Cannabis businesses are like any other start-up, in that they are often operationally successful but could use a little “seed money.” This can’t-miss executive breakfast is a chance for some targeted networking with prospective investors and possible equity partners. They’ve got experience in the equity requirements of cannabis enterprises and the most direct and current routes to funding. These conversations over coffee could be the most important you ever have.

BUY TICKETS

(Keynote Presentation) Today's cannabis companies have a unique opportunity to influence the norms and standards of the global cannabis market. How should we use that power? What values should we adopt and promote? Will we be just another new industry, or will we be a new kind of industry?

(Panel Discussion) Yes, legalization is coming to Canada. But the goalposts keep moving, even as the date of legalization gets punted further down the calendar. We have an industry ready to go, a delivery system, a market and a bunch of business plans. But it’s hard to nail down the details when the big picture is still unfinished. Kicking off the O’Cannabiz conference, this panel of industry experts will talk about the lag between the players’ readiness and the pace of government implementation. And they’ll assess who’ll benefit and who’ll lose out in various provincially-created marketplace scenarios.

(Panel Discussion) Big data and cloud computing are changing the way businesses and healthcare run around the globe. But one area you might not expect it to be making waves is in the medical and recreational cannabis industry. Cannabis provides a unique challenge for patients, health care providers, researchers and consumer packaged goods because there are so may different types of cannabis (different strains, potencies, ingestion methods and dosing), that it is difficult to scientifically track the individual benefits that are associated with each plant. In the medical world, this is extremely important as dosages and medicines are typically prescribed based on the type of ailment and clinically studied outcomes. From a recreational perspective, its going to be increasingly difficult for vendors and retailers to deal with supply and demand as there is no way easy way to study patient use and consumer preference. Growers and suppliers need know which types of cannabis are most needed and scale up, or down, to emerging consumer and patient needs. This is where big data comes into focus. Next generation companies such as Strainprint, Ample Organics, Leafly, University Health and Molecular Science Corp are harnessing the power of Big data to drive business and positive consumer outcomes. Learn how this data is used from a Commerical and medical perspective through of these vendors and leading Canadian Cannabinoid Physicians. SPONSORED BY: STRAINPRINT

All too often, operators overseeing cultivation facility design, build-out & production are not granted the luxury of spare time or energy to carefully consider different options in the larger scheme of things. Maintain regulatory compliance & move as quickly as possible is the general mantra in cannabis industry start-ups. The principles of resource efficiency & operational resiliency provide a great foundation from which operators can place in the backdrop of major decision points. Join Jonathan Cachat, PhD (CTO, SunGrown Zero) & (John Perricone?) for a conversation covering what exactly resource efficiency and operational resiliency mean, and how you can apply these principles to reduce costs and increase longevity of your business.

(Presentation) Join Scott Greenlay, MNP’s National Director of Technology Consulting, and Danny Timmins, MNP’s National Cyber Security Leader, as they discuss how going digital will change the cannabis landscape. They’ll discuss Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software selection and cyber security – providing meaningful insights on the importance of these two factors and the viability of your cannabis business in today’s market.   SPONSORED BY: 

(Presentation) This session will focus on how Canada can be leveraged by international companies for capital and product development.

(Presentation) The cannabis sector is a hot spot for entrepreneurs, established businesses and investors in Canada and abroad. With the legalization of the recreational marijuana sector right around the corner, we can look to the already booming medicinal cannabis market for valuable insight. What should cannabis-sector participants be aware of regarding financing, selling and strategically growing their business as the sector flourishes under the proposed new regulatory regime? Join our panel of experts as we identify best practices related to mergers and acquisitions, including strategic acquisitions, synergies and buying brands. You will receive professional insight on what makes mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis industry unique, what regulatory issues can come along with these transactions, and ideas for ways to raise capital. We will also discuss opportunities for ancillary businesses and provide insight on alternative financing models. SPONSORED BY: AIRD & BERLIS

(Presentation) Owners, operators and employees face a challenge in the medical market. Running a retail store while catering to a patient is controversial by itself. Up-Selling to patients is distasteful and unethical, how can a medical dispensary maximize profit while keeping its integrity and welfare of the patient in mind? It starts with training and educating your patient-facing team to ask questions, listen, assess and present in a caring thoughtful way, this will lead to achieving combined goals - increase sales, customer loyalty and healthier patients. Running a dispensary focused a long term goal for the business and the patient will create long term value to both. We’ll go over tips and techniques focusing on brands, products and services that will win the patient’s loyalty and create a successful business model for those operating in this challenging environment.

(Panel Discussion) With Canada being the first country to legalize cannabis, much attention has been given to the domestic Canadian market for cannabis consumption - both medical and recreational. This panel will explore what markets promise to be attractive, both for the flower and its derivatives and for Canadian-made technology and service businesses.

(Presentation) Medical marijuana companies are increasingly realizing the value of microdosing, which offers patients more control over their medicine and can help them decrease unwanted side effects. It can also help infused products companies and dispensaries attract new customers and increase patient loyalty – which in turn can help boost the bottom line. In this session, a physician who also consults for infused product makers will provide an in-depth look at microdosing and offer insight on how businesses can capitalize on this trend.

(Presentation) The popularity of hemp-derived CBD products has soared in recent years, with many companies shipping internationally. This panel provides an overview of the laws governing the sale, import, and export of hemp products, and the advertisement of hemp products containing CBD, in four countries: US, Canada, Spain, and Australia.

(Presentation) Despite the vernacular term "weed", cannabis growing is an art as much as it is a science and at times the artist/scientist just has a bad day. Whether it's nutrient deficiencies or problem pests, join Av Singh, PhD, PAg and Randy Flemming (aka the Pot Whisperer) as they highlight the common cultivation mis-practices that lead to your cannabis plant not growing as healthy as you would want.

(Panel Discussion) When the green light flashes, it’ll be the entrepreneurs with the most noticeable brand who’ll take the lead in the marketplace. And there is already an elite group of industry strategists who’ve created effective marketing and branding strategies that are already getting results. In this valuable session, they’ll give a step-by-step run-though of key approaches necessary to grab consumer attention – including logo and differentiation, website design, packaging and sales collateral. It’s a session with a literal wealth of information.

(Panel Discussion) On January 17, 2018, Canopy Growth Corporation announced that BMO Capital Markets and GMP Securities are leading its $175 million bought deal offering of roughly five million shares. The Bank of Montreal's participation in a major financing deal with a licensed marijuana producer marks a massive policy shift for Canada's biggest banks, which may be warming up to the cannabis sector. Until recently, Canadian banks have been reluctant to service the country's cannabis industry, leaving smaller banks and financial institutions to cash in on cannabis companies' financing and commercial banking needs. Join our expert panellists who will discuss: · barriers that have prevented big banks from financing cannabis companies in the past; · challenges big banks will face when working with cannabis companies; and · things cannabis companies can do to attract big banks to finance and work with them.

The whole point of legalization is to remove law enforcement from the lives of producers and consumers of cannabis. So now that there is a legal framework, the rest is up to us. This panel will examine the licensing process that exists for medical marijuana and the one that’s shaping up for the recreational side. That license, of course, will be come with conditions, on everything from production practices to handling to distribution to sales. We’ll show you how to stay within the lines of the cannabis regs to come.

(Interview) Ed Rosenthal – a.k.a the Guru of Ganja - is the cannabis industry’s distinguished veteran in the war between federal and state rights. The horticulturalist, author and longtime High Times columnist stepped up to help meet demand when California okayed medicinal marijuana (under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996). And he was among the first medicinal growers to be tried (twice) for what the Fed still considered a crime. His activism opened eyes and helped bring about the legislative loosening of oppressive “Drug War” laws we enjoy today.

(Panel Discussion) Meet the people behind the largest brands in cannabis around the world as they discuss their new joint venture-- Agripharm, the future of recreational cannabis, and their thoughts on growing a business to levels not seen before in this industry. The roundtable-style panel will give an inside look at the decision makers behind some of the most well-known companies in the regulated cannabis market. Executives from Organa Brands, Canopy Growth Corp., and Slang Worldwide will come together on a panel moderated by veteran journalist and founder of Grasslands, Ricardo Baca, to discuss a variety of successes, topics relating to business and growth, and will take questions from the audience.

(Panel Discussion) The reluctance of banks and other established brokers to take the cannabis market seriously began as an obstacle and turned into opportunity. Players in this new industry have often had to look afield for funding, and in the process have turned to smaller, less risk-averse independent financial brokers to obtain start-up funds. In this session, we’ll talk about the rise of small, forward-thinking investors and other means of revenue-raising in this new, competitive cannabis environment. SPONSORED BY: 

(Panel Discussion) From newly developed high-yield LED lighting, to “terpene isolation” technology borrowed from perfume labs to perfect the flavouring, to solvent-extraction breakthroughs that are revolutionizing the science of cannabis concentrate, inventors and innovators are turning their full attention to bringing marijuana to market with the newest techniques. Learn what science can yield for you in this session.

(Presentation) The legalization of cannabis marks the next stage in the normalization of cannabis. This presentation will take stock of current public perspectives on cannabis and connect it to the regulatory environment facing legal adult use recreational cannabis. The presentation will then look at the coming edibles opportunity and use a social acceptance approach to create a pathway to a balanced regulatory environment for cannabis in Canada.

SPONSORED BY: CANNABIS WHEATON

(Presentation) An important consideration for licensed producers, workers, clinicians, patients, retailers, and policymakers. As the July 2018 marijuana legalization date comes closer, stakeholders in the cannabis industry need to determine how to meet the new demand for skilled workers to fill roles in the growth, production, marketing, and distribution of cannabis. While there's still a giant question mark around how many new jobs the industry will create, the industry is expected to be worth between $5 and 8 billion annually. It’s safe assume that tens of thousands of new Cannabis-related positions will open up with licensed producers, retailers, and in the public sector. An important element affecting industry’s grow and prosperity is access to a pool of trained and qualified talent. Additionally there is an overwhelming demand by the Healthcare Practitioners and patients for the knowledge and training on the key aspects of prescribing cannabis and to better understand medicinal and safety profile of cannabis. Given the strict advertising rules surrounding cannabis, education can be used as an effective marketing tool. Policy makers are interested in cannabis policy and regulatory framework that protects patient and public safety while providing appropriate access by increasing healthcare professional involvement and regulating of the industry. Educating the policy makers makes for sensible and practical policies by balancing the needs of the public, patients, clinicians and producers. This presentation focuses on the use of training and education as an effective strategy impacting the bottom line and influencing the stakeholders and decision makers.

(Keynote Presentation) Cannabis legalization is a success story with a uniquely Canadian story and one that fits with our national spirit as risk takers and innovators. As we fast approach recreational legalization, it's an opportunity to take stock of where we are, where we've come from, and what is ahead. This presentation will speak to the current cannabis industry with a focus on the global potential of medical cannabis as well as the incredible disruptive potential that cannabis presents now and into the future. SPONSORED BY: 

(Presentation) People are the greatest asset of many businesses. With Cannabis in the Workplace, the Fair Wages and Better Jobs Act and the #MeTooMovement, workplaces have never found people management as complex and interconnected in the company as it is today. Learn Tips and Strategies on how to navigate the current complexities of Human Resources from an Award Winning HR Expert and Workplace Culture Strategist.

(Keynote Presentation) -Future outlook of cannabis legalization on the international stage -Canada’s role on the international level -Aurora’s current & future operations/role in Europe -Aurora’s current strategic objectives in Europe -Building an international, full integrated cannabis company

The Imminent legislature to nationally legalize the use of cannabis across Canada has resulted in a technological and economic boom across the country. Developing cannabis facilities is now required at a faster rate and lower cost all while striving for the highest quality possible. Owners and investors are actively looking for facilities to be developed within a fraction of the time and at lower costs, benchmarks that were once limited using traditional construction methods. Ehvert is paving the way to modernize and revolutionize the engineering and construction sector with innovation in automated construction, virtual and augmented reality and building automation. This session discusses the various advanced engineering and construction technologies that are being used, how they are accelerating construction and how the effects of innovation on cannabis could place Canada’s industrial position well ahead of the American Construction industry.

An industry that’s open for business from every demographic, the 21st Century cannabis trade is already seeing female entrepreneurs write their own success stories. In this wake-up session, a handful of influential women in the industry will each give motivational and inspirational talks, amounting to a wealth of valuable advice for succeeding in a business literally built on growth and open to new ideas. SPONSORED BY: 

(Keynote Presentation) When your infant is diagnosed with cancer life as you know it ends, and a new one takes shape. One of uncertainty, filled with fear, and hopes for one day finding a cure. But when there is no cure, what do you do?  Tracy Ryan’s journey has taken her from diagnosis of her baby to pre-clinical pediatric cancer trials with some of the top researchers in the world. Learn about her path, how her daughter’s brain tumor is now growing in humanized mice that pump human blood, and how she plans to turn the medical industry on its’ head.

(Panel Discussion) - What is expected and what is surprising - What to watch for in the coming months, the challenges and the opportunities - How to “up your game” in relation to compliance issues

(Presentation) As the cannabis sector matures, for both producers and consumers, the focus on cannabinoids will shift to encompass a broader look at what the plant can offer and this will include terpenes. Arguably, considered the most common language on Earth, terpenes have both medicinal properties as well as enhancing the consumptive experience of cannabis. Dr. Av Singh will explore the role of terpenes in cannabis, their importance in the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and how best to increase your terpene profile when cultivating cannabis.

(Workshop) Rosin is some of the most cutting edge extraction happening right now, and I have asked a Canadian rosin press manufacturer to loan us a 25 ton Rosin Press which will do some impressive work in a small space of a table top. Rosin produces a clean, whole-plant extract that is really valuable compared to other extracted products.

(Panel Discussion) Whether for wellness or play, Cannabis is en route to being an accepted part of Canadians' consumption choices. Join us as we discuss and explore what information users and brands need to consider and understand, in order to successfully navigate the data around Cannabis as both vice and medicine.

(Panel Discussion) The old joke was, “I used to hide my stash from my parents. Now I hide it from my kids.” But now that prohibition is over, we can quit joking and help our offspring understand cannabis’s role in society. For parents with health issues, cannabis is a medicine, one with fewer side effects than pain-killing opioids and other traditional approaches. For others, it’s a source of recreational enjoyment, and merits an honest conversation about what adults enjoy responsibly. You may even find your children are less attracted to marijuana than you were, when being illegal added to its coolness. This panel has testimony and statistics about how legalization is being reflected generationally.

(Panel Discussion) We’re looking forward to life after legalization. But it behooves us to look back as well. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians were charged with cannabis offences in this decade alone – the majority of them for simple possession. Could their records be cleared? Is anyone liable for a cannabis smoker’s lost job opportunities and other criminal record ramifications? Will there at least be an apology? Going forward, how will a new openness affect marijuana’s integration into everyday life? Will “stoner stigmas” disappear? Our experts pull out their crystal ball and read the weed.

(Panel Discussion) This session will explore the good, bad, and ugly of the federal Cannabis Act and what consumers need to know to stay on-side of the law as the country moves to legalize cannabis. Alongside permitting the purchase and cultivation of cannabis under certain conditions, the government will also introduce approximately 45 new criminal offences that Canadians may be charged with. The panel will explore some of the differences in provincial regulations, such as restrictions on consumption, transportation, and cultivation, and will end the session by fielding questions from the audience.

(Panel Discussion) It’s not just tie-dye, baggy hoodies and stoner wear anymore...Cannabis is a lifestyle. Fashion is a statement whether ready to wear, band t-shirts, DIY street wear or high-end collections. Fashion speaks to creative expression, social statements, comfort, function and fun. The plant has always been here as multi-use source. Now more than ever designers are exploring eco alternatives and embracing the cannabis plant as cloth source and main stream lifestyle statement. Who’s really pushing Cannabis to the forefront of main stream culture and why?

(Workshop) Consuming cannabis in forms other than smoking or vaping is increasingly becoming popular amongst new entrants to cannabis culture. Join Randy Flemming, aka "The Pot Whisperer", at the O'Cannabiz Booth to learn more about the importance of proper dosing when preparing cannabis edibles. Learn tips on how best to make better extracts for edibles, recipes for candies, and the right temperatures to make sure you get what you want out of your cannabis.

(Workshop) As more and more people are realizing the numerous benefits of medical cannabis for their own health, it isn’t surprising that there is a growing number of pet owners asking if cannabis might also help their pets. Dr. Sarah Silcox – President and Director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine, will be answering your questions about medicinal cannabis for animals. Join us for an informal discussion about current and future legislation and how it affects access to cannabis for pet use, current studies, applications, safety issues, and more! Bring your questions, and share your stories of how cannabis has helped your pet!

(Panel Discussion) 'The Worlds 1st International Cannabis in the Work Place’ platform across multidisciplines and expertise’: Combining Business, HR, Legal and a Medical approach to evidenced based solutions.

(Presentation) As a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cannabis for skin care, Jacknin will delve into the scientific studies published to date documenting the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of various cannabinoids for the therapy of common dermatologic problems. These include the appearance of aging, acne, itching, eczema, and psoriasis, which together affect the majority of people. There are already some skin care lines out there making various claims, none of which are FDA approved. However, the cannabis beauty market, as well as the acne and anti-aging markets are huge. The public is more and more interested in natural topical products such as the cannabinoids which don't bring with them the possible side effects of oral medications for these skin disorders.

(Presentation) Cannabis science is advancing everywhere from in academia to cannabis QC testing labs and beyond. Join me for an overview and update of current efforts in cannabis science. First, we will distinguish cannabis research from QC testing, and then take a closer look at cannabis research in Israel (with ties to the U.S.). Next, we will examine cannabis research in the U.S., followed by a brief update on international cannabis science. We will cover some current topics in cannabis QC testing, including progress toward cannabis testing standard methods. We will explore the drivers and resistance for standardization and present the main hurdles to both standardization and research. Cannabis medicines have moved from anecdotal evidence to full clinical trials and good laboratory practices. Join us as we review recent progress and look towards the future of cannabis analytical testing. We will conclude with a brief overview of emerging technologies (including automated potency analyzers and brain imaging), as well as look at where you can learn more.

(Panel Discussion) Cannabis has been a women’s Ally for many many years along with other healing herbs. Explore the ways that can support women during their moon cycle, menopause, and every day life.

(Presentation) Davidson will touch on the following delivery routes: Oral – One of the most common route of administration of medicinal cannabis products is via the oral route. Sublingual – Under the tongue. Buccal – Between the cheek and gum bypassing first pass metabolism. Transdermal – through the dermal layer of the skin. Nasal – Direct route bypassing first past metabolism. Encapsulation technologies (Nano,Liposomes,colloidal suspensions) – enhance permeation and bioavailability.

(Workshop) Don't miss this great workshop. The guys from The Green Chef Canada are ready to help educate people on how consuming cannabis through edibles can affect you differently than smoking or vaping; in terms of how it affects your body and what you need to be aware of before trying for the first time. Beginners looking to medicate with edibles will benefit from learning important concepts like "Onset" and "Duration" as well as "Set" and "Setting". The chefs will cover typical dosages and different levels of tolerance from person to person, and all the while they will of course be cooking up something special as part of their demonstration.

(Panel Discussion) With J-day fast approaching, Ottawa is grappling with how to enforce laws against driving while high. The health ministry has announced police will administer roadside saliva tests for drugs and is spending $161 million to train officers. But police and the courts are having trouble even making drunk-driving stick these days, with court decisions against 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, for example. And with a recreational drug of uncertain duration and effect, the legal quagmire could get way stickier. This panel of legal and social experts weigh the challenges facing police, the civic responsibility of users and the straight dope on how pot affects driving.

(Presentation) Medical cannabis has proven an effective analgesic for a number of conditions that include chronic non-malignant pain. During Dr.Rosado’s presentation, he will be sharing a case study showing that medical cannabis not only works for analgesia, but also for expected and unexpected medical conditions.

(Presentation) Cannabis usage is currently on the rise among seniors. Many find relief and reduce prescription use, the elderly, and other chronic pain sufferers, are turning to alternatives. Many seniors are prescribed drugs like opioids, painkillers, and antidepressants, and these prescriptions come with a long list of side-effects. Cannabis is a safe alternative for many seniors, alleviating pain and dependence without the side effects that synthetic drugs can cause. Dr. Uma Says “Cannabis is not an entrance drug, it is an exit drug from pharmaceuticals narcotics alcohol and nicotine.”

(Workshop) CBD Oil and Your Skin: Practical Application of Medterra CBD Oil for Your Skin's Health and Beauty with Expert Cannabinoid Dermatologist Dr. Jeanette Jacknin Dr. Jacknin, holistic dermatologist specializing in topical cannabinoids, together with Medterra CBD Oil, will talk individually with participants about studies on CBD and hemp oil for beauty and for their clients' particular skin problem. Dr. Jacknin will also be speaking during the conference on June 9th at 2:00 pm on "Hemp and Cannabinoids for Skin Disorders:The Science and the Opportunities".