| 9:00 am – 9:10 am |
Introduction & Program Overview
Program Chair: Alana Hans-Cohen
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| 9:10 am – 9:35 am |
Keynote Address
Speaker: Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Congressman, US House of Representatives
3rd Congressional District, Oregon, Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus
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| 9:35 am – 9:50 am |
Coffee Break
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| 9:50 am – 10:15 am |
Blunt Ethics for New York Lawyers: Navigating New York Cannabis Laws Responsibility
A practical take on ethical challenges faced by New York attorneys representing cannabis clients.
Panelists: Patrick J. Hines & Andrew J. Lichtman
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| 10:15 am – 10:30 am |
Coffee Break
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| 10:30 am – 10:55 am |
From Briefs to Buds: Attorney Perspectives on Entering & Serving the Cannabis Industry
A compelling and thought-provoking exploration into the exciting world of cannabis law. Discover how attorneys can leverage their legal expertise to serve this dynamic and rapidly growing industry. Gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and learn how to use the transferable skills attorneys already possess that are essential for successfully navigating the complex legal terrain of the cannabis industry. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or exploring new opportunities, this panel promises to empower attorneys to seize the prospects presented by the burgeoning cannabis market.
Panel Leader: Joseph A. Bondy
Panelists: Gregg H. Hilzer & Sean Mack
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| 10:55 am – 11:10 am |
Coffee Break
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| 11:10 am – 12:00 pm |
High Stakes (Current & Potential) Litigation: New York Cannabis Law Under Scrutiny
Panelists examine the legal chaos that unfolded post-cannabis legalization in 2021, touching on issues that include the roll out of CAURD Licensing in New York, alleged unconstitutional overreach, dormant commerce challenges, and opposition against the third-party marketing ban. Join us for a detailed analysis of the legal battles that are shaping New York's cannabis industry, revealing how the dust has settled or is still settling since these groundbreaking lawsuits and the potential legal challenges the panelists foresee.
Panelists: Fatima Afia & Lauren A. Rudick
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| 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm |
Networking Lunch
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| 12:50 pm – 1:40 pm |
Green Light, Red Tape: A Roadmap to Navigating Human Resources & Employment Law for New York's Cannabis Startups & Entrepreneurs
Our group of seasoned experts will examine employment and human resource-related compliance concerns for cannabis startups, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses, including compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, covering areas such as filing requirements, hiring processes, employee handbooks, contracts, wage issues, protection of confidential information, anti-discrimination laws, workplace policies and obtaining essential insurance coverage, such as commercial general liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, property and casualty, key person insurance, commercial general liability for property and bodily injury, personal and advertising injury, directors’ and officers’ liability, and employment practices liability.
Panel Leader: Cecilia Oyediran
Panelists: David B. Feder, Max Meade & Sarah E. Trent
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| 1:40 pm – 1:50 pm |
Coffee Break
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| 1:50 pm – 2:40 pm |
Potentially Profitable, Perpetually Problematic: Navigating Cannabis Real Estate
A discussion of the drivers of cannabis business inflated real estate pricing, such as financing, insurance, holding fees, perceptions of cannabis businesses as cash cows, and price-gouging by landlords, as well as how restrictive land-use and zoning regulations. The panel will address how municipal opt-outs contribute to the scarcity of suitable real estate for cannabis businesses and provide an overview of the critical importance of location evaluation and due diligence in cannabis real estate transactions, considering zoning laws, buffer restrictions, and other location-specific issues.
Panel Leader: Mollie Hartman Lustig
Panelists: Duncan Delano & Kristen Jordan
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| 2:40 pm – 2:55 pm |
Coffee Break
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| 2:55 pm – 3:45 pm |
Cannabis Cash Flow: A Taxing Affair for Retailers - Unlocking Profit Potential through Smart Tax Planning & Strategies for Success
Navigate the complexities of cannabis cash flow with wit and wisdom and uncover the secrets to maximizing profit margins and minimizing tax burdens in the ever-growing cannabis industry through smart tax planning, particularly tax planning for cannabis retailers.
Panel Leader: James Mann
Panelists: John Pellitteri & Elana Tamas
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| 3:45 pm – 3:55 pm |
Coffee Break
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| 3:55 pm – 4:45 pm |
Legalize, Capitalize, Strategize: M&A, Business Valuations & Navigating Regulatory Restrictions & Ownership Limits
Take a dive into the collaborative aspects of the cannabis industry, illuminating opportunities for joint ventures and shared success. Participants will explore the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions, financing, and regulatory compliance within the cannabis sector, gaining valuable insights into the legal landscape, including restrictions and limitations on cannabis investments. Additionally, the panel will address the critical aspect of business valuations in the cannabis industry, shedding light on methodologies and considerations for accurately assessing the worth of cannabis enterprises. Join us as we discuss the art of drafting partnership and business agreements that not only foster collaboration but also meet rigorous regulatory compliance standards, with a focus on integrating comprehensive business valuations into strategic decision-making processes.
Panel Leader: Shanita Penny
Panelists: Charles Alovisetti, Hugh S. O’Beirne , Stacey D. Udell & Robert Hoban
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