The Marijuana Conference 2011 in San Francisco

This panel examines the current medical marijuana landscape and outlines exactly what the movement is up against in 2012. Panelists dissect the latest research reports, discuss pending legislation and how legislative changes can help solve some of the industry’s problems. Panelists also explore the importance of using the initiative process locally.

MODERATOR: DALE SKY JONES, Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform & Oaksterdam University

PANELISTS:

• STEPHEN GUTWILLIG, Drug Policy Alliance
• ROB KAMPIA, Marijuana Policy Project
• ED ROSENTHAL, Quick Trading Company

This panel of successful professionals in the Marijuana industry discuss what they have done to ensure a sustainable business.  Topics of discussion include the importance of abiding by local and state regulations, keys to obtaining financing, and developing best business practices.

MODERATOR: MIKE ABERLE, Statewide Insurance Services

PANELISTS:

• BERNARD BUNNING, BBRS
• MARK GUSTELY, Starbuds
• BRITTANY MORGAN MORRISON, Natural Solutions Patient Care

The medical cannabis industry is too large to be entirely self-funded by entrepreneurs and their families, but not quite ready for institutional investment.  Angel investors are facilitating the next phase in the industry’s maturation. In addition to identifying 12 distinct segments of the industry, this session explores the unique challenges and opportunities that both companies and investors face.

SPEAKER: TROY DAYTON, The ArcView Group

This session provides a commentary on positive versus negative conflicts of law, giving real world examples of where local policy and DOJ policies were not in accord and examines the impacts on local policy development. This presentation also explores the implementation of questionable current policies, such as federal forfeiture programs, incentives for local law enforcement to continue enforcing federal laws, and how local arrests vs. state incarceration creates a net “profit” at the county level.

MODERATOR: BRENDAN HALLINAN, Hallinan & Hallinan

PANELISTS:

• WARREN EDSON, Edson, Maytin & Matz
• BRUCE POPE, Isleton, California City Manager
• ANGEL MCCLARY RAICH, ARCH Collective

This presentation examines a case study of personal branding and business success as a Ganjapreneur looking forward to 2012. Using the power of celebrity, the cannabis movement builds a new image in the media and public. No longer seen as “loser potheads”, June 23rd marks the launch of the first time in history a television network has consulted with a marijuana expert in the production of “Wilfred” on the FX network starring Elijah Wood and Jason Gann. Through a script review for political correctness regarding the activism world that lead to the creation of a complete marijuana dispensary on set complete with vaporizers, cannabis, edibles, tinctures and more, this series launches a first in our movement. Cannabis is being taken seriously by the mainstream and is set to skyrocket in to the topic of practically every conversation.

SPEAKER: CHERYL SHUMAN, KUSH Magazine

In the current political climate, patient advocates can play a significant role in regulations, neighbor relations, and pushing back federal interference. This presentation discusses the importance of creating “beyond consumer” relationships with patient clientele and explores practices that can be integrated into access centers to foster these relationships.

SPEAKER: STEPH SHERER, Americans for Safe Access

Since the passage of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (OMMA) in 1998, patients and their advocates have struggled with the question of how to be fairly compensated for providing medical cannabis to patients in need. This session presents a patient distribution model that is compliant with the current structures of Oregon State Law, and examines the business and legal issues present in this model.

SPEAKERS: LELAND R. BERGER, Esq. & PAUL LONEY, Esq.

The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. § 811), and does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana. Under federal law, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug, and has the constitutional authority to prohibit marijuana use for all purposes. Under federal law, enforcement officials may prosecute medical marijuana patients, even if they grow their own and even if they live in a state where medical marijuana use is protected under state law. What does this contradiction between state and federal law mean, and how does the federal Controlled Substances Act apply to individual state laws.

SPEAKER: ROBERT A. RAICH, P.C.

This panel examines all of the legal issues that business owners must abide by to build a successful and sustainable marijuana business. Panelists also discuss the importance of staying compliant with local and state laws, not only for the business owner, but for the industry as a whole.

MODERATOR: NICK BRUSATORE, Terrasphere LLC & Chairman of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation Committe

PANELISTS:

• BRIAN CORBMAN, Ardent Advisors
• ZENIA GILG, Jackson Square Law
• WILLIAM G. PANZER, Esq.
• JIM MARTY, Jim Marty & Associates

Cannabis related health care products offer significant growth potential for companies in developed and emerging markets. Economies in emerging markets continue to grow quickly and consumers are gaining purchasing power. All of these factors will contribute to continued strong growth of the Cannabis consumer health care market. This presentation provides insight regarding the lucrative medical marijuana concentrate, edible and topical industries, and focuses on how to capitalize on ROI profit models with a focus on both cultivation and manufacturing processes.

SPEAKER: CHRISTIE LUNSFORD, Green Spring Consulting

How can patients be assured of the quality of the cannabis they need, including consistency of the levels of THC and CBD? Who provides the testing? How much does it cost? Since the FDA does not permit labs, how can patients be assured of the quality of the testing? What should safe and professional testing certification consist of?

MODERATOR: STEPHEN DeANGELO, Harborside Health Center

PANELISTS:

• MATTHEW COHEN, MendoGrown
• ANNARAE GRABSTEIN, Steep Hill Lab
• DR. MICHAEL GECI, Montana Botanical Analysis
• DR. ROBERT MARTIN, CW Analytical Laboratories

Federal banking regulators are pressuring banks to not serve the medical marijuana industry. Where can business owners go to bank their funds and obtain merchant services? What solutions are available to overcome this major hurdle? Topics discussed include lobbying for tax parity, gaining equal access to finance and banking services, and moving toward an end to federal marijuana prohibition.

MODERATOR: ROBERT KANE, Kaneabis

PANELISTS:

• CHERYL BROWN, Medical Marijuana Business Alliance & CSSB Private Bank
• DEBBY GOLDSBERRY, United Cannabis Collective
• JIM PAKULIS, General Cannabis, Inc.
• VINCENT J. PALAZZOTTO, Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of America
• AARON SMITH, The National Cannabis Industry Association

Dispensary owners should be aware of what to do if an audit by the IRS is performed. This session will review how the audit is initiated and what the steps in the audit process are, with particular attention paid to what dispensaries should, or should not do, during the process.  The discussion includes important aspects such as, record keeping and substantiation requirements, cost of goods sold, IRC Section 280E, the allocation of expenses and the  Tax Court Opinion in Californians Helping to Alleviate Medical Problems (CHAMP) v. Commissioner, 128 T.C. No.14 (2007) the leading case on this issue.

SPEAKER: HENRY WYKOWSKI, Henry G. Wykowski & Associates

When investors are considering building a financial relationship with a company operating in the cannabis sector, there are issues related to intellectual property that they must be aware of.  This panel gives an overview of the different forms of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets. This panel examines some of the practical issues that may arise and the potential downside to an investor, if the intellectual property claimed by the target isn’t what they say it is, or worse yet, opens up the target to an infringement action.

MODERATOR: MARY SHAPIRO, Mary L. Shapiro Law

PANELISTS:

• MICHAEL GLENN, Glenn Patent Group
• SAMMY TRUJILLO, BBRS Strategic Advisors
• LAURIE VAN LOBEN SELS, Duane Morris

How can companies raise investor capital? What types of investors are interested in investing, and what types of companies are they interested in? This panel examines these issues along with providing information on the requirements and benefits of going public on the Pink Sheets or through a formal public offering.

MODERATOR: STEVE BERG, The ArcView Group

PANELISTS:

• ADAM GOTTBETTER, Gottbetter & Partners
• JUSTIN HARTFIELD, WeedMaps Media Inc. & General Cannabis Inc.
• BRUCE PERLOWIN, Marijuana Inc.
• DEREK PETERSON, GrowOp Technology

Some cities and counties have embraced medical marijuana and have enacted regulations to allow for a strong and safe market, while others have faced lawsuits as they try to restrict dispensaries. Which regulations work and which have faced challenges from the industry or the federal government. Why did Oakland succeed and Los Angeles fail? Panelists also discuss the importance of crafting workable and politically acceptable zoning ordinances, easing the worries of elected officials, and building strategies for positive outcomes for city officials and patients.

MODERATOR: JOHN GELUARDI, Author: Cannabiz: The Explosive Rise of the Medical Marijuana Industry

PANELISTS:
 

Closing Remarks
5:15 PM