MAY 20, 2021 – LAS VEGAS, NV / ORLANDO, FL – Cannabis Conference (produced by Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary and Hemp Grower media brands) and Hemp Grower Conference (produced by Hemp Grower) announce today a joint partnership with Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) to help minority cannabis entrepreneurs access networking and education opportunities to grow and support their business. The inaugural Cannabis Conference/Hemp Grower Conference Diversity Scholarship will provide selected MCBA members with 20 complimentary Cannabis Conference 2021 All-Access passes, and 10 complimentary Hemp Grower Conference 2021 All-Access passes.
In addition to the Scholarship, the Cannabis Conference and Hemp Grower Conference are each offering a 20% registration discount to all MCBA members.
The Diversity Scholarship is part of Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary and Hemp Grower media brands’ ‘Game Changer’ Partnership with MCBA. In addition to the scholarship, the media brands will provide more than $50,000 in annual print and digital MCBA-related promotions to support this pioneering organization dedicated to serving the specific needs of minority cannabis entrepreneurs and their communities.
“Minorities, who have been historically disproportionally affected by the war on drugs, also face barriers to entry within the legal cannabis market because of a lack of access to capital and quality networking opportunities,” Cannabis Conference/Hemp Grower Conference Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski said. “Through our valued partnership with the Minority Cannabis Business Association, the Diversity Scholarship offers no-cost access to our conferences for scholarship recipients to help provide those in-depth educational and network-building opportunities.”
“The partnership also will help promote the MCBA and the essential work it does on behalf of its members to promote equality and diversity in the cannabis industry—by working toward fair policies and regulations, and the empowerment of minorities and women through educational and networking opportunities and other resources,” Cannabis Conference/Hemp Grower Conference Publisher Jim Gilbride said.
“We are grateful to have the Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary, and Hemp Grower brands as partners in building an equitable cannabis industry. The partnership will provide access to a caliber of networking and educational events that are essential, but often inaccessible, to small minority cannabis businesses. Their support of MCBA will help us grow to better reach and serve our community,” MCBA Executive Director Amber Littlejohn said.
Diversity Scholarship applications will open on June 1, 2021. (Diversity Scholarship passes will be allocated at the discretion of MCBA. More information as it becomes available can be found at minoritycannabis.org.)
About Cannabis Conference
Cannabis Conference 2021, presented by the award-winning Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary, and Hemp Grower media brands, is the leading educational provider for plant-touching businesses in the legal cannabis and hemp markets. The three-day event will take place at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on Aug. 24-26, 2021. The Cannabis Conference exhibition hall will feature industry-leading technologies, solutions and services for the professional cannabis cultivator and retail businesses. For more information, visit www.CannabisConference.com.
About Hemp Grower Conference
Hemp Grower Conference 2021 is produced by Hemp Grower magazine, an industry-leading, award-winning magazine that serves the North American fiber, grain and cannabinoid hemp market. The conference, which will take place Nov. 8-10, 2021, brings together members of the North American and global hemp communities who are seeking to gain greater insights into this dynamic industry’s challenges, solutions and opportunities, and to build lasting relationships. It also features an exhibit hall showcasing industry-leading technology and solutions providers focused on helping hemp businesses succeed. For more information, visit www.HempGrowerConference.com.
About Minority Cannabis Business Association
Founded in 2015, the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is the largest national trade association dedicated to serving the needs of minority cannabis businesses and our communities. MCBA represents more than 300 minority and ally cannabis businesses and industry and community leaders who share a vision for an equitable, just, and responsible cannabis industry. Our mission is carried out by 15-member Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of industry veterans, medical and legal professionals, advocates and community leaders. For more information, visit https://minoritycannabis.org/.
