Cannabis is a capital-intensive game. Get inside the head of an investor to understand the due diligence they do before investing in your company. We will go from a novice in raising capital to an expert in 1 hour. Going forward, investors will be much more demanding of cannabis, CBD, & Hemp startups. They expect better internal controls and better accounting policies & procedures. Investors want to see plans for their audit trail.

Bart combines the research of regenerative soil science pioneers like Dr. William Albrecht, Dr. Elaine Ingham, and Dr. Kristin Nichols into a practice that is uniquely his own. Soil microbes are critical to the process but anyone familiar with cultivating hemp plants knows they can consume more nutrients than almost any other crop. Because of this, it is crucial to overall plant health and yield to introduce the right amount of mineral nutrition, in the proper ratios, into the soil before planting.

With the ever-changing media landscape, the highly competitive cannabis industry, and advertising and marketing restrictions put on the cannabis industry, PR can be leveraged to propel cannabis entrepreneurs and businesses to the next level. In this presentation, attendees will receive a high-level overview of the differences in B2B and B2C communications strategies, the importance of tying all messaging back to a campaign, and how businesses of all levels can immediately start planning and implement an effective communication strategy.

A Better Way To Do Business covers multiple options for business owners to save time, money, and hassles through outsourcing professional services to providers that are experts in their field. PEOs, HROs, ASOs, marketing consultants, remote CFOs, attorneys, CPAs, and cannabis consulting groups will all be touched on through the presentation as to gain an understanding of what they have to offer and the benefits of using these resources for your business.

How you are involved with Cannabis? Medically, recreationally, or in the business? Each one of these involvements have their own criteria to successfully get insurance. We will educate and guide individuals in these criterias to successfully obtain coverage everyone deserves. Just because you are involved in cannabis, don’t be descriminated against!

Over 90% of all cannabis-related transactions are carried out in cash, industrywide. With a cash automation strategy, or leveraging technology to better count, secure and manage cash, a Washington D.C. medical marijuana dispensary has minimized risk, reduced costs and eased cash handling for associates and managers. Learn how they use cash automation technology to save time and costs, ensure the security and visibility of cash volumes in and across dispensaries and maintain compliance with state/federal regulations.

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The presentation on automation in cannabis will explore the role of technology in enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of growing and extracting cannabis. It will cover the different types of automation technologies used in growing and extracting, including PLCs, microprocessors, sensors, and equipment that can be controlled.

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.

The audience will gain a solid understanding of what is and is not considered cost of goods sold, the 3 main tax codes that negatively affect this industry, and what they can do to put their business in a position that can survive the industry. The crowd will also get a basic understanding of how their entity can be treated for tax purposes and how that affects 280E.lisa

As cultivations grow in size and demand, unfortunately so does the amount of waste. Now is the time to start thinking of the future of agriculture and how to focus on sustainable grows along with the safety of our staff and consumers. As states increase regulations and product testing, this is going to increase pressure on growers to produce safe, high-quality products.

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.

Over 90% of all cannabis-related transactions are carried out in cash, industrywide. With a cash automation strategy, or leveraging technology to better count, secure and manage cash, Takoma Wellness, Washington D.C. medical marijuana dispensary, has minimized risk, reduced costs and eased cash handling for associates and managers. Like Takoma, save time and costs, ensure the security and visibility of cash volumes in and across dispensaries and maintain compliance with state/federal regulations.

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.

From chronic pain and cancer, to PTSD and anxiety, Duber Medical physicians are seeing the wide range of ways cannabis can offer relief to patients, without the side effects of traditional medication. Clinical evidence is growing that shows how this complex plant can treat or manage symptoms of those suffering from physical or mental health conditions in ways that current treatment options do not. Join Dr. Morris as she covers the history of medical marijuana, as well as emerging research, personal anec- dotes and her thoughts on the future of medical cannabis for those looking to heal better, naturally.

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.

This seminar will help aspiring multistate cannabis brands, manufacturers, and dispensary operators understand the fundamentals of a brand licensing relationship. We will summarize the different assets that can be licensed across state lines and identify the key provisions that may avoid contentious and expensive disputes. This seminar will prepare brands and their licensee partners to develop solid business models and legal agreements that protect their interests. Attendees will leave this seminar armed with a solid understanding of the core elements required to build such a relationship while avoiding common and painful (i.e., expensive) mistakes. 

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.

So you’ve decided to start your dream cannabis business, now what? Growing cannabis is the easiest part but how you manage: finances, HR, hiring, state and federal regulations, scalability, branding, inventory supply, industry connections, and taxes are the things not planned that will break you. These are the non-glamorous components most don’t plan for and yet they are the ones that take down companies. Learn how we addressed these and have survived and thrived in this tumultuous industry.

A security plan utilizing the minimum technology and operational procedures to meet compliance requirements with regulations should not be mistaken as a security plan designed to protect the people and property within a cannabis facility. No single state’s security requirements meet the physical protection standards utilized by every type of business. Most state requirements include antiquated and misunderstood elements for security compliance or fail to address many areas entirely.

New markets to cannabis can benefit from the mistakes made in the past. Capital needs will exceed projections and good record keeping, internal policies and procedures as well as prudent tax planning can help you succeed during these challenging times. This secession will help you develop best practices so that your company can grow and obtain investor confidence.

From application writing and business plan development to project finance and operations, the importance of building a strong team and leveraging project management is cornerstone to a successful business.  This presentation will focus on the importance of building a team of proven subject matter experts and leveraging project management to successfully navigate the complexity of startup operations.

Whether you’re a team leader or C-suite executive, it is critical to understand how to reduce your exposure for employee lawsuits. This session explores workable strategies to help you manage HR at your business with a step-by-step guide. Learn how to navigate the challenges ranging from discrimination and wrongful termination to harassment and employee paperwork by implementing the HR compliance needed to avoid these pitfalls.

Commercial cannabis real estate is hard to secure and expensive to make operational. Understanding the challenges is key to ensuring you don’t waste time or money. From choosing a location that meets zoning laws to understanding whether to lease or purchase to securing insurance and creating realistic construction timelines, this session will cover it all. We’ll take you through the important aspects to consider when securing commercial cannabis real estate all while preserving crucial capital.

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.

Sales tax, excise tax, payroll tax, income tax… so many taxes! Not only do cannabis business owners need to be aware of the federal tax laws, but also the state requirements.  State tax requirements are just as important (if not more) as federal taxes because one slip-up could cost you your license.

Jerry Abiog has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience and serves as a Co-Founder & CMO of Standard Insights, an AI as a Service analytics and marketing platform. They help businesses leverage their first-party data to build their competitive moat. He has written articles for Marijuana Venture, spoken on numerous podcasts, and given talks on AI and marketing. Recently, his company was included in the 2022 CannaTech Services Providers Ecosystem.

Start with the plant and the importance of growing boutique strains. market trends and clues for survival. Overview of the most popular extraction and post processing techniques and compare them by yield, CapEx, OpEx and outcome of product. Time to market and on demand delivery of a product, how to handle orders and plan production. Make exotic products and win more customers.

In this talk I will explain what aquaponic cannabis production entails. I’ll go into detail about controlled indoor agriculture, aquaponic systems, living soil raised beds, deep water culture vs hydroponics and nutrient needs for growing top quality cannabis.

Enterprise Resource Planning systems are essential to maximize efficiency and profits of your cannabis business. We’ll review ERPs and discuss Integrations and Compliance during this session first. Then we’ll talk about Cannabis Connoisseurship and why it matters in the industry before putting the two together to see why and how ERPs can contribute to products worthy of connoisseurship. Join Rob Sanchez from Apartment 113 for this informative session on Cannabis software.

This presentation covers the basic occupational health and safety challenges facing the cannabis industry. Cannabis operations from production to processing to retail are complicated workplaces that require complex solutions. From understanding required written plans to the mandatory training all employees should be receiving, the presentation offers a broad view of the OSHA, USDA, and EPA compliance cannabis employers need to know to avoid risk and keep employees safe.

What can set your company apart from all the rest? How do you minimize risk and maximize profits? How do you successfully structure, position and market your business and  brand? This panel discussion and Q&A session is focused on the diverse considerations for  growing and nurturing a successful business. Whether its branding, marketing, business strategy, business structure, financial considerations or identifying new trends and market opportunities for growth, this panel can address these topics from first-hand experience.

Starting or increasing the scale of a Cannabis Cultivation can be a costly endeavor. This session provides an introduction into increasing work flow efficiencies and optimizing cultivation protocols. Topics covered will include scalable automation for small and large scale cultivations, work flow optimizations, and cultivation program planning. Also included will be a brief glance at how focused Capital Expenditures can optimize Operating Expenses.

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.

This talk will cover lighting considerations for cannabis, including proper intensity, Daily Light Integral, Spectrum and Photoperiod. We will explore artificial lighting and its applications in both indoor and mixed-light greenhouses. This talk will also cover non-electric, sustainable spectral control technologies becoming popular today, including luminescent quantum dot and dye films, coating technologies, and colored shade netting.

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.

With the ever-changing media landscape, the highly competitive cannabis industry, and advertising restrictions put on the cannabis industry, PR can be leveraged to propel cannabis entrepreneurs and businesses to the next level. In this presentation, attendees will receive a high-level overview of the differences in B2B and B2C communications strategies, the importance of tying all messaging back to a campaign, and how businesses of all levels can start planning and implement an effective strategy

Together we will bring to light to facts vs fiction when it comes to processing payments in the cannabis industry. We will take a step back and learn the basics of a merchant account, pricing structures and how to understand a merchant statement. From there we will take a forward-thinking review of how far the industry has come and evaluate the coming changes to how your business accepts payments. You will leave our discussion with a better understanding of how to navigate payment acceptance.

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.

Growers contend with multiple issues related to the healthy growth of their plants. Collecting data about your plants can provide immediate benefits that improve quality and increase yields as well as put you on the path to utilize AI tools to continue to improve grow operations. Potential projects where AI can be deployed in the grow environment will also be discussed.

Oklahoma recently imposed a two-year moratorium on new cannabis cultivation licenses. This is good news for growers, but there are still over 7,000 licensed cultivators in the state.

How can existing cultivation businesses ensure they take advantage of this moratorium and carve out a healthy slice of the state’s $1 billion cannabis market?

This talk will offer attendees pragmatic advice for tightening up operational expenses and helping to ensure their cannabis flower stands out in a crowd.

Increased reliance on plant-based formulas necessitates the need for biotechnological advancements to sustainably supply commodities and rare ingredients at scale. Learn how microbial biotechnologies such as algae fermentation can effectively recreate natural ingredients, including those rare or hard to access, at a fraction of the cost and without adverse environmental, varietal or supply chain impact.

For CannaBusinesses – it is not a matter of “if” you will be audited – but “when”. Are you and your Cannabis Company prepared?

We will talk about the different types of audits there are, how different business structures lend to your personal finances being audited and how to be ready when the auditor comes knocking.

Because of federal prohibition, dispensaries rely on cash/cashless ATM payments for customer purchases. This is not only inconvenient for consumers, but causes other issues: Cash puts employees at risk of theft, adds the cost of cash management and is difficult to report or track payments. This session delves into the innovations in payments, ecommerce and other digital platforms fueling modern and compliant payment solutions that benefit consumers, retailers and the industry at large.

Ryan Douglas helps businesses cultivate a profitable future in the cannabis industry. He is the founder of Ryan Douglas Cultivation, LLC and author of “From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time.” Ryan has worked in commercial horticulture for 25 years and advises cannabis operators worldwide.

What can set your company apart from all the rest? How do you minimize risk and maximize profits? How do you successfully market and grow your brand? This panel discussion and Q & A session is focused on how to grow a successful business. Whether its branding, marketing, packaging, business strategy, growth, accounting considerations or more, this panel can answer those questions from first-hand experience

History of Legalization: Overview of global marijuana legalization and a discussion of how MS compares.

Understanding the nexus between energy consumption and maximum high quality production can be the difference between making your start up successful or falling victim to the market like many competitors. This presentation will demonstrate how to create the most efficient and effective grow space leveraging third party capital that does not reduce your equity position. By reducing your operational expenses and reducing your overall capital outlay, investment expectations are easily exceeded.

Industrywide, its estimated that between 95 and 99% of all cannabis-related transactions are carried out in cash. There isn’t one reason why this is the case, rather it’s a trifecta of causes legal, financial and social. Until all three of those are relaxed, cash volumes will continue to pour into the cannabis space. This session will share insights into how the industry can benefit from the idea of cash automation or leveraging technology to better manage, count, and store cash.

This presentation will discuss basic structures of buying and selling a business in two basic forms – asset transactions and equity transactions, along with basic legal issues for joint ventures. The emphasis will be on the stages to a buy-sell transaction and a discussion on terms in service agreements. This presentation will discuss issues related to operating an effective business and preparation for acquisition while managing the concerns regularly faced by buyers of a cannabis business.

The cannabis industry has exploded in recent years to become one of the hottest industry sectors in the country. As more and more emerging markets come online for medicinal, adult use or some combination thereof, it is critically important for newcomers to the regulated cannabis industry to learn lessons from earlier markets. This presentation will highlight areas of opportunity and concern for new cannabis businesses.

Data is the fuel that drives growth for your cannabis business whether you are a grower, manufacturer, brand, or dispensary. By nature, the highly regulated and fragmented industry of cannabis generates tons of data. However, many don’t know how to leverage it to improve management decisions and customer experience which can lead to improving top and bottom-line growth. This talk will cover how using the predictive power of AI can help your business gain a competitive advantage

Risks in the cannabis industry can vary from slips and falls to fires in your grow rooms. There are things you can do to help prevent them from happening. Making sure you are prepared and ahead of the curve can save you precious time and money. Proper Risk Management in the cannabis industry can lead to Profitability in the end.

Entrepreneurs, is your business ready for cannabis business licensing in Mississippi? From forming a strong team and finding investors, to acquiring a suitable location and engaging with your community, the long road to receiving a cannabis license can be daunting. Attend this session for helpful tips to get you on the path to success, including examples of common mistakes applicants make in new cannabis markets.

Attendees will gain a solid understanding of cost of goods sold, different entity types, and what they can do now to minimize income tax.

You know the saying; it’s far easier to keep a customer than get a new one. But loyalty isn’t just about repeat business. You must create such a positive impact on your customer that they sing your praises to everyone in their orbit. In this session, we’ll analyze new market research that supports a hierarchical model of loyalty. Whether you’re a retailer, brand, or B2B business, you’ll learn marketing tactics and techniques that can be used to build and maintain the loyalty of your customers.

The design of your cannabis cultivation facility can literally make or break your business and is worthy of deep consideration. In this session, we’ll outline the key components to consider when planning your grow facility, from how to choose a facility site to designing for future scalability. We’ll discuss the roadmap for planning and timelines for construction giving you a good sense of what to expect from submitting designs for your license to becoming operational.

Cannabis is one of the fastest growing and most highly regulated industries in the nation.  Identifying and securing cannabis real estate brings its own share of complexities and competition. Whether you’re applying for a license, just won a license, or looking to expand operations, learn how PropTech can help you unlock green zones for cannabis real estate and enhance the value of your commercial property. Discover how to optimize your search and gain access to compliant locations effectively and expeditiously. Gain insight on essentials to consider when evaluating commercial properties and common areas of oversight. Learn how cannabis-specific PropTech is helping operators. Audience members will also receive a regional overview of key markets where PropTech is vital to finding property that meets both state regulations and local variances.

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You know you wanna, but can you? Well, it’s complicated. Cannabis advertisers have more to worry about than most brands. They need to consider FCC guidelines, federal and state regulations, and advertising company restrictions, too. Many media companies, like Meta and Google, have banned cannabis advertising altogether. In this session, you will walk away with an understanding of the current advertising landscape for the cannabis industry and five tactics that will help you gain an edge.

The success of most cultivation start-ups is made or lost in the planning phase, and 90% of cultivation problems are directly related to oversights committed long before any seeds are planted. If you plan on launching a new cultivation business soon, increase your chances of success by keeping things simple. This interactive presentation will examine 11 critical ingredients that every cannabis entrepreneur should include in their mixing bowl for start-up success.

So you’re opening up a cannabis business in Mississippi? You must have thick skin. Cannabis operators are not only challenged by hurdles faced by every new business, but face additional compliance and risk burden. You’ve probably heard stories about the lack of banking and the dangers of cash management. Cannabis is not unbanked … it is underbanked. In this session, you will learn about compliant banking, payments and, even, lending options accessible to the cannabis industry.

The cannabis industry in Michigan is quickly evolving. M&A deals will play a significant role over the next couple years. As the number of licenses issued will start declining, successful cannabis companies will be looking to add licenses to their portfolios while those less successful will be looking to recoup their loses. Plus, multi-state operators still see Michigan as an exciting market. Performing these transactions properly and with the right due diligence is critical.

Learn what your business will absolutely need to operate online… and in compliance. At our last event, our team spoke with dozens of newly licensed business owners who had no clue what to do next when it came to (A) getting their business online and (B) marketing their business online. Let us help you with the first steps.

alent recruitment and retention is crucial to any industry, but particularly one as highly regulated as cannabis. Staffing, onboarding and training are key to regulatory compliance and to creating the kind of winning company culture that encourages team members to make long-term commitments. How can cannabis businesses approach human resources from a holistic perspective? Higher Growth Search has proven staffing strategies for cannabis brands.

Cannabis growers pest management practices may involve applying pesticides that require compliance with the Federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The goal of WPS is to inform and protect workers and handlers from exposure to pesticides as well as mitigate an exposure. This presentation will provide an overview of several WPS requirements and what growers are required to implement to be in compliance.

Indoor grow facilities are power-hungry buildings. Learn about the various strategies that can help indoor grow facilities become energy efficient. Learn about where your energy goes, the importance of energy efficiency, and how to tap into cash incentives in 2022 to become energy efficient.