OCHBS - IX Center Cleveland, Ohio

Expert Advice for Home Growing in Ohio

CONSUMER EDUCATION TRACK

With Ohioans now legally permitted to grow cannabis at home, a new wave of hobbyists and caregivers are stepping into cultivation for the first time. But growing high-quality cannabis requires more than seeds and sunlight—it takes knowledge, planning, and care. This session brings together experienced cultivators and breeders to offer practical guidance for home growers looking to stay compliant, avoid common mistakes, and cultivate with confidence.

Attendees will learn:
- How to choose the right genetics, soil, lighting, and nutrients for home setups
- Tips for pest management, harvesting, curing, and storing your flower
- Common mistakes first-time growers make—and how to avoid them

Speakers:
Christine DeJesus, Director of Cultivation and GM, Galenas
Brian Bachnak, COO of Yield Science
Thomas Mikulski, Co-Founder, Tom & Berry

Patient Panel: Perspectives From Ohio’s Medical Program

CONSUMER EDUCATION TRACK

IAs Ohio’s adult-use market expands, medical cannabis patients remain a vital voice in the conversation. This panel features real patients from across the state who share their personal experiences navigating Ohio’s medical program—from access and affordability to product selection and care. With new laws reshaping availability and priorities, this discussion centers the patient perspective and highlights what the medical system still needs to deliver.

Attendees will learn:
- How patients are experiencing changes in product availability and pricing post-adult-use launch
- The role of dispensary staff, caregivers, and education in improving patient outcomes
- Where Ohio’s medical program succeeds—and where patients still feel underserved
- Why protecting and improving medical access matters, even in a recreational market
- Firsthand stories about how cannabis has impacted pain, quality of life, and daily care

Speakers:
Moderator: Erin Babcock, Founder, EEErinergy
Tiffany Wedekind, Cannabis Patient
Ashton Price, National Brand Ambassador, Black Buddha Cannabis

The Challenges and Opportunities for Today’s Hemp Beverages

GENERAL SESSIONS

Hemp-derived beverages—spanning CBD wellness drinks and low-dose THC seltzers—are rapidly entering mainstream retail channels, from convenience stores to restaurant menus. Ohio saw a 79% increase in hemp beverage sales year-over-year, signaling clear consumer appetite and distribution momentum. This session highlights what operators, distributors, and investors can learn from this acceleration—and how to scale effectively in a fragmented market.

Attendees will learn:
- Why hemp beverages are gaining shelf space and consumer mindshare in Ohio and beyond
- Which distribution models—retail, DTC, alcohol-adjacent channels—are succeeding in 2025
- What product attributes (flavor, onset, dosing) are resonating with today’s consumer
- How to position your brand for multi-state expansion amid competition
- What operational strategies drive scale, from supply chain logistics to brand-building
- What regulators and industry coalitions are doing to create unified lab protocols and rugged safety standards
- Practical steps hemp and cannabis companies can take now to align testing, labeling, and quality—and advocate for balanced policy

Speakers:
MODERATOR: Jim Ickes, Partner, Frantz Ward
Mike Hennesy, VP of Innovation, Wana Brands
Kenny Morrison, Founder & CEO, CQ Drinks
Diana Eberlein, Chief External Affairs Officer, Vertosa
David Vaillencourt, Founder and CEO, The GMP Collective

Legislative Panel: Legal Experts Share Their Insights + Perspectives

GENERAL SESSIONS

Ohio’s cannabis law was shaped by voters—but lawmakers have proposed major changes this year that could reshape the industry. From limiting THC potency and home grow rights to reallocating tax revenue and increasing penalties, the state’s first wave of post-legalization bills is stirring concern across the market. This panel brings together legal and policy experts to break down what’s happening at the Statehouse—and what operators need to prepare for next.

Attendees will learn:
- The current status of cannabis legislation in Ohio
- What proposed changes to THC limits and public consumption could mean for your business
- How tax policy, equity programs, and local opt-outs are evolving
- What voter protections under Issue 2 really cover—and where they may fall short
- How to stay compliant and influence the policy process through effective advocacy

Speakers:
MODERATOR: Hirsh Jain, Founder, Ananda Strategy
Chad Blackham, Associate Attorney, Mac Murray and Schuster
Tim Johnson, Founder, Cannabis Safety First
Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood), Ohio State Representative

Executive Takes On the Ohio Cannabis Industry

BUSINESS TRACK

What’s really happening at the highest levels of Ohio’s cannabis market? In this forward-looking conversation, executives from leading cannabis companies share their unfiltered perspectives on navigating growth, regulation, competition, and consumer demand in one of the country’s newest adult-use markets. From operational lessons to long-term vision, this panel pulls back the curtain on what it takes to lead in Ohio right now.

Attendees will learn:
- What growth strategies MSOs and independents are prioritizing in year one of adult-use
- How leaders are building teams, scaling operations, and balancing compliance with innovation
- What’s keeping execs up at night—and what’s exciting them about the Ohio market
- What the next 12–24 months could look like for brands, retailers, and investors in the state

Speakers:
Moderator: Jeane' Holley, CEO, Wholehearted Connections
Daniel Kessler, CEO, Riviera Creek
Zach Weprin, President, Certified Cultivators
Kristi Palmer, Co-Founder + President, Kiva Confections
Max Vansluys, President, Dialed In…Gummies

2025 Industry Update and Ohio Market Spotlight

BUSINESS TRACK

From national trends to local insights, this session dives into the numbers shaping cannabis in 2025. With Ohio’s adult-use market gaining momentum and new consumer patterns emerging, data experts will unpack what the latest sales, pricing, and product trends reveal about where the industry is headed—and where the biggest opportunities and risks lie.

Attendees will learn:
- How Ohio’s adult-use rollout compares to other states in their first year
- What the data says about consumer behavior, pricing pressure, and brand loyalty
- Top-performing product categories and what’s driving growth
- How macroeconomic forces plus state and federal reform debates are influencing investment and expansion
- What operators and investors should be watching as the Ohio market matures

Speakers:
Laurie Parfitt, Fractional CMO, Headset
Rick Bashkoff, CEO, Lit Alerts

What Are the Ancillary Business Opportunities in Today's Cannabis Market?

BUSINESS TRACK

Not every cannabis business touches the plant—and many of the most scalable, lower-risk opportunities exist in the ancillary space. From technology and packaging to HR, compliance, and professional services, this panel will explore where demand is growing and how non-plant-touching businesses are evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly competitive and regulated market.

Attendees will learn:
- Which ancillary sectors are thriving in 2025—and why
- How Ohio’s adult-use market is creating new demand for services, vendors, and infrastructure
- What plant-touching operators are really looking for in their partners
- How to position your business to serve the cannabis industry without needing a license
- Tips for navigating compliance, payment challenges, and market saturation as an ancillary provider

Speakers:
Jason Abate, National Sales Director, Community Choice Credit Union
Dustin Sterman, Founder, Vert Packaging
Shawna Vreeke, Director of Toxicology, True Terpenes

Cooking With Cannabis: Expert Chefs Share How to Elevate Cannabis Cuisine

CONSUMER EDUCATION SESSION

Cannabis cuisine is evolving far beyond brownies and gummies. In this flavorful session, expert chefs and culinary entrepreneurs will share how they’re blending culinary creativity with precise dosing, terpene profiles, and regulatory compliance to create elevated cannabis dining experiences. From infused pop-ups to product development, discover how cannabis and cuisine are coming together in 2025.

Attendees will learn:
- How chefs are infusing flavor, culture, and wellness into cannabis cuisine
- Best practices for accurate dosing, flavor balance, and guest education
- How to design infused events and products that meet both compliance and culinary standards
- Where the infused edibles and hospitality market is headed next

Speakers:
Stacy Primack, Owner/Chef, Elevated Fork
Kari Carter, Edibles Production Manager, Ascension BioMedical
Chad Fuller, Head Edibles Chef, Klutch Cannabis

Grower's Panel: Lessons From Experienced Commercial Cultivators

BUSINESS TRACK

In an industry where consistency, compliance, and quality are everything, cultivation success is both an art and a science. This panel brings together seasoned commercial growers to share what’s working in 2025—from genetics and automation to managing pests, labor, and shifting market demands. Hear straight from the source what it takes to thrive as a cultivator in today’s competitive cannabis landscape.

Attendees will learn:
- How top cultivators are adapting to changing consumer preferences and pricing pressure
- Best practices for improving yield, quality, and operational efficiency
- What role automation and data are playing in scaling successful grows
- How to balance compliance with innovation in facility design and SOPs
- Lessons learned from surviving tough harvests, supply gluts, and evolving regulations

Speakers:
David Barlow, Managing Partner, Ascension BioMedical
Mathieu Begni, Cultivation Manager, Standard Wellness
Tyler Thayer, Cultivation and Post-Harvest Manager, FarmaceuticalRx
Sam Brenkus, Head Grower, Riviera Creek

Brand-Building and Go-To-Market Strategies in Cannabis

BUSINESS TRACK

In a crowded and highly regulated marketplace, standing out takes more than just good product—it takes a brand with purpose, clarity, and a strategy for getting to shelf (and staying there). This panel brings together marketing leaders, brand founders, and retail experts to discuss how successful cannabis brands are built—and what it takes to break through in today’s fast-moving market.

Attendees will learn:
- How to craft a differentiated brand that connects with today’s cannabis consumer
- What go-to-market strategies are working in both new and mature markets
- How to navigate packaging, advertising, and compliance constraints
- Tips for building strong relationships with buyers, budtenders, and retail partners
- How to use data, storytelling, and community to drive brand loyalty and shelf velocity

Speakers:
Moderator: Lissa Satori, Curaleaf
Sheri Tarr, JD, Founder, ‘68 Partners
Stella Morrison, CannaContent
Tiana Arriaga, VP of Product + Marketing, Standard Wellness

Buyer's Panel: What Dispensaries Want From Today's Cannabis Brands

BUSINESS TRACK

Dispensary buyers are the gatekeepers to the shelf—and they’re more selective than ever. In this candid conversation, purchasing leads and category managers from top dispensaries share what they’re really looking for when choosing which brands to carry. From sell-through support to pricing strategy and product innovation, learn how to become a brand that gets noticed—and reordered.

Attendees will learn:
- What drives buyer decisions in 2025: from margins to consumer demand
- How brands can build trust and long-term partnerships with retail teams
- Common mistakes that keep products off the shelf (or get them dropped)
- What makes a product stand out in crowded categories like edibles, flower, or vapes
- How to support retailers with assets, education, and in-store strategies that move units

Speakers:
Nikki McKinney, Former Buyer, Verdant Creations
Alyx Patrick, Ohio Retail Buyer, Consume Cannabis
Eric Nevius, Retail Buyer (Central Region), Curaleaf
Michael Reed, Ohio Purchasing Manager, Ascend Cannabis
Jalen Davis, Chief Retail Officer, Manuvo of Ohio

Women at the Forefront: Driving Change in the Cannabis Space

GENERAL SESSION

Women are leading some of the most innovative, inclusive, and impactful work in cannabis today—from brand building and investment to policy, science, and social equity. Women now hold nearly 39% of executive roles in cannabis (a significant rebound from around 22% in 2021) fueling innovation, wellness, and diversity at the C‑suite level. This panel unpacks how women are reshaping the industry—from boardrooms to policy advocacy—and what still needs to evolve in 2025 for greater equity and impact.

Attendees will learn:
- How women are shaping product innovation, particularly in wellness, microdosing, and functional cannabis categories
- The unique challenges women face in accessing capital—and how some are building alternative funding paths
- Real-world examples of how women are building successful companies with limited resources
- How to create mentorship pipelines and leadership development programs within cannabis businesses

Speakers:
Stephanie Pow, Founder and Head of Global Recruitment, Emerald Lane Recruitment
Amy Larson, Senior VP of Sales + Marketing, Rx Technologies
Leslie Brandon, Director of Communications + Marketing, Buckeye Relief
Samantha Villegas, Partnership Specialist, MJBizCon

Opportunities and Challenges in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

WORKSHOP

As the conversation around psychedelic-assisted therapy matures, so does the need for deeper dialogue. In our third year exploring this evolving space, we move beyond the basics to examine how early programs are performing, where the biggest gaps remain, and what it will take to build long-term integrity into both the clinical model and consumer experience. With real-world data emerging from Oregon, Colorado, and beyond, this session brings together returning experts and new voices to assess progress and chart next steps.

Attendees will learn:
- What we’ve learned from early adoption in legal states—successes, stumbles, and lessons
- How clinical protocols are evolving with practitioner experience and patient feedback
- Key ethical questions around access, equity, and commercialization as the industry grows
- What both patients and professionals should be thinking about as psychedelic care scales

Budtender Panel: Insights From Behind the Counter

BUSINESS TRACK

Budtenders are more than salespeople—they’re educators, product guides, and the direct link between brands and consumers. In this panel, seasoned budtenders share what they’re seeing on the floor every day: what customers want, what they don’t understand, and how product knowledge, trust, and authenticity drive real-world sales. While buyers decide what makes it to the shelf, budtenders decide what moves off it.

Attendees will learn:
- The most common consumer questions, hesitations, and misconceptions in 2025
- What makes a brand or product easy—or hard—for budtenders to recommend
- How in-store education and training truly impacts sell-through
- Why consistency, support, and relationships matter more than flashy marketing
- Firsthand insights on shifting trends, from edibles and drinks to low-dose and wellness

Speakers:
TBD