Lauren Lewis and Maggie Shea are speaking at the New York Cannabis Conference

StaffBuffalo partners, Lauren Lewis and Maggie Shea are speaking at the NYS Virtual Cannabis Conference! Click here to read the full article!

Purchase tickets here - use promo code STAFFBUFF21 for $15 off!

“NY Cannabis Insider Conference will host New York State cannabis experts and entrepreneurs for a virtual half day session of presentations, panel discussions and networking.

By Brad Racino | bracino@syracuse.com

Legalized in March, New York’s adult-use cannabis industry is poised to become one of the most lucrative marijuana markets in the U.S. But license applications aren’t yet available and the state’s Cannabis Control Board is just getting started, so what can entrepreneurs do today to best position themselves for this emerging multibillion-dollar opportunity?

On Thursday, Oct. 28, New York Cannabis Insider will bring together some of the industry’s biggest thought-leaders for a half-day virtual conference that focuses on this issue — preparedness. (Tickets are available here).

The mayors of Albany, Ithaca and Hamilton, along with business leaders, attorneys, consultants and union representatives, are lined up to discuss how the licensing process has played out in other states, what to expect out of the law’s strong social equity component, and the importance of building government and local support when starting a cannabis business.

“The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act is a much-needed step to end the social and racial injustice of the criminalization of marijuana — and, it’s a matter of equity,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan shortly before the bill was passed in March. Sheehan is one of three mayors set to speak at the Oct. 28 conference on a panel entitled, “Choosing the Path Forward — Municipalities and Adult-Use Cannabis.”

Joe Rossi, a Syracuse native and managing director of Park Strategies, will join Sumer Thomas, an attorney and senior project manager at Canna Advisors, to explain how business owners should think about social equity in both their mission and hiring. The two will also relay best practices for gathering local stakeholder support — an often-overlooked component of starting any cannabis venture.

Another panel will go deep into the state’s anticipated licensing options, including the advantages and limitations of each. It will feature Nick Agrippino, the leader of Bowers & Company’s Cannabis and Hemp Niche; Jason Minard, general counsel at Hempire State Growers; and Kristin Jordan, the founder and CEO of Park Jordan, a commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm serving the cannabis industry.

StaffBuffalo’s Maggie Shea and Lauren Lewis will join Nikki Kateman of the Local 338 labor union for a conversation about how to find the best candidates to help bring your cannabis business to life.

Over 400 people attended our first New York Cannabis Insider gathering in May. This time around we’ve added all-new topics and built in more time for networking.

The conference is sponsored by Eaze.com, a leading cannabis software platform and marketplace. Supporting sponsors include Bowers & Company, StaffBuffalo, Park Strategies, Canna Advisors and the New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association.

Confirmed speakers include:

Nick Agrippino, Leader of Bowers & Company’s Cannabis and Hemp Niche and representative of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association.

Kristin Jordan, Founder and CEO of Park Jordan, a commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services firm serving the cannabis industry.

Nikki Kateman, Political & Communications Director for Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW.

Jason Minard, General Counsel at Hempire State Growers.

Joe Rossi, Managing Director of Park Strategies.

Maggie Shea and Lauren Lewis, Partners with StaffBuffalo, a certified women-owned, full-service staffing firm.

Sumer Thomas, Senior Project Manager with Canna Advisors.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City of Albany.

Mayor Svante Myrick, City of Ithaca.

Mayor RuthAnn Loveless, Village of Hamilton.

Click here to purchase tickets.

NY Cannabis Insider is a subscriber-based online trade journal and events group produced by Advance Media New York, which also publishes Syracuse.com, NYUp.com and other affiliated papers.”