Cannabis Capital Conference 2026
Cannabis Capital Conference 2026
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    2025
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June 14-16th, 2026
Marriott Magnificent Mile - Chicago, IL

IgniteIt CANNABIS CAPITAL CONFERENCE ‘26

The Leading Cannabis Investment &
Branding Conference In North America

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Click here to apply for scholarship if you are minor or women owned business

DISCOVER . CONNECT . WIN

WHERE DEALS GET DONE

Join the Leading Decision-Makers in Cannabis This June in Chicago!

Be part of the conversation from June 8 to June 10 as we wrap up what could be one of the most pivotal six-month periods for cannabis entrepreneurs in recent memory.

Benzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference   is the ultimate destination to raise capital, close deals, and find the perfect partners to take your business to the next level. With over 120 thought leaders—including industry giants like George Archos (Verano), Charlie Bachtell (Cresco Labs), Boris Jordan (Curaleaf), Tim Seymour (CNBC/Seymour Asset Management), and many more—this is your opportunity to network with the best in the business.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today!

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2025 Speakers

Dr. Chanda Macias
Dr. Chanda Macias
CEO, National Holistic Healthcare & CEO and Chairwoman of the Board of Managers
Women Grow
Laura Bianchi
Laura Bianchi
Co-Founding Partner
Bianchi & Brandt
Michael Sassano
Michael Sassano
Founder and Interim CEO
Somai Pharmaceuticals
Irina Dashevsky
Irina Dashevsky
Partner & Co-Chair of the Cannabis Law Group
Greenspoon Marder LLP
Seth Yakatan
Seth Yakatan
Co-Founder
Katan Associates
Ankur Rungta
Ankur Rungta
Co-Founder & CEO
C3 Industries
Angela Pih
Angela Pih
Founder
Point Brand
Will Bowden
Will Bowden
Founder & CEO
Grasshopper Farms
Joseph Lustberg
Joseph Lustberg
CEO
Upwise Capital
Jade Green
Jade Green
President
Next Titan Capital
Shareef El-Sissi
Shareef El-Sissi
Founder
Terpene Belt
Tiffany Richardson
Tiffany Richardson
Partner (National Cannabis Industry Lead)
Crowe
Jon Lowen
Jon Lowen
Co-CEO and Co-Founder
Surfside
Scott Moskol
Scott Moskol
Partner & Co-Chair, Cannabis Practice
Blank Rome
Tim Seymour
Tim Seymour
Founder & CIO
Seymour Asset Management
Christelle Gedeon
Christelle Gedeon
Chief Legal Officer
Canopy Growth
Harrison Bard
Harrison Bard
Co-Founder
Custom Cones USA
Kyle Cooke
Kyle Cooke
Founder of Loverboy & Flowerboy
Flowerboy
Micah Anderson
Micah Anderson
CEO
LEEF Brands
Ali Jubelirer
Ali Jubelirer
Of Counsel, Cannabis Practice Group
Benesch Law
Matt Hutchinson
Matt Hutchinson
Chief Commercial Officer
LeafLink
Dan Neville
Dan Neville
Partner, Chief Executive Officer
Advanced Flower Capital
Katie VanderVeen
Katie VanderVeen
Member
DickinsonWright
Dr. Constantin von der Groeben
Dr. Constantin von der Groeben
Co-Founder and Managing Director
DEMECAN
Jamie Pearson
Jamie Pearson
President
New Holland Group
Scot Crow
Scot Crow
Member & Co-Division Director - Transactions
Dickinson Wright
Emily Fisher
Emily Fisher
Founder & CEO
Leafwell
Patrick Lane
Patrick Lane
Executive Vice President
Benzinga
Jerald O'Kennard
Jerald O'Kennard
President
Beverage Testing Institute
James McKee
James McKee
Partner
Foley & Lardner LLP
Charlie Alovisetti Charlie Alovisetti
Charlie Alovisetti Charlie Alovisetti
Partner, Co-Chair of Corporate Department
Vicente LLP
Sasha Kalcheff-Korn
Sasha Kalcheff-Korn
Executive Director
Realm of Caring
Jon Levine
Jon Levine
Chief Executive Officer and President
MariMed
Craig Small
Craig Small
Vice Chair | Cannabis Industry Group
Clark Hill Law
Julie Valdes
Julie Valdes
Managing Associate
Thompson Hine
Paul Weaver
Paul Weaver
Director, Head of Cannabis - The Boston Beer Company
TeaPot
Beena Goldenberg
Beena Goldenberg
Chief Executive Officer
Organigram Global
Brett Schuman
Brett Schuman
Partner, Co-Chair - Cannabis Industry Practice
Goodwin Procter LLP
Gary Santo
Gary Santo
CEO
Rx Green Technologies
Laurie Parfitt
Laurie Parfitt
Founder & CEO
LKP Impact Consulting
Bo Harmon
Bo Harmon
Director
Frazier & Deeter
Jason Piazza
Jason Piazza
Director of Real Estate
WeCann
Anthony Coniglio
Anthony Coniglio
CEO
NewLake Capital Partners
Dominique White
Dominique White
Director of People and Operations
Ivy Hall
Steve Bastasini
Steve Bastasini
CEO
Kanavos, Inc.
Samantha Gleit
Samantha Gleit
Partner
Feuerstein Kulick LLP
Jim Higdon
Jim Higdon
Co-Founder and CCO, Cornbread Hemp; VP of Outreach, US Hemp Roundtable
Cornbread Hemp
Charlie Bachtell
Charlie Bachtell
CEO & Co-Founder
Cresco Labs
Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez
Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez
Founder/CEO
The Other Side Dispensary
Matt Hawkins
Matt Hawkins
Founder and Managing Partner
Entourage Effect Capital
Sandra Bergman
Sandra Bergman
Founder & CEO
ESBE Marketing
Nadav Eyal
Nadav Eyal
CEO and Co-Founder
Eybna
Jason Paredes
Jason Paredes
Director and Architect of Hearst’s Cann Studio
Cann Studio
Noah Sanborn Friedman
Noah Sanborn Friedman
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Top Shelf Ventures
Marianne Cursetjee
Marianne Cursetjee
Co-Founder / CEO
Alibi
Curtis Winar
Curtis Winar
Consulting and Tax Parter
MGO
Bryan Gerber
Bryan Gerber
Co-Founder & CEO
HARA Supply
Kim Sanchez Rael
Kim Sanchez Rael
CEO & Cofounder
Azuca
Jim Sanfilippo
Jim Sanfilippo
CEO
VIST Labs
Michael Piermont
Michael Piermont
Chief Commercial Officer, Founder of Cheetah Company
iAnthus
Jeanne Sullivan
Jeanne Sullivan
Chief Investment Officer
Arcview Ventures
Nicholas Sosiak, CPA
Nicholas Sosiak, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Cannara Biotech
Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa
Founder
93 Boyz
Zoe Wilder
Zoe Wilder
Founder
Zoe Wilder Public Relations
Oliver Renick
Oliver Renick
Founder, CEO
Narrative Capital LLC
Tahira Rehmatullah
Tahira Rehmatullah
Partner
Highlands Venture Partners
Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart
Founder & CEO
Green Check Verified
Aaron Grey
Aaron Grey
Managing Director, Equity Research Consumer & Cannabis
Alliance Global Partners
AnnaRae Grabstein
AnnaRae Grabstein
Founder & CEO
Wolf Meyer
Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Chief Investment Officer
Verano
Adam Carlson
Adam Carlson
Senior Managing Director, Investment Banking
Alliance Global Partners
Devin Alexander
Devin Alexander
CEO and Co-Founder
Rolling Releaf
George Archos
George Archos
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Verano
Lauren Carpenter
Lauren Carpenter
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Embarc
Ryan Hedrick
Ryan Hedrick
Chief Cannabis Officer
Legacy Cannabis
Kristi Palmer
Kristi Palmer
Co-Founder and President
Kiva Confections
Jesse Redmond
Jesse Redmond
Head of IR & BD
LEEF Brands
Jessica Velazquez
Jessica Velazquez
Principal and Cannabis Practice Leader
BeachFleischman
Scott Vasterling
Scott Vasterling
Founder
Humboldt Family Farms
Javier Hasse
Javier Hasse
Strategic Advisor
Benzinga
Scott Greiper
Scott Greiper
Founder & President
Viridian Capital Advisors
Tony Schor
Tony Schor
President, Investor Awareness Inc & Chairman
Cannabis Hall of Fame
Sheri Tarr
Sheri Tarr
Founder and Chief Advisor
68 Partners
David Belsky
David Belsky
CEO / Founder
FlowerHire
Lisa Battista
Lisa Battista
Partner
The Flavor Company
Ricardo Baca
Ricardo Baca
Founder & CEO
Grasslands
Lou Magazzu
Lou Magazzu
Managing Member
Law Offices of Louis N. Magazzu
Tiffany Woodman
Tiffany Woodman
CEO/Founder
Canna Bella Lux
Rocco Del Priore
Rocco Del Priore
Co-Founder
Sweed
Stella Morrison
Stella Morrison
Founder and Content Strategist
CannaContent
Brendan McKee
Brendan McKee
Co-Founder & COO
Silver Therapeutics
Melissa Vonder Haar
Melissa Vonder Haar
Managing Director
TradeWorks
Nick Kenny
Nick Kenny
Founder
KBS Strategic Advisory
Nick Kovacevich
Nick Kovacevich
Corporate Relations Director
CCELL
Cameron Clarke
Cameron Clarke
Co-Founder & CEO, Sunderstorm
KANHA
Kyle Castanon
Kyle Castanon
Cultivation Specialist
Elevated Equipment Supply
Rachel Wright, CPA
Rachel Wright, CPA
CEO of VERDANT Strategies and 420 CPA
VERDANT Strategies
John Dugas
John Dugas
Founder & CEO
Superior Molecular
Chris Ostrowski
Chris Ostrowski
Chief Technology Officer
Dutchie
Kelly Heinichen
Kelly Heinichen
VP of Retail & Planning
iAnthus
Evan Eneman
Evan Eneman
Co-Founder & CEO
Iconic Tonics
Leah Heise
Leah Heise
Partner
Wolf Meyer
Deepak Anand
Deepak Anand
President
ASDA Consultancy Services
Jack Mascone
Jack Mascone
Head of Capital Markets
Seaport Global Securities
Sara Stewart
Sara Stewart
Founding Advisor
Daisy Labs
Matthew Garzia
Matthew Garzia
COO
MFNY
Zachary George
Zachary George
CEO
SNDL
Richie Proud
Richie Proud
CEO
iAnthus
Adam Stettner
Adam Stettner
Ceo
FundCanna
Dan Ahrens
Dan Ahrens
Managing Director & CIO
AdvisorShares
Kyle Kazan
Kyle Kazan
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO
Glass House Brands
Cy Scott
Cy Scott
Co-Founder & CEO
Headset
Brett Finkelstein
Brett Finkelstein
Managing Director
Skyvest Partners
Chris Murray
Chris Murray
Founder
FoxNRTH
Mark Collins
Mark Collins
Founder
Highly Capitalized Network
Terry Mendez
Terry Mendez
CEO
Safe Harbor Financial
Jeff Guillot
Jeff Guillot
Partner, Cannabis Practice
Mad Global Strategy
Jack Grover
Jack Grover
Founder & CEO
Grove Bags powered by TerpLoc
Bill Levers
Bill Levers
Co-Founder
Beard Bros. Pharms
Jeff Levers
Jeff Levers
Co-Founder
Beard Bros. Pharms
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October 8th Agenda
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION + NETWORKING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9:20 AM - 9:25 AM
Opening Remarks
 
 
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
 
 
 
 
9:25 AM - 9:45 AM
Profit by the Pallet: How You Can Build a Smarter, Leaner Cannabis Supply Chain With the Right Data Tools

In a market where margins are shrinking and inefficiencies are costly, data isn’t just a tool — it’s a profit center. This panel explores how cannabis operators are using real-time supply chain insights to reduce waste, optimize inventory, and increase throughput at every stage from production to retail. Learn how to turn operational blind spots into bottom-line gains with the right data strategy.

 
Profit by the Pallet: How You Can Build a Smarter, Leaner Cannabis Supply Chain With the Right Data Tools
 
 
 
 
 
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Tech Stack, Trimmed: How You Can Optimize E-Commerce Costs Without Sacrificing Customer Experience

With rising acquisition costs and shrinking margins, success in California cannabis e-commerce is no longer about having more tools — it’s about using them smarter. This panel explores how California operators can optimize their existing tech stack to deliver a seamless, engaging customer experience.

 
Tech Stack, Trimmed: How You Can Optimize E-Commerce Costs Without Sacrificing Customer Experience
 
 
 
 
 
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
The New Math: Adjusting Your Pricing, Strategy & Spend in a 19% World

With California’s cannabis excise tax rising to 19% on July 1, operators are facing tough decisions—this panel breaks down how to recalibrate pricing, streamline operations, and protect your margins in a tighter-than-ever market.

 
The New Math: Adjusting Your Pricing, Strategy & Spend in a 19% World
The New Math: Adjusting Your Pricing, Strategy & Spend in a 19% World
The New Math: Adjusting Your Pricing, Strategy & Spend in a 19% World
 
 
 
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM
Exclusive Fireside Discussion: Department of California Cannabis Control
 
 
Exclusive Fireside Discussion: Department of California Cannabis Control
Exclusive Fireside Discussion: Department of California Cannabis Control
 
 
 
 
11:05 AM - 11:35 AM
Quiet Momentum: Can Standouts Reignite Investor Confidence in California?

California’s cannabis market isn’t roaring—but it’s not dead either. As a few operators show real traction, this panel asks whether quiet momentum is enough to bring investors back, and what it takes to turn isolated success into renewed confidence.

 
Quiet Momentum: Can Standouts Reignite Investor Confidence in California?
Quiet Momentum: Can Standouts Reignite Investor Confidence in California?
Quiet Momentum: Can Standouts Reignite Investor Confidence in California?
Quiet Momentum: Can Standouts Reignite Investor Confidence in California?
 
 
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM
Rooted and Rising: How You Can Expand Beyond California While Thriving at Home

California brands are breaking into new markets — but growth beyond state lines brings the challenge of staying true to your West Coast roots. This discussion explores how you can scale nationally without losing the authenticity that built your brand, while also navigating the realities of your home market’s evolving economics.

 
Rooted and Rising: How You Can Expand Beyond California While Thriving at Home
Rooted and Rising: How You Can Expand Beyond California While Thriving at Home
Rooted and Rising: How You Can Expand Beyond California While Thriving at Home
 
 
 
12:05 PM - 12:50 PM
Lunch
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12:50 PM - 1:00 PM
Support Butch's Healing Journey
 
 
Support Butch's Healing Journey
 
 
 
 
 
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Exclusive Fireside Discussion with Fiona Ma
 
 
Exclusive Fireside Discussion with Fiona Ma
 
 
 
 
 
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
The Strategic Reset: How You Can Understand Market Shifts Through the Lens of Receiverships and Asset Realignment

Receiverships are reshaping the California cannabis landscape — but the real story is what comes next. This panel breaks down what operators, investors, and partners can expect as assets change hands, licenses move, and distressed businesses reset. Learn how these outcomes are influencing real estate, pricing, capital access, and the competitive map statewide.

 
The Strategic Reset: How You Can Understand Market Shifts Through the Lens of Receiverships and Asset Realignment
The Strategic Reset: How You Can Understand Market Shifts Through the Lens of Receiverships and Asset Realignment
The Strategic Reset: How You Can Understand Market Shifts Through the Lens of Receiverships and Asset Realignment
The Strategic Reset: How You Can Understand Market Shifts Through the Lens of Receiverships and Asset Realignment
 
 
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Compliance Theater? Rethinking Track-and-Trace in a "Complicated" System

Seed-to-sale tracking was built to ensure accountability—but as the industry scales, many are asking tough questions: Where are the blind spots? Are regulators using the data? And is the system evolving fast enough to keep up with reality on the ground?

 
Compliance Theater? Rethinking Track-and-Trace in a "Complicated" System
 
 
 
 
 
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Beyond the Drop: How You Can Unlock Growth Through Strategic Distribution in a Changing California Market

California’s distribution landscape is evolving — and understanding those changes is critical to unlocking growth. This panel offers a candid look behind the curtain at how distributors are adapting, where value is being created, and how your brand or retail operation can align for maximum impact. From shelf placement and market coverage to marketing budgets and fulfillment strategy, learn how the most effective partnerships are formed, what distributors are really looking for, and how you can position yourself to thrive alongside them.

 
Beyond the Drop: How You Can Unlock Growth Through Strategic Distribution in a Changing California Market
Beyond the Drop: How You Can Unlock Growth Through Strategic Distribution in a Changing California Market
 
 
 
 
3:00 PM - 3:40 PM
Efficiency Equals Survival: How You Can Increase Yield and Stay Lean in a Compressed Cannabis Economy

In California, efficiency is survival. Join leading cultivators as they explore how to boost yield, streamline operations, and build a compliant, cost-effective workforce to stay competitive in a high-pressure market.

 
Efficiency Equals Survival: How You Can Increase Yield and Stay Lean in a Compressed Cannabis Economy
 
 
Efficiency Equals Survival: How You Can Increase Yield and Stay Lean in a Compressed Cannabis Economy
 
 
3:40 PM - 4:10 PM
Selling Your Product Without Selling Your Soul: Authenticity, Culture & Profit in Cannabis

In a market where consumer trust is everything, culture matters. This panel features creators and founders who’ve built brands rooted in authenticity—without compromising values. From viral storytelling to grassroots loyalty, they’ll break down how staying true to your voice can drive real revenue.

 
Selling Your Product Without Selling Your Soul: Authenticity, Culture & Profit in Cannabis
Selling Your Product Without Selling Your Soul: Authenticity, Culture & Profit in Cannabis
Selling Your Product Without Selling Your Soul: Authenticity, Culture & Profit in Cannabis
 
 
 
4:10 PM - 4:40 PM
Customer at the Core: How You Can Build Consumer-Led Cannabis Brands in a System Built for Everyone Else

In this panel, key service providers share how the most successful operators are staying consumer-focused while navigating inefficiencies, compliance hurdles, and pricing pressure. Learn how to apply proven strategies across the supply chain that keep the end customer in mind without sacrificing business performance.

 
Customer at the Core: How You Can Build Consumer-Led Cannabis Brands in a System Built for Everyone Else
 
 
 
 
 
4:40 PM - 5:00 PM
Origins Council: A Community Driven Study
 
 
Origins Council: A Community Driven Study
 
 
 
 
 
5:00 PM - 5:05 PM
Closing Remarks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PLATINUM Sponsors
Alliance Global Partners
Gold Sponsors
Arcview Ventures
Atach
Beard Bros Pharms
Beverage Testing Institute
Bipocann
Blunt Brunch
Budsfeeds
Canna Bella Lux
Cannabis Business Solutions
Cannabis Collective
Cannabis Distribution Solution
Cannabis Marketplace
Cannabis Now
Cannabis Tech Today
Cannabiz Media
Canna MGT
Cann Intelligence
Cash Color Cannabis
CashOM
CB1 Capital
Empow Her
Fat Nugs Magazine
First Citizens Bank
Forty Tons
Freedom Grow Org
GLG
HARA Supply
HYDE
IWC
Jews In Ween
KAI
Kentucky Norml
Latinas in Cannabis
Leaf Wire
Mass CBA
MCBA
Mission Green
MITA
MjBizCon
MocannTrade
National cannabis Industry Assocation
NC3
Next Titan Capital
Nine Studio
Nomad
Oniracom
Poseidon
Realm Of Caring
Seed Talent
Smoke Show
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SILVER SPONSORS
Crowe
Dickinson Wright
dutchie
Grow Generation
MariMed Inc
Sweed
Bronze SPONSORS
Advance Flower Captial
Associated
Cheech & Chongs
GOODWIN
MAGAZZU LAW FIRM
PHARMACNN
POLN8
Sponsors & Participating Companies
68 Partners
93 Boys
Adaptaporia
Advisor Shares
Ajna Bio Sciences
Alibi
Alpharoot
Alta
Altmore Capital
Andira Pharmaceuticals
Apex Trading
Arteams Growth Partners
Asda Colsultancy Services
AWH
AZUCA
BANZINGA
Beach Fleischman
Benesch
BiC
BlanchiBrandt
BLANKROME
Blazy Susan
Bloom
BRANDTRUST
Bud & Mary's
BUDR CANNABIS
C3INDUSTRIES
Cannabis HALL OF FAME
cannara
Cannazip
CANNIBIZ COLLECTS
Cann studio
canopy
CBIZ
CCELL
Charlotte's Web
Cheetas
Chicago Atlantic
CORNBREAD
Cresco Labs
CSE
Cure 8
Custom Cons USA
De Floria
Demecan
Dentons
eBottles
Edibles
edun
Elevated
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Trusted Partners
Arcview Ventures
Atach
Beard Bros Pharms
Beverage Testing Institute
Bipocann
Blunt Brunch
Budsfeeds
Canna Bella Lux
Cannabis Business Solutions
Cannabis Collective
Cannabis Distribution Solution
Cannabis Marketplace
Cannabis Now
Cannabis Tech Today
Cannabiz Media
Canna MGT
Cann Intelligence
Cash Color Cannabis
CashOM
CB1 Capital
Empow Her
Fat Nugs Magazine
Forty Tons
Freedom Grow Org
GLG
HYDE
IWC
Jews In Ween
KAI
Kentucky Norml
Latinas in Cannabis
Leaf Wire
Mass CBA
MCBA
Mission Green
MITA
MjBizCon
MocannTrade
National cannabis Industry Assocation
NC3
Next Titan Capital
Nine Studio
Nomad
Oniracom
Poseidon
Realm Of Caring
Seed Talent
Smoke Show
The Cannabis Chember of Commerce
The Girls

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The World's Leading

Cannabis Dealmaking Conference

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Marriott Magnificent Mile
Chicago, IL, USA
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June 8-10th, 2025
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June 14-16th, 2026
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