Cannabis Law Conference 2024
Monday, June 24, 2024 | 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
(Networking Luncheon, 12:15 pm – 1:10 pm )
Format: In-Person
As we enter into another pivotal year for cannabis law as a legal product in New York, attorneys must become familiar with the regulation, distribution and sale of cannabis to ensure safety, especially given the addictive qualities, propensity to impair perception, judgment and other potential health effects. With recreational marijuana still illegal under federal law, as well as in many states, how will New York as a judicial, commercial and legislative leader act? This program will feature a broad range of perspectives on the evolving regulatory and ethical issues arising out of legal recreational marijuana and provide an overview of how legalized marijuana affects and intersects practice areas such as health; labor and employment; banking; tax; compliance; real property, and of course, well-being. As leaders in their respective practice areas, speakers will explore these wide range of issues and more!
Program Fee:
$299 for Members | $399 for Nonmembers
Small law Firm: $199 Members
Keynote Speaker:
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Congressman, US House of Representatives
3rd Congressional District, Oregon
Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus
Fatima Afia
Rudick Law Group, PLLC
Charles Alovisetti
Vicente LLP
Duncan Delano
Emerge Law Group
David B. Feder
Regosin, Edwards, Stone & Feder
Gregg H. Hilzer
Stevens & Lee
Robert Hoban
Co-Chair, Cannabis Industry Group
Senior Director, Clark Hill Public Strategies
Kristen Jordan
Park Jordan
Mollie Hartman Lustig
McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
Sean Mack
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C.
James B. Mann
Law Office of James B. Mann
Max Meade
Senior Vice President
Brokerage at Frontier Risk
Hugh S. O’Beirne
Founder
Hawthorne Ave Strategies LLC
Cecilia Oyediran
Deputy Director
Labor and Employment Law Program
Cornell University ILR School
John Pelliteri
Grassi
Shanita Penny
Founder/CEO
Budding Solutions
Lauren A. Rudick
Rudick Law Group, PLLC
Elana Tamas
Head of Cannabis Tax
Anchin
Sarah E. Trent
Founder, CEO
Valley Wellness and NJ Cannabis Certified
Stacy D. Udell
Hill, Barth & King LLC
9:00 am – 9:10 am Introduction & Program Overview
Conference Chair:
Alana Hans-Cohen
9:10 am – 9:35 am Keynote Address
Keynote Speakers: Earl Blumenauer
9:35 am – 10:00 am Blunt Ethics for New York Lawyers: Navigating New York Cannabis Laws Responsibly
A practical take on ethical challenges faced by New York attorneys representing cannabis clients.
Panelists:
10:00 am – 10:25 am From Briefs to Buds: Attorney Perspectives on Entering & Serving the Cannabis Industry
A compelling and thought-provoking exploration into the exciting world of cannabis law. Discover how attorneys can leverage their legal expertise to serve this dynamic and rapidly growing industry. Gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and learn how to use the transferable skills attorneys already possess that are essential for successfully navigating the complex legal terrain of the cannabis industry. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or exploring new opportunities, this panel promises to empower attorneys to seize the prospects presented by the burgeoning cannabis market.
Panel Leader: Alana Hans-Cohen
Panelists: Gregg H. Hilzer & Sean Mack
10:25 am-10:30 am Coffee Break
11:25 am-12:15pm High Stakes (Current & Potential) Litigation: New York Cannabis Law Under Scrutiny
Panelists examine the legal chaos that unfolded post-cannabis legalization in 2021, touching on issues that include the roll out of CAURD Licensing in New York, alleged unconstitutional overreach, dormant commerce challenges, and opposition against the third-party marketing ban. Join us for a detailed analysis of the legal battles that are shaping New York’s cannabis industry, revealing how the dust has settled or is still settling since these groundbreaking lawsuits and the potential legal challenges the panelists foresee.
Panel Leader:
Panelists: Fatima Afia & Lauren A. Rudick
12:15 pm-1:10 pm Networking Lunch
1:10 pm – 2:00 pm Green Light, Red Tape: A Roadmap to Navigating Human Resources & Employment Law for New York’s Cannabis Startups & Entrepreneurs
Our group of seasoned experts will examine employment and human resource-related compliance concerns for cannabis startups, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses, including compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, covering areas such as filing requirements, hiring processes, employee handbooks, contracts, wage issues, protection of confidential information, anti-discrimination laws, workplace policies and obtaining essential insurance coverage, such as commercial general liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, property and casualty, key person insurance, commercial general liability for property and bodily injury, personal and advertising injury, directors’ and officers’ liability, and employment practices liability.
Panel Leader: Cecilia Oyediran
Panelists: David B. Feder, Max Meade & Sarah E. Trent
2:00 pm – 2:05 pm Coffee Break
2:05 pm – 2:55 pm Potentially Profitable, Perpetually Problematic: Navigating Cannabis Real Estate
A discussion of the drivers of cannabis business inflated real estate pricing, such as financing, insurance, holding fees, perceptions of cannabis businesses as cash cows, and price-gouging by landlords, as well as how restrictive land-use and zoning regulations. The panel will address how municipal opt-outs contribute to the scarcity of suitable real estate for cannabis businesses and provide an overview of the critical importance of location evaluation and due diligence in cannabis real estate transactions, considering zoning laws, buffer restrictions, and other location-specific issues.
Panel Leader: Mollie Hartman Lustig
Panelists: Duncan Delano & Kristen Jordan
2:55 pm – 3:00 pm Coffee break
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm Cannabis Cash Flow: A Taxing Affair for Retailers – Unlocking Profit Potential through Smart Tax Planning & Strategies for Success
Navigate the complexities of cannabis cash flow with wit and wisdom and uncover the secrets to maximizing profit margins and minimizing tax burdens in the ever-growing cannabis industry through smart tax planning, particularly tax planning for cannabis retailers.
Panel Leader: James Mann
Panelists: John Pelliteri & Elana Tamas
3:50 pm – 3:55 pm Coffee Break
3:55 pm – 4:45 pm Legalize, Capitalize, Strategize: M&A, Business Valuations & Navigating Regulatory Restrictions & Ownership Limits
Take a dive into the collaborative aspects of the cannabis industry, illuminating opportunities for joint ventures and shared success. Participants will explore the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions, financing, and regulatory compliance within the cannabis sector, gaining valuable insights into the legal landscape, including restrictions and limitations on cannabis investments. Additionally, the panel will address the critical aspect of business valuations in the cannabis industry, shedding light on methodologies and considerations for accurately assessing the worth of cannabis enterprises. Join us as we discuss the art of drafting partnership and business agreements that not only foster collaboration but also meet rigorous regulatory compliance standards, with a focus on integrating comprehensive business valuations into strategic decision-making processes.
