Eric Schlissel, the CEO of GeekTek, will join Jason Klein of Offit Kurman, to instruct on the changes cannabis operators can make right now to their IT that will result in measurable competitive advantages. Building a resilient and scalable IT ecosystem is critical as you plan, build and expand your cannabis operation.
Subjects covered will include:
• Best practices for physical and digital access controls
• HIPAA compliance concerns for medical operations
• Data breach prevention and response planning
• Unique security concerns in the cannabis industry
• SOPs for day-to-day technical operations
• Cybersecurity best practices
Eric Schlissel, CEO of GeekTek
Eric Schlissel is the CEO of GeekTek, a national managed IT/cybersecurity firm headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Widely recognized as a thought leader in the IT industry, he has spoken extensively throughout the country as both a panelist and moderator on data security issues facing the cannabis industry. He has been widely published and quoted in The LA Times, Wired, CIO Magazine, ChannelPro, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, the CCIA, NACB Insights and other leading publications. Possessing 20 years of entrepreneurial and investment experience, Eric is also a travel
Please join our host Ellis Smith and special guest Dr. Nikos Xynos of Rousselet Robatel Kromaton, for this very informative webcast on an interesting approach to refining and isolating pure fractions of cannabinoids by sequentially applying centrifugal separation, extraction, and purification technologies.
From separation through enrichment and purification, the Rousselet-Robatel Kromaton Cannabis refining and purification process is proven and optimized for extracts containing a mixture of Cannabinoids like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Cannabigerol (CBG), and respective isomers. Due to the selective partitioning nature and discrete stage-wise operation of the FCPC partitioning chromatograph, highly pure fractions of constituents with very similar molecular structures can be obtained in semi-preparative, preparative, and production quantities.
Bring your questions to this LIVE Q&A session!
Hosted by Offit Kurman and featuring Cannabis Practice Group attorneys and experts from outside the firm this monthly, hour-long webinar series addresses operational and legal issues affecting those in legalized cannabis industry. The series is designed for applicants for, and operators of, legal cannabis businesses as well as business owners and service providers servicing the industry.
Cannabis up North! Regulatory and IP Issues in Canada’s New Adult Use Marketplace
Join Jason Klein of Offit Kurman and David Wood from Borden Ladner Gervais as they discuss Canadian cannabis regulatory and IP issues. The Canadian cannabis industry is in the headlines. Mergers and acquisitions, imminent adult use regulations and storefront sales, product diversification on the horizon, investment and validation from the beverage industry, and troubles at the US border are all regular feature in the news. As the first G7 country moves forward on a new approach to mitigating the social and economic harms of drug abuse by regulating rather than prohibiting cannabis, opportunities and challenges are emerging – and being defined by participants. In this presentation, we will describe the industry and its regulations, and the role of intellectual property to protect and leverage technology and branding in this industry. The implications of regulating a product for sale both as a medicine and as a discretionary psychoactive product are further reaching than is immediately apparent – as is the opportunity. Responsible execution will be critical as the World watches Canada’s move forward from prohibition to regulation, and in many cases are following closely behind with spirited medical programs and talk of adult use regulations in other jurisdictions. Canadian regulations are a template for those in many other jurisdictions, particularly in quality control and process, for upstream, midstream and downstream aspects of the industry.
Speaker:
David Wood is a lawyer and patent agent in the Calgary office of Borden Ladner and Gervais LLP. David practices intellectual property and regulatory law. David is co-chair of the BLG’s Cannabis Industry Focus Group and his regulatory practice is specific to the Canadian cannabis industry.
David has advised licensed producers, pre-license entities, technology companies, and other domestic and foreign participants in the Canadian cannabis industry in relation to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and its regulations, including the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the “ACMPR”) and the Narcotic Control Regulations (the “NCR”). David is also helping various industry participants position themselves for expected changes under Bill C-45: An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, Eliz. II: 64-65-66 (the “Cannabis Act“).
David’s intellectual property practice and experience includes:
- drafting and prosecuting patent applications;
- assessing patentability of technology, validity of patents, and infringement of patents, and other patent-related due diligence;
- multi-jurisdictional patent portfolio management; and
- patent litigation.
David has experience with chemical, biochemical, information, and mechanical technologies relating to cannabis, medical devices, imaging, oil and gas, and other industries.
At its heart, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is about taking a combined approach to prevent and treat pest pressures in order to maximize yields and deliver positive economic and ecological results.
As many commercial cannabis cultivators know, it’s not a matter of IF you’ll get pests, but WHEN, which is why it’s essential to have a plan in place. By following a diversified IPM protocol, cultivators are able to both proactively and reactively address pest pressures using a combination of pesticides, biological controls, and best practices. The result is improved yields with minimized ecological impact. This is critical in an industry with a continually evolving regulatory environment governing the production of a crop with medical applications.
Join our host, Ellis Smith, and IPM subject matter expert, Todd Statzer for this LIVE Q&A Session. Todd serves as the director of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at urban-gro, a leading cultivation technologies company delivering best-in-class systems, solutions, and technologies to large-scale Cannabis cultivators throughout North America.
Be sure to bring your questions to this lively discussion on how to be proactive with a true IPM plan!
Guest: Todd Statzer, Director of Integrated Pest Management, urban-gro
With more than three decades of experience in the agricultural/horticultural markets, Todd brings unrivaled industry expertise along with a deep understanding of Cannabis regulatory compliance. Having previously served as the Plant and Pesticide Inspector for the State of Illinois, Todd is well versed in the standards and regulations governing Cannabis cultivation by region and leverages that knowledge to develop compliant IPM programs tailored to the unique needs of urban-gro’s customers. Todd holds a Master’s of Science degree in Plant Pathology/Phytopathology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Western Illinois University.
Hosted by Offit Kurman and featuring Cannabis Practice Group attorneys and experts from outside the firm this monthly, hour-long webinar series addresses operational and legal issues affecting those in legalized cannabis industry. The series is designed for applicants for, and operators of, legal cannabis businesses as well as business owners and service providers servicing the industry.
Brands Built for Expansion: Interstate and International Cannabis Strategy Session
Strategically position your company across multiple states or countries for rapid growth and brand awareness. Learn ways to build a new cannabis/hemp brand to scale or to expand an already successful concept in a volatile and competitive industry.
About the Speaker
Jennifer Sanders
Director of Strategy & Risk Management at CNS Equity Partners
With CNS Equity Partners and AURA Venture Funds, Jennifer leverages her expertise in the alternative agriculture and holistic health industries as a corporate consultant for institutional firms and investments. As a founder of CNS Equity Partners, a virtue-based private equity firm, she launched the nation’s first holistic health and cannabis herbal retailer. The fully integrated retailer, The Green Heart, is actively franchising across the United States.
A Harvard University Business School graduate, Jennifer specializes in international investment regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management with over 15 years of experience in leadership and business management. She has the following certifications: Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional, NRS Investment Advisor Certified Compliance Professional, Chief Compliance Officer Qualifying Examination of Canada, and a combination of investment securities licenses. Jennifer has also worked with foreign licensure and regulatory authorities in Canada, China and other countries.
Jennifer is an avid philanthropist and serves as a Board Member for The Green Heart Foundation, a 501(c)3 non profit that educates the public on the health benefits of the superfoods and medicinal herbs, including hemp and cannabis.
Join our host Ellis Smith and guest Dr. Mitch Day, Scientist and Entrepreneur, for this live webcast. Mitch is a subject matter expert on micropropagation and analysis of genetic information. Micropropagation offers two major benefits to cultivators: disease-free cloning and economical large-scale storage of cultivars for breeding programs.
During this webcast, Mitch and Ellis will discuss how:
- Micropropagation is just cloning, except you use extremely small pieces of the plant instead of stem segments.
- Micropropagation isn’t hard, but it is very different from standard growing practices. Be prepared to do your homework.
- Micropropagation requires excellent focus and attention to detail.
- Micropropagation doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment, but it does require a dedicated space separate from regular cultivation operations.
Historically, tax laws have been a weapon used against the cannabusiness industry. The December 2017 tax act has changed the tax environment, affecting every taxpayer. Many of the cornerstone issues were added or changed in the last days before the passage of the legislation. The IRS and state administrators are evaluating the effects of these additions and changes. This presentation will highlight areas that both benefit and hurt cannabusiness taxpayers.
Angelo Poletis, CPA
Principal, SC&H Audit & Tax Advisory Services
As a principal with SC&H Audit & Tax Advisory Services, Angelo assists clients with complex federal and state income tax issues. Angelo focuses on middle and large market clients, where he provides planning and compliance experience to create tax efficient structures. With specific knowledge of the complex tax regulations facing cannabusinesses Angelo specializes in serving these companies and planning around the unique tax and business issues they face. Angelo is experienced in providing tax planning for clients in various industries at both the entity level and for the equity-owner. His knowledge of U.S. income tax issues, including entity structure and accounting methods, for pass-through entities continues to be of great value to clients.
Stephen Bishop, CPA
Senior Manager, SC&H Audit & Tax Advisory Services
A senior manager with SC&H Group and a member of the SC&H Group Medical Cannabis Advisory Services. Stephen has experience serving emerging companies and a deep insight into the taxation of cannabusinesses. Stephen has presented several webinars and has been guest speaker at numerous events focusing on the medical cannabis industry including IRC Section 280E and planning with regards to multiple lines of businesses. His areas of expertise beyond cannabis include Partnership and S-Corp taxation with a focus on the real estate industry where he provides planning and compliance experience, and consults on creating tax efficient structures for his clients.
Topic changed 4/27/18
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are the global standard for manufacturing products intended for human and animal consumption. Learn from a GMP expert in the medical field why and how to get started on the path to GMP certification now and why GMP will become strategically important in 2-5 years.
About the Speaker: Marilyn Gatin, Ph.D.
Marilyn Gatin, Ph.D. RAC leads the Cannabis practice within Navigant’s Life Sciences division which works with companies regulated by the FDA. Marilyn has over 20 years’ R&D, commercialization and FDA regulatory experience in the medical products industry.
Leah Heise is the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) for 4 Front Ventures, a vertically integrated cannabis business with affiliates in several states. In her role as CXO, Leah is responsible for creating and protecting the user experience across the many brands under the 4Front banner, as such experience pertains to patients, employees, and owners. During this presentation, Leah will answer the following questions:
- What is the role of the CXO and how does it pertain to the cannabis industry?
- How should a professionally operated cannabis business organize its leadership team?
- What new executive positions are being created in the industry?
- How can companies in new cannabis programs increase the number of people on the patient and provider registries?
- Why is patient education so important in improving one’s customer experience?
- What are the best ways to measure and improve the user experience in cannabis businesses?
Canna Business Valuation Methods and Metrics
- Brief Cannabis Primer
- Overview of financial and business analysis of cannabis companies
- What kinds of risk are cannabis companies exposed to and how does that impact investors in cannabis companies
- Ownership interest options in the cannabis industry
- Financial forecasting in a new, uncertain and rapidly growing industry
- Valuing both Plant-Touching and Ancillary cannabis companies
- Valuation methods useful for cannabis company valuation:
- Income Approach – Discounted Cash Flow
- Market Approach – Public and Private Company Acquisitions
- Cost Approach – Net Asset Value Method
- Intangible assets in a cannabis company
Questions, questions and more questions!
ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKER: Vanita Spaulding
Vanita Spaulding is a Managing Director at Cogent Valuation, a national valuation firm with offices in Woodland Hills, San Francisco and Costa Mesa. She has more than 30 years of valuation experience providing valuation services to clients in the areas of litigation support, financial reporting, and estate planning and tax valuation. Vanita has a diverse background in a myriad of valuation projects including litigation support, federal estate tax and gift tax, allocation of purchase price ASC805 and impairment testing ASC350, common stock valuation and share-based compensation valuation IRC 409A and ASC718, fairness and solvency opinions, intellectual property analyses, pre-acquisition financing, merger and acquisition pricing, ESOP formation and compliance. See page 3 for a partial list of Cannabis litigation and consulting projects and non-cannabis litigation support projects relating to shareholder disputes, marital and partnership dissolution, breach of contract, lost profits, personal injury losses, and eminent domain. She is qualified as an expert to perform litigation support services and has appeared as an expert witness before the Superior Courts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, as well as the American Arbitration Association. She has performed litigation and mediation services in Colorado.
