Joseph W. Belluck is widely recognized for his outstanding representation of his legal clients, high ethical standards, and public service. He has been advocating for cannabis legalization since 1985. Joe has a national reputation for excellence in mesothelioma, truck accidents and other serious injury litigation. He is a dedicated, compassionate attorney who has spent his entire life and legal career advocating for injured consumers and workers. He has settled over $1 billion of asbestos and personal injury lawsuits.

Prior to 2002, Joe represented the State of New York in its tobacco litigation. He was responsible for forcing the tobacco industry to stop sponsoring fake scientific research and to take down their tobacco billboards in New York State. He started representing asbestos victims across the United States in 1999.

He previously served as a judicial law clerk at the Texas Supreme Court and as a staff attorney for the consumer group Public Citizen in Washington, D.C. In 2001, after the 9/11 terrorist attack, Joe spent six months at a volunteer legal organization known as Trial Lawyers Care. There he provided free representation to the families of people killed at the World Trade Center. Joe is a dedicated public servant. In 2008, he was appointed to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates allegations of misconduct, and disciplines all state and local judges in New York. He was elected Chair of the Commission in 2017.

He was appointed as a trustee of The State University of New York (SUNY) in 2010. The SUNY Board of Trustees oversees the entire public university system in New York which is comprised of 64 campuses. He also chairs the Charter School Committee at SUNY. In 2017, Joe was appointed to the advisory committee of the Rockefeller Institute of Government's Center for Law and Policy Solutions. He previously served as a member of New York's Medicaid Redesign Team and advised the State of New York on cannabis legalization.

Joe is also very philanthropic. He is Chair of the Board of Precious Dreams, a national organization that provides comfort items to foster and homeless youth; and serves on the Board of New York Special Olympics. He previously served on the board of Children's Rights, a national advocacy group working to reform failing child welfare systems and protect foster children.

Peter Clateman has 25 years of legal experience in investing and investment funds, including 20 years as general counsel. He has served as GC and CCO of The Sputnik Group and Renaissance Capital, as well as VR Capital, an award-winning, distressed-asset fund with more than $2 billion under management. Mr. Clateman also served as head of Legal and was a Management Board Member of UC Rusal during its acquisition of SUAL and assets of Glencore to become the world's biggest aluminum company. He previously was an associate with Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom.

Long time community, cannabis, environmental conservation, and lgbtq+ rights activist, Tyme Ferris has been a leader in the regulated cannabis market for nearly two decades. Currently he dedicates himself to these endeavors as the President of the Boonville Environmental Conservation Council (BECC), Board Member of the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC), Oneida County Pride Association (OCPA), Black River Valley Business & Community Alliance (BRVBCA), as well as being Founder and CEO of Pantheon Perspective LLC. Having made the jump from the fashion retail world to cannabis during the first of two medical programs rolled out in Colorado, Tyme has since consulted, partnered, and/or owned, companies in both the medical and adult-use markets in Colorado, Massachusetts, Vermont, and California. Now, Tyme adds his home state of New York to this list as he rolls out Pantheon Perspective, a cannabis lifestyle brand forging the way for conscientious capitalism through cannabis.

Mike Flynn, the visionary founder of FlynnStoned Cannabis Company, has been a trailblazer in New York's cannabis industry, opening the first dispensary in Central New York. As the owner of the largest dispensary in the state, Flynn is expanding his brand statewide, solidifying his reputation as a driven and forward-thinking innovator. His dispensaries are uniquely focused on enhancing the consumer experience, engaging all five senses to create an immersive environment that customers want to return to again and again. Flynn’s leadership continues to shape the future of cannabis across the region.

Wyatt Harms is the co-founder & CEO of FLAMER, one of New York first 15 brands to the market. FLAMER was born out of Bushwick in Brooklyn and brings together the city's best from nightlife, fashion, activism and the arts. From seed to the iconic red joint, FLAMER is chosen family owned and operated.

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

Danielle Holmes is a distinguished regulatory expert with over a decade of experience in shaping and enforcing complex legal frameworks. A graduate of Albany Law School, where she served on Albany Law Review, Danielle began her career as counsel for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission before transitioning to the New York State Gaming Commission, where she was handpicked to oversee licensing. Recognized for her deep regulatory knowledge, she was among the first hires at the Office of Cannabis Management, leading the creation of their licensing division. Her ability to navigate bureaucratic challenges has made her a trusted regulator and invaluable ally in the cannabis industry. Recently, Danielle departed OCM to establish her own regulatory law practice, where she now helps clients navigate the complexities of highly regulated industries with her unparalleled expertise.

John Kagia serves as the Director of Policy for the Office of Cannabis Management. He leads the team responsible for policy development and implementation for the medical, adult use, and cannabinoid hemp programs in New York. John also manages development of research and data systems to measure and track industry performance, and he oversees deployment of the Office’s educational public health campaigns. Since joining the cannabis industry in 2014, John has been a pioneering industry analyst delivering groundbreaking research into emerging global markets, investment and capital flows, supply chain trends, product innovation, and evolving consumer behavior. He works with policy makers, investors, and business owners to capitalize on emerging opportunities, hedge against risk, and predict market defining trends. Prior to joining the cannabis industry, John spent a decade delivering market research and strategic intelligence to high-performing organizations across the federal government, technology, and non-profit sectors.

As a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the tightly regulated healthcare industry, Joann brings a wealth of expertise to Ravens View Genetics in the ever-evolving Cannabis industry. Her focus on operational and financial efficiencies, strict compliance protocols, and scalability ensures maximum profitability while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Joann's commitment to developing a positive corporate culture, shaped by her years of mentoring and uplifting women, allows her to invest in the growth and success of her team. Her dedication is reflected in the company's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. With her deep respect for regulation and a passion for innovation, Joann is a driving force behind RVG's success

Nikki Lawley is a patient advocate, speaker, and founder of Nikki and the Plant. She personally discovered cannabis as medicine after suffering a life-changing injury while working as a pediatric nurse.

Nikki is a leading voice in the community, chronicling her journey from a healthcare provider to a patient to an advocate. She hopes to bring worldwide awareness to invisible illness, disability, and how cannabis can help improve quality of life. She has been a guest on multiple podcasts and shows, including “Let’s Be Blunt with Montel Williams.”

Nikki is a Sales Executive for @eatgron, an amazing edible cannabis brand owned by the one and only Christine Apple.

Matt Leonardo is a member of the Firm’s Health Law, Cannabis Law and Government Relations departments. Mr. Leonardo represents diverse interests in cannabis before the legislature, including Cultivators, the Black Cannabis Industry Association, the Asian Cannabis Roundtable, as well other stakeholders. Mr. Leonardo woks with Ms. Katy Coleman on the Firm’s cannabis legal practice, representing individuals seeking licensure across nearly every license type, as well as supporting litigation efforts. He has been a featured speaker at numerous industry events including the NYS Cannabis Expo, Can Xpo, NYC Cannabis in NY Summit, Tri-State Bisnow Cannabis & Real Estate Conference, and Cannabis Insider Issue Forums. Mr. Leonardo currently teaches Cannabis Law at Albany Law School, where he graduated in 2007.

Ruben Lindo is a visionary leader in the cannabis industry and the driving force behind Blak Mar Farms, a company known for its focus on quality and innovation. With a commitment to building a sustainable and equitable cannabis market, Ruben has positioned Blak Mar Farms as a leader in the space, pushing for advancements in consumer education, particularly around terpenes and cannabinoids. His leadership extends beyond cannabis, as he advocates for federal legalization and works to ensure the cannabis market evolves with a strong foundation in social equity and responsible practices. Ruben’s leadership extends beyond cannabis business; he created "Lunch with a CEO," a mentoring program for at-risk youth and adults across 30 U.S. cities. He is also a regional ambassador for Love is the Answer, working to improve relations between communities and law enforcement.
Ruben was also a subject in the National Geographic Investigates Series Legal Marijuana in America: The New Green Rush.

David O’Brien is the President and CEO of Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association, MassCBA's mission is to support the equitable and responsible growth of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts.
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.

In the course of a political and communications career that has spanned thirty years, David has served as President of North Bridge Strategies, worked on eight US presidential campaigns – four as a staff member, and served as a Clinton Administration presidential appointee at the Corporation for National Service and US Small Business Administration. David also held senior positions on Governor Deval Patrick’s political action, inauguration, and campaign finance committees.

David holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Merrimack College. He is an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.

Lynn Parodneck is a medical marijuana practitioner in Bedford NY. As a leading expert in all things cannabis, she has a community based practice from a 200 year old carriage house.

Born in St Paul Minnesota to an Air Force captain and stay at home mom, she was raised in Yonkers NY. She received her undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College, and medical degree from New York Medical College. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University/Bellevue. In 2016, she pivoted to a cannabis only practice.

She is featured as an expert in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Atmos, Bedford Magazine, and quoted extensively in cannabis publications and stories. She did a segment on NPR, and speaks at the national level for medical dispensaries and NCIA, the largest cannabis trade organization in the US. She is a coauthor and the clinical voice of a white paper for NCIA, The Medicine of Cannabis. She has been a strong voice in the NY transition to recreational cannabis. As a member of The Coalition for Safe and Regulated Access, she is challenging New York state in their recreational roll out.

Lynn has two adult sons Jonathan and Jordan. She lives with her 105 lb chocolate lab Harry, and petite golden retriever Rose. A vegetarian for fifty years, she is an advocate for all things plant based.

Kenneth R. Weinberg is a three time Board Certified Emergency Medicine and Medical Marijuana physician. After finishing a residency in Internal Medicine, Dr. Weinberg created a Fellowship in Psychoneuroimmunology at the Manhattan VA, then trained in Emergency Medicine at Bellevue and NYU Langone Hospital. He has practiced Emergency and Urgent Care Medicine for over three decades. When New York State’s Compassionate Care Act was passed in January of 2016 he founded Cannabis Doctors of New York. The practice - which is based in New York City and Upstate - certifies patients, educates the public, and advocates for the many benefits of medical marijuana. The advocacy, education, as well as cannabis research are also carried out in his role as a member of the Medicinal Cannabis Workgroup at Northwell Health. Dr. Weinberg has treated hundreds of patients with diseases across a spectrum of conditions. He is a cannabis advocate and an emerging thought leader who has lectured on the benefits of cannabis throughout the state, met with elected officials to promote its use, and been featured in various publications and on television. In addition he is a published writer with a blog, Bedside Manners, on Psychology Today.

Brad is the editor and publisher for NY Cannabis Insider, the first and only publication dedicated to covering New York’s emerging legal cannabis industry from a subjective journalistic lens. He also creates, organizes and hosts statewide industry conferences and meetups and negotiates sponsorships, advertisements and partnerships.

Sean is a full-time reporter at NY Cannabis Insider. He also moderates the brand's live events across New York State. Previously, Sean was a reporter for the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut. There he launched the business journal’s CT Cannabis Insider newsletter, in addition to covering tech, manufacturing and other industries.