Whether state lawmakers will vote on a proposed law making weed legal in New Jersey or on placing a referendum on the November 2020 ballot asking Garden State voters to decide, one thing is certain, according to insiders: A vote will happen in November.

And cannabis insiders are abuzz with optimism leading into a unique networking conference taking place Oct. 2 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison. (Here’s how to purchase your tickets now.)

“Although there are many challenges, medical cannabis has been extraordinarily successful as it evolves. There is a concerted effort to get adult use done by year’s end," said Princeton Public Affairs Group lobbyist Bill Pascrell III told NJ Cannabis Insider. "It’s a tall order, but the commitment is there to get it done and I believe it is possible.”

Pascrell will be among more than two dozen speakers who form part of an intense networking and conversations about medical marijuana expansion, legalization and the hemp and CBD industries as part of NJ Cannabis Insider’s live event.

Sponsored by PKF O’Connor Davies Accountants, Agilent Technologies, Supreme Security Systems and Capehart Scatchard Law, the mini expo — featuring several current medical marijuana dispensaries — packs in a full day of programming, with multi-track panels, information booths and lunch. (Availability is limited.)

Here’s the complete lineup:

Keynote speaker:

iAnthus Chief Strategy Officer Beth Stavola.

Stavola, a New Jersey native who is considered a rock star in the local industry, helped lead two businesses in the cannabis/hemp space — MPX Bioceuticals and CBD for Life.

She will deliver a keynote speech about her rise in the burgeoning cannabis industry and where the movement is heading .iAnthus, which won one of the coveted six medical licenses in the program’s initial expansion as MPX, should have plants in the ground by early December and could open its Atlantic City area dispensary in the first quarter of 2020.

But she says there’s still plenty of room for more players following the latest Request for Applications round.

“I personally agree that there is plenty of room for those licenses," Stavola told NJ Cannabis Insider previously. “We believe that at iAnthus, New Jersey will be a very healthy market for these companies and consumers.”

Overview of the panels and who is on them:

For this conference, we’ve designed multi-track panels that range from entry-level to those deep in the weeds. They include:

What the Current and Future State of Cannabis Looks Like in New Jersey

For more than 18 months, cannabis has been the talk of the business and medical community. But without legalized marijuana, how far have we really come, and what hurdles remain?

Colleen Mahr, president of the , president of the N.J. League of Municipalities

Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist at a lobbyist at Princeton Public Affairs

How to Get Into The Business

The medical program’s expansion is expected to bring opportunities both big and small. If you’re exploring a cannabusiness for the first time, where should you be looking, really?

“It’s important that whatever system ends up rolling out — medical, adult use — we do so responsibly in New Jersey, and make sure that there’s a high quality that’s being implemented,” Michael Nashat told NJ Cannabis Insider. “I do believe the ultimate opportunity is directly with the patients”

Scott Rudder, president of , president of New Jersey CannaBusiness Assn

Stacey Udel l, director of business valuation and forensic accounting at l, director of business valuation and forensic accounting at HBK

Michael Nashat, CEO of , CEO of TerrAscend

Hemp & CBD: Business Opportunities in These Developing Industries

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law launching a program to grow hemp freely in the Garden State in August, and federal and state guidelines are expected to be issued on the crop in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, CBD has thrived in a gray area, as little regulation on the products has created consumer confusion. But both are legal, with CBD potentially racking in $20 billion in the next few years.

What could marijuana’s sister products bring to the Garden State?

“The hemp industry could really be a boon to rural areas in New Jersey,” Jennifer Cabrera said. “Having legalized hemp in this state paves the way for us to have regulation by Department of Health for all of the CBD that’s going to be sold in the state.”

Ken VandeVrede, CEO of , CEO of Hillview Med

Lee Vartan, an attorney at , an attorney at Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi

Jennifer Cabrera , an attorney at , an attorney at Vicente Sederberg

Faye Coleman, CEO of , CEO of Pure Genesis

What Professionals Your Business Needs to Succeed

From navigating real estate to banking, operating a cannabusiness comes with its own set of obstacles. Here, experts will tell you about the contacts you need to keep your business on track.

“Every month, it’s an entirely different climate,” Tara Sargente said in September, speaking at NECANN.

Know the experts who can help you navigate those changes.

Sheila M. Mints, attorney at , attorney at Capehard Scatchard

Sean Mack, attorney at , attorney at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden

What the Medical Community Should Know

With 55,000 medical marijuana patients counting on some 2,000 caregivers and 1,000 doctors participating, the state’s medical marijuana program continues to grow. For seasoned medical professionals, that means lots of development in this new realm.

What do providers need to know as the industry moves forward?

Jessie Gill, RN, the nurse behind , RN, the nurse behind Marijuana Mommy

Navigating the Complexities of Compliance

Learn what you need to cross your Ts and dot your Is in this important aspect of business.

Deborah R. Miran , a former member of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission

Michael Cooper, a compliance attorney with , a compliance attorney with MadisonJay Solutions

Women in Leadership Roundtable

Many advocates and industry leaders have called for diversity as the state’s cannabis industry grows. A new round of medical licenses set aside 15 percent are for women, veterans and those with disabilities and another 15 percent for minorities.

“It’s a good start, but we have a lot more work to do,” McKeithen said. “We need resources to be able to have economic development, like loans for these smaller businesses, so that they can build and have a chance to succeed like the other [alternative treatment centers] that are up and running.”

Hear the women who have crossed the gender barriers and come into leadership talk about how businesses can support women in the industry and further break down the walls.

Charlana McKeithen, executive director at , executive director at Garden State NORML

Sarah Fajardo , marijuana policy director of , marijuana policy director of ACLU-NJ

Colleen Mahr, president of the , president of the N.J. League of Municipalities

What else?

The Garden State recently surpassed 55,000 medical marijuana patients, and counts on some 2,000 caregivers and 1,000 doctors who participate in the program. Only registered medical marijuana patients can set foot in a dispensary.

At the Oct. 2 event, several of the state’s open dispensaries will be part of the exhibitor halll. The mini expo is designed for those looking to open up shop in the near future.

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. (Note: Availability is limited. As others will tell you, we have had to turn people away from our last two large-scale events.)

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