California Assemblymember 2nd Assembly District Jim will draw on his deep and intimate knowledge of the fast-moving legislative and regulatory adaptation to the California cannabis industry to help entrepreneurs and businesses related to the industry to plan for what’s coming. Staying on top of the fast-evolving legal landscape is critical for business and for professionals serving clients in the industry.

Executive Director California Growers Association Hezekiah’s unique background, his encyclopedic knowledge of the cannabis industry, and his interdisciplinary leadership experience make him perfectly suited to answer an array of questions. He will comment on the co-op model and the for-profit model, and the need for industry leaders to cooperate to help ensure that the region remains the industry’s long-term, sustainable home.

Managing Partner Friedemann Goldberg, LLP John Friedemann is a business, banking, and real estate attorney who will provide an overview from the bank’s perspective of the challenges of banking cannabis-related businesses, drawing on decades of experience representing banks throughout California. He will offer advice on workarounds for cash intensive businesses, on real estate leasing and ownership issues, and creative solutions suited to the current legal and business environment.

Chair of the Board Sonoma County Growers Alliance Tawnie is among the main advocates bridging, and narrowing, the divide between policymakers and the cannabis industry, and is a staunch supporter of progressive business practices that protect the people most responsible for the success and reputation of the region. She will discuss how leaders and businesspeople mean to protect and further those critical values as the industry landscape shifts.

Program Manager Sonoma County Economic Development Board Compliance dramatically reduces risk at all levels, and not understanding how can lead to business interruptions, avoidable costs, and worse. Mr. Ricard will take you through the cannabis business and land use permit processes in Sonoma County from start to finish, concentrating on strategies to maximize predictability, efficiency, and certainty.

Consultant Roots Consulting Jamie will share lessons from years of experience running successful businesses in and serving the cannabis industry. She will tell you how to meet the unexpected challenges of being a cannabis employer, about banking and 280(e) planning from the industry standpoint, and anticipate what lies ahead in 2018.

Attorney Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Titus Mr. Titus will focus on business and tax issues facing cannabis entrepreneurs. These include entity formation, planning suggestions, and federal and state tax considerations.

Principal 421 Group Mr. Litwin will draw on decades of experience to advise entrepreneurs on messaging and how to present their business to the public. From neighbors, to investors, to regulators, to elected officials, understanding how to explain what you do, and how to interact with other stakeholders, is vital to success in the industry.

Broker/Advisor VANTREO Insurance Brokerage Daniel is a leader in providing specialty insurance products to businesses in and serving the cannabis industry. He will explain how insurance can be used to create a loss control program that protects businesses, and how insurers respond to the risks in a constantly changing legal, regulatory, and market landscape.