Edison, New Jersey 2023

With 13 years in commercial cannabis, executive operator Brian Staffa discusses the plethora of decisions that need to be proactively made at foundational stages of launching a cultivation operation. This zero-fluff talk covers more than 90 rapid-fire, sequential questions. It sheds light on common blind spots, explains when and why you need to care about various intricacies at each stage of the process, and helps you understand the consequences of overlooking or bypassing these considerations.

This panel discussion and Q&A session is focused on the ins & outs of cultivation, streamlining the supply chain and getting to the final product. Gain insights into lessons learned from cultivars, growing tips, and considerations along the way of turning raw plant material from the farm into a finished product.

What can set your company apart from all the rest? How do you minimize risk and maximize profits? How do you successfully market your brand? This panel discussion and Q & A session is focused on how to grow a successful business while also learning about the newest market opportunities and emerging trends. Whether it’s marketing, business strategy, growth, legal or financial considerations, etc this panel can answer those questions from first- hand experience.

As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get ready for your investor roadshow by understanding what lenders want. We’ll discuss the outlook on market capital, top concerns of investors, legal and funding structures, the five keys to raising capital, and why proper accounting from day 1 is so important.

Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to market your product or service on a limited budget? In this presentation, we will discuss various DIY marketing techniques that can help you create a strong personal brand, generate engaging content, and build a loyal customer base without breaking the bank.

Despite challenges, the New Jersey cannabis market offers massive opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike. With recent and proposed rule changes, and more municipalities opting-in, these are epic times for those looking to apply for licenses and scale new businesses. With over a decade of experience navigating the complex landscapes of the cannabis industry, Nic Easley will provide valuable insights for building a thriving and profitable cannabis business in the evolving Jersey market.

Challenges abound for this budding industry. Cannabis operators continue to fight an uphill battle with an adverse regulatory environment, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and the always present threat of property damage and product recalls looming large over the industry. With nearly all cannabis companies experiencing at least one product recall over their lifetime, the time is now to plan how to respond.

Technology helps retailers grow and scale. It puts dispensaries on the map and drives new business, enables budtenders to provide a smooth and memorable customer experience, and helps streamline operations to drive down costs. But with so many technologies and tools available, how do you know what you really need and how can you tell the good from the bad? Cova CEO Gary Cohen will walk you through some of the key platforms and tools that can help you to run your store and grow your business.

280E can be a killer. Attendees will learn how to navigate these waters. The 280E definition and the landmark court case that was its catalyst will be introduced. We will focus on strategies that include legitimate deduction maximization that could withstand the scrutiny of an IRS audit and differentiate the various strategies for grows, manufacturing, & retail. We will also introduce Form 8300 filings, why not to use management companies, best entity structures, sample financials to demonstrate the difference between cannabis and non-cannabis taxation, and more.

A Breakdown of the IRC 280E: The blunt truth about becoming audit ready: as new licensees and new plant-touching business owners you have a lot on your plate to get up and running and profitable. But, too often you’re not aware that in order to protect yourself and your business from audit, you must have an accounting process in order. This presentation delves deeply into the nuances of becoming 280E compliant by preparing your accounting system well in advance for audit.

Marketing cannabis can seem overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing. This presentation will go over what works, what doesn’t work and what will be a total waste of money. Avoid the pitfalls and shiny objects that end up costing you more than what you see in return. Bring a notebook and ask questions.

What is plant sap analysis? How is it different from dry tissue analysis? How and when do you collect samples for submission to a plant sap laboratory? How do you read a plant sap report and interpret the data? And most importantly how do you make management decisions from that data? All this will be addressed in a rapid fast passed presentation

While this is an extremely important issue to help cannabis business owners to not only save money on their federal tax return but also ensure they are protected in the event of a federal tax audit, there are some more immediate priorities that your cannabis accountant should understand in order to ensure you are able to maintain your state issued license.

Prepare to gain invaluable insights into best practices for tracking revenue, managing inventory, and understanding tax implications within the cannabis sector. Our expert speaker will share practical strategies and expert tips to ensure accurate record-keeping, robust internal controls, and seamless integration of compliance measures into your financial processes.

When your business is in the Cannabis industry, compliance with the regulations is the bottom line to keeping the doors open. So why are there still so many facilities that are operating without SOP practices in place? Today, we will take a closer look at the benefits of having a thorough SOP, what can happen when you don’t have an SOP in place and some solutions to get you started on your journey to full compliance today.

It’s important more than ever to ensure there is a strong foundation for compliance in place, as newly awarded licensed operators enter the adult-use cannabis market. Whether you have been awarded a license, or are an existing operator or thinking about entering the market, Compliance is one of the most important factors when it comes to running a successful business under the regulatory microscope.

Odor is the industry’s biggest public-facing problem – and we are not winning. We will define the current challenge and look at the coming regulatory impact on odor control. A deep dive into why people complain about odor and why it’s complicated is next. Explore available odor control technologies and see what’s working and what’s not. Understand the science of odor elimination. Leave attendees with a clear understanding of challenges and solutions around cannabis odor.

Learn the fundamentals and the pitfalls to avoid in developing a premium exotic flower grow facility and operation. Learn about facility development starting with selecting the correct property, the type of facility to build, how to precisely control the environment, and setting up a perpetual rotation and cultivation program. We’ll cover the (1) Facility (2) Genetics (3) Cultivation. Learn the 3 fundamentals for success in the premium exotic flower niche, the 5 fundamentals to building a premium exotic flower facility, how to set up the facility for perpetual rotation for monthly harvest and how to set up the facility to properly interact with genetics and cultivation.

Take a deep dive into why stable genetics are so important and how you can implement tissue culture into any size cultivation canopy. This will educate & teach the grower how to achieve frosty & flavorful buds time after time!  Learn about how to keep your crop bacteria & pest free from start to finish! Become aware of the greatest and most advanced tricks that can be implemented in home or commercial cultivation to achieve exotic premium buds.  Understand what to look for when choosing the genetics that you will be cultivating under your BRAND.  Once it’s out there, you can’t take it back!  The cream always rises to the top!

For those knowledgeable in cannabis but not as strong in back office practices, this session is for you. Learn the simple processes that will keep you legally compliant and help your cannabis business run smoothly. Often overlooked, Payroll, HR and Timekeeping can drive your business to success or failure. Learn the essentials from a payroll professional. Teresa will discuss 1099 vs. W2, employee handbooks and job descriptions, HR/OSHA compliance and more.