The second annual State of Cannabis conference will once again be held in Long Beach next week, where industry and government officials will come together to discuss the ins and outs of an evolving marijuana market.
Taking place aboard the Queen Mary, the two-day event will once again be a place where businesses can make deals and legislators at all levels of the government can create more intelligent and progressive policies—at least that’s what the conference’s creator Susan Soares is hoping for.
“It’s time to create smart laws that people will actually follow,” said Soares, a once Orange County Republican soccer mom in the Mormon church who was anti-drugs until an injury turned her to cannabis.
Ditching pharmaceutical pills for cannabis has put Soares, who lives in Long Beach, on a path to reduce the stigma surrounding the plant’s use and produce real and effective conversations surrounding business, politics and health.
Upcoming State of Cannabis Conference Aims to Educate Industry Insiders, Create Network
One of the ways Soares tries to do this is by bringing in key decision makers and industry leaders to the conference.
This year, Mayor Robert Garcia is scheduled to welcome attendees Tuesday morning, followed by a keynote address by State Sen. Ricardo Lara, who represents portions of Long Beach.
Attendees will hear from Cat Packer, executive director of the Department of Cannabis Regulation for the city of Los Angeles. Packer will moderate a panel on retail and distribution that will include Adam Hijazi, founder of two Long Beach dispensaries and board member of the Long Beach Collective Association.
Hijazi will also be offering VIP guests free shuttle stops to and from his dispensaries every hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days of the conference.
Medical researchers and advocates will also be on hand to discuss research efforts, including UC San Diego Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research Co-Director Dr. Thomas Marcotte and UC Irvine Institute for the Study of Cannabis Director Dr. Daniele Piomelli.
California pot products see high safety testing failure rate
“I think the thing everyone will leave with is an understanding that if we cooperate with each other—in the cannabis industry—we can create policy that makes sense for everyone and we can all stop the process of ‘building the plane while it’s flying’,” Soares said.
While medical marijuana has been legal in California since the 1990s, recreational use has only been allowed in the state since Jan. 1. Long Beach officials agreed to allow sales just this summer.
Cannabis cultivators and retailers have had to play catch-up with multiple laws that have rolled out since then. These laws govern how cannabis flowers and edibles are tested, packaged and sold.
On top of dealing with multiple state, and in some cases, local laws, dispensaries also have to compete with the black market where prices are comparatively lower and not tested for harmful chemicals and other substances.
Then there’s the fact that while over half of the states in the country allow the use of marijuana in some form, it is still considered illegal under federal law.
Still, Soares sees potential in this new industry and for Long Beach to see an increase in dollars through tourism, whether it’s just visiting dispensaries or eating cannabis-infused meals, which is rising in popularity.
“It could be bigger, one day, than coffee. I really believe that,” Soares said.
The State of Cannabis will take place aboard the Queen Mary, at 1126 Queens Highway, on Tuesday, Sept. 25 and Wednesday, Sept. 26. General admission is $200 each day or $350 for both days. Use the speaker discount code Adam20 for 20 percent off. To see the full agenda click here. To purchase tickets click here.