HELENA – The Cannabis Way, Montana Chapter, a nonprofit formed after the passage of I-182, the statewide ballot initiative that legalized the current Montana Medical Marijuana Act, has partnered with state and local government leaders to sponsor the State of Montana's First Inaugural Cannabis Conference to be held Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 at the Montana State Capitol between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, according to a press release.
Representatives from the State of Montana, Departments of Revenue, DPHHS and Agriculture, as well as elected officials from around the state, have partnered with industry leaders and experts to discuss testing, manufacturing, cultivation science, advertising and regulatory compliance.
"It's exciting to see bipartisan support for research and access to safe medicine," Rep. Ellie Hill Smith (Missoula) said. "I know that my constituents are equally interested in the estimated $70 million dollars in sales revenue that will be felt around the State in 2018."
Industry leaders are slated to cover issues such as cultivation science, industrial hemp, mandatory testing for pesticides and the production of diverse medical applications, including carbon based extractions and edibles.
"We are business owners and we give back to our communities, both in the service to a healthier Montana but also in supporting positive economic development," Rich Abromeit of Montana Advance Caregivers in Billings said. "I am thrilled to see this industry finally embraced and supported by our leaders in the State Capitol. Its time has come."
Panel topics include:
Inaugural Montana Cannabis Conference
Friday, Feb. 9, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Montana State Capitol, Old Supreme Court Chambers
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.:
The Farmers: Industrial Hemp, Cultivation Science, Smart Cultivation Solutions Rooted in Experience
10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.:
Metrc: Safe Regulation through Seed to Sale Tracking
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:
Marijuana Infused Products Providers: Extraction Scientists and Edible Chefs Sourcing Your Patient Needs
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.:
Break
12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.:
Analytical Testing Labs: From Quality Assurance to Saving Lives
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.:
Show Me the Money: Taxes and Economic Development
1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
Patient Centered Access: Opioid Addiction, Veterans and Native Issues, Chronic Pain, Criminal Justice Reform
2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.:
Leave Your Lawyer Jokes at the Door! Regulatory Compliance, State and Federal Law, Local Government Ordinances
3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.:
Building a Cannabis Community: Relationships Matter, Education and Advertising
You can find more information about the Cannabis Way, Montana Chapter, at www.TheCannabisWay.org or on Facebook at The Cannabis Way, Montana Chapter. The nonprofit represents that largest coalition of medical marijuana industry stakeholders in the State of Montana. It is free to join and exists solely to promote education in industry best practices, as well as regulatory and legal compliance. For questions about the one-day conference, contact Rep. Ellie Hill Smith (Missoula) at 406-218-9608 or [email protected].
