Every cannabis operator faces the automation question; usually pitched by a vendor at the worst possible time. Automate too early and you burn capital. Too late and margin compression eats you alive. Drawing on five plus years inside cannabis production, Andrew Wells walks operators through a practical framework: Is your process stable enough to automate? Is the labor math real? What breaks at 2x volume? Built for operators in emerging markets who want to skip mistakes others already paid for.

Discover the captivating history of cannabis in Virginia—Trace the journey through 20th-century prohibition into the modern era: from medical in 2017 to decriminalization in 2020, recreational possession and home cultivation legalized in 2021 (making Virginia the first Southern state), and the path ahead with a regulated adult-use retail market coming online “soon”.

In the rapidly evolving cannabis market, the relationship between facility operators and fire code officials is often viewed as adversarial—a series of expensive hurdles and red tape. However, safety and profitability are not mutually exclusive. This session, led by a veteran Fire Chief with direct experience approving more than half a dozen cultivation and extraction facilities, shows collaboration with your (AHJ) can prevent costly retrofits and streamline the licensing process.

Virginia cannabis licensing is right around the corner. Like several other states that have recently legalized, VA is using a qualified lottery process to determine who will receive licenses. 100 microbusiness licenses will be issued, along with 350 retail licenses and just as many social equity impact licenses. Jennifer will explain, in simple terms, the key priorities for preparing an application and getting ready to operate.

Before you spend a dollar in cannabis, there are financial realities most founders learn the hard way. This session features women founders sharing real lessons on what went wrong, what it cost them, and what they’d do differently. From underestimating capital to cash flow and tax challenges, attendees will gain practical insight to avoid costly mistakes and build a stronger financial foundation.

Cannabis Expo Presentation Guide:
• Property: protect buildings, equipment, inventory
• Product Liability: claims from contaminated/defective products
• General Liability: slip-and-fall, third-party risks
• Beverage Liability: infused drink exposures
• Workers Comp: employee injuries, compliance
• Commercial Auto: delivery and transport risks
• Exclusions: key gaps, endorsements, risk strategies

Join Dr. Lucas McCann, CSO and Co Founder of CannDelta, for a strategic briefing on Virginia’s 2026 market. With applications opening Sept 1, navigating the licensing process requires regulatory precision. We’ll talk about the different license types, restrictions, and the critical 10-day deficiency rule. Learn what you can do today, and the most viable entry to secure licensure in Virginia.

What is cannabis odor? What are Terpenes? What are VOC’s? How does odor emanate from a grow facility- open field, greenhouse, and indoor facilities. Why cannabis odor is a flashpoint for the industry. Typical odor control approaches, their strengths and weaknesses. Why deleting odor is the only acceptable odor control measure. Why empirical odor monitoring matters.

Compliance in the cannabis industry can be make-or-break to maintaining the value of your license and avoiding regulatory fines and delays. The fractional compliance model allows operators to use a third party to audit their operations, update their SOPs and operations materials to the code and regulations, and ensure that compliance tasks are being performed without the cost of an additional compliance officer’s salary.

Securing capital and licenses does not guarantee that a cultivation operation is prepared to perform. Many funded projects struggle because staffing, systems, cost controls, and production planning were never built to withstand real operating pressure. This session explores what true operational readiness looks like in cannabis cultivation and how leaders can translate funding into a disciplined, high-performing grow from day one.

The cannabis industry is evolving rapidly, with new regulations, tax challenges, and market dynamics reshaping how businesses operate. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory updates, tax compliance challenges, and strategies to structure your company for scalability and future growth. Gain actionable insights to strengthen your financial foundation and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

The cannabis industry is evolving rapidly, with new regulations, tax challenges, and market dynamics reshaping how businesses operate. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory updates, tax compliance challenges, and strategies to structure your company for scalability and future growth. Gain actionable insights to strengthen your financial foundation and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

As an emerging cannabis market matures beyond initial licensing euphoria, savvy investors are discovering compelling opportunities amid cannabis facility failures and consolidation. This presentation examines distressed cannabis license acquisitions, equipment liquidations, and strategic positioning as over-optimistic operators face margin compression. Discuss how to identify undervalued operations, navigate typical transfer approvals, and capitalize on cash strapped businesses.

An overall crash-course in trademarks. In this presentation, the following items are covered: trademark basics, the importance of registration of trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, pathways to registration, cannabis-related trademarks, and questions regarding all aforementioned topics.

Take a deep dive into why stable & exotic genetics are so important!  What is tissue culture and how can I take advantage of it. This will educate & teach growers how to achieve frosty & flavorful buds time after time!  Understand what to look for when choosing the genetics that you will be cultivating under your BRAND.  This session is designed for growers, entrepreneurs, investors, and advocates looking to understand how advancements in genetics and cultivation techniques can shape the future of their brand in the cannabis industry.  Once it’s out there, you can’t take it back!  The cream always rises to the top! 

This session offers a strategic framework for cannabis operators who want to build their business on a solid financial & operational foundation. The presentation lays out the essential systems, controls, and KPIs that need to be in place before scaling, all from the lens of a CPA who understands the unique regulatory and tax environment cannabis businesses face. Attendees will leave with a practical checklist of what a “scalable-ready” business looks like, and how to avoid the disorganization,

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.

The session will substantially help in avoiding costly mistakes and make sure growers are on the right path to developing a successful premium flower operation.