Opening a cannabis business is both exciting and overwhelming. How do you evaluate and choose from the many solutions you need to operate your business YOUR way? From cannabis technology, to marketing and branding, to financial services and institutions, Brian will walk through some “dos and don’ts”, and best practices for choosing your business solutions.

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. I’d like to offer time for Q&A if possible.

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.

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.

Growing organically is a differentiator. Not everyone is going to grow organically, however it is not as complicated as people think. It can help create market segmentation for cannabis with a higher perceived value protecting against price degradation in highly competitive and maturing markets.
Risk Mitigation is key. Growing with organic based and low carbon footprint tech and simplifying using water only living soils.

Data is only useful if you use it and know how to use it. When it comes to the cannabis industry, there are a wealth of software solutions and platforms available to businesses, but understanding how to apply these analytics and insights to help a business grow and scale can be overwhelming. This presentation will focus on what technologies exist in the emerging marketplace and how traditional data solutions are shaping industry-specific softwares for an improved user experience.

So you’ve started your cannabis business, now what? Growing cannabis is the easiest piece of the pie, but how you manage: finances, HR, hiring, state and federal regulations, scalability, branding, inventory supply, industry connections, and taxes are the pieces 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’ve been able to tackle these head on to survive and thrive in this tumultuous industry.

So you’ve started your cannabis business, now what? Growing cannabis is the easiest piece of the pie, but how you manage: finances, HR, hiring, state and federal regulations, scalability, branding, inventory supply, industry connections, and taxes are the pieces 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’ve been able to tackle these head on to survive and thrive in this tumultuous industry.

Learn about the key issues facing cannabis retailers and the financial institutions that serve them from a former banker, compliance professional, and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). With Robert’s extensive experience in banking and compliance, he will share both facts and observations he’s made while researching the cannabis industry over the past 9 years about the various payment solutions and which ones are truly compliant clearing up any misconceptions you may have.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In hot new cannabis markets, time is of the essence. Demand is high, and supply is low. Cultivators that can rapidly launch their business and come to market are rewarded with attractive profits.
But demand won’t always outstrip supply, so the first few years of a cultivation business could be the most lucrative.

This presentation will provide attendees with practical tips for launching their Mississippi cultivation start-up with less risk, less downtime, and a greater likelihood of success.

Congratulations, you now have your license to operate! While this is cause to celebrate, you cannot let your guard down. Certain components of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program and the cannabis industry in general present important legal issues you must consider when moving into the operational phase of your business. Bradley partners Slates Veazey and Whitt Steineker will walk you through those important considerations and explain how you can best prepare for the future.

Cannabis businesses are faced with higher compliance costs and higher taxes when compared to other types of businesses. Additionally, in a lot of states, the markets are saturated, and there is increased competition. Many times the owners are wearing so many hats— many of which they should not be doing because they don’t like it, is not productive, or are a good use of their time. There is a system to create a path to a more successful and profitable cannabis business. Attendees will learn how cash is more important than profit and how profit is more important than revenue. The five drivers of revenue, profit, and cash flow will be taught. Attendees will also learn about targets and forecasts and how they should let the right numbers drive their decisions. We will demonstrate how to keep a scoreboard about what to do every month to keep on track to achieve higher profits and increase cash flow. Lastly, the audience will learn how to create financial objectives and actionable plans to move the needles closer to their targeted numbers.

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

Industrywide, it’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This presentation will identify the high-level role zoning laws play in cannabis operations.
It will provide a business owner with resources the business owner can use to navigate and comply with local zoning ordinances.
It will explore common requirements imposed by local jurisdictions and the steps a business can take to comply with those requirements.
It will explore how a business owner can come into compliance if the business has been issued a notice by state or local regulators

Supply chain issues are some of the hardest challenges for businesses to overcome today. In the highly regulated cannabis industry, these difficulties are augmented due to state-by-state laws, the fluctuation in organic cannabis matter over time, and the complexities of compliance regulations. However, early planning, coupled with the right technology and automation, can help businesses navigate the cannabis supply chain effectively. Attendees will learn how to develop a sophisticated logistics plan to mitigate risk and propel operations forward. A comprehensive overview of the different types of technologies available and how to integrate them into an operation’s seed-to-sale processes to ensure both quality and compliance will also be covered, including the impact of state weights and measures laws.

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.

Did you know the IRS can deny deductions completely if
you are operating without good records? Also since there
are no “deductions” in cannabis it’s important that your
cost of goods sold is flowing properly through inventory
which is a business asset
■ Under an audit having actual receipts looks great. You can
try to recreate your expenses from a bank or credit card
statement… but what if they are paid in cash? Part of our
monthly bookkeeping for clients includes electronic
receipt storage

In this session, we review recent enforcement trends and discuss ways companies operating in the hemp-CBD marketplace can limit their risk, while still be truthful and not misleading. This includes identifying high-risk verbiage and providing examples of lower-risk ways to get the same message across. This discussion reviews the dos and don’ts of digital marketing such as best practices for blog posts.