Announcing the 2023 Session Selector Winners!
Queen Adesuyi speaking at NCF 2022
A few months ago, we launched the 2023 Session Selector Contest inviting the community to submit ideas to be featured in the Education Pavilions at NCF.
Applicants had the opportunity to submit panel ideas for consideration in the following categories: Wellness, Culinary, Policy, Grow/Cultivation, Culture and, new this year, the Psychedelics track.
More than 100 ideas were submitted for consideration. When all of the panel ideas were reviewed, the talks below were selected for inclusion at NCF 2023:
CULTURE PAVILION
How Cannabis Influences Sneaker Culture
Submitted by JeNay Silva, Her Collective Sole CEO & Sneaker Wellness Influencer
Hear from sneaker and streetwear business creatives and influencers as they speak about the intersection of cannabis and sneaker culture. Learn how creative collaborations have helped amplify brands and what future collaborations between sneaker and streetwear companies and cannabis brands might look like.
Greek Impact: The Divine 9 In Cannabis
Submitted by Ashley Stafford, Student in Masters of Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Program, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Black Greek Letter organizations, otherwise known as the Divine 9, have historically been at the forefront of community service efforts, educational pursuits and social change in the Black community. The stigma of cannabis has deterred many organizations, including the Divine 9, from incorporating the cannabis industry into their social action platform. Join Divine 9 cannabis advocates, entrepreneurs and lobbyists as they discuss how their organizations can galvanize millions of members across the globe to effect social and political change in the cannabis industry.
Speakers at NCF 2022
Speakers at NCF 2022
Beware of Predatory Practices: Negotiation Tips & Tricks for Cannabis Industry Professionals
Submitted by Jessica Gonzalez, Founder, Veridis Quo
Join our expert panelists for a lively discussion on predatory practices in the cannabis industry and how to negotiate deals that protect your business. Our panelists will provide practical tips and tricks to help you navigate negotiations with suppliers, investors, and other stakeholders. You'll learn how to identify and avoid predatory practices, how to negotiate fair deals, and how to build strong relationships with your partners. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out in the cannabis industry, this discussion will provide valuable insights to help you succeed in your negotiations. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from attorneys and consultants and gain valuable knowledge on negotiating in the cannabis industry.
Navigating the Cannabis Industry: Dope Practices of Cannabis CFOs
Submitted by Erica Sloan, Franchise Owner, Dope CFO Certified Advisors
Many cannabis businesses are overwhelmed by the unique financial challenges they have to navigate. From navigating Tax Code 280E to limits on access to lines of credit and capital. Come and hear best practices from experienced Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) on everything cannabis finance-related – from differences in federal and state laws to lowering your tax liability legally, and raising capital - we’ve got you covered.
Cannabis Equity 2.0: Devising a new strategy after past failures
Submitted by Raj Chander
Speakers at NCF 2022
Based on all the latest statistics about female and minority ownership in cannabis, the fight for equity to date hasn’t been successful. The legal cannabis industry is entering a new phase with increasing criticism of legacy sellers, major multi-state operators (MSOs) seeing stalled growth and cutbacks, and states like New York and Virginia facing significant challenges launching adult-use programs. With these conditions in mind, how can consumers, advocates, lawmakers and cannabis companies build on past work to get closer to achieving equity in a way that makes sense for the industry’s next phase? We’ll discuss the current state of the licensing process, methods for achieving diversity through education, and the power of the media in shaping the narrative on cannabis equity.
See the full Culture Pavilion Schedule here.
GROWER’S WORLD STAGE
Genetics, Cannabis Tissue Culture & Advanced Cultivation
Submitted by Justin Esquivel, President & Geneticist at Green Luster Phenos, LLC
Join us as we take a deep dive into why stable genetics are so important and how you can implement tissue culture into any size cultivation canopy. You’ll learn how to achieve frosty & flavorful buds time after time and how to keep your crop bacteria & pest free from start to finish. We’ll also share some of the best tricks for achieving exotic premium buds.
The Importance of the Local Home-Grow Market!
Submitted by Losia Nyankale, growithLisa, Home-grow Advocate
Home-grow is now legal throughout the DMV (Maryland effective date July 1st). However it's still the most overlooked aspect of legalization. Now what? It's time to support our local producers OVER big box stores. Join us as we discuss how supporting home-grow benefits the community.
See the full Grower’s World Schedule here
POLICY PAVILION
Community Benefits and Social Equity a Win-Win for Municipalities
Submitted by Garland Doyle, City Clerk, City of Pontiac and Chair, Municipal Cannabis Regulators Network.
Speakers at NCF 2022
Social Equity programs are a way of making the new legalized cannabis industry in states and municipalities more inclusive. These programs benefit individuals who have lived in communities which have been disproportionately impacted by marihuana prohibition and enforcement. The state of Michigan has 184 communities that are eligible for social equity programs. Join us to hear from regulators managing social equity programs in the design, implementation and/or redesign phase as they share successes, failures and best practices as well as how Michigan is becoming a model for the nation.
Beyond B24-113: Legacy operators and the new Medical Cannabis Amendment Act … What does the future of cultivation look like in D.C.?
Submitted by Dannia Hakki, Moki Media and The I-71 Committee
The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2022 is going to change the world of cannabis in D.C. and i-71 compliant shop owners must change along with it. The new bill is layered and includes new regulations on cultivation, licensing, and socially equitable grants that can be tricky to navigate. This discussion explores how legacy operators and cultivators in the D.C. market will be impacted by the bill’s changes, as well as the future of the gifting economy as we know it.
Real Talk: A Discussion About The Collateral Consequences of a Cannabis Conviction
Submitted by Mary Bailey, Last Prisoner Project
There are many collateral consequences that create barriers for individuals reentering their communities after being incarcerated for a cannabis conviction. This candid conversation with M-1 of the legendary hip hop duo dead prez and Last Prisoner Project's Stephanie Shepard will cover her inspirational story of rising above a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence as a first-time offender for a nonviolent cannabis conspiracy charge, the impacts a cannabis conviction can have, and actionable steps for cannabis advocates to make their voices heard.
Why Conservatives and Cops want to Legalize Cannabis
Submitted by Diane Goldstein, Law Enforcement Action Partnership
Come meet the Cannabis Freedom Alliance, who seeks to end the prohibition and criminalization of cannabis in the United States in a manner consistent with helping all Americans achieve their full potential and limiting the number of barriers that inhibit innovation and entrepreneurship in a free and open market.
DC Expungements and a Fresh Start
Submitted by Naïké Savain, DC Justice Lab
Speakers at NCF 2022
Last year, the DC Council passed a record sealing and expungement bill that would allow people with drug convictions to have a fresh start. Unless Congress intervenes, this bill will go into effect later this year. However, not everyone knows about the new law, whether they are eligible for relief, or how to start the process. The audience will learn how to determine their eligibility for sealing and expungement under the new law, the benefits of sealing and expungement, and where they can find help to get through the process once the new law goes into effect.
Has “Adult-Use” Legalization Left Young People On the Chopping Block?
Submitted by Rob Hofmann, Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Despite being disproportionately arrested for cannabis possession and use, young people are often underrepresented in coalitions fighting for cannabis legalization and decriminalization. “Adult-use” legalization typically only reduces penalties for those 21 and older, allowing for young people under 21 to continue being arrested and incarcerated for simple cannabis charges. Additionally, state public schools often carry on with their pre-legalization policies for students possessing cannabis on school grounds, with penalties typically much greater than alcohol which can quickly escalate into suspension or expulsion. Youth advocates must be at the table when cannabis legalization is being discussed to avoid glaring holes in policy which continue to allow these cannabis arrests.
See the full Policy Pavilion schedule here.
CULINARY PAVILION
District Elixir Presents: What Are Your Edibles Doing for You?
Submitted by Madeline Palmer, MBA - Marketing Specialist, Cannabis Advocate, Founder - District Elixir
Speakers at NCF 2022
Research shows that terpenes and cannabinoids are most effective when they work together. Understanding the chemical structures of the flower and treating the plant as an intricate ingredient is important to achieving your desired effect - whether for medical or adult-use purposes. As cannabis becomes more mainstream, consumers have a wide range of products to consider. Heavy THC? Maybe time to explore CBD? What are all these other compounds like THCV, CBN, and CBG? All of these compounds are coded with different benefits for your endocannabinoid system. Join us as we explore the value and hiccups of strain-specific, full-spectrum, isolate, and broad spectrum methods.
See the full Culinary Pavilion schedule here.
PSYCHEDELICS PAVILION
The Psyche of Psychedelics
Submitted by Nicole Buffong, Minorities For Medical Marijuana, Inc.
PTSD, depression, grief, anxiety. From research and personal testimony, we are learning more every day about the medicinal and spiritual channels opened through psychedelic use. Hear from leaders in Indigenous rights, veterans and psilocybin experts on how psychedelics are being used as aids for healing and wellness.
See the full Psychedelics Pavilion schedule here.