2023 Cannabis in NY Summit

Although NY state has approved and issued 300+ total licenses across the supply, the majority (250+) are conditional cultivator licensees. The conditional licensees will be the first retail dispensaries to open for legal adult-use cannabis sales in the state, allowing them to be operational before the end of the year, according to the OCM. This is an opportunity to build an industry that is open to anyone who wants to participate, with 50% of licenses set aside for social and economic equity applicants. Governor Kathy Hochul has been very supportive to create this to make sure New York has the most equitable and inclusive cannabis industry in the nation.

10:00 AM	Welcome and Introduction
10:05 AM	Keynote Speaker Chris Alexander, Executive Director, New York State Office of Cannabis Management
10:30 AM	The Evolving Relationship Between Government and Cannabis Since legalizing cannabis in 2021, New York has worked to create and provide a fully transformational legal cannabis program for the state. Now that the first official dispensaries have opened, how might the New York market look 10 years from now? Will there be necessary follow up legislation needed? This panel focuses on policy, systems and government changes for the new and changing legalized cannabis landscape in our communities. Emily Whalen, Attorney at Law, Brown & Weinraub (Moderator) Jessica Ramos, Chair, State Senate Labor Committee Catalina Cruz, Chair, Assembly Office of State-Federal Relations Dasheeda Dawson, Founding Executive Director, Cannabis NYC Matthew Leonardo, Principal, Hinman Straub Brian Herrington, Vice President, External Affairs, Hawthorne Gardening
11:20 AM	Growth and Financing Challenges for the NY Cannabis Industry The New York cannabis industry faces significant challenges in financing, banking and operations, particularly as it is being built from virtual scratch. This panel discusses options for opening a cannabis bank account, obtaining the critical early-stage and subsequent financing needed to launch and grow a licensed cannabis business and best practices for making your cannabis business succeed, including regulatory and tax compliance and the benefits of working closely with your local and state government. Neil M. Kaufman, Managing Member, Kaufman McGowan PLLC (Moderator) Khaleel M. Anderson, Member, Assembly Banking Committee Gale A. Brewer, Member, New York City Council Finance Committee Luis R. Sepulveda, Chair, State Senate Committee on Cities
12:10 PM	Lunch
1:10 PM	Economic and Workforce Opportunities: New York’s Emerging Cannabis Industry The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) - has wide reaching opportunities for workforce development programs. New York has begun work on workforce development and economic development programs prioritizing quality jobs in this nascent industry through skills training, entrepreneurism services, workforce supports, legal education for employees and employers, and the development of high-road career pathways. The discussion will also highlight how to site, open and operate your cannabis business, employment options in the field, MWBEs and legacy operators. Ethan Geringer-Sameth, Staff Reporter, Gotham Gazette (Moderator) Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President Cecilia Walsh, Cannabis Workforce Navigator, New York State Department of Labor Lindsay Greene, CEO, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation Nikki Kateman, Political & Communications Director, Local 338 Arana Hankin-Biggers, President, Union Square Travel Agency
2:00 PM	Advancing Community Education and Equity in Cannabis New York’s legal cannabis market will ensure real opportunities for those impacted by past failed drug policies, and to reinvest in communities most impacted by those policies. Government leaders created legislation to allow those most impacted to have an opportunity to participate in this new industry providing access to capital among many other opportunities. How can NY promote social equity and best practices for small business, while removing stigmas. What is the best path to engage and educate the community when the industry is faced with all kinds of restrictions? John Celock, Special Projects Editor, City & State NY (Moderator) Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer, New York State Office of Cannabis Management Sideya Sherman, Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Equity Kevin Riley, Member, New York City Council Committee on Economic Development
2:50 PM	Sessions Conclude

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