COnference Program

Schedule & Speakers

Conference Program

Pre-SHow Workshops, Rooftop Party: Tuesday, June 3

Expo, Conference, O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party: Wednesday, June 4

Expo, Conference, Women in Cannabis Luncheon: Thursday, June 5

Tuesday, June 3, Pre-Show Events

Tuesday, June 3
June 3, 2025

Workshop: AI & Everything Cannabis for Your Business

Michael Blanche, Co-Founder, Co-CEO, Surfside
Michael Blanche
Co-Founder, Co-CEO, Surfside
Dr. Suliman Sharif, Chief Scientific Officer, Standard Seed Corporation
Dr. Suliman Sharif
Chief Scientific Officer, Standard Seed Corporation
Charles Warner, CEO, Editor-in-Chief, Cannabis & Tech Today
Charles Warner
CEO, Editor-in-Chief, Media Innovator
Randall A. Huft, Marketing Visionary, Cannabis Industry Pioneer, AI Strategist
Randall A. Huft
Marketing Visionary, Cannabis Industry Pioneer, AI Strategist
Dina Rollman, CEO of StrainBrain
Dina Rollman
CEO, StrainBrain
Dawne Morris, CEO, Co-founder, PROTEUS Business Solution, PROTEUS420
Dawne Morris
CEO, Co-Founder, PROTEUS420

AI is in the news every day and we hear about its promise to help industries across many disciplines to be more: efficient, investor-attractive, operationally streamlined, adaptable to new technologies, and help make businesses more profitable. How will this play out in the cannabis industry? Which segments in the cannabis supply chain will benefit – the most, the least, or at all? This workshop starts with explaining what AI is and takes attendees through how it can serve the cannabis industry from cultivation, processing, retail, marketing, consumer and client tracking, and what is available today, as well as what costs can a cannabis business expect to invest in to make a justifiable ROI.
(Separate workshop ticket required)

Workshop: Taking Your Cannabis Brand or Business Around the World –An International View of Building Your Opportunities

Rachel Wright, MST, CPA, CEO, VERDANT Strategies; CEO, 420 CPA
Rachel Wright
CEO, VERDANT Strategies; CEO, 420 CPA
Co-founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective
Jill Reddish
Co-founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective
Dr. Julian Wichmann, M.D., CEO of Bloomwell GmbH, Co-Founder Bloomwell Group (holding company)
Dr. Julian Wichmann, M.D.
CEO, Bloomwell GmbH; Co-Founder Bloomwell Group (holding company)
Dr. Chanda Macias Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare
Dr. Chanda Macias
Chairwoman of the Board of Managers, CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare

This workshop is an informative presentation for all investors, entrepreneurs, business owners inside and outside the cannabis industry. Discussions will map out global geographical hot spots for cannabis investment and business expansion. Interesting hot spots will be drawn from: North America; Europe; South America.
(Separate workshop ticket required)

Workshop: Marketing & Communications for Brands & Retailers

Will Muecke, Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners
Will Muecke
Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners
John Shute, CEO, PufCreativ
John Shute
CEO, PufCreativ
Jeffrey Graham, CEO, Pistil Data
Jeffrey Graham
CEO, Pistil Data
Dr. Roz McCarthy Founder, CEO, M4MM and Black Buddha Cannabis
Dr. Roz McCarthy
Founder, CEO, M4MM;  Founder, CEO, Black Buddha Cannabis
David Paleschuck, Branding and Consumer Marketing
David Paleschuck
Founder, CEO, Branding Bud Consulting Group

This workshop will focus on making your products, services and brands be ubiquitous in an industry that is challenged on numerous fronts. Advertising, marketing and trends will be discussed. Real-life journeys will be discussed that tell of trials and tribulations for the next generation of marketing cannabis products.

Topics will include marketing in a digital era, case Studies of successful well-known brands and failures. What are the trends that are guiding the marketing of cannabis businesses and brands today including: consumption trends, political trends, culture trends and capital investment trends that should be baked into a marketing plan for retail?
What are the legalities and illegalities of cannabis advertising? Where does rescheduling stand today and does it affect marketing strategy now or ever?

Where do you go to get help in marketing your cannabis business and brands?

Does NIMBY affect your marketing strategies? Should it?

(Separate workshop ticket required)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
At the Yotel

B2B Rooftop Bash with the NORML FORML

CMB Featuring NORML

Join us for the ultimate networking experience at the B2B Rooftop Bash, taking place on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Yotel rooftop. Starting at 5:30PM, this exclusive event promises an evening of connections, collaboration, and camaraderie in the heart of New York City.

Enjoy an open bar, delectable food offerings, and panoramic views of the city skyline as you mingle with industry peers in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and relax the day before CMB begins.

NORML will be featured at the bash. Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana consumers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who use marijuana responsibly. You can support their mission by participating in a gift basket give-away.

Wednesday, June 4, Conference & Expo

Wednesday, June 4
June 4, 2025
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Lightning Talks: Innovation and Reinvention

11:00 am - 11:50 am
Main Stage

Market Analysis, Trends & Business Opportunities: Industry trends – the center of opportunity, New York or Berlin? Where is the cannabis market headed?

Beau Whitney, Founder, Whitney Economics; Chief Economist, National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Beau Whitney
Founder, Whitney Economics
Tim Seymour
Tim Seymour
Portfolio Manager, Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF, ticker: CNBS Portfolio Manager Amplify Alternative Harvest Cannabis ETF, ticker: MJ 
Chris Day, Co-Founder Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC)
Chris Day
Co-Founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC)

This presentation will provide a big-picture overview of the adult-use market across the United States and will address growth market trends, consumer behavior preferences, sales of different form factors, and cannabis production challenges. This session will also discuss opportunities in cannabis on a global level. The data and analytics will focus on the hottest markets and what are the barometers to watch.

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Fireside Chat with Whoopi Goldberg & Tim Seymour

The Investment Renegades Changing the Face of Cannabis - Has Cannabis Funding Turned from Green to Yellow?

Will Muecke, Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners
Will Muecke
Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners
Tim Seymour
Tim Seymour
Portfolio Manager, Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF, ticker: CNBS Portfolio Manager Amplify Alternative Harvest Cannabis ETF, ticker: MJ 
Neil Kaufman, Managing Member, Kaufman McGowan PLCC
Neil Kaufman
Managing Member, Kaufman McGowan PLLC
Steve Gelsi, Reporter, Market Watch
Steve Gelsi
Reporter, MarketWatch
Josephine Giordano Senior Director, Financial Forensics and Business Valuation Services Group and  Cannabis Tax & Advisory Group,BeachFleischman PLLC
Josephine Giordano
Senior Director, Financial Forensics and Business Valuation Services Group and  Cannabis Tax & Advisory Group, BeachFleischman PLLC
Aida Sy, Ph.D.
Aida Sy, Ph.D.
Accountant, Teacher, Speaker
Adam Rosenberg, President, Vlasic Bioscience; Chairman, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Adam Rosenberg
President, Vlasic Bioscience;Chairman, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)

Wall Street executives and managers lead a discussion on state of capital funding for cannabis businesses. It is a fact that the industry has been fielding challenges throughout its history as an unregulated and federally illegal industry. As individual states legalized for medical and or adult-use cannabis, Wall Street firms were quite warm to cannabis. This session takes the temperature on that in the current business climate and assesses the availability of funding.

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Long Island Cannabis Coalition (LICC) Meeting for Members

2:20 pm - 3:00 pm
Main Stage

Mainstream Industry: Cannabis infused – are you in or out? Business opportunities in the cannabis industry

Dellon Stefanus, Digital Marketing Manager, Stiizy
Dellon Stefanus
Digital Marketing Manager, Stiizy
John Wiethorn, Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Board-Appointed AML/BSA Officer, Gusto
John Wiethorn
Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Board-Appointed AML/BSA Officer, Gusto
Tim Seymour
Tim Seymour
Portfolio Manager, Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF, ticker: CNBS Portfolio Manager Amplify Alternative Harvest Cannabis ETF, ticker: MJ 

Thought leaders come together to discuss that as cannabis has emerged out of isolation and extreme stigma, it has created new business opportunities for many across the United States and across the globe; cannabis has evolved and is still evolving as a business layer for ancillary services, the medical community, adult-use markets and government research. Along-side cannabis, ancillary businesses (aka, mainstream services) have also emerged as an opportunistic business layer. Both offer economic and business opportunities and promise for investors. In this thought leadership panel, we bring together mainstream and cannabis business owners to discuss the needs, the progress and obstacles for the next level of business and opportunity

Infusion from the Beverage Industry: How Far Has It Come into Cannabis, and Where is it Heading?

Art Massolo, VP Business Development, Cycling
Art Massolo
VP Business Development, Cycling Frog
Cynthia Salarizadeh, Founder, CEO, Asha Media Group
Cynthia Salarizadeh
Founder, CEO, Asha Media Group
Steve Gelsi, Reporter, Market Watch
Steve Gelsi
Reporter, MarketWatch
With Other Speakers

A timely discussion with leaders of beverage companies from both the cannabis and non-cannabis industry. They detail where the intersection and fusion of these industries stands and what the future may hold.

Industry Check-In: Proliferating your brand to multiple markets – Gaining market share for your brand

Jim Goodenough, VP of Strategy, Surfside
Jim Goodenough
VP of Strategy, Surfside
Marianne Cursetjee, Co-Founder, CEO,  Alibi Cannabis
Marianne Cursetjee
Co-Founder, CEO, Alibi Cannabis
Radhika Murari, OmBaked
Radhika Murari
Founder, OmBaked
Dr. Chanda Macias Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare
Dr. Chanda Macias
Chairwoman of the Board of Managers, CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare

In this session we explore the geographic proliferation of expanding a retail cannabis brand across the US and the globe. Marketing professionals and brand owners come together to present how to gain a level of ubiquity for your products, brands and services based upon their successes and failures, detailing what works, and what does not work in this highly competitive industry where the marketplace is still being defined and built within a volatile and unregulated industry.

4:20 pm - 5:00 pm
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Play: Educational Skit Journey to Healing with Psychedelics

Neal Usatin, Filmmaker, Editor
Neal Usatin
Filmmaker, Advocate, Entrepreneur
Jason Konner, MD., Senior Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Jason Konner, MD.
Senior Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Denise Rue, M.A., M.F.A., M.S.W.Social Worker; Founder, New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association
Denise Rue
Social Worker; Founder, New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association
Gaetano Lardieri, Senior Executive Advisor, Future Entheogenic Medicines (F.E.M.); Co-founder, Managing Director, Quantum WellCare (QWC)
Gaetano Lardieri
Senior Executive Advisor, Future Entheogenic Medicines (F.E.M.); Co-founder,  Managing Director, Quantum WellCare (QWC)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Pier 81 behind the Javits

O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party

O2VAPE and CMB

Set sail with us for an unforgettable evening at the O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party on Wednesday, June 4th, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM just after the first day on the Show Floor.
Boarding begins promptly at 6:00 PM at Pier 81, located behind the Javits Center at West 41st Street. Cruise along the Hudson River, surrounded by breathtaking views of the New York City Skyline and the radiant glow of the sunset. Indulge in the open bar, enjoy a delicious dinner, and treat yourself to delectable desserts as you dance the night away. This exclusive event offers the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with industry colleagues, and create lasting memories against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cityscapes. The Yacht Party is proudly sponsored by O2Vape. O2VAPE® is a USA Veteran owned company and has been providing consumers with high quality portable vaping products since 2014. Products include their exclusive PATENTED FLIP ULTRA. O2VAPE offers a no receipt, no further purchase necessary Lifetime Warranty.

(Separate ticket required.)

Thursday, June 5, Conference & Expo

Thursday, June 5
June 5, 2025
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Lightning Talks: Innovation and Reinvention

11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Special Events Room in the Exhibit Hall

Women in Cannabis Entrepreneur Luncheon

Degelis Tufts Pilla, CEO, Co-Founder, TribeTokes
Degelis Tufts Pilla
CEO, Co-Founder, TribeTokes
Faye Coleman,Co-Founder, CEO, Pure Genesis
Faye Coleman
Co-Founder, CEO, Pure Genesis
Dr. Chanda Macias Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare
Dr. Chanda Macias
Chairwoman of the Board of Managers, CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare

11:30AM – Welcome; Networking & Mingling
12:00 Noon – 12:45PM Speakers
12:45Pm – 1:00PM - Networking

Connect with women leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates shaping the future of the cannabis industry. Enjoy meaningful conversations, networking, and empowerment in an exclusive setting. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the power of women in cannabis. Separate ticket required. Includes networking and lunch.

11:00 am - 11:30 am
Main Stage

Spotlight on Hospitality & Cannabis Tourism

Philip Wolf, Founder, Cultivating Spirits; Founder, CashoM
Philip Wolf
Founder, Cultivating Spirits; Founder, CashoM
Jay Randolph Wright, Product Marketing Manager for Little Beach Harvest
Jay Randolph Wright
Product Marketing Manager, Little Beach Harvest

In this session, we dive into the crossover of hospitality with cannabis. What are the emerging trends across tourism and hospitality? We also look at the pros, cons, and risks for business owners to merge their mainstream hospitality business with cannabis elements. Should they or shouldn’t they merge what may be a “tried and true” business model they have, with a more volatile sector like cannabis? How will the intersection of cannabis legalization and the proliferation of cannabis as a consumption product with mainstream hotels, bars, lounges, and dispensaries play out? We also explore the regulatory front and what obstacles exist and what might be eased by more favorable regulations and rules as the sector and regulations develop.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Main Stage

Cannabis Marketing, Social Media & PR: Winning the clicks, swipes and likes

John Shute, CEO, PufCreativ
John Shute
CEO, PufCreativ
Kim Prince, Founder & CEO Proven Media
Kim Prince
Founder, CEO, Proven Media
Lori Rosen Founder, President, Rosen Group
Lori Rosen
Founder, President, Rosen Group
Amna Shamim, Marketing and Communications Expert
Amna Shamim
Marketing and Communications Expert

Cannabis marketing is challenging, and it has become even more so as social media platforms continue to tighten against cannabis advertising. There are methods and solutions to market your cannabis business - plant-touching or non-plant-touching. Learn from marketing and media industry leaders how to be on the right platform, and maximize getting swipes, clicks and likes for your cannabis business and products.

Real Estate & Cannabis Business Planning: Location, location, location – where will your cannabis business grow most?

Donny Moskovic, Deal Junkie, Principal Strategist, Katz & Associates
Donny Moskovic
Deal Junkie, Principal Strategist, Katz & Associates
Francis L Gorman, III Member, Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Francis L Gorman, III
Member, Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Kristin L. Jordan, Founder, CEO, Park Jordan
Kristin Jordan
Founder, CEO, Park Jordan; Adjunct Professor, LIM College
Drew Mathews, Founder & CEO Green Life Business
Drew Mathews
Founder, CEO, Green Life Business

Regionally cannabis businesses such as dispensaries, grow facilities, process facilities, etc., will thrive based upon many factors including LOCATION - no different than other real estate investments. However, where one gets a cannabis business license, or owns a property, or selects a property to lease, can make a huge difference in the success of that cannabis business. When it comes to entering or exiting a cannabis business, one must be cognizant of the local and state laws, regional ordinances, and the location of other cannabis businesses to yours.

Compliance & Best Practices: Breaking through to profit in uncertain times

Ed Keating, Co-Founder, Cannabiz Media
Ed Keating
Co-Founder, Cannabiz Media
Holden Farahani, Co-Founder, CEO, Camaraderie Group
Holden Farahani
Co-Founder, CEO, Camaraderie Group
Nichelle Santos, Founder and CEO, CannaCoverage
Nichelle Santos
Founder, CEO, CannaCoverage
Kelley Crosson, Cannabis Advocate and Strategic Advisor
Kelley Crosson
Horticulturist, Designer, Consultant
Jason Bartow AAI, CPIA, TRA, Executive Vice President, Bartow Insurance
Jason Bartow
Executive Vice President, Bartow Insurance

This session reviews the issues that a cannabis business must tackle to become profitable and stay profitable. Getting your business to be compliant and stay in compliance, regarding lab testing, tracking, waste management, HR, and cash-flow management make your business attractive for M&A, loans, expansion and exiting. The panelists are cannabis business owners who will share their journey to compliance and ultimately to profitability.

Journey to Health & Wellness (2 Segments)

Chris DeVol, President, Cannabis Education, Medical Marijuana 411
Chris DeVol
President, Cannabis Education, Medical Marijuana 411
Ken Weinberg
Ken Weinberg, MD
Founder, CEO, Cannabis Doctors of New York
Nikki Lawley, Cannabis Products and Advocacy
Nikki Lawley
Cannabis Patient Advocate, Sales Professional
With Other Speakers

We have assembled a double segment Health & Wellness session with regulators, medical professionals, patients, and caregivers starting with a session on the current medical cannabis programs across several states and their future given adult use impact. We present data regarding medical cannabis patients, the states, consumption, and the outlook.

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Main Stage

Health & Wellness, Segment 1: Medical Cannabis Regulatory Discussion – Progress, Present, and Future

Speakers Listed Above

We discuss the progress and the distillation of medical cannabis programs as we explore programs across several states. Where are some of the laws now and what is on the horizon? A panel will discuss how medical cannabis programs have been impacted by adult use laws in their own state or in neighboring states. We explore how are states are supporting patients with medical cannabis programs now and into the future.

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Main Stage

Health & Wellness Segment 2: Patients, Physicians, Caregivers: Aging and Elder Care, Autism, PTSD, Pain Management, Personal Care, and Intimacy

Speakers Listed Above

A panel of patients, physicians and caregivers discuss the importance of medical cannabis programs and what they see as the most important elements of a supportive state medical cannabis programs. What is missing, what is needed, and how do we get to a better supportive platform for medical cannabis patients? We will discuss cannabis medical treatment for Elder Care, Autism, PTSD, Pain Management, and Intimacy. A discussion about the human cannabinoid system will be also discussed and data will be presented on research regarding medical cannabis, treatment, and patients.

Speakers Include:

Adam Rosenberg, President, Vlasic Bioscience; Chairman, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)

Adam Rosenberg

President, Vlasic Bioscience;Chairman, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Chris Day, Co-Founder Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC)

Chris Day

Co-Founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC)
Chris DeVol, President, Cannabis Education, Medical Marijuana 411

Chris DeVol

President, Cannabis Education, Medical Marijuana 411
Denise Rue, M.A., M.F.A., M.S.W.Social Worker; Founder, New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association

Denise Rue

Social Worker; Founder, New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association
Dr. Chanda Macias Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare

Dr. Chanda Macias

Chairwoman of the Board of Managers, CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare
Gaetano Lardieri, Senior Executive Advisor, Future Entheogenic Medicines (F.E.M.); Co-founder, Managing Director, Quantum WellCare (QWC)

Gaetano Lardieri

Senior Executive Advisor, Future Entheogenic Medicines (F.E.M.); Co-founder,  Managing Director, Quantum WellCare (QWC)
Jason Konner, MD., Senior Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Jason Konner, MD.

Senior Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Co-founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective

Jill Reddish

Co-founder, Global Cannabis Network Collective
John Wiethorn, Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Board-Appointed AML/BSA Officer, Gusto

John Wiethorn

Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Board-Appointed AML/BSA Officer, Gusto
Josephine Giordano Senior Director, Financial Forensics and Business Valuation Services Group and  Cannabis Tax & Advisory Group,BeachFleischman PLLC

Josephine Giordano

Senior Director, Financial Forensics and Business Valuation Services Group and  Cannabis Tax & Advisory Group, BeachFleischman PLLC
Kristin L. Jordan, Founder, CEO, Park Jordan

Kristin Jordan

Founder, CEO, Park Jordan; Adjunct Professor, LIM College
Nikki Lawley, Cannabis Products and Advocacy

Nikki Lawley

Cannabis Patient Advocate, Sales Professional
Philip Wolf, Founder, Cultivating Spirits; Founder, CashoM

Philip Wolf

Founder, Cultivating Spirits; Founder, CashoM
Randall A. Huft, Marketing Visionary, Cannabis Industry Pioneer, AI Strategist

Randall A. Huft

Marketing Visionary, Cannabis Industry Pioneer, AI Strategist
Tim Seymour

Tim Seymour

Portfolio Manager, Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF, ticker: CNBS Portfolio Manager Amplify Alternative Harvest Cannabis ETF, ticker: MJ 
Will Muecke, Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners

Will Muecke

Co-Founder, Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners

Join us at the Cannabis Means Business Conference to tackle the industry’s toughest challenges and build a thriving, global cannabis economy.

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