Committee Insights | 7.20.21 | Subculture to Pop Culture: Creating Culturally Relevant Cannabis Brands
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 we were joined by members of our Marketing & Advertising Committee for a discussion on the importance of creating, cultivating & maintaining cultural relevancy for your cannabis (or CBD) brand. Stick around for the entire conversation as the panel dives deep into specific tools, metrics and methods for both research & analysis of your campaigns during the Q&A segment to close out the program.
As the industry transitions from margins to mainstream, cannabis brands reach wider audiences. With that comes the need to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape to capture consumer attention. Learn how to make your brand more valuable to consumers by understanding their passions, engaging with fans, sharing in cultural events, and participating in social conversations.
Learning Objectives
• Learn what it takes to become a culturally relevant brand through real brand examples presented by the industry marketing experts who built them.
• Understand the risks and rewards of joining cultural conversations and specific considerations for cannabis and CBD brands.
Panelists:
Dana Mason, Brand Director at Cresco Labs
Alexis Mora, Head of Marketing at Harborside
Tara Rozalowsky, VP, Beverages & Edibles at Canopy Growth Corporation
Allison Disney, Partner, Business Strategy, Receptor Brands
Committee Insights | 7.14.21 | How to develop a Risk Assessment for your Canna-Business
In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series originally aired on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 we were joined by members of our Risk Management and Insurance Committee for a discussion on how to evaluate and rank risks to your cannabusiness.
Our experts discussed the potential impact of risk to cannabusiness operations and how to effectively identify and rank them. The discussion included risks posed by product sales, partnership agreements and corporate culture. The expert panelists also shared insights gained from their respective areas of specialty which include; Legal, Financial, Manufacturing, Technology and Insurance. Their insights will arm YOU with the tools needed to fortify yout operational practices and minimize or avoid costly losses.
Mathew Grimes
Vice President – Cannabis Specialty Group
HUB International Limited
Summer Jenkins
Business Development Manager
Cannasure Insurance Services
Service Solutions | 7.13.21 | Learn How to Grow Your Cannabis Business with Acumatica Cloud ERP
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinar series is our premier digital educational series featuring a variety of interactive programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when you need it most. The Service Solutions series is our sponsored content webinar program which will allow 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.
With shifting public sentiment, state-specific cannabis laws, and licensing requirements, the Cannabis industry is in a constant state of change. From securing capital and licensing to hiring qualified people and meeting compliance mandates, the path to success is filled with challenges, but a mobile, adaptable business management solution will expedite and ensure your progress.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions provide Cannabis companies like yours cloud-based financials, inventory management, sales, operations, as well as tracking, monitoring, and reporting on raw materials from seed to sale. Learn how Acumatica – the leading innovator in Cloud ERP – will make your growing business more agile and efficient.
Learning Objectives
• Hear an Acumatica company overview, real success stories from Cannabis companies just like yours, followed by a product demo.
• Learn how ERP can be used to track, monitor, and report on raw materials and finished goods.
• How to manage accounting, sales, operations in one system and track the cost of goods – manage staff, assign tasks, and reduce manual error calculations.
• Streamline the signal flow throughout your business with the world’s fastest growing and most adaptable cloud ERP solution, Acumatica.
Panelists:
Sean Chatterjee
Vice President, Partner Sales
Acumatica
Eric Moreau
Director, Presales
Acumatica
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
Webinar Recording: NCIA Committee Insights – How Can You Get More Engaged With NCIA? Let’s Talk Committees!
Applications for NCIA committees are now open through August 1, 2020!
Committees are the heart of NCIA, and one of the best ways to take advantage of your membership and be an active participant.
As an active committee member you be able to:
Network with other professionals in your issue area
Influence policy
Create content promoted throughout our networks
Raise your visibility
But don’t just take our word for it — hear first hand from the chairs of some of our committees about their experience being on the committee and highlights from this last term.
Webinar Recording: NCIA Committee Insights – Managing Novel Risks During the COVID-19 Crisis
In case you missed it, watch the recording of this webinar from April 27, 2020. NCIA’s Risk Management and Insurance Committee presents a conversation regarding how cannabis operators can mitigate the risks that the coronavirus presents to their customers, their employees, and their businesses. Get actionable advice and expert insights regarding how to manage your risk and avoid potential liability while keeping your essential business open.
Topics addressed include:
Identifying all novel risks presented by COVID-19
Addressing the availability for insurance coverage for COVID-related losses
Creating SOPs around employee and customer safety
Increased delivery exposure and SOPs around fleet management, driver safety/protection
Managing increased cyber security risks through insurance and strong SOPs
What coronavirus teaches us about the import of proactive risk management
Speakers include:
Jason Horst, Principal
Horst Legal Counsel
Stephanie Bozzuto, Co-Founder & President
Marketing Cannabis Connect Insurance Services
Summer Jenkins, CLCS, Senior Product Development Manager
Cannasure Insurance Services
Eric Rahn, Managing Partner
S2S Insurance Specialists
Wes Gilbreath, CFO
Continental Heritage Insurance Company
Eduardo Provencio, General Council
Mary’s Medicinals
Webinar Recording: All Gave Some, Some Gave All – A Policy Discussion on the Veterans Cannabis Conundrum
In case you missed this webinar on Memorial Day, watch this recording.
Especially around Memorial Day, it’s important to remember the reason for the holiday: our veterans. Unfortunately, though all gave some and some gave all, the vast majority of our veterans are still unable to access safe, regulated cannabis. Many individuals in the veteran community struggle under unique health burdens stemming from their honorable service, and have experienced little success in managing their conditions with available pharmaceuticals. Through cannabis, veterans of all generations and with various conditions have experienced improvements in their quality of life by using cannabis.
In Congress, two bills aimed at tackling this issue have already passed out of the House Veterans Affairs Committee — H.R. 712: the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2019, sponsored by Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) and H.R. 1647: the Veterans Equal Access Act, sponsored by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). In March, the Congressional Budget Office scored H.R. 1647 and found that passing the bill into law would cost the federal government exactly $0.
Enjoy this webinar focused on cannabis, health, and our armed services members. NCIA’s Government Relations team is joined by none other than the lead sponsors of the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2019 and H.R. 1647: the Veterans Equal Access Act, Congressmen Lou Correa and Earl Blumenauer, respectively. Our panel also includes the cofounders of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Eric Goepel and Bill Ferguson. This unique opportunity will allow you to hear from the lead sponsors of legislation designed to give our veterans the best quality of life possible, interact with member(s) of Congress, and learn more about the prospects of these bills passing into law.
Webinar: Policy Council Conversations: Just Say No – Keep the DEA out of Cannabis Research
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials educational webinar series is our new digital platform featuring a variety of programs to provide you timely, engaging, and essential education when & where you need it most!
The Policy Council Conversations series features insights & invaluable content directly from members of NCIA’s Policy Council, the preeminent “Think Tank” for the cannabis industry.
The Drug Enforcement Administration recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on cannabis research. If adopted, this rule would fundamentally change how cannabis research is conducted. NCIA recently submitted public comments, rejecting the DEA’s power grab and strongly suggesting that a public health agency (i.e. Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, etc.) lead on cannabis research. Simultaneously, lawyers at Yetter Coleman filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against DOJ, demanding the release of an OLC memo relied upon by DEA in their rulemaking. That successful suit was brought on behalf of Scottsdale Research Institute.
This panel will discuss the critical importance of cannabis research, the DEA rulemaking and NCIA’s numerous objections, and the lawsuit against DEA and the resulting disclosure of the DOJ policy memo.
Register now to join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 12:00 PM MT.
Jodi Avergun
Chair, White Collar and Criminal Defense and Investigations Group
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
&
Former Chief of Staff
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Andrew Kline
Director of Public Policy
National Cannabis Industry Association
Sue Sisley, MD
Principal Investigator
Scottsdale Research Institute
NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinars are our new weekly educational series featuring a variety of programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when you need it most. The NCIA Committee Insights series showcases content produced in partnership with one of our 15 member-led committees.
Members of NCIA’s Scientific Advisory Committee will discuss how label claims came to be, what they look like in sister industries, and why label claims are important for cannabis products. Attendees will leave with a thorough understanding of what drug labels look like, what food labels look like, and why cannabis labels are different. A review of state based regulatory requirements and why they matter will also be provided.
Register now to join us on Wednesday, June3 at 10:00 AM MT.
As the cannabis industry emerges from start-up to major economic player, the protection of intellectual property becomes all the more critical. This expert panel will discuss the options available to protect trademarks at the state and federal level, how to apply for and obtain a federal patent, and how to protect designations of origin (much like we protect Champagne or Bordeaux in France). The panelist will draw upon their professional expertise, as well as their practical experience in applying for and successfully receiving trademark and patent protections. A white paper summarizing the author’s recommendations will be released this summer by NCIA’s Policy Council.
Protected: Webinar Recording: Fireside Chats – Staying Politically Engaged in the Age of Coronavirus
Webinar Recording: #CannaBizSummit Speaker Series – Hacker-Proof Your Remote Operations
In case you missed it, watch this webinar recording from Monday, April 27. As companies reacted to the workplace changes COVID-19 required, many cannabis companies made rapid decisions to work-from-home, added curbside pickup, and enhanced delivery services. These decisions lead to additional security risks, and with hackers targeting companies more aggressively, these risks must be addressed to ensure business continuity.
In this webinar, GeekTek CEO/CTO Eric Schlissel and his guest Sophos Cyber Security subject matter expert Joey Ellison will discuss the current state of remote work, what to expect in the future and how to improve your organization’s security posture, moving from reactive to proactive protection. Intended for a non-technical audience, attendees will leave with clear next steps to improve their cybersecurity with minimal effort.
Speakers Include:
Eric Schlissel, CEO & CTO
GeekTek
Joey Ellison, Sr. Cyber Security Engineer
Sophos
Webinar: NCIA Committee Insights – Illinois Market – What’s Happening and What’s Next
Join us on Monday, May 11 at 1:00 PM MT for this webinar.
How is the 11th state to permit adult-use cannabis doing, and what’s coming next? Want to get your foot in the door? Join us in a lively conversation about Illinois application and licensing.
Considering expansion to Illinois from another market? Learn how Illinois differs from other markets on some key issues. Think it’s essential that states successfully innovate to promote social equity?
We’ll discuss what Illinois is doing well and where the gaps are in regards to their Social Equity program. Join industry thought-leaders from NCIA’s State Regulations Committee as they discuss these crucial topics and more.
Learn about Social Consumption in Illinois, and What’s Coming Next
Compare Illinois Marketing and Advertising Differences
How Illinois is Handling Social Equity
Webinar Recording: In the Weeds – Cannabis Advocacy from the Statehouse to Capitol Hill
Watch this recent webinar from March 31 for a lively discussion about how to leverage your company, customers, and industry partners to achieve your state, local, and federal advocacy goals. Whether cannabis is already legal in your state or on the path to being so, learn the advocacy basics to ensure the industry’s, and your company’s, long-term success.
This panel of industry experts discuss:
– What types of activities and interactions with government officials trigger lobbyist registration requirements;
– Best practices for forming coalitions to achieve your advocacy goals, whether at the ballot box or in the statehouse;
– How to form a PAC or other advocacy vehicle; and
– What types of gifts to public officials may be off-limits because of the nature of your cannabis business.
Speakers
Moderator: D. Michael Stroud, Jr.
Partner at Nossaman LLP
Michael Stroud, Jr. brings more than 15 years of legal and legislative policy expertise in border security, infrastructure, national security, tax, transportation, trade, state and local municipal government, and water and wastewater utility. He has advised clients on federal campaign and lobby laws, gift rules, ethics compliance and investigations. Michael has also led efforts on appropriations legislation to obtain legislative changes to advance clients’ interests in the cannabis industry.
Amber Maltbie
Partner at Nossaman LLP
Maltbie is a campaign finance and election law attorney who advises clients in the cannabis industry, including trade associations, private, and publicly traded companies. She advises them on the permissibility of making contributions at the state and local level, preparing and filing campaign finance reports, tracking and notifying public officials who have received client gifts. She has helped develop a banking relationship and facilitated getting its PAC banked. She also advises on support and promotion of ballot measures and legislative advocacy. Amber’s practice covers all 50 states.
William Powers
Partner at Nossaman LLP
William Powers focuses his practice on political law and campaign finance issues. Drawing on his decade-long career in government, including as a top enforcement official at the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Bill helps clients navigate laws related to campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, gift and gratuities and pay-to-play. His clients include companies and nonprofits at the cutting edge of their industries, and he brings a collaborative and flexible approach in helping them achieve their advocacy goals in elections, the legislative arena, and the ballot measure and initiative process.
Watch The Webinar: An Insight into Cannabis Attitudes, Uses, and Trends
This informative webinar recording from January 28, 2020, provides insightinto recent market research on state-by-state consumer attitudes, usage, and trends. Cannabis consumer segments and profiles will also be presented along with media consumption and lifestyle attributes, along with preference insights from medical dispensaries and the role of cannabis in the treatment of severe pain and key findings and takeaways from their latest consumer research. Featured speakers include Stephen J. Gongaware and Jennifer Wolfe of Management Science Associates (MSA).
Webinar Recording: 280E Mitigation – What You Need To Know
Watch this webinar recording in case you missed the live presentation from December 17.
Legal cannabis has been spreading across the United States for over 10 years now. How has the industry been viewed in the eyes of the IRS? The cannabis industry has consistently lost in tax court against the IRS. Can these businesses be profitable on an after-tax basis? Do management companies help with profitability? Jim Marty and Cory Parnell of Bridge West LLC, CPAs and Consultants to the cannabis industry will explore these questions in light of recent tax cases.
Learning Objectives:
1. The session will help attendees understand the implications of recent Tax Court decisions that involve IRS Code Section 280E.
2. Learn how to avoid double taxation with related party management companies.
3. Explore the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding excessive fines and penalties. Hear the arguments that conflict with 280E.
4. In light of the above, learn how C-Corporations can help protect again personal liability for dispensary income taxes.
Watch The Webinar: Michigan’s Adult-Use Market – What Comes Next?
In case you missed the December 3 webinar: The Midwest is becoming a major player in the cannabis industry and Michigan is now accepting applications for its adult-use cannabis licenses with the launch date fast approaching. Join our expert panel as we provide insights into the Michigan adult-use market: an update on what has transpired so far, what potential operators need to know about this key market, and how Michigan’s market will compare to others around the country. It’s an exciting time for our industry with the Midwest on the verge of launching adult-use sales. Watch this webinar from NCIA’s State Regulations Committee as they explain what you need to know.
WEBINAR: METRC – How to Stay Ahead & Maximize Efficiency
Everyone has METRC on the mind. Find out how METRC will impact your retail operations, what you’ll need to consider when it comes to compliance reporting, and how to maximize efficiencies to ensure being METRC certified doesn’t cost you precious time better spent running your business. Watch the webinar recording here.
SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Sheltraw
Director of Regional Strategy, Headset
Brett C. Hartmann-Payan
Compliance Officer, Dosist
Anne Forkutza
VP Strategic Partnerships, Cova
WEBINAR: How to Approach Your Local Government – What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You!
Discussing cannabis and approaching government officials can both be daunting, but with a little knowledge and confidence, both can work together quite well!
Join members of NCIA’s State Regulations committee to get guidance and your questions answered so that you can be your best and help your community at the same time.
NCIA’s State Regulations Committee examines and reviews the varying cannabis industry-specific statewide regulations and work to establish best practices or guidelines for states and municipalities to facilitate the development of regulations and compliance procedures.
WEBINAR: Cannabis Testing & How to Read Test Results
Learn from expert panelists: Alena Rodriguez, Managing Director, Rm3 Labs; Garrett Cropsey, Project Manager, Canna Advisors; and Tiffany Coleman, Director of Quality, Copperstate Farms.
Without delving too much into the testing methodologies used, we discuss reporting limits and some reasons for variability in test results. We also discuss the basic terminology used in test reports, provide examples of test results, and show you how to read them.
This webinar is great for general audiences that want to learn more about why we test in cannabis, how to interpret test results, and how you can use results as a consumer or cannabis business.
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is comprised of practicing chemists and other scientific field professionals to advise other NCIA committees as they work to develop standards and guidelines for the various sectors of our industry, ensuring that any formal recommendations produced by other NCIA committees are scientifically sound, sustainable, and legitimate.
For a deeper dive into cannabis testing policy, download this report prepared by NCIA’s Policy Council, where we explore recommendations for cannabis testing policies including requirements for proficiency, contaminants, potency and active ingredients, as well as records retention and laboratory accreditation.
WEBINAR: Michigan Voted to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis – What You Need To Know Now
On Election Day, Michigan voters resoundingly approved Prop 1 to legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana under state law. It’s an exciting time with great possibilities, but what does this mean for the future state of Michigan’s legal cannabis landscape?
Watch this recording of the webinar from NCIA’s State Regulations Committee, presenting its first-ever interactive webinar designed to help you answer the pressing questions about Michigan’s new adult-use market.
Join NCIA’s State Regulations Committee members, including Chair Maureen McNamaraof Cannabis Trainers, Committee Vice Chair Michael Cooperof MadisonJay Solutions, and Barton Morris of Cannabis Legal Group, as they help us fill in the blanks for adult-use regulations in the state of Michigan. The webinar helps answer what we currently know about the laws, any key open questions that remain, and what potential market entrants should be doing now to get ready.
Watch the webinar “Michigan Voted to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis: What You Need To Know Now” hosted by members of NCIA’s State Regulations Committee.
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