Learn about the NYS cannabis industry; content and networking for new and existing business owners

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NY Cannabis Insider is hosting its last industry conference of the year at the Sonesta in White Plains, N.Y. on November 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Details and tickets available here.

The conference will host new and seasoned industry professionals for a day of learning and networking. The content will feature both introductory and advanced “courses” on relevant topics such as accounting, insurance, real estate, applying for a license, the medical program, and more, taught by professionals within the NY cannabis industry.

There will also be full-panel discussions focused on the hottest topics for cannabis entrepreneurs as of November 2023 and a live Q&A with “Legalization Nation” comic strip creator Brian “Box” Brown.

Lightning-round business consultations will be available for attendees, in addition to networking opportunities, lunch, a happy hour and more. A general admission ticket provides attendees with all-access to sessions, speakers, meals, and resources onsite.

The following entry- and advanced-level courses will be taught throughout the day (more courses to be announced next week):

· Foundation 101: A primer on the entire cannabis industry in New York State taught by Joe Rossi of Park Strategies, a consulting, lobbying and regulatory affairs firm. [Entry level]

· 30 days to deadline: Everything you need to know if applying for a license within the current application period, set to end on Dec. 18, 2023. Taught by Joe Rossi of Park Strategies. [Advanced]

· Insurance 101: A comprehensive rundown of what you need to know about insurance if planning to operate within the state’s cannabis ecosystem. Taught by Wayne Margulies of HUB International, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. [Entry level]

· Insurance 301: An advanced course on insurance ins-and-outs for those already familiar with the industry who wish to learn more to keep their businesses and their futures safe. Taught by Wayne Margulies of HUB International. [Advanced]

· Accounting 101: How do you model financial projections? Is it worth it for you to get into the cannabis industry in New York? What’s unique about this state and how can that affect your entry into the market? Renata Serban, CPA and the Cannabis Advisory Services manager at Citrin Cooperman, will answer these questions and more. [Entry level]

· Accounting 301: Getting into cost accounting for manufacturers, cultivators and retailers; 471C; major court cases related to taxes; how charitable work and expenses can relate to the Community Impact Plan. Expect a deep dive into next-level accounting topics relevant to your cannabis business. Taught by Renata Serban of Citrin Cooperman. [Advanced]

In addition to the courses above, the full-day conference will also host panels on the following crucial industry topics (panelists to be announced next week):

· Customer focus: Regulators have been focusing on setting up a cannabis market that allows small businesses — especially those in social equity categories — to thrive. However, what about appealing to customers? Without customers, legal businesses cannot succeed, and the adult-use program cannot generate tax revenue. This panel will discuss what regulators and lawmakers have (or haven’t) done to appeal to customers, what businesses should do to gain consumer trust and what customer service measures successful businesses have employed.

· Social equity, empty phrase or legitimate effort? New York lawmakers and regulators have promoted the state’s adult-use program as the gold standard for social equity, but have they actually done more than other states? The MRTA says the OCM will award licenses “with the goal of” 50% going to social equity applicants, but that’s not binding. This panel will discuss what actual social equity measures the OCM has taken, whether social equity measures in New York’s adult-use program are likely to provide much help to the intended demographics, and if any other state has deployed a successful social equity program.

· Cannabis advocates and the War on Drugs: Cannabis is legal in New York and many other states, even though the people against legalization spent years smearing the drug and the effort. However, these same people seem to retain a strong influence on cannabis policy. This panel will discuss the tactics anti-marijuana activists are continuing to employ, who is funding these efforts, and what the cannabis industry can do to fight back.

· “Ask Me Anything” about cannabis in NYS: Join cannabis attorney Jeffrey Hoffman for a live session where you can ask him anything about cannabis legalization in New York for a real-time answer.

Additionally, there will be breakout business training sessions that will cover most of the following topics for startups and new cannabis business owners in a beginner and an advanced session: business planning, retail, real estate considerations, insurance, accounting, and the medical program.

Event Details

· Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023

· Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

· Location: Sonesta White Plains | 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601

· Price: $249 general admission, includes access to all sessions & vendors, coffee, lunch, and networking reception; tickets available here

Sponsors and vendors are the businesses shaping the industry locally and regionally. Look for them at the event for advice and help with your business:

· Cannabis360 is a full-service cannabis marketing partner focused on crafting your brand story, finding your best audience and driving brand awareness for your business.

· Cannabis Workforce Initiative has a mission to promote and support social equity in the adult-use cannabis market by providing quality workforce development and legal education.

· Citrin Cooperman is one of the nation’s largest professional services firms, with a dedicated Cannabis Advisory Services (CAS) team that utilizes their specialized knowledge to help companies thrive.

· East Coast Cannabis Insurance has independent agents who work for you to find the best coverage at the lowest cost. From workers comp to crop coverage, they have you covered.

· Etain is New York’s only women-founded, vertically integrated medical cannabis company committed to cultivating, manufacturing and dispensing the highest quality clean, safe, and consistent medical cannabis products for the patients of New York State.

· HUB International has specialized cannabis insurance experts and risk consultants help you manage the emerging risks that face your cannabis business with the right risk transfer and mitigation.

· Jeffrey Hoffman & Associates PLLC is a firm that focuses on clients in the cannabis industry, including licensees in the adult-use cannabis market, patients and practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers.

· New York Consortium of Cannabis Accountants promotes financial literacy and empower New York’s legacy cannabis market leaders and social equity entrepreneurs so that they may make informed business decisions.

A limited number of sponsorships and vendor tables are still available. Contact Lindsay Wickham at lwickham@advancemediany.com to learn more about opportunities to reach this audience.

NY Cannabis Insider events are attended by industry professionals, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in the state’s nascent industry, as well as those from cannabis-adjacent businesses such as legal, security, retail, banking, finance, construction, engineering, compliance and medical marijuana advocates.

Read a recap of the first annual NYS “problems and solutions” cannabis summit and conference held in Albany earlier this year along with an overview of the perspectives that emerged during our “state of the industry” event in Buffalo.

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