Video: NCIA Today – Friday, December 3, 2021
Immerse Your Business at #CannaBizSummit
by Madeline Grant, NCIA’s Government Relations Manager
The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) will be holding its 7th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo next month in San Francisco, California. From December 15-17, don’t miss the opportunity to network, engage with hundreds of exhibitors from the cannabis ecosystem, and immerse yourself in educational content. Also, you can discover the industry’s most exciting brands and next year’s best-sellers at the all-new BLOOM: A Brand Experience, debuting at #CannaBizSummit. For the first time at the nation’s most influential cannabis industry event, attendees will have the opportunity to see, touch, and smell products from dozens of brands specializing in flower, pre-roll, vapor, edibles, and more.
Are you a member of NCIA? Then use your benefits!
Depending on the tier of membership, don’t miss the opportunity to use your discounts and complimentary tickets for #CannaBizSummit.
- Seeding members receive $100 discount on admission to NCIA trade shows
- Blooming members receive five complimentary tickets to NCIA trade shows
- Evergreen members receive ten complimentary tickets to NCIA trade shows
What educational content will be available?
Rest assured that there will be no shortage of educational content from speakers around the country. As the cannabis industry is ever-evolving, it is important to keep engaged and educated. This year, your ticket gives you access to all panel discussions and keynote sessions. You’ll get to join discussions on a range of subjects spanning cultivation, business services, licensing, compliance, retail, distribution, advocacy, and much more. Here are a few of the panel topics to check out:
- Pathways to Federal Legalization: An Update from D.C.
- Harmonizing Federal and State Cannabis Policy
- Transparency, Values, Authenticity: The Principles for Successful Leadership
- Wellness in Action: Elite Athletes as Cannabis Advocates
You can find the full agenda HERE.
What can you take home from #CannaBizSummit?
Founded in 2010, NCIA is the oldest, largest, and most effective trade association representing legal cannabis businesses. Through education and networking, you’ll discover new insights that help and grow your business all while meeting hundreds of industry professionals from around the country. With representation of all cannabis sectors and all business sizes, there is opportunity for attendees to gain invaluable knowledge.
Are you an NCIA member or interested in getting your business more involved?
Along with our annual trade shows, NCIA offers a wide range of membership benefits to help businesses become stronger, smarter, and more prosperous by working together to defend and expand the responsible cannabis industry.
I encourage you to meet with one of the NCIA staff in San Francisco to discuss how to fully utilize your benefits as a member. Membership with NCIA offers opportunities in marketing, business resources, policy, advocacy, networking, and education. Additionally, your support as members continues to propel our mission to promote the growth of a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic, and regulatory environment. Please email Madeline@thecannabisindustry.org to set up a time to chat.
Are you interested in getting more involved in policy and advocacy work?
NCIA’s priority is to defend and advance the interests of the responsible cannabis industry in our nation’s capital. Central to our mission is the belief that our members should be treated fairly under federal law and that the cannabis industry much like any other legitimate business sector in this country. NCIA launched the Evergreen Roundtable for leading businesses looking to make a meaningful investment in shaping policy for the cannabis industry. Evergreen Member companies receive exclusive access to private briefings from members of Congress, inside information from NCIA’s government relations team, and many more opportunities to participate in the national conversation around cannabis policy. If your company is interested in supporting at this level please fill out the form HERE to set up a meeting with our Government Relations team.
Let’s Recap…
- If you are an NCIA member, make sure you utilize your membership benefits. Find a refresh of your benefits HERE.
- If you are not yet a member of NCIA and are interested in learning more please send an email to madeline@thecannabisindustry.org.
- Don’t miss out on the opportunity to immerse your business and employees at #CannaBizSummit.
- There is a lot of work to be done to ensure a value-driven, responsible cannabis industry and NCIA appreciates your support.
Ten Highlights (with Photos!) from #CannaBizSummit 2016
by Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events and Education
The 3rd Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo was NCIA’s biggest and most influential event to date! Check out these top ten event highlights which made this year’s Summit one to remember:
1. More than 3,200 inspired attendees:
2. An exciting keynote from California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, who spoke about the need to end the prohibition of cannabis from a social justice perspective:
3. Moving remarks from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who spoke about being the proud leader of a city whose economy is fueled by cannabusinesses:
4. An inspiring presentation from Ahmed Rahim, founder and CEO of world renowned B-corporation Numi Organic Tea, who shared insights into establishing a conscious culture for your company which takes people, planet, product, and profits into account to work for a better tomorrow:
5. Fifteen hours and 45 minutes of educational content over three days, featuring 30 breakout sessions and seven workshops, and led by more than 160 industry experts:
6. Fifteen tours at five locations, including retail marijuana facilities, cultivation facilities, and analytical testing laboratories:
7. A sold-out expo hall buzzing with activity for 20 hours, where more than 140 sponsors and exhibitors spread out over more than 37,000 square feet of expo hall space:
8. More than 100 media personnel from more than 80 media companies, generating worldwide coverage, including in dozens of mainstream news outlets:
9. Attendees from 47 U.S. states (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and 16 countries:
10. Thirty-one media and organizational partners involved in the success of the Summit – thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
View the entire official photo album from the 2016 Cannabis Business Summit & Expo online here: TheCannabisIndustry.org/summit2016photos
We look forward to seeing you at a future event! Register today for the Seed to Sale Show, taking place January 31 – February 1 in Denver, Colorado. Find out more at SeedtoSaleShow.com!
Announcing NCIA’s January – June 2016 Events Calendar
As we head into the new year, we wanted to share with you our upcoming event calendar for the first 6 months of 2016! This includes the Q1 and Q2 events in our new event series, the Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses, a fundraiser for our federal PAC where members of our Board of Directors will be present, our 6th annual Federal Lobby Days, and our 3rd annual Cannabis Business Summit.
Click on the images below for more information on the upcoming events.
Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses
Federal PAC Fundraiser
6th Annual Federal Lobby Days
Cannabis Business Summit
So what are you waiting for? Register for an upcoming event today!
———————————————————————————————————————
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.
Video Newsletter: Why NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit is 2016’s Can’t-Miss Event
NCIA’s 3rd annual Cannabis Business Summit is 2016’s can’t-miss event for cannabis industry professionals. But don’t take our word for it! Hear some of the industry’s most successful businesses – including Funksac, The Capsule Consulting Group, Harborside Health Center, Medicine Man, Cannabis Trainers, and more – explain why the Cannabis Business Summit is at the top of their event list.
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: The Potential of Brand Loyalty
by Patrick Hayden, Brightfield Group, LLC
Brand loyalty is a major topic in any industry today and particularly in the cannabis industry. However, brand loyalty can be a tricky concept. What exactly does it mean? How is it achieved or measured? And what are the tangible effects of strong brand loyalty? I’d like to offer some insight into this last question because of how large the potential revenue is for brands with loyal followings.
My firm, Brightfield Group, researches the top brands in the cannabis industry and why consumers select them. What we found in our recent survey of medical cardholders was that brand loyalty is a significant driver in purchasing decisions.
Using the edibles market as an example, we found that 73% of consumers have a favorite brand. Once they find it, they’re extremely loyal, with 60% of these consumers choosing that brand at least 75% of the time.
That’s tremendously powerful when you break down the numbers. Take California’s edibles market for example. It is worth about $250 million right now and is projected to grow to $1.2 billion by 2019. If 60% of consumers buy their favorite brand 75% of the time, that’s $112 million that’s won by the power of brand loyalty in 2015. It would be $530 million in 2019, assuming the percentages remain the same. Now this is a very simplified example, but using it one can see the magnitude of the revenue involved when brands build a loyal following.
Then consider how fragmented this market currently is. Going back to our example, the top 10 edibles brands in California combined make up less than 25% of the total market. While this is typical of an industry at this stage in its lifecycle, what it means is that there is a lot of market share still to be captured. That’s about $187 million available for capture this year and almost $1 billion in 2019, again using the numbers above. And that’s just in California. This same story is being played out across other states and other categories such as concentrates or topicals, which are even more fragmented.
The implication for existing brands is that they should exploit their first mover advantage, expand their footprint and increase market share as fast as possible, because the next stage in the industry lifecycle is consolidation, where scale becomes essential. However, in this industry, expanding that footprint isn’t so easy with the current regulatory challenges. That said, some brands are starting to do it, such as Cheeba Chews and Bhang, which are both top 10 edibles brands in multiple states. But there’s a long way to go.
Brand loyalty is as important to the cannabis industry as any other and perhaps more because there are no long-established, dominant brands. The field is wide open, and although there are challenges to building that loyalty, the revenue potential is huge.
Patrick Hayden will be speaking more on this topic at NCIA’s upcoming Fall Regional Cannabis Business Summit taking place in New York City September 21-23. Click here to register today!
Patrick Hayden is the President of Brightfield Group, LLC. Patrick has worked in both market research and investment management for 15 years, most recently as Director of Investment Analysis for a large, private pharmacy benefits manager. Previously he was a consultant with a global research firm helping hedge funds leverage emerging markets data to boost investment returns. Prior to that, Patrick worked in an alternative investment firm where he was involved in numerous private placements raising over $100 million.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Iowa and his MBA from City University of New York.
Submit Your Speaker Proposal for the 2016 Cannabis Business Summit!
By Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events and Education
As the director of events and education for the National Cannabis Industry Association, there are many joys that come along with managing our speaker bureau.
Putting together the agenda for our annual national conference, the Cannabis Business Summit, is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable and important responsibilities I manage. Time and time again we hear from attendees how valuable the information presented at our events was to them. We are always striving for the highest quality of speakers and most relevant session topics to help your cannabis business be successful in the long run.
This is where you, as a valued member of NCIA, come in.
Our content would not be top-notch without the leaders in the cannabis industry volunteering their time and expertise to making our educational programming the best it can be. That’s why I’m calling on you to submit your session proposal to be included in our agenda for the Cannabis Business Summit 2016.
“The organization and overall experience at [NCIA] events is always extremely professional. 
The Cannabis Business Summit was no exception. As someone who attends over 30 industry events a year, I believe this makes for an environment which is conducive to teach and learn.”
-Nick Tanem, Owner, Essential Extracts
Becoming a speaker at our Cannabis Business Summit establishes you as a thought leader in the cannabis industry. It presents you with the opportunity to address and educate a national audience of business owners and operators. It also gives you the direct opportunity to continue creating and contributing to the advancement of a responsible industry. By working together and sharing knowledge, we will continue to raise the bar collectively and propel us into a new era.
So what are you waiting for? Submit your proposal today! Have questions or suggestions about how you can contribute to NCIA’s educational programs? Connect with me at brooke@thecannabisindustry.org to discuss potential opportunities.
Click here to submit your Speaker Proposal.
The link above will take you to our speaker proposal form, hosted by MemberClicks.
Recapping the Cannabis Business Summit & Expo 2015
by Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events & Education
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s second annual Cannabis Business Summit took place June 29-July 1 in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. With attendance surging to nearly 2,000 this year, an expo hall filled with 100+ exhibitors, three full days of educational programming with over 135 speakers, and the bi-partisan involvement of four members of Congress and one Colorado state representative, the symposium represented the rapidly growing, maturing, and increasingly normalized cannabis industry developing here in the United States. Here we take a look, day-by-day, at what took place over the course of three days:
Day 1:
The Cannabis Business Summit & Expo kicked off with workshops, tours, and Canopy Boulder’s demo day. The eight workshops featured a wide range of topics, including:
- Growing a National Brand
- Complete Cultivation System Design Process
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Security System Compliance, and
- Marijuana Risk Management: Navigating Your Client or Cannabis Company Through the Weeds.
Those who signed up for tours got a special treat visiting the Dixie Brands, CannLabs, or EvoLab facilities. 
Canopy Boulder rounded out the afternoon by conducting an investor demo day, featuring ten companies that have been participating in Canopy Boulder’s Spring Class of their incubator program. Immediately following, a networking reception officially opened the greatly expanded exhibition hall. Check out this piece from Reason magazine which highlights some of the many sponsors NCIA had on the expo floor.
Day 2:
Day Two’s primary focus was on the mainstream political support we are increasingly seeing behind cannabis policy reform. The day began with a moving video Welcome Address by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), co-sponsor of the CARERS act. NCIA executive director’s opening keynote was preceded by welcoming remarks from Denver Congresswoman Diana Degette, who thanked the industry for being responsible business people and spoke for the need for continued bipartisan support from legislators.
After the morning sessions, attendees broke for lunch, where they had the chance to attend a speech by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), one of the industry’s most consistent and vocal champions in Congress. If you missed the luncheon, check out this great Bloomberg interview with Rep. Rohrabacher.
After lunch, in what has been called a historical first, U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul (R-KY) joined in the activities by holding a private fundraiser at the Summit. Sen. Paul met with NCIA members to learn more about the problems they face due to outdated federal law, offering an unprecedented opportunity for industry leaders to directly address these issues with a presidential candidate vying for our nation’s highest elected office.
The afternoon featured five different educational tracks including “Running Your CannaBusiness,” “Cultivation and Processing,” “Money Matters: Finance, Accounting, and Insurance,” “The Law, Policy, and Reform,” and “Emerging Topics.” Educational sessions throughout the afternoon ranged from “Analysis of Different Lighting Technology: HPS, Plasma, & LED” to “Defining the Limits of the IRS Authority over COGS: CCA 201504011 Explained”, “Boutique Cannabis: The Case for Small Business” and “Trademark Enforcement”.
The panel “National Outlook on Evolving State-Wide Regulations” finished up the programming for the day. The session featured an in-depth look at what types of policies and regulations are evolving nationwide, to give attendees a broad view of what’s happening across the United States, and what we can expect as more states come on line in the coming years.
The renowned Cannabis Carnival took place at the Fillmore Auditorium later in the evening, where 1600+ cannabis industry leaders & enthusiasts converged for one unforgettable night to celebrate progress and to support continued reform. Read the full recap here.
Day 3:
Day Three focused heavily on emerging topics in the cannabis industry and started out with the opening panel “Increasing Diversity within the Cannabis Industry.” It’s not a secret that minorities are not advancing as quickly in the cannabis industry as their white, male counterparts. This discussion took an in-depth look at the causes for this, what responsible business owners can do to create more diversity within their workplace, and why it is important to do so.
Breakout sessions for the day featured yet another diverse list of topics. This included “Preventing & Surviving an Armed Robbery,” “Managing the Operations of an Edibles Kitchen,” “To Spray or Not to Spray, That is the Question,” and “Sungrown Cannabis Cultivation – The Movement Towards Outdoor.”
Closing out the conference were two fireside chats, both focusing on different avenues of sustainability in the cannabis industry: “Building Customer Loyalty” and “The Greener Way – Innovative Steps Towards a Sustainable Industry.”
We cannot thank all of our speakers and sponsors enough for participating, and contributing to another successful annual summit. Let’s keep the energy, growth, and education going – register for our upcoming Fall Regional Cannabis Business Summit taking place in New York City, September 21-23.
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.
- Check out predictions from Julie Dooley, owner & founder of Julie’s Baked Goods, regarding the future of edible regulations in Colorado.
- 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.
- Learn 3 simple tips from Jordan Wellington, associate at Vicente Sederberg LLC, on how your business can prepare for future regulations around infused products & extraction.
- Jordan will be speaking on the “Best Practices & Preparing for the Regulatory Future” panel on Tuesday, October 28 from 11:00-12:00 a.m.
- Participate in industry-related training courses focused on regulatory compliance within the infused products & extraction sector.
- Learn more about ServSafe® Food Handler, the first-ever food safety certification course for cannabis-infused product manufacturers from Maureen McNamara, founder & facilitator of Cannabis Trainers™.
- 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.
Cannabis Carnival: Industry. Reform. Community.
By Brian Gilbert, NCIA events coordinator
The National Cannabis Industry Association branched out into the world of live music production this past month with “Cannabis
Carnival,” presented by NCIA and O.penVAPE at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in conjunction with the inaugural Cannabis Business Summit in Denver. A multi-sensory concert and fundraising experience, it was a night that certainly won’t be forgotten soon. NCIA brought together more than 750 people to celebrate the work of cannabis policy reform and the establishment of a legitimate, responsible industry to help fuel the continued fight toward the end of marijuana prohibition. The event buzzed with cannabusiness leaders from around the country, along with local live music fans and cannabis enthusiasts alike.
The musical acts for the evening matched the diversity of the cannabis community as a whole, featuring rock, funk, electronica, and even a percussion-centered, psychedelic electronic marching band. (Hey, why not?) Denver-area musicians were spotlighted throughout the event, with Bear Antler starting the night with their Colorado-flavored brand of unapologetic rock & roll, the premier drug policy reform producer Erothyme laying down gracious melodies, and local favorites SunSquabi carrying the groove late into the night with their high-energy, dance-inducing set featuring flow performances from Surka Noelle.
The highlight for many attendees was the undeniably engaging, objectively terrifying, and supremely entertaining madness that is The Itchy-O Marching Band. Featuring a large drum corps, accompanied by guitars, synthesizers, inventive electronic noisemakers, and a dancing Chinese dragon, Itchy-O’s black-masked performers put on a memorable spectacle.
Austin-based duo The Nadis Warriors, who have been taking the live electronic music world by storm, closed out the evening with a driving electronica-filled headlining slot, accompanied by special guest drummer Allen Aucoin of trance-fusion pioneers The Disco Biscuits. Their special set also featured aerial silk performances from the talented Ariana Airyfairy, topping off a dramatic and celebratory night.
Keeping in the carnival theme, our generous sponsors were able to gain some serious brand exposure while offering attendees fun, cannabis-themed activities to occupy their time. With promotional booths from Good Chemistry & The Farm offering giveaways & prizes, the Cannabis Camera “Bud Booth” sponsored by Surna Inc. snapping away in the VIP area, and the always popular 
O.penVAPE Bus holding down the sidewalk party out front all night, there were plenty of things for cannabis carnival-goers to engage in. For our VIP guests, Three Tomatoes Catering even came through with a delicious buffet spread.
In addition to our sponsor offerings, a number of local artists joined us to showcase their live painting skills in our “Visionary Arts Gallery”. Designed to inspire and uplift those in attendance and harness their collective energy for positive change, the gallery featured work from Chance Roberts, Molly Gardner, Adam Psybe, and Stephen Kruse. We were honored to have such talented artists join us for this event and hope this trend of combining art, performance, music and reform continues.
The response to NCIA’s first-ever concert event was exciting. In one night we were able to bring together the cannabis industry, the drug policy reform movement, and the live music community to achieve something greater than the sum of its parts. The power of the emerging cannabis industry can amplify the reform movement’s message of a responsible, sensible, and conscious society. With your help we can achieve that goal, so don’t think this is the last you’ve heard from these cannabis carnies! Plans are in the works to spread this event across the country, and we can’t wait to tell you more as things develop.
Thank you again to all our Cannabis Carnival attendees! You can relive the magic with a full photo album from the event here: http://on.fb.me/1m1eF5v
And a final, huge thanks to all our generous sponsors for making this event possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!
O.penVAPE
The Farm Co.
Good Chemistry Denver
Bridgewest CPA’s and Consultants LLC
The Clinic Alternative Medicine
Surna
Cannabis Trainers
Special thanks as well to Kat Rutt Design for her great work on the Carnival poster and promotional materials!
The Cannabis Business Summit, Where Commerce Met a Revolution
By Brooke Gilbert, NCIA director of education & events
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s first annual Cannabis Business Summit took place on June 24th and 25th in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, serving as a monument to the current success of the legal adult-use and medical cannabis industry. Bringing together more than 1,100 representatives from all aspects of the cannabis industry, the Cannabis Business Summit looked like any other business conference from the outside. With an array of keynote speeches and educational panels, in addition to an exposition hall showcasing advances in the industry, attendees came to share knowledge, to network, to find opportunities, and to contribute to the rapid growth of the cannabis industry.
The exposition hall featured over 50 member sponsors. Products and services, such as automated trimming machines, cannabis oil extraction machines, accounting solutions, insurance companies, software producers, consulting services, and cannabis-infused products showed the diverse community of businesses that currently make up the cannabis industry. This hands-on display of advances within the industry complimented the educational component nicely, not only showcasing cutting edge products and services, but also offering the opportunity to talk one-on-one with those behind each company. It was impossible to walk through the exposition hall without hearing new solutions to challenges as well as new business partnerships being forged.
In addition to the exposition hall, the Cannabis Business Summit featured nearly 100 speakers who shared their experience and expertise on a wide range of topics spread across five different educational tracks. The featured educational tracks included CannaBusiness 101, Advanced CannaBusiness, Ancillary Services and Products, Cannabis Policy and Reform, and Emerging Topics & Roundtable Discussions. General sessions and keynote speeches rounded out the educational side of the summit and featured leading thought-leaders and industry pioneers.
A powerful start to the two days, the opening keynote featured Troy Dayton of the ArcView Group. Dayton’s moving speech touched on how entrepreneurship and the push for social justice reform concerning cannabis prohibition have worked hand-in-hand to create the landscape for this now burgeoning industry. Following the opening keynote, the first general session, “Colorado & Washington: Successes and Challenges from the Frontier of Post-Prohibition America,” featured heavy-hitters in the movement, including Brian Vicente of Vicente Sederberg, John Davis of Northwest Patient Resource Center, Hon. Roger Goodman of Washington State Legislature, Andrew Freedman, Director of Marijuana Coordination Office of the Governor, and Elliott Klug of Pink House Blooms. The panel offered an honest discussion on the progress of the reform movement, what has been going right, the challenges the industry is facing now, and the future of the legal cannabis industry. The opening keynote speech and panel were filmed in their entirety by C-SPAN and can be viewed here.
Though the obvious subject of the conference revolved around the business aspect of the developing legal cannabis industry, two themes permeated throughout the two days. The first was the recognition of those who came before and helped pave the way politically to allow this industry to blossom. In attendance was NCIA’s special guest Charles Lynch, who in 2007 had his state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary raided in California and was subsequently sent to federal prison. A number of times throughout the Summit, speakers emphasized the incongruity of nearly 1,200 industry professionals coming together for cannabis business opportunities while many around the country sit in jail and continue to be persecuted under unjust prohibitionary policies. “We have to acknowledge those who came before us,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of NCIA, during his keynote speech. “Before we were an industry, we were a movement, and we are still a social movement. The growth of this new industry will drive the final nail in the coffin of marijuana prohibition, so that no one is put in a cage for using a beneficial, extremely therapeutic herbal product ever again.”
The second through-running theme was that, with two states opening up legal, adult-use markets, and more states poised in the coming years to also implement adult-use or medical programs, the cannabis industry must continue to put forward the best practices and image possible. In the keynote panel “Getting the Message: Effective and Responsible Marketing Strategies for Cannabis Businesses,” Taylor West, deputy director of NCIA stated, ”This is a cultural movement in the midst of an enormous wave, and we have the opportunity to define an idea on the rise, to be responsible, and to do the education around that,” West said.
“We are building an industry from scratch, and we have to take this opportunity to make this an industry that’s not like every other industry. Responsible branding is important. Don’t screw it up for everybody. We don’t have a rock-solid foundation, and we’re still very vulnerable from a public opinion and policy stand-point. Don’t market to children and don’t market like children,” she said. These points stressed the importance of needing to be both strategic and responsible in the promotion of cannabis businesses, as the industry works under tight scrutiny to continue moving forward.
The outstanding success of the first Cannabis Business Summit shows that as an industry we can move – and are moving – in a responsible, legitimate, and innovative direction. NCIA is honored to have brought together this community with such an incredible turnout of movers and shakers, all contributing to creating an industry we can be proud of. We invite you to join us at one of our many educational & networking events scheduled during the remainder of the year in California, Massachusetts, New York, Nevada, Illinois, Florida, and Colorado. We here at NCIA are proud of the direction this industry is moving, and we sincerely thank all of those who are doing their part to advance an industry based in responsible business practices. Thank you once again to the many generous sponsors and speakers who helped make this such a success, and we’ll see you at the next NCIA event!
Guest post: Young entrepreneurs & the legal marijuana industry
The following post was provided by Students for Sensible Drug Policy in advance of NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit
Students for Sensible Drug Policy has long held a unique space in the drug policy reform movement: The work that our members do on their campuses and in their states prepares them to be leaders in not only drug policy reform, but also in many intersecting movements. The list of SSDP alumni doing meaningful work in social justice, the liberty movement, direct service harm reduction, and other areas of policy reform is long and impressive.
State-legal marijuana industries have opened another door for post-graduation employment and many of the more visible leaders of that industry cut their teeth while founding SSDP and building their chapters. As they become influential leaders, SSDP alumni ensure the cannabis industry remains deeply connected to its advocacy roots and maintains the values of responsibility, transparency, and social entrepreneurship. Troy Dayton and Kris Krane have become pivotal voices in the national legal marijuana industry; Kris Lotlikar’s market reports are the go-to resource for analysis of the emerging market; SSDPers like Sean Luse, Luke Ramirez, and Josh Kappel are heading up influential businesses; and across the nation alumni are filling out the ranks of entry- and mid-level positions at consulting firms, service providers, law firms, and, yes, legal marijuana providers.
While some used to consider including SSDP membership on a résumé a liability, it’s now well-known that many employers will move SSDPers to top consideration because of the powerful experiences that shape their work ethic and philosophy while in college. Opportunities abound for young alumni seeking internship or employment opportunities. In fact, I get calls every week from nonprofits and small businesses alike looking for rockstar up-and-comers to contribute that special SSDP ethos to their teams.
And in the coming post-prohibition world, there may be no more powerful way to bring science, evidence, and compassion to public health and regulation of drugs — whether alcohol, marijuana, or others — than to have SSDP students and alumni engaged in developing and implementing public campaigns or working in regulated markets. That’s why, earlier this week, I shared information about three open jobs currently available at the Colorado Department of Health’s marijuana division in our Jobs and Opportunities Facebook group.
I’ll be exploring these topics, and the particular challenges for young entrepreneurs, when I moderate the Spotlight on Young Cannabis Industry Leaders panel at the National Cannabis Industry Association‘s Cannabis Business Summit later this month. The panelists include Gracen Hook, owner of Port Hadlock Alternative Clinic in Washington; Murphy Murri with Forefront Healthcare in Denver; and SSDP alumnus Luke Ramirez, owner of Walking Raven in Colorado, employer of many SSDP alumni, and a Sensible Sustainer. This panel will be one of many powerful discussions regarding all aspects of the legal marijuana world to take place at the conference June 24 and 25 in Denver, and the organizers have offered a special 10% discount code to SSDP network members. Just be sure to enter “TDSSDP10″ when you register to attend to have the discount applied.
See you in Denver!
Step Right Up for the Cannabis Carnival!
NCIA and O.penVAPE are very proud to present Cannabis Carnival, an exciting fundraising event open to the public, taking place in conjunction with our Cannabis Business Summit. The Cannabis Carnival is sure to stimulate the senses with live entertainment and MANY special performances! We hope you’ll come celebrate with us and help raise money for your national industry trade association.
The Cannabis Carnival is taking place at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver on June 24th, following the first day of the Cannabis Business Summit. The bill features an incredible line-up of national and local musical acts – The Nadis Warriors, SunSquabi, Itchy-O, Erothyme, and Bear Antler. Covering the spectrum from electronica to funk to brass band to rock & roll, there’s something for everyone at the Cannabis Carnival!
General admission tickets are available to the public. NCIA is also offering special VIP passes, featuring an exclusive balcony, bar, and dance area, along with drink tickets, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and other special gifts. All proceeds from the Cannabis Carnival will support NCIA’s critical missions of advocacy and education on behalf of the responsible cannabis industry.
Get your tickets here or bundle them with your registration for the Cannabis Business Summit and we’ll see you under the big tent!
Cannabis Carnival, a fundraising spectacle for the National Cannabis Industry Association
Presented by NCIA and O.penVAPE
Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom – June 24
2637 Welton Street Denver, CO
Doors: 8PM
Show: 8:30PM – 2AM
Ages 18+
Huge thanks to our generous sponsors for making this all possible!
O.penVAPE
The Farm
Good Chemistry
Bridgewest CPA’s and Consultants LLC
The Clinic
Surna
Cannabis Trainers
Sponsorships for this lively fundraiser are still available for member-businesses looking to build brand awareness among industry professionals and cannabis consumers alike! Contact Brooke@thecannabisindustry.org for more information.
The 2014 Cannabis Business Summit Is Coming
On June 24 and 25 in Denver, NCIA will host its first-ever national conference – the 2014 Cannabis Business Summit. This must-attend event features the biggest names in the industry, a jam-packed agenda of informational sessions, and unmatched opportunities to meet and network with the country’s top cannabis professionals.
Even better, NCIA members receive a $345 discount on the two-day conference pass!
Detailed information about the conference schedule, speakers, and registration can all be found at http://cannabisbusinesssummit.com.
For a chance to showcase your company to more than 800 cannabis industry leaders, as well as countless members of the media, please review our Cannabis Business Summit Sponsorship Opportunities. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are being offered, so don’t miss your chance to take advantage before they’re all sold out. Contact Ryan Fleischhauer at ryan@gsmiweb.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
This will be the biggest and best event NCIA has ever hosted, and we’re excited to see all of you in Denver in June!
NCIA Announces National Cannabis Business Summit – June 24-25 in Denver
NCIA is launching its first national conference, The Cannabis Business Summit, June 24-25 in Denver, Colorado. The summit will offer cannabis business leaders a national stage to discuss best practices and business developments from around the industry. The summit will include more than 35 sessions, more than 800 attendees, and an exhibition floor featuring more than 30 leading cannabis businesses over the course of two days.
This will be the largest, most exciting event NCIA has ever hosted, and we’re thrilled to invite you to join us in Denver.
Confirmed speakers include NCIA board members Jessica Billingsley of MJ Freeway, Troy Dayton of the ArcView Group, Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center, Tripp Keber or Dixie Elixirs, Christian Sederberg of Vicente Sederberg, Ean Seeb of Denver Relief, and many more in NCIA’s cannabis industry brain trust.
You can read our press release about it here and find out more about the Cannabis Business Summit at www.CannabistBusinessSummit.com.
Sponsorship opportunities for NCIA member businesses looking to advance , please email Sponsorship@CannabisBusinessSummit.com.