Full Name
Adrian Adams, Ed.D.
Job Title
CEO
Company
Northeast Extracts
Speaker Bio
Dr. Adrian Adams is the CEO of Ontogen Botanicals, a Hemp CBD brand specifically for physicians and their patients. He is also the New York State Director for the non-profit Minorities for Medical Marijuana as well a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for Regulation. Dr. Adams is also a consultant for companies looking to expand their operations nationwide.
Dr. Adams is a founding member of a roundtable consortium featuring several national advocacy groups making recommendations to NYS Office of Cannabis Management regarding proposed cannabis regulations.
Dr. Adams is a founding member of a roundtable consortium featuring several national advocacy groups making recommendations to NYS Office of Cannabis Management regarding proposed cannabis regulations.
Full Name
Tosin Ajayi
Job Title
Founder of NYU Cannapolicy
Company
Holistic Remedies LLC / NYU Cannapolicy
Speaker Bio
Tosin Ajayi is a dedicated cannabis advocate, entrepreneur, founder, and non-profit leader. In 2018, she established the CBD company, Holistic Remedies LLC, to promote cannabis wellness in her community. In 2020, she founded NYU CannaPolicy, a graduate student group committed to advancing responsible cannabis legalization through education and advocacy. Currently, she also serves as Director of Social Equity and Advisory Chair to NY Small Farma, a cannabis justice-focused 501 (c)(3) organization and is working on attaining a cannabis cultivator license in New Jersey.
In her day job, Tosin works as Associate Director of Development, where she raises funds for lifesaving cancer care, education, and research. She takes pride in being a conduit for philanthropy, social impact, and advocacy, representing those most in need. Tosin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU Wagner.
In her day job, Tosin works as Associate Director of Development, where she raises funds for lifesaving cancer care, education, and research. She takes pride in being a conduit for philanthropy, social impact, and advocacy, representing those most in need. Tosin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU Wagner.
Full Name
Lisa M. Casa
Job Title
Associate
Company
Forchelli Deegan Terrana Law
Speaker Bio
Lisa M. Casa is an associate in the Employment and Labor practice group. She concentrates her practice in the areas of employment and labor law, sexual harassment and discrimination law, overtime and failure to pay wages law, union/management issues, and litigation.
Her articles, "The Cost of Silence: Sexual Harassment Claims in the #MeToo Era," "Ban the Box: An Equal Playing Field but More Regulations for Employers," and "EEOC v. McDonald's: Reasonable Accommodations under ADA for Job Applicants," were published in the Nassau Lawyer. Her article, "New York Family Leave is Here - What Employers Need to Know," was published in The Suffolk Lawyer and most recently, her article, "Are Agents, Brokers and Salespersons Independent Contractors?" was published in the New York Real Estate Journal.
Previously, Ms. Casa was an associate at a commercial litigation law firm located on Long Island and a boutique matrimonial law firm. Prior to working at those firms, Ms. Casa served as a law clerk to the Hon. David J. Issenman, Superior Court of New Jersey. As a law student, Ms. Casa interned for Hon. Esther Salads, United States Magistrate Judge, and with the United States' Postal Service Employment law Division.
Her articles, "The Cost of Silence: Sexual Harassment Claims in the #MeToo Era," "Ban the Box: An Equal Playing Field but More Regulations for Employers," and "EEOC v. McDonald's: Reasonable Accommodations under ADA for Job Applicants," were published in the Nassau Lawyer. Her article, "New York Family Leave is Here - What Employers Need to Know," was published in The Suffolk Lawyer and most recently, her article, "Are Agents, Brokers and Salespersons Independent Contractors?" was published in the New York Real Estate Journal.
Previously, Ms. Casa was an associate at a commercial litigation law firm located on Long Island and a boutique matrimonial law firm. Prior to working at those firms, Ms. Casa served as a law clerk to the Hon. David J. Issenman, Superior Court of New Jersey. As a law student, Ms. Casa interned for Hon. Esther Salads, United States Magistrate Judge, and with the United States' Postal Service Employment law Division.
Full Name
Terrence Coffie
Job Title
Adjunct Lecturer / Founder
Company
New York University / Social Justice Network
Speaker Bio
Terrence Coffie is a 2017 graduate of New York University’s Silver School of Social-Work, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the field of social-work, with a focus in criminal justice reform. As an advocate, activist and educator, Terrence has committed himself to creating social and political change within the criminal justice system. Terrence is employed as an Adjunct Professor at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, where he teaches Forensic Justice in Problem Solving Courts and Diversity, Race Oppression and Privilege. He is the Founder and CEO of the Social Justice Network , a grassroots organization that raises awareness surrounding criminal and juvenile justice reform. He hosts his weekly talk show It’s Coffee Time on Spotify. During his tenure at NYU, Mr. Coffie interned at the prestigious McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. He was named the 2017 NASW-NYC Alex Rosen Student of The Year, the 2017 Excellence in Leadership Award Recipient. and NYU’s 2016 President’s Service Award Recipient & Excellence in Leadership Award Recipient for his development of the College Pathways Program, which assists young men of color in obtaining educational opportunities. In 2017 he made his debut as a contributing author in Race, Education and Reintegrating the Formerly Incarcerated Citizen (Lexington Books). He has been published in USA Today and Forbes Magazine regarding reform on behalf of the justice impacted. Terrance has gained national recognition for his commitment to criminal justice reform. Terrence brings a very insightful, distinctive and unique perspective surrounding these issues, specifically in the area of reentry. Terrence believes that “those who are closer to the problem, are also those who are closest to the solution” in creating a more fair and equitable system of justice.
Full Name
Colin Decker
Job Title
Owner / Founder & Principal Consultant
Company
7 SEAZ / Sensei Growth Consulting
Speaker Bio
Colin Decker is a native of New York and the Owner & Founder of New York’s Oldest Cannabis Consulting Agency “Sensei Growth Consulting” a fully vertical agency servicing all sectors of the Industry.
He is a career Cannabis Cultivator, former legacy market operator and Industry Veteran with over 16 years cultivating the plant commercially. Outside of working with todays industry leading companies, Colin has continued his advocacy for the Cannabis plant through writing on the subject and public speaking.
He is a career Cannabis Cultivator, former legacy market operator and Industry Veteran with over 16 years cultivating the plant commercially. Outside of working with todays industry leading companies, Colin has continued his advocacy for the Cannabis plant through writing on the subject and public speaking.
Full Name
Leah Digiacobbe
Job Title
Lead Technical Director
Company
Talon Analytical
Speaker Bio
Leah Digiacobbe is an analytical chemist experienced in the production and testing of medical cannabis products. With 3 years working as formulation chemist performing extraction, distillation, formulation, packaging, and testing of a wide range of cannabis products. Experience in support research and development of new cannabis-based products, including the development of testing methods and scale-up technology transfer.
Full Name
Michelle Fields, Esq.
Job Title
Attorney
Company
The Mary Jane Consulting Group
Speaker Bio
Michelle Fields is a practicing Attorney in New York State with litigation experience (Criminal, Business Immigration, and Contract Law) and now a Cannabis Attorney/Legal Writer /Advisor in Regulatory/Compliance S.E.E.D-Sustainability and Educational Development, and Global Business Development/Licensing.
She serves as Special Advisor/Consultant to The Mary Jane Consulting Group and as a Board Member of the New York Cannabis Industry Association for NYC/Hudson Valley. She is the Legal Cannabis Writer for the Caribbean Newspaper, Whereitzat Magazine, and the co-author of several published Cannabis white papers by the New York Cannabis Industry Association.
The Queens Meet Up Group creator, Cannabis Conversations, and Culture (The Business of Cannabis). A proud Trial Attorney and Change Agent, she is committed to Social Justice Reform, Global Social Equity, Inclusion, and Equality.
Her commitment to global activism and empowerment has led her to establish the first school library in Trelawney, Jamaica, where she facilitated the donation of thousands of schoolbooks. She has volunteered and donated to Kliptown Community Center in Soweto and the Ethembeni Children’s Home (0-3 years old affected by HIV/AIDS) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
She serves as Special Advisor/Consultant to The Mary Jane Consulting Group and as a Board Member of the New York Cannabis Industry Association for NYC/Hudson Valley. She is the Legal Cannabis Writer for the Caribbean Newspaper, Whereitzat Magazine, and the co-author of several published Cannabis white papers by the New York Cannabis Industry Association.
The Queens Meet Up Group creator, Cannabis Conversations, and Culture (The Business of Cannabis). A proud Trial Attorney and Change Agent, she is committed to Social Justice Reform, Global Social Equity, Inclusion, and Equality.
Her commitment to global activism and empowerment has led her to establish the first school library in Trelawney, Jamaica, where she facilitated the donation of thousands of schoolbooks. She has volunteered and donated to Kliptown Community Center in Soweto and the Ethembeni Children’s Home (0-3 years old affected by HIV/AIDS) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Full Name
Anne Forkutza
Job Title
Head of Strategic Growth
Company
Dutchie
Speaker Bio
Anne Forkutza started her career in customer experience and digital strategy at the age of 18, delivering award-winning campaigns for big brands such as Starbucks, Electronic Arts, and Nike. After years of working in digital strategy, Anne pivoted to the world of cannabis retail and has worked with some of the most influential cannabis retailers in the industry, including: Cookies, Star Buds, Sundial/Spiritleaf, Canopy Growth and Native Roots.
As Head of Strategic Growth at Dutchie, Anne plays a key role in new market expansion opportunities. She also sits on the Board as Technical Advisor at the RCCBC (Retail Cannabis Council of BC), and is on the Policy and Retail Committee at NYCGPA (New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association).
Anne holds a Degree in Computer Sciences from Simon Fraser University and was also a longtime mentor at Vancouver Film School’s Digital Design program.
As Head of Strategic Growth at Dutchie, Anne plays a key role in new market expansion opportunities. She also sits on the Board as Technical Advisor at the RCCBC (Retail Cannabis Council of BC), and is on the Policy and Retail Committee at NYCGPA (New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association).
Anne holds a Degree in Computer Sciences from Simon Fraser University and was also a longtime mentor at Vancouver Film School’s Digital Design program.
Full Name
Claire Hankin
Job Title
Associate
Company
Feuerstein Kulick
Speaker Bio
Claire Hankin is an associate at Feuerstein Kulick focusing on complex commercial litigation and cannabis-related disputes, appellate work, and regulatory framework of the emerging cannabis marketplace. She was selected as a Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Star in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and a Top Lawyer in Hudson Valley in 2021.
Prior to joining Feuerstein Kulick, Claire worked at Goldberg Segalla LLP in White Plains, NY, in their business and commercial and cannabis law groups. Claire has represented and advised a variety of corporate clients, including insurers, employers, non-profits, commercial property owners, product manufacturers, and cannabis companies in a wide range of complex commercial and civil litigation, class actions, fraud, reinsurance, professional liability, products liability, regulatory, and contract-based matters. She defends clients in both state and federal courts throughout New York and advises them on a national and international scale.
Claire has also been a long-time advocate for cannabis law reform, having worked with groups like NORML as an undergrad, and she is currently co-chair of the Westchester Bar Association's Cannabis Law Committee, a member of the New York State Bar Association's Cannabis Law Committee, and an active member on multiple committees of the NYC and Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Associations, where she was a lead co-author of the NYC/HV CIA’s policy prospectus “Personal Cultivation, Equity, and Cannabis Markets: Creating an Ideal Cannabis Regulatory Structure,” March 14, 2021.
Prior to joining Feuerstein Kulick, Claire worked at Goldberg Segalla LLP in White Plains, NY, in their business and commercial and cannabis law groups. Claire has represented and advised a variety of corporate clients, including insurers, employers, non-profits, commercial property owners, product manufacturers, and cannabis companies in a wide range of complex commercial and civil litigation, class actions, fraud, reinsurance, professional liability, products liability, regulatory, and contract-based matters. She defends clients in both state and federal courts throughout New York and advises them on a national and international scale.
Claire has also been a long-time advocate for cannabis law reform, having worked with groups like NORML as an undergrad, and she is currently co-chair of the Westchester Bar Association's Cannabis Law Committee, a member of the New York State Bar Association's Cannabis Law Committee, and an active member on multiple committees of the NYC and Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Associations, where she was a lead co-author of the NYC/HV CIA’s policy prospectus “Personal Cultivation, Equity, and Cannabis Markets: Creating an Ideal Cannabis Regulatory Structure,” March 14, 2021.
Full Name
Warren Harasz
Job Title
VP of Regulatory Compliance
Company
Cannaspire
Speaker Bio
Warren Harasz, PhD ABD, Vice-President of Regulatory Compliance at Cannaspire, oversees business license application development, SOPs, employee handbooks, business plans, as well as retainer projects for business consulting and project management. During his time with Cannaspire, Warren has developed business license applications in Alabama, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, New Mexico, Mississippi, and more states each month as legislation changes.
Warren’s background is as a cannabis cultivator with over 17 years of experience and projects including indoor cleanroom hydroponics, deep water culture, light deprivation greenhouses, and organic full-sun cannabis. Before joining the Cannaspire team, Warren worked for over a year and a half with Big Island Grown on the Big Island of Hawaii helping with cultivation consultation, facility buildout, vendor management, and developing SOPs as well as training employees in their roles and responsibilities.
Warren’s background as a Berkeley-trained college professor gives his technical writing and document development a polished finish, and his consulting approach is to teach clients everything they need to know to develop their businesses and stay compliant with state and federal regulations. This includes developing in-house audits, checklists, and operating procedures custom to fit any business’s needs. Additionally, Warren has a robust background in employee training within the cannabis industry. Warren has worked for over a year in Sparc/Peace in Medicine a licensed dispensary in Santa Rosa, California, and has extensive experience in cannabis extraction and manufacturing. His passion for the cannabis plant and experience operating within the industry has translated very well into clients’ abilities to start up successful and compliant facilities.
Warren’s background is as a cannabis cultivator with over 17 years of experience and projects including indoor cleanroom hydroponics, deep water culture, light deprivation greenhouses, and organic full-sun cannabis. Before joining the Cannaspire team, Warren worked for over a year and a half with Big Island Grown on the Big Island of Hawaii helping with cultivation consultation, facility buildout, vendor management, and developing SOPs as well as training employees in their roles and responsibilities.
Warren’s background as a Berkeley-trained college professor gives his technical writing and document development a polished finish, and his consulting approach is to teach clients everything they need to know to develop their businesses and stay compliant with state and federal regulations. This includes developing in-house audits, checklists, and operating procedures custom to fit any business’s needs. Additionally, Warren has a robust background in employee training within the cannabis industry. Warren has worked for over a year in Sparc/Peace in Medicine a licensed dispensary in Santa Rosa, California, and has extensive experience in cannabis extraction and manufacturing. His passion for the cannabis plant and experience operating within the industry has translated very well into clients’ abilities to start up successful and compliant facilities.
Full Name
Jeffrey Hoffman
Job Title
Attorney
Company
Jeffrey Hoffman & Associates PLLC
Speaker Bio
Jeffrey Hoffman is an attorney in New York whose practice focuses on clients in the cannabis industry, including licensees in the adult-use cannabis market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. Website: https://420jurist.com
Full Name
David Holland, Esq.
Job Title
Partner
Company
Prince Lobel Tye LLP
Speaker Bio
David Holland is a Partner and a member of Prince Lobel's Business Litigation, Cannabis, and White Collar practice groups.
David is a sought-after civil and criminal litigation attorney who has an extensive background in civil and criminal RICO cases as well as representing a broad range of stakeholders in the Cannabis industry. His clients span from legacy market operators, social equity applicants, entry-level investors to coordinating, advising and serving as management in the Executive Suites of noted cannabis-related organizations. David has been and remains a leading voice in New York’s legalized cannabis laws and emerging industry rules and regulations.
David is the Executive and Legal Director of Empire State NORML, the New York State affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). He is also a co-founder and President of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association as well as a pro bono Legal Advisor to Last Prisoner Project (LPP).
David is a sought-after civil and criminal litigation attorney who has an extensive background in civil and criminal RICO cases as well as representing a broad range of stakeholders in the Cannabis industry. His clients span from legacy market operators, social equity applicants, entry-level investors to coordinating, advising and serving as management in the Executive Suites of noted cannabis-related organizations. David has been and remains a leading voice in New York’s legalized cannabis laws and emerging industry rules and regulations.
David is the Executive and Legal Director of Empire State NORML, the New York State affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). He is also a co-founder and President of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association as well as a pro bono Legal Advisor to Last Prisoner Project (LPP).
Full Name
Esther Lelievre
Job Title
1st VP of the Community Education Council Member in District 29 Southeast Queens
Company
Cultivated Community Foundation (CCF)
Speaker Bio
Esther Lelievre aka Queen Mixxy serves as the 1st VP of the Community Education Council Member in District 29 Southeast Queens and co-founder of Cultivated Community Foundation (CCF) where she serves her community and the families that, together, make up the vibrant and resilient neighborhood that her 14-year-old son and she call home. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Saint Albans, NY, she prides herself on keeping up to date on the concerns and climate of our local community and the current state of global affairs. She currently works at the arts and culture non-profit, BRIC Arts Media, in Downtown Brooklyn as the Community Media and Special Projects Manager. She has also worked at Coney Island USA, managing the annual Mermaid Parade and starting the children's program, "Behind the Sideshow", to help educate kids on accessibility rights and past and present issues for people with disabilities. As a proud member of the Haitian diaspora, she often travels around the US, the Caribbean, and Europe speaking directly to people involved in their local communities to develop documentaries, manage programs, and learn. She aims to provide accessible education & community outreach programs thru a media production company Queen Mixxy Media. In March of 2021, she received her certification of completion in the Dispensary Agent Training Program & The Medical MARIJUANA Masterclass Training Workshop Program via Leafy Green Agency.
Full Name
Fred Muench
Job Title
President
Company
Partnership to End Addiction
Speaker Bio
Fred is a clinical psychologist and the President of The Partnership to End Addiction. His focus is on building, testing, and implementing digital interventions to prevent problem substance use and treat addiction and mental health concerns in real-world and clinical settings. This includes the comprehensive direct to parent and caregiver services offered by the Partnership including its national helpline, mobile support applications, online support groups, peer support services, and self-guided e-learning. In addition, Fred has been the PI on multiple behavioral health grants from NIAAA, NIDA, FDA, RWJF Pioneer, Upswing, Twilio, and many other foundations focusing on harm reduction, prevention, and substance use interventions.
Full Name
David O'Brien
Job Title
President and CEO
Company
Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association
Speaker Bio
David O’Brien is the President and CEO of Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association with a mission to convene, voice, and advocate for the Commonwealth’s cannabis business community and ancillary services. David has spent his career providing public engagement, government relations and strategic communications counsel to the private, public and non-profit sectors at the state, national and international level. A pioneer in the Massachusetts Cannabis industry, David previously served as the director of East Coast government relations for Weedmaps where he led strategy for cannabis legalization, regulation and taxation. He also developed and provided municipal officials with data-driven research to inform effective adult-use cannabis zoning laws. David holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Merrimack College.
Full Name
Colby Piper
Job Title
Director of Cannabis Real Estate
Company
RIPCO
Speaker Bio
Colby Piper joined RIPCO’s New Jersey office in 2016. Colby focuses on high street retail from Hunterdon County, NJ to Bergen County, NJ; investment sales such as value add deals; true NNN deals; and ground up-development. Most recently, Colby has become a cannabis real estate specialist, representing both tenants and landlords in this growing industry. Colby is currently accepted into the Ganjier Cannabis Sommelier program He is in the 2nd class and will be graduating 2022. Ganjier is the highest certification in the Cannabis field, similar to that of a Wine Sommelier.
Colby has completed several notable deals around New Jersey. He completed 14 deals in 15 months in Englewood along Palisades Avenue. He also completed an 18,500 square foot Planet Fitness in Fairview, and a 9,800 square foot Dollar General. Some of the tenants that Colby current works with are Burger King, Popeyes, Taco Bell, and Metro Markets Convenience Stores.
When not being proactive with clients, Colby enjoys spending time with close friends and family. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Colby has completed several notable deals around New Jersey. He completed 14 deals in 15 months in Englewood along Palisades Avenue. He also completed an 18,500 square foot Planet Fitness in Fairview, and a 9,800 square foot Dollar General. Some of the tenants that Colby current works with are Burger King, Popeyes, Taco Bell, and Metro Markets Convenience Stores.
When not being proactive with clients, Colby enjoys spending time with close friends and family. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Full Name
Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds
Job Title
President and Chief Executive Officer
Company
Family and Children’s Association
Speaker Bio
Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Family and Children’s Association (FCA), based in Garden City, NY. Since it began as an orphanage more than 138 years ago, Family and Children’s Association (FCA) has been committed to caring for Long Island’s vulnerable children, youth, seniors and families while helping them prepare for successful futures. The organization offers community-based programs for struggling families, at-risk adolescents, vulnerable seniors, and adults with substance use disorders. Today, FCA is one of Long Island’s largest health and human services organizations with an annual budget of $24 million, 360 staff, 200 volunteers and 40+ programs.
Prior to his tenure at FCA, Dr. Reynolds served as Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) and worked for the Long Island Association for AIDS Care for 19 years, where he started out doing case management and finished his tenure as Vice President for Public Affairs, responsible for government relations, resource development, strategic marketing, and communications.
Dr. Reynolds currently serves on New York's Heroin and Opioid Task Force, the Executive Committee of the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Task Force, Suffolk County’s Heroin/Opiate Epidemic Advisory Panel, the board of the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Suffolk County’s Welfare-to-Work Commission and he co-chairs the Huntington Town Opioid Task Force. He was recently elected to serve on the board of the Long Island Association (LIA).
Dr. Reynolds is Vice Chair and remains the longest serving member of the NYS AIDS Advisory Council and has also served on the NYS Governor’s Recreational Marijuana Task Force. Dr. Reynolds has advised Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay and several other municipalities on cannabis policy with an emphasis on limiting access to minors and protecting community quality of life.
Prior to his tenure at FCA, Dr. Reynolds served as Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) and worked for the Long Island Association for AIDS Care for 19 years, where he started out doing case management and finished his tenure as Vice President for Public Affairs, responsible for government relations, resource development, strategic marketing, and communications.
Dr. Reynolds currently serves on New York's Heroin and Opioid Task Force, the Executive Committee of the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Task Force, Suffolk County’s Heroin/Opiate Epidemic Advisory Panel, the board of the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Suffolk County’s Welfare-to-Work Commission and he co-chairs the Huntington Town Opioid Task Force. He was recently elected to serve on the board of the Long Island Association (LIA).
Dr. Reynolds is Vice Chair and remains the longest serving member of the NYS AIDS Advisory Council and has also served on the NYS Governor’s Recreational Marijuana Task Force. Dr. Reynolds has advised Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay and several other municipalities on cannabis policy with an emphasis on limiting access to minors and protecting community quality of life.
Full Name
Andrew Schriever
Job Title
Partner
Company
Prince Lobel
Speaker Bio
Andrew Schriever, a Partner at Prince Lobel’s New York Cannabis Law Practice, is also Co-Founder and President of the Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association and Co-Founder and a Board member of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association. He is also President-Elect of the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA), where he previously served as Vice President, Treasurer and Board member and where he is a member of the Cannabis Law Committee.
Mr. Schriever is a frequent presenter, including as host of Cannabis Industry Association policy forums, and speaker on cannabis policy at 2021 NYS Cannabis Expo (opening panel), CannaPack 2021 at the Javits Center, The Society of Marketing Professionals, The Westchester Biotech Project Forum, The Westchester County Association, The Westchester Business Council, The Westchester Municipal Officials Association and before the Sullivan County Legislature. He has also been featured as an expert in cannabis law and policy in various media, including River Journal News, Honeysuckle Magazine, Chronogram Magazine, Cannabis Law Report and local cable, as well as in radio and podcast interviews. He has also been an instructor on cannabis law in seminars for multiple Bar Associations including for Westchester County, White Plains, the Westchester Black Bar Association, and the Bronx County Bar Association, as well as Lorman and Westlaw.
Mr. Schriever is a frequent presenter, including as host of Cannabis Industry Association policy forums, and speaker on cannabis policy at 2021 NYS Cannabis Expo (opening panel), CannaPack 2021 at the Javits Center, The Society of Marketing Professionals, The Westchester Biotech Project Forum, The Westchester County Association, The Westchester Business Council, The Westchester Municipal Officials Association and before the Sullivan County Legislature. He has also been featured as an expert in cannabis law and policy in various media, including River Journal News, Honeysuckle Magazine, Chronogram Magazine, Cannabis Law Report and local cable, as well as in radio and podcast interviews. He has also been an instructor on cannabis law in seminars for multiple Bar Associations including for Westchester County, White Plains, the Westchester Black Bar Association, and the Bronx County Bar Association, as well as Lorman and Westlaw.
Full Name
Sheri Tarr
Job Title
Founder and Chief Advisor
Company
'68 Partners LLC
Speaker Bio
A multi-disciplinary professional, Sheri Tarr is uniquely positioned at the intersection of cannabis, commercialization, and compliance. She has amassed over three decades of real-world experience operating in highly regulated environments. Sheri first held leadership positions in sales and global marketing with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Then she flipped the script and became an attorney who spent a distinguished career in the courtroom holding these same companies accountable for deceptive marketing, defective manufacturing, and myriad regulatory violations. More inspired by medical innovation than litigation, Sheri founded , a strategic consultancy focused on helping life sciences and cannabis companies build sustainable businesses that have a transformative impact on consumers, patients, and the global economy.
As a pharmaceutical executive-turned litigator, Sheri has a deep understanding of the complex business, organizational, and regulatory challenges faced by cannabis industry stakeholders. She intimately knows the tension between profit and risk, and has witnessed first-hand the adverse consequences to companies and consumers that result when these priorities are misaligned. Using her business savvy and legal know-how, Sheri collaborates with clients of to develop practical compliance and business strategies -- from concept to consumer to exit -- that strike a healthy balance between financial goals and foreseeable risk.
Since 2018, Sheri Tarr has been deep in the cannabis trenches, serving clients ranging from early stage to established CBD, hemp, and cannabis brands; to prospective cannabis licensees; to cultivators, processors, retailers, and other licensed operators; to C-suites, investors, law firms, and regulators. specializes in pre-license application preparation; full service license application consulting; business advisory and brand strategy; commercialization of regulated products; regulatory navigation; best compliance practices; packaging and labeling; strategic partnering; and advocacy before legislators, investors, and other critical audiences. medical and recreational licensing experience spans more than 30 states including New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Georgia, and beyond. Sheri has practical experience with virtually every aspect of application preparation, from translating regulations into compelling narratives, to drafting SOPs, to developing business and operating plans, to preparing product safety plans, and forging relationships with strategic partners from academia, the local community, and the business sector.
As a pharmaceutical executive-turned litigator, Sheri has a deep understanding of the complex business, organizational, and regulatory challenges faced by cannabis industry stakeholders. She intimately knows the tension between profit and risk, and has witnessed first-hand the adverse consequences to companies and consumers that result when these priorities are misaligned. Using her business savvy and legal know-how, Sheri collaborates with clients of to develop practical compliance and business strategies -- from concept to consumer to exit -- that strike a healthy balance between financial goals and foreseeable risk.
Since 2018, Sheri Tarr has been deep in the cannabis trenches, serving clients ranging from early stage to established CBD, hemp, and cannabis brands; to prospective cannabis licensees; to cultivators, processors, retailers, and other licensed operators; to C-suites, investors, law firms, and regulators. specializes in pre-license application preparation; full service license application consulting; business advisory and brand strategy; commercialization of regulated products; regulatory navigation; best compliance practices; packaging and labeling; strategic partnering; and advocacy before legislators, investors, and other critical audiences. medical and recreational licensing experience spans more than 30 states including New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Georgia, and beyond. Sheri has practical experience with virtually every aspect of application preparation, from translating regulations into compelling narratives, to drafting SOPs, to developing business and operating plans, to preparing product safety plans, and forging relationships with strategic partners from academia, the local community, and the business sector.
Full Name
Tiffany Yarde
Job Title
CEO x Sales
Company
SHOKi Bev Corp
Speaker Bio
Tiffany Yarde is a wine specialist, tasting event producer and recovering B2B sales executive from the energy/infrastructure/securities litigation space, who believes in the power of storytelling and amazing food to bring people together. She is the owner of SHOKi, a licensed cannabis beverage and food manufacturer operating in California and New York. Tiffany’s personal mission is to be of service to the nascent cannabis beverage space. She works daily to uplift the human spirit, and to create brands that bend the lines of division in our global communities by connecting people through wine, spirits, quality food, and cannabis.
Full Name
Michael Zaytsev
Job Title
Academic Director
Company
LIM College
Speaker Bio
Michael Zaytsev is the Academic Director of LIM College’s Business of Cannabis degree programs, the first accredited Cannabis Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs offered in New York State. Mike Z has been a committed and impactful Cannabis education advocate since 2014, when he founded High NY, one of the world’s largest cannabis community education and business networking groups. Zaytsev also hosts “The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast” and is the bestselling author of "The Cannabis Business Book."
As an executive advisor and business coach, Mike Z has supported leaders at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bain & Company, Microsoft, Google and across the Cannabis industry. Zaytsev is a top-rated mentor at Founder Institute and has served as a Cannabis Industry Mentor for the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program. Prior to discovering his calling in Cannabis, Mike Z began his career at J.P. Morgan and Google. Michael Zaytsev works to end Cannaphobia through education and to build community through Cannabis.
As an executive advisor and business coach, Mike Z has supported leaders at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bain & Company, Microsoft, Google and across the Cannabis industry. Zaytsev is a top-rated mentor at Founder Institute and has served as a Cannabis Industry Mentor for the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program. Prior to discovering his calling in Cannabis, Mike Z began his career at J.P. Morgan and Google. Michael Zaytsev works to end Cannaphobia through education and to build community through Cannabis.