Advances In Scientific Solutions For Cannabis

Today on NCIA Cannabis Industry Voice our host is joined by Elizabeth Greiselman to talk about the advances in scientific solutions for cannabis. Liz came to Rocky Mountain Reagents, Inc. in 1998 with a move to Colorado. Rocky Mountain Reagents provides a number of services to our customers that larger companies simply cannot. RMR is an OEM manufacturer that produces custom product lines for several companies. When she was Director of Sales and Marketing, Liz was instrumental in expanding custom manufacturing markets. RMR now manufactures custom product lines for several companies. Custom projects vary from custom labeling current products to custom product development, including formulation, packaging, and labeling. Liz is currently the Vice President and continues to play an active role in all aspects of the business today.

Cannabusiness Workforce Management and HR

Talking Cannabusiness Workforce Management and HR as Bethany Moore talks to Keegan Peterson from Wurk, a workforce management and HR platform that serves the cannabis industry.

Representing the Cannabis Industry to the Banking Industry

NCIA’s Bethany Moore speaks with Mark Goldfogel, the Executive Vice President for The Fourth Corner Credit Union about Representing the Cannabis Industry to the Banking Industry and the Credit Union.

Insurance Coverage And Risk Management Services For Cannabis Clients

Today on NCIA our host is joined by Jason Horst of Horst Legal Counsel. Based in the Bay Area, Jason represents a variety of cannabis clients, focusing in the areas of insurance coverage and risk management services. ason represents businesses, public entities, professional and nonprofit organizations, and individuals in complex civil litigation and appellate cases involving a wide variety of contract, real estate, insurance coverage, and technology disputes. He has a proven record of success representing both plaintiffs and defendants at trial, on appeal, and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. He prides himself in the ability to deliver creative, efficient solutions to thorny legal problems. Before opening Horst Legal Counsel, Jason worked for over a decade with some of the top international and regional law firms serving clients in the Bay Area.

Security-First Approach To Computing, Focusing On Elevating Clients

Today we are joined by Eric Schlissel President and CEO, GeekTek – Modern Managed IT and Data Security Services. Eric’s strong leadership and technical expertise propels GeekTek past the boundaries of a traditional IT service provider. GeekTek has a security-first approach to computing, focusing on elevating clients’ use of technology while navigating the ever-changing landscape. Eric cares deeply about the culture at GeekTek and leads by example based on longstanding guiding principles: Being Flexible, Listening and Asking, Building True Partnerships and Doing the Right Thing. Widely recognized as a thought leader in the IT industry, Eric has been featured on the cover of ChannelPro and as a subject matter expert in Strafford’s mobility webinar series. Eric has been a finalist for the Los Angeles Business Journal CIO Awards and has been quoted in The LA Times, Wired, CIO Magazine, ChannelPro, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, PC World and other news outlets. GeekTek has been consistently ranked among the top providers globally by MSPMentor, CRN and Channelnomics.

A Startup Accelerator For Pot-Infused Products

Today we speak to cannabis entrepreneur Patrick O’Malley from Good Life. Patrick looked at the market and saw a shortage of one thing: a startup accelerator for pot-infused products. And so he started Good Life Colorado, an incubator of sorts for budding marijuana brands. The venture is more of a hybrid between an accelerator and a co-packer, a common practice among Boulder County’s nascent natural food companies. Businesses get the benefit of O’Malley’s industry contacts and expertise, in addition to manufacturing space in his licensed MIP facility in north Denver. Emerging brands often lack the capital to pursue the licensing process, and the months it takes divert resources away from growing the business according to O’Malley. They speak about what an incubator means and what kind of candidates come seeking what it is that the incubation process would provide. Plus how would he determines if someone was a good fit and can he provide something to help launch their company.

Creating Cross-Industry Alliances That Bolster The Cannabis Industry

Today our host is joined by Chief Operating Officer of BioTrackTHC Dr. Moe Afaneh. Dr. Afaneh is a trained pharmacist and executive with 15 years of business experience. He’s an expert in developing and implementing the operations of multiple departments within complex organizations while maximizing revenue. In his role with BioTrackTHC, Dr. Afaneh’s background as a pharmacist is an exceptional benefit in understanding the rapidly evolving cannabis marketplace. He is particularly adept at creating cross-industry alliances that bolster BioTrackTHC’s business operations and customers’ opportunities for success. Dr. Afaneh has his Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science degrees from Nova Southeastern University.

Technology And Education Management To Businesses In Cannabis

Today on NCIA Cannabis Industry Voice our our host is joined by Pro MAX Grow Chief Operating Officer, Christie Lunsford. Christie is cannabis industry veteran and was awarded the first Cannabis Woman of the Year Award at the December 2015 Cannabis Business Awards. Additionally, Christie is founder of Endocannabinoidology, LLC. a consulting firm providing cannabis science, technology and education management assistance to businesses and investors in cannabis. Christie has served as a consultant during the licensing, development, and formulation phases of multiple cultivations, medical cannabis centers and infused product manufacturers in California, Colorado, Illinois and Washington State. Recently, Christie successfully guided a client through a complex regulatory process to obtain one of the five medical cannabis business permits awarded in New York State.

From Topicals, To Bath Balms, To Distillate-Infused Rolling Papers

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice our host Bethany Moore is joined by Gary Heferle of Nordic Analytics. Gary’s background is in analytical science, and he works for a lab for scientific analysis. Starting off working with stem cells, now he has moved to the cannabis industry with Nordic Analytics. Nordic is Denver’s finest marijuana testing facilityand is staffed by industry-leading scientists with extensive experience in the analysis of marijuana products. While working in the testing lab, Gary had to adjust to sample volumes increasing practically overnight. With new businesses popping up constantly, and the addition of new mandates, the sample load has been challenging and very rewarding. Along with the quantity, the quality of products coming through the doors has been amazing to watch. New strains that have better terpene profiles, higher potencies, and products from topicals, to bath balms, to distillate-infused rolling papers keeps the day to day routine always changing.

A Unique Cannabis Business Consultant And Advisory Service Provider

Today on NCIA we are joined by The Medician Man Brett Roper. Roper has an extensive background in business development, having successfully ‘shepherded’ several Form 10 and S1 filings as well as NASDAQ up listing efforts, most recently co-founding Medicine Man Technologies, a unique cannabis business consultant and advisory service provider. Mr. Roper has a substantial amount of RE based experience, managing acquisition, interim holding, and disposition of substantial industrial properties in the 50,000 to 400,000 SF range and is active in providing design insights for cannabis related property deployment. Mr. Roper has been responsible for management of a national marketing program for a regional RE developer having relationships with SIOR, NAI, CORFAC Global, NAIOP, and other real estate organizations across the country. Mr. Roper has served in a number of advisory capacities to other pre-public and public companies including corporate development, strategic initiative refinement, business turnaround, service as an independent board member, and management of investor relations fundamentals. His extraordinary background has allowed him to become a well-rounded ‘quiet advisor’ to many companies as well as investors in the Canna-business space.

Candidate for Governor of Colorado Jared Polis

NCIA’s Government Relations team Michelle Rutter and Michael Correia welcome the candidate for Governor of Colorado, who also serves in Colorado’s Second Congressional District Jared Polis.

The Next Natural Step In The Evolution In Vaporizing

Today on NCIA Cannabis Industry Voice Bethany is joined by Brendan Gillis from Vapor Slide LLC, the 1,000 th member of NCIA. Vapor Slide is a Vaporizing apparatus that fits into the slide of a water pipe. It is used for vaporizing e-liquid, CBD oil, and cannabis oil. With huge rises in the use of these substances, Vapor Slide is the next natural step in the evolution in vaporizing. The current market for vaporizers has reached 1.7 billion dollars annually in revenue in the United States, growing exponentially. According to Wells Fargo, sales will reach 10 billion by 2017. O.penVape, a company specializing in the sales of THC oil vaporizers, has grown 1600% each of their four years since forming in 2011. Moreover, with the emergence of new Medical Marijuana States and the full legalization of THC concentrates, it is likely to accelerate this market’s growth. Vapor Slide is positioned to capitalize on this growth and cater towards new and existing users in the market. With Vapor Slide’s signature design, we will become the first of its kind in this exploding market. With the kind of market growth we have seen and are expecting to see, end users and vendors alike have a great need for new niche products like Vapor Slide.

Economics of Illegal Drugs And The Harms They Create For Society

Today on NCIA our host is joined by Andrew Livingston, Director of Economics and Research for Vicente Sederberg LLC. Andrew serves as Director of Economics and Research for Vicente Sederberg LLC. He first worked alongside the Vicente Sederberg team in 2012 during Colorado’s Amendment 64 campaign, which legalized marijuana for adults. Before starting a career in cannabis market and policy analysis, he focused his studies at Colgate University on the economics of illegal drugs and the harms they create for societies around the world. Andrew is often asked to speak at business and legal seminars around the country and internationally on the intersection of market dynamics and cannabis policy. At Vicente Sederberg, Andrew provides analysis on legal and regulatory matters as well as economic market projections for adult-use and medical marijuana laws in Colorado and around the world. Andrew also sits on the Denver Cannabis Sustainability Working Group and helps coordinate government and industry efforts to increase environmental stewardship within cannabis business.ventures backed by top investors such as Peter Thiel and Founders Fund.

Hybridizing, Back-crossing, And Breeding Numerous Cannabis Strains

Today on NCIA Bethany is joined by Josh Malman, the Grow Operations Manager for The Clinic. Josh oversees all operations of the Clinic’s Grow Department including product quality and quantity management for all locations. Josh has assisted in the implementation of The Clinic’s operations in Illinois and Nevada. He is an expert in hybridizing, back-crossing, and breeding numerous cannabis strains. Prior to joining the Clinic in 2010, Josh worked for Nurserymen’s Exchange/BloomRite, the largest grower of indoor flowers, fresh cut herbs and potted edibles in the country. Josh holds a degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Being Part of This Movement And Running For State Legislature

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice we are joined by Bob Morgan. Bos is an Attorney who provided regulatory and policy services for the cannabis industry and was a member of NCIA, is now running for State Legislature in Illinois. He was also the first statewide project coordinator for the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. Being part of this movement and industry, Bob practiced law on behalf of cannabis companies and were a member of NCIA, and now is running for State Legislature. Bobs lawfirm, Much Shelist, which serves the cannabis industry as mentioned, has been a member of NCIA before shifting to focus on the campaign. We talk about what the role of this seat embodies, what kinds of tasks he will be focused on. As well as what specifically does Bob hope to accomplish if He is elected into this seat.

Philanthropy, Sustainability, And Corporate Responsibility

Today on NCIA Cannabis Industry Voice we speak to Corporate Social Responsibility Leader Marc Ross. Needle Consultants’ Chief Instigator Marc Ross has been working to make the world a better place. As an attorney with over 25 years’ experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Marc has served as a litigator for a state department of environmental protection and at a large law firm where he litigated cases on the state and federal level. He was in-house counsel to a Fortune 100 company, where he counseled the company on a wide range of compliance and permitting matters, as well as business transactions. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on the nonprofit sector, founding and building a national environmental advocacy organization that works with the music industry and has consulted both nonprofits and small businesses on matters related to philanthropy, sustainability, and corporate responsibility.

Improving U.S. Military Veterans’ Quality Of Life Through Access To Cannabis

NCIA’s Government Relations team, Michelle Rutter and Michael Correia, are joined by Veteran for Cannabis Nick Etten. Nick is the founder of the Veterans Cannabis Project, the leading national organization dedicated to improving U.S. military veterans’ quality of life through access to cannabis for medical purposes. Etten is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Navy SEAL, with 20 years of operations, private equity, and non-profit management experience. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University. As a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy SEAL, Nick was taught to lead from the front and to engage the enemy with the most effective tools at my disposal. Today, many of Texas’ 1.7 million veterans are waging a daily battle with the physical and mental wounds that are a result of their military service. This fight should be waged with every tool at their disposal. Cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, must be one of those tools for Texas veterans.

Gender Parity, Social Justice and Eco-Sustainability in the Cannabis Industry

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice, our host Bethany Moore is joined by Windy Borman. Windy is a multi-award-winning film Director and Producer, as well as the founder of Green Mile Pictures, LLC. Her recent projects include directing and producing the 10-time award-winning film, The Eyes of Thailand (narrated by Ashley Judd), and producing The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia, which premiered at Sundance and on HBO. Other credits include writing for Takepart.com and Indiewire: Women and Hollywood. Windy is the Founding Board Chair of Women in Film and Media Colorado (WIFMCO) and created Mary Janes to highlight the successes of female entrepreneurs in the “budding” US marijuana industry.

Minority Cannabis Business Association Board Members Linda Mercado Greene and Shanita Penny

NCIA’s Michelle Rutter and Michael Correia moderate a discussion with Minority Cannabis Business Association Board Members Linda Mercado Greene and Shanita Penny.

Linda Mercado Greene MCBA Board of Directors, leads BCG Holdings, Inc, a minority woman-owned cannabis public relations and public
affairs firm in Washington, DC. Shanita Penny is an internationally recognized management consultant and CEO of Budding Solutions, a boutique cannabis consulting firm based in Baltimore, MD.

Founded in 2015, the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is the first non-profit organization created to serve the specific needs of minority cannabis entrepreneurs, employees, and patients/ consumers. The organization currently serves members from across the United States and
Canada. MCBA’s mission is to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs.

Advocate Aimed at Changing The Perception of The Cannabis Industry

Today on NCIA we speak to Kayvan Khalatbari about his decision to run for public office again. Kayvan is an Iranian-American entrepreneur, advocate, and 2019 mayoral candidate in Denver, Colorado. He is co-founder and partner of several successful businesses including a Denver-based pizza chain, a free arts magazine, a cannabis consulting company, and the longest continually operated cannabis company in Denver prior to the sale of its licenses to country music legend Willie Nelson and Terrapin Care Station. He also co-founder and partner in Sexpot Comedy, a burgeoning comedy collective, and is active as a volunteer and advocate in several political and nonprofit ventures aimed at changing the perception of the cannabis industry, advocating for under-served communities, and establishing creative and educational opportunities for children. Khalatbari’s entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and advocacy efforts have begun to attract positive recognition. He was a finalist for Colorado Biz Magazine’s entrepreneur of the year 2016 and Colorado Business Committee for the Art’s EY Next Wave Leadership Award. Kayvan Khalatbari is running for mayor. On Tuesday, February 14, the Denver business owner and cannabis advocate filed paperwork with the Denver Elections Division, formalizing his candidacy for the 2019 mayoral race; Sue Chavez of the Denver Elections Division confirmed that Khalatbari had stopped by on Valentine’s Day to turn in a formal application for candidacy.

Benefits and What’s Going on at NCIA in The Membership Department

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice our host Bethany is joined by Jeremy DePasquale, membership manager for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Jeremy has extensive experience in non-profit membership organizations. The National Cannabis Industry Association was founded on the principle of power in numbers. The thousands of American businesses involved in the state-legal cannabis industries represent a tremendous economic force in this country. As the industry’s national trade association, NCIA works every day to ensure our growing business sector is represented in a professional and coordinated way on the national stage. He spent two years with the American Institute of Architects, primarily with the Colorado Chapter, planning their 2013 National Convention in Denver. He has a degree and background in politics, including serving as a campaign scheduler for a mayoral campaign in New York City. Jeremy is originally from upstate New York and lived in Washington, DC, before relocating to Denver in April 2012. They Speak about the benefits and what’s going on at NCIA in the membership department.

Efficient Processes Exceeds Client Expectations

Today on NCIA Cannabis Industry Voice Bethany spoke with Carolyn Gerin and Lilli Keinaenen the co founders of Cannawise. Carolyn is a multi-hyphenate: a concept creator + brand builder from start to launch. She’s a strategic trend forecaster with an insatiable thirst for social, market and technology trends as they relate to creating or revitalizing a brand or campaign. She’s a 3-time bestselling author Chronicle Books Anti-Bride series, as well as a product developer; and has launched/published several first-to-market concepts. She’s a practitioner of the Triple Bottom methodology — People, Planet, Profits. Lilli is a Swiss Army Knife: She built her company, Keinaenen Creative Services, into a thriving business. Her ‘git-er-done’ work ethic, thirst for truth coupled with efficient processes exceeds client expectations. Her focus has been nonprofit, environmental, social justice organizations, femmetrepreneurs, and innovative green products. She brings deep understanding of cultural trends and technologies to her process, and is a tireless champion/volunteer for the environment and social entrepreneurship.

Cannabis Industry Pioneer and Marketing Expert

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice Bethany is joined by Olivia Mannix who founded the company CannaBrand. Olivia Mannix is a cannabis industry pioneer and marketing expert. She is the founder and operator of Cannabrand –an award-winning, full-service marketing agency and the first to specialize in the cannabis industry. She oversees operations, execution and strategic direction as well as overall marketing services. She is passionate about telling brand’s unique stories through a combined approach of public relations and creating shareable, viral content. A public relations guru, Olivia has built close relationships with media contacts at powerhouse publications. Olivia is a regular contributor to the Cannabis Business Times and Marijuana Ventures and is frequently sought out by journalists as an expert resource.

Cannabis Commerce in Colorado

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis industry voice Bethany is joined by Mark Slaugh an established leader in one of the fastest growing industries in Colorado: Cannabis Commerce. As a double business major in international business and finance, Mark studied the economic viability of marijuana development and the benefit of regulated models and have followed the in and outs of this industry. Mark know what it takes to progressively move this new market forward at political, policy, and operational levels. He represent objective truth about cannabis and its economic, social, and political implications on society as a trusted resource for the media, marijuana businesses, and governments.

The Responsible Cannabis Vendor Program

Today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice Bethany is joined by Maureen McNamara, founder of Cannabis Trainers and long-time NCIA member. She has led hundreds of workshops and coaches business professionals and entrepreneurs to create more success and joy in their lives. With 20+ years of professional training experience, Maureen has trained and certified 10,000+ employees, managers and owners in national certification (ANSI) programs. She has facilitated classes for small locally owned businesses as well as international corporations. Maureen has worked with the Colorado Department of Revenue- Liquor Enforcement Division on the Responsible Vendor Act that was passed in 2005. She has worked with the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division to design the Responsible Cannabis Vendor Program in 2014. Additionally, Maureen has worked with the National Restaurant Association for development of the ServSafe® training materials and facilitator’s guides.