
Tony Vannice
Principle
Operations Management Consulting
David Vaillencourt
CEO & Founder
The GMP Collective
Brian Anderson
Partner
Anderson Porter Design, Inc.
Fireside Chats w/ NCIA’s Gov. Relations Team | 3.31.21 | Lessons Learned From Canada
The Fireside Chat series of NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are an exclusive monthly opportunity for NCIA members to hear from our government relations team and guests about the latest developments in federal policy LIVE.
Join Mike and Michelle and their guests this month as they take a deep dive into lessons learned from Canada, including ways to reform laws, spotting red flags, and crafting regulations.
In 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to formally legalize the cultivation, possession, acquisition and consumption of cannabis and its by-products. While shifting political dynamics, successful ballot initiative measures, and the entrepreneurial drive of American small businesses may have started the regulated global cannabis market, the U.S. is quickly falling behind as that market expands internationally.
You can also expect to hear about raising capital, the stock and public markets, and the challenges Canada has had with bringing illicit activities into the legal market. Overall, you can expect to hear do’s and don’ts, lessons learned, and advice from international cannabis industry professionals.
Panelists:
Michael Gorenstein
Executive Chairman
The Cronos Group
In this edition of our Committee Insights series originally aired on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 members of NCIA’s Retail Committee convened a panel of retail cannabis experts to lead a discussion of innovative retail cannabis marketing strategies & challenges. At the conclusion of the presentation they hosted a moderated Q&A session so don’t miss your chance to learn from these pioneers in the retail space!
Learning Objectives:
• Learn numerous innovative ways to market to customers during changing times
• Local, state and federal challenges to retail cannabis compliance
• Successful public relations and social media strategies
• Tools for building a marketing strategy
• What is your data worth and how can you capitalize on it?
Panelists:
Brandon Dorsky Hoban Law
Gary Strahle 3KEYMEDIA LLC
Allison Disney Receptor Brands
Byron Bogaard Highway 33
Tara Coomans Avaans PR
Larina Scofield Lucy Sky Cannabis Boutique
“If you don’t own your data, your data will own you” – Gary Strahle of 3KEYMEDIA LLC
Committee Insights | 3.17.21 | No Time to Waste – Putting Equity First In The Mid-Atlantic Region
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 we were joined by members of NCIA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to discuss the key positions that all activists should dig their heels in to ensure cannabis legislation is as equitable as possible.
With the Mid-Atlantic poised to becoming the next region to ride the wave of cannabis legalization, this was a timely conversation to help those in the region understand what demands they should be making with their lawmakers, all from the perspectives of those who’ve come before us in different markets who’ve fought these kinds of battles.
Brandon Bolton
Executive Director United CORE Alliance
Chelsea Higgs Wise
Executive Director Marijuana Justice
Chirali Patel
Executive Board Member New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Law Committee
Committee Insights | 3.17.21 | Energy Use and Working Towards Standardizations in Regulations
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 we were joined by members of NCIA’s Cannabis Cultivation Committee for an advanced session on energy use and procurement alongside sustainable cultivation practices.
Energy consumption is one of the largest costs for a licensed cannabis cultivation. During this webinar, we convened a panel of cannabis industry cultivation experts to share what cultivations are doing to lessen energy consumption and the potential need for standards and/or regulations to help promote “greener” cannabis cultivations.
Panelists:
Steve Mackey – Senior Vice President – Yobi (Host)
Ash Ganley – GrowRay Lighting Technologies
Adrian Geovenco – CEO & Co-Founder – InSpire Transpiration Solutions
Josh Holleb – Ceres Greenhouse Solutions
Ryan Disney – Botanist – Red Arrow Farm
Noni Goldman – COO – The Hub Craft
Sonny Antonio – CEO/Founder – Sunshine Design
Protected: Committee Insights | 3.10.21 | Leveraging Technology for your Advertising & Marketing
Committee Insights | 3.3.21 | Out of the Box Ideas to Market Your Cannabis Retail & Product Brands
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 we were joined by members of our Marketing & Advertising Committee for a lively conversation surrounding unique ideas on how to market and advertise your cannabis brand!
Our panel of esteemed experts highlight ten (or more!) creative examples others are doing to jump start your idea factory and get attention! They’ll each bring examples of other cannabis business brands doing out-of-the -ordinary things, and maybe a few from other industries that YOU can duplicate successfully in cannabis.
Laura Wilkinson Sinton
Founder & CEO
Caligrown™/AFC Products
Jake Wall
Chief Innovation Officer
avec bloom
Michele Ringelberg
Owner
ThrivePOP
Josefine Nowitz
Co-Founder
Cannabis Creative Group
Committee Insights | 2.23.21 | Future Proofing Your Business – Vaping Product Regulation Preparedness
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 we were joined by members of our Cannabis Manufacturing Committee for a discussion surrounding future vaping product regulations. You’ll learn what to expect and what manufacturers can do to support compliance, as well as help protect the environment and public health
Panelists include:
Emily N. Long
Byers Scientific
(Moderator)
Robert Thomas
Scientific Solutions
Ramon Alarcon
Wellness Insight Technologies Inc.
Arnaud Dumas de Rauly
Blinc Group
Committee Insights | 2.17.21 | Cannabis Business Culture & Hiring Practices Are Rapidly Changing…
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, February 17 we were joined by members of our Human Resources Committee for a discussion focused on the change in cannabis business culture and hiring practices experienced as a result of the pandemic.
The cannabis industry’s 2019 capital crunch leading into the 2020 COVID pandemic was a very difficult time for everyone in the cannabis community to say the least, and of course continues to present very difficult challenges. However, some positive culture shifts and creative hiring practices in the industry were born as a result. Because if one thing holds true about the cannabis community, it’s that we’re a gritty and resilient bunch!
Hear from cannabis industry recruitment leaders, Bryan Passman of Hunter + Esquire and Kimley Svendsen of Drive Talent, who will share insights from their frontline experiences.
Attendees will gain insight into these key takeaways:
• Ways in which cannabis business cultures are continuing to evolve to reflect those within marquis companies in mainstream industries.
• How Hiring practices in all industries were turned upside down by the pandemic – the good and the not so good.
• It’s been a rough ride with more difficult times ahead, but panelists breakdown the ways our “essential” industry is still winning despite it all.
NCIA Committee Insights | 2.10.21 | New States Licensing Framework and Insurance Requirements
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 we were joined by members of our Risk Management and Insurance Committee for a discussion focused on new state cannabis medicinal programs as well as expanding adult-use programs and the insurance requirements that are part of the licensing process. Panelists reviewed the most common requirements for license hopefuls, took a deep dive into SOPs and best practices, and established key pillars for a sound, scalable risk management program.
Learning Objectives:
• Key licensing requirements pre and post application
• Imperative coverage to start your business
• Standard Operating Procedures that can be leveraged to ensure you have the right policies in place when you are opening your doors
• Key Risk Management Techniques
• What to do once you have a license & basic coverage
• Deep dive into key milestones and additional coverage that can be applicable as you scale your business
Panelists Include:
Jeffrey Samuels
Vice President Cannabis Practice
Embroker
Eric Rahn
Managing Director
Rahn & Associates Insurance Brokerage
Matthew Johnson
Vice President of Marketing
QuadScore Insurance Services
Michael DeNault
Risk Mitigation Specialist
Charles River Insurance
Kevin Haller, CPA
Principal of Akene Consulting
Cimone Casson
Executive of Cannas Capital
#IndustryEssentials Recording – Catalyst Conversations | 2.2.21 | 2021 Cannabis Industry Business Opportunities
NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations are an advanced #IndustryEssentials webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.
All NCIA member receive exclusive 30 day access to formatted video recordings of our #IndustryEssentials educational webinars following their live broadcast and prior to public release.
In this edition of our Catalyst Conversations series originally aired on Tuesday, February 2 we heard from experienced operators, consultants and technical assistance providers sharing best practices and advice on where to get started whether you’d like to apply for a license or start an ancillary business.
Speakers included:
• La Wanda Know, Cannabis Equity Assistance Program Technical Assistance Consultant
• Kevin Ford Jr, CEO, Uplift National
• Amber Norwood, Co- Founder, Weed The People Law
• Rebecca Colett , CEO, Calyxeum
Moderators:
• Christine De La Rosa , CEO and National Co-Founder, The People’s Dispensary
• Tahir Johnson , Membership and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, NCIA
A special thank you to the benefactors of NCIA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program which are listed below! These businesses have all taken their commitment to social justice to the next level by providing significant financial support for all our DEI efforts across the association. You can learn more about these initiatives on the NCIA’s website by following this link on then join the ranks of these pioneering businesses pushing for a more equitable industry.
NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Program Benefactors:
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Service Solutions: Why Good Manufacturing Practices are Critical for Cannabis Edibles Success (and Other Lessons from the Food & Dietary Supplements Sectors)
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when & where you need it most.
The Service Solutions series is our sponsored content webinar program which allows business owners the opportunity to learn more about premier products, services and industry solutions directly from our network of established suppliers, providers and thought leaders.
In this edition of our Service Solutions series originally aired on Tuesday, January 19 our panel of experts led by the team at ImEPIK discussed why food safety programs are important for those making edibles, even though they’re not federally required (yet). ImEPIK pulled together a unique group of experts who covered the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices in the U.S. and Good Production Practices in Canada, as well as certification standards and training options.
Learning Objectives
1. Discuss why a food framework will likely be adopted with cannabis edibles become federally regulated;
2. Recognize the importance of incorporating GMPs and GPPs as part of cannabis edibles production;
3. Establish what training and certification programs they’ll need to establish to prepare for federal requirements.
Panelists include:
Patricia Wester (MODERATOR)
Food Safety Expert and Owner
PA Wester Consulting
Kathryn Birmingham, PhD
COO and Vice President of Research and Development
ImEPIK
Kathy Knutson, PhD Food Safety and Cannabis Consultant – PCQI Lead Instructor
ImEPIK
Merril Gilbert
Co-Founder and CEO
TraceTrust
David Vaillencourt
Founder and CEO
The GMP Collective
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Service Solutions: Coming out of the Dark Ages – The Future of Controlled Environment Agriculture in Sealed Greenhouse Cultivation
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when & where you need it most.
The Service Solutions series is our sponsored content webinar program which allows business owners the opportunity to learn more about premier products, services and industry solutions directly from our network of established suppliers, providers and thought leaders.
In this edition of our Service Solutions series originally aired on Wednesday, December 16 we were joined by the team at Ceres Greenhouse Solutions for a conversation in which they highlighted some of the important technologies involved in modern greenhouse design, as well as their unique approach to facilitating cultivation to market strategies for those looking to enter this world of cannabis growth.
What is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)? What is sealed cultivation? What does control actually mean when we talk about growing? This webinar, brought to you by Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, will explore these questions and why they matter for professional cannabis cultivation. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in cannabis has been heavily focused on indoor environments with artificial lighting. Our focus is on incorporating principles of CEA with the intelligence of nature in order to maximize plant photosynthesis and facility energy efficiency. Using sunlight as the main ingredient, we will discuss how to create an ideal environment for high yielding and high quality production.
Learning Objectives
1. An understanding of what is traditionally meant by “Controlled Environment Agriculture” and how Ceres integrates CEA into our holistic facility design.
2. How to make a business argument for “Controlled Environment Agriculture”; better ensuring cultivation to market, production management, and prediction.
3. An explanation of different types of grows and the advantages and disadvantages of them, including: Indoor Grow, Sun Tubes (Skylights), Traditional Greenhouses, and the SunChamber™.
4. What is meant by the term “controlled”? How does control relate to energy consumption and increasing yields?
5. A holistic understanding of what a plant needs to thrive; from light absorption to photosynthesis.
Panelists:
Josh Holleb
Co-Founder and Co-Owner
Ceres Greenhouse Solutions
In these last few days of the year, I’m as eager as anyone to put it all behind us in the rearview mirror, but I’m also so grateful of what our members have made possible in 2020.
As we close out NCIA’s 10th year as the cannabis industry’s largest and most respected trade association, I’m just in awe of all the progress that has been made for the cannabis industry in spite of so many challenges.
When state governments were first grappling with the response to the pandemic, most deemed cannabis businesses as “essential,” allowing our industry to stay open to serve patients and adult consumers. Just a few years ago, this level of recognition as a vital sector of the economy would have been unthinkable — even to me!
What’s more, legal cannabis sales broke records throughout the months of this pandemic. It should be no surprise that #CannabisIsEssential to getting through a global pandemic.
Although our lobbying operation went virtual this year, NCIA was able to move the ball further than ever in Congress. The House of Representatives ended the year by passing the groundbreaking MORE Act, marking the first time either chamber of Congress has approved legislation to legalize cannabis since its prohibition over 80 years ago.
Public support for sensible marijuana policy and the legal cannabis industry stands at its all-time high. During the most divisive election in modern U.S. history, voters from across the political spectrum support ending prohibition and putting cannabis behind a regulated counter. In fact, adult-use cannabis initiatives garnered more votes than President-Elect Biden in every state where both appeared on the ballot — including the two he decisively won (New Jersey and Arizona). The hundreds of forward-thinking businesses that support our advocacy and education efforts have made this incredible progress possible, in spite of an otherwise dismal year.
It’s been almost ten months since we have been able to host in-person events but NCIA has continued to keep our community connected and informed through our Industry Essentials educational webinar series, Cannabis Caucus (cyber) events, and the Cannabis Business Cyber Summit.
NCIA also launched a second weekly podcast offering, The Cannabis Diversity Report, and celebrated more than 200 episodes of The Cannabis Industry Voice podcast (also top 50 U.S. Business News charts for Apple Podcasts), plus monthly live video updates with NCIA Today. During this temporary break from face-to-face networking, we’ve created several digital sponsorship opportunities for savvy cannabis businesses to elevate their brand while also supporting the work we are doing to advance the industry.
Amidst our national reckoning over systemic racism and police brutality, NCIA launched our Equity Scholarship program which now provides membership benefits to over 100 equity operators. Thanks to the financial support of a growing number of businesses that have stepped up to support social equity in cannabis, this important program will continue to be a priority in 2021 and beyond.
2020 was also a great year to be a member of NCIA. As the only full-service trade association in the cannabis industry, we take pride in providing our members with the resources they need to gain a competitive advantage over the industry’s free-riders and isolated operators.
Over the past year, we’ve expanded our membership benefits with the launch of our exclusive online community, NCIA Connect, as well as significant member-only discounts onSimplifya’s compliance platform.
I take pride that NCIA is the only association in cannabis providing our members with this kind of direct ROI in addition to professional political representation in our nation’s halls of power.
Our members are building the next great American industry. It’s an honor representing them through the thick and thin. Progress takes time but the work we are doing to build support for that industry in the halls of Congress and among the voting public is paying off.
On behalf of the whole team at NCIA, I wish you a happy holiday season and new year! I hope you’re enjoying it safely with those you love. We have even more in store for 2021 as we continue to support our members through advocacy, education, and community, so stay tuned.
With gratitude,
Aaron Smith Co-founder & CEO
P.S. If you are not yet a member of NCIA but somehow read all the way to this point, please take just a couple of minutes more to join today. NCIA membership is a simple investment in the future of your business and our industry.
P.P.S If you are a member, reach out and say hello. I’d love to hear about your plans for 2021 and find out how NCIA can help your business succeed.
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – NCIA Committee Insights: Retail Cannabis During a Pandemic
In this edition of our Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, December 9th we were joined by members of Retail Committee to discuss some of the ways the ever-evolving cannabis industry has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in the retail space, as well as some of the best practices you can follow to ensure the safety of your staff and clientele.
Panelists also discuss some ideas from retail insiders on how the retail cannabis space may evolve going forward due to the pandemic.
Learning Objectives
• How retail cannabis has evolved since COVID
• COVID retail best practices
• How might the retail cannabis industry change going forward
Speakers include:
Ryan Rappaport
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Digital Venture Partners
(Moderator)
Gary Strahle
Technical Architect
3KEYMEDIA LLC
Jason Cragholm
Founder
QualSCORE
Larina Scofield
Director of Retail Operations
Lucy Sky Cannabis Boutique
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – NCIA Committee Insights: Harvesting, Ergonomics of Trimming and Contracting
In this edition of our Committee Insights series originally aired on Monday, December 7th we were joined by a panel of commercial cultivation experts, along with special guests from the Occupational and Physical Therapy industries, for a comprehensive look at the art of trimming and how they handle the final stages of cultivation.
Harvesting is a laborious process. Even with machinery and thoughtful process engineering, the bulk of cannabis harvesting, including cutting down mature plants, hanging in drying rooms, and the artful hand trimming necessary for top-dollar bag appeal, are done by people.
For employees and owners, understanding the ergonomics of the harvesting and trimming process, from posture and Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) to selecting the appropriately sized scissors, is an important aspect of People Health. The goal of ergonomics is to largely prevent musculoskeletal injuries and encourage higher, sustainable production efficiencies.
Panelists:
Jordan Stauder
GrowRay Lighting Technologies
Alex Hearding
National Cannabis Risk Management Association
Dr. Chris Hughes
Atlas Performance
LaToyia Rucker
Calyxeum Detroit
Presented By:
NCIA’s Cultivation Committee
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Catalyst Conversations: Opportunities for HBCUs in the Cannabis Industry
NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations Series is a brand new advanced webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.
In this month’s program, we rebroadcasted a session recently presented at our Cannabis Business Cyber Summit for those who may have missed it!
From this panel gain insight from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in cannabis, on how HBCU, their students, and alumni can take advantage of opportunities to participate in America’s fastest growing industry. Southern University made history as the first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) to release its own line of THC medical cannabis products. African-Americans currently make up less than 5% of cannabis business ownership.
Panelists:
Tahir Johnson,
Membership & Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Manager
National Cannabis Industry Association
Chanda Macias
Chairwoman & CEO
National Holistic Healing Center
Kinchasa Taylor
Principle/Cannabist Specialist
Cannavation Analytics
Kevin Ford
Chief Executive Officer
The Uplift Companies
Hope Wiseman
Chief Executive Officer
Mary and Main
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Service Solutions: The Road Ahead – Cannabis Compliance in 2021 and Beyond
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when & where you need it most.
The Service Solutions series is our sponsored content webinar program which allows business owners the opportunity to learn more about premier products, services and industry solutions directly from our network of established suppliers, providers and thought leaders.
In this edition of our Service Solutions series originally aired on Wednesday, November 18 we were joined by a panel of experts led by the team at Simplifya for a comprehensive look at the complexities of cannabis industry compliance as we wrap up the challenges of 2020 and look ahead to what changes are in store for the industry post-election. From COVID-19 regulations and social distancing guidelines to the potential changes we can expect from a shift in power in the Senate and the White House; we will discuss the challenge of, and provide recommendations for maintaining compliance from a regulatory, banking, and accounting perspective.
Learning Objectives:
• What operators in newly legalized states can anticipate regarding regulations and operational compliance demands
• The impact a change in Senate power could have on banking compliance
• Insights into the complexity of cannabis accounting, and how to compliantly be prepared now that the IRS is stepping up its cannabis focus
Speakers Include:
Amy Larson
VP Sales & Marketing
Simplifya
Brooke Butler
Vice President of Partnerships
Simplifya
Scott Hammon
Assurance Partner & National Cannabis Practice Leader
MGO
The NCIA Committee Insights series showcases content produced in partnership with one of our 15 member-led committees.
For centuries we have collected, extracted, and studied countless plants for their medicinal, and sometimes poisonous effects. There are a handful of chilling tales of famous botanists and explorers falling victim to Angel’s Trumpet or even Poisonous Hemlock. NCIA’s Scientific Advisory Committee thought it fitting, for this special Halloween edition of their program to explore the spooky claim that cannabis has the potential to kill.
Paloma Lehfeldt, MD
Director of Medical Education
Vireo Health
Courtney Maltais
Co-founder and Lead Botanist at The Clear™
Founder at CM Botanical
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Catalyst Conversations: The Data You Need to Win
NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations Series is a brand new advanced webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.
In this edition of our Catalyst Conversations series originally aired on Tuesday, October 6 we featured some of the smartest minds in cannabis research and analytics, to share their insights on the US and global cannabis markets and how businesses can use data to their advantage.
Having access to accurate information is critical to success as an operator in the cannabis industry. Panelists will share data specific to states with social equity programs in existing and potential markets around the country.
This webinar will explore:
• What is the most important data that social equity owners and operators need to grow their business?
• How can cannabis business owners respond to the massive changes in consumer purchasing behavior due to COVID-19?
• What is the disparity of ownership and employment and arrests for cannabis between racial and ethnic groups?
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Fireside Chats with NCIA’s Government Relations Team: Let’s Talk About Hemp, Baby!
The Fireside Chat series of NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are an exclusive opportunity for NCIA members to hear from our government relations team and guests about the latest developments in federal policy.
In this editions of our Fireside Chat series originally broadcast on Wednesday, September 9, Mike and Michelle hosted Eric Steenstra, Executive Director at Vote Hemp, and Tami Wahl, a lawyer and lobbyist in D.C., for a lively discussion amongst friends about the future of hemp.
In 2018, Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which included the Hemp Farming Act, effectively legalizing hemp (with some serious restrictions). However, since passage, farmers, businesses, and the states themselves have struggled with the lack of clarity from the federal government. Vote Hemp was founded in 2000 to bring back hemp as a commercial crop in the U.S. and has been instrumental in inclusion of hemp in the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills as well as changes to many state laws. And over the past year, Tami has been working on farmer-friendly legislation to open end markets for hemp farmers by removing FDA’s barrier for CBD.
Our panel discussed COVID-19, relief accessibility, and how the pandemic has affected all aspects of the hemp industry. They also explored talk about legislative activity, the DEA and a new lawsuit that was just filed against the agency regarding hemp, and will chat about the FDA and the regulation of cannabis and hemp derived products.
Shifting back to Congress, Mike and Michelle also talked to Eric and Tami about the pending continuing resolution that would extend the 2014 hemp pilot program, as well as the amount of time the USDA has to finalize its hemp rules. And of course, it wouldn’t have been an NCIA Government Relations webinar if we didn’t talk about SAFE Banking– so make sure you tune in to hear the latest on how the hemp industry is dealing with financial institutions in a post-legalization world.
Panelists:
Eric Steenstra
Executive Director
Vote Hemp
Tami Wahl
Founder
Modern Advocates
Michael Correia
Director of Government Relations
National Cannabis Industry Association
Michelle Rutter-Friberg
Deputy Director of Government Relations
National Cannabis Industry Association
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Catalyst Conversations: A Regulator’s Perspective on Social Equity
NCIA’s Catalyst Conversations Series is a brand new advanced webinar series curated to give enrollees in our Social Equity Scholarship program the opportunity to network and gain access to valuable knowledge that will help them excel in the cannabis industry.
In the inaugural Catalyst Conversations webinar originally aired on Tuesday, September 1st we explored the current state of social equity programs within the cannabis industry across the country. Attendees heard first hand from regulators in different jurisdictions including California, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
Topics discussed included:
• What is Social Equity?
• Why should Social Equity be a priority as states and municipalities consider cannabis legalization around the country and what can be learned from existing markets?
• What are the most important issues concerning Social Equity programs that are currently being discussed in each regulator’s respective market?
• Advice on how to achieve success in the cannabis industry.
Speakers Included:
Shaleen Title Commissioner (Former) Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
Nina Parks Madam Chair San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee
Chaney Turner Cannabis Regulatory Commissioner City of Oakland
Dasheeda Dawson Cannabis Program Supervisor City of Portland, OR
Cat Packer Executive Director and General Manager City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation
Molly Duplechian Denver Department of Excise and Licenses Deputy Director of Policy City of Denver
Moderated by:
Tahir Johnson Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager National Cannabis Industry Association
Roz McCarthy Founder & CEO Minorities for Medical Marijuana
Video: NCIA Today – August Recap, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update, Election Predictions, and more!
Host Bethany Moore, NCIA’s Communications Manager and host of NCIA’s weekly Podcast ‘NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice‘ brings you an in-depth look at what is happening across the country in federal cannabis policy reform and with NCIA.
From the top, Bethany discusses the new NCIA #IndustryEssentials webinar series. Webinars that arenʻt just about getting some big-name talking heads on a Zoom call, but about getting the correct people with the most up-to-date information to help our members stay ahead of the curve. This new series provides insights you canʻt find anywhere else, from experts who will surprise and delight you with their in-depth knowledge on relevant industry topics.
We check in with NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Manager Tahir Johnson to hear some of the recent highlights from his new show “The Cannabis Diversity Report.” Launched alongside the NCIA Social Equity Scholarship program, this weekly conversation takes an in-depth look at navigating, regulating, and growing the cannabis industry as a minority operator.
Director of Public Policy Andrew Kline joins Bethany on NCIA Today to discuss the nomination of Kamala Harris as the Democrats’ vice-presidential choice. A former Biden staffer and advisor, Kline discusses the minute differences he sees in the nominees’ cannabis policy and his expectation that Senator Harris can help Vice President Biden’s views evolve.
2020 isn’t completely canceled, as we begin registration for this November’s #CannaBizSummit CYBER, register today!
#IndustryEssentials Webinar Recording – Service Solutions: Cleaning Validation in the Cannabis Industry
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when & where you need it most. The Service Solutions series is our sponsored content webinar program which allows business owners the opportunity to learn more about premier products, services and industry solutions directly from our network of established suppliers, providers and thought leaders.
In this edition of our Service Solutions series which took place on Monday, August 31 we were joined by Ecolab Life Sciences for an in-depth look at the landscape surrounding current Good Manufacturing Practices related to cannabis and how the lack of clarity at the federal level here in the United States complicates a vital process every grower or producer must take into consideration.
GMPs are established by the FDA in the 21 Code of Federal Regulations, with GMPs defined for each: Foods, Drugs, Medical Devices, and Dietary Supplements in specific Parts of the CFR. Defined within those GMPs are requirements for cleaning and cleaning validation for each category. Because cannabis is not legal for commerce under Federal law, the FDA has not defined GMPs for cannabis or cannabis containing products. That leaves the cannabis processor with no specific guidance on GMPs, cleaning, or cleaning validation. At the same time, the cannabis customer is likely operating in a regulated category. So, what is a cannabis grower / processor to do?
In this session, we will explore
• Regulations that may impact the Cannabis customer – how does that impact the cannabis producer?
• GMP requirements for cleaning and cleaning validation for typical Cannabis forms
• Rational to determine GMPs that Cannabis producers may follow
• Steps for establishing cleaning methods and a cleaning validation program.
Speakers:
Susan Youngquist
Validation Manager
Ecolab Life Sciences
Webinar Recording: NCIA Committee Insights – What’s Going On With Social Equity In Illinois?
In case you missed it, watch the recording of this webinar from Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when & where you need it most. The NCIA Committee Insights series showcases content produced in partnership with one of our 15 member-led committees.
? What has taken Illinois so long to announce its first round of Social Equity license winners?
? When Illinois legalized Adult Use on January 1st of this year, it announced itself as a national leader in the fight for Social Equity.
? Is it making the impact it set out to in communities Disproportionately Impacted by the War on Drugs?
Find out directly from stakeholders in Illinois how the program has or hasn’t been working. How will the failings and successes in Illinois thus far impact other Social Equity programs around the nation?
Members of NCIA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Special Guests from the Chicago Community spoke on the subject, including:
⭐️ Tahir Johnson, Business Development Manager, National Cannabis Industry Association (Moderator)
⭐️ Christine de la Rosa, CEO & National Co-Founder, The People’s Dispensary
⭐️ Mike Lomuto, Co-Founder, Boost
⭐️ Mark Slaugh, Founder, iComply
⭐️ Rev. Anibal Vega, Social Equity Partner, The People Dispensary Chicago
⭐️ Ron Holmes, Co-Founder, Majority-Minority Group
⭐️ Kay Villamin, Co-founder & Creative Marketing Director, Hush Chicago
⭐️ Michael Malcolm, Founder & Cannabis Consultant, WTF Media; Social Equity Applicant – Chicago
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