Cannabis Conference (E2108050)

8-8:10 a.m.
Welcome
Melissa Dardani, CPA, MAcc, Founder - MD Advisory and Leader of the NJCPA Cannabis Interest Group

8:20-9:35 a.m.
State-Specific Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
All of these breakout sessions will be available to conference attendees for on-demand viewing after the conference. CPE credit is not available for on-demand sessions.

1A. New Jersey Cannabis Update
Moderator: Jelani Gibson, Assistant Editor and Content Lead - NJ Cannabis Insider
Speakers: Jennifer Cabrera, Counsel - Vicente Sederberg National Cannabis Law Firm
Edmund DeVeaux, President - NJ CannaBusiness Association, Lobbyist - Burton Trent Public Affairs
Janice Kovach, Mayor - Clinton, NJ and President - NJ State League of Municipalities
This session will provide an update on the cannabis industry in New Jersey, including:

• 280E decoupling legislation and New Jersey legislators' appetite for change to this area of the law
• An update on the status of the commercial, adult-use market
• How to work with New Jersey towns to get a cannabis business established

1B. New York Cannabis Update
Jeffrey Gittler, Partner - PKF O’Connor Davies , Chairman - NYSSCPA Cannabis Committee
This session will provide an update on the cannabis industry in New York, including:

• Synopsis and key points of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA)
• Taxation component review

1C. Pennsylvania Cannabis Update
Howard Silverstone, CPA, Director and Marion Wickersham, MS, CFE - Forensic Resolutions, Inc.
This session will provide an update on the cannabis industry in Pennsylvania, including:

• Recent updates to the cannabis laws and how they are affected by neighboring states
• Challenges for CPAs working in the cannabis industry
• Opportunities for CPAs in the cannabis industry

9:45-11:00 a.m.
Business Operation Challenges
Moderator: Stacey Udell, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, Director of Valuation and Litigation Services - HBK CPAs and Consultants
Ashley Elsner, COO - Artery Pay
Daniel Sulpizio, COO - First Harvest Credit Union
Melanie Tighe - Prime Pay
The cannabis industry is rife with issues as a result of the federal illegality under the Controlled Substances Act. Hear first hand from industry experts about the effect of the federal and state law disparity and how to navigate the uncertain waters in the current environment. Areas to be covered include access to banking and finance, payroll processing, point of sale solutions and supply chain management.

11:10-12:25 p.m.
Navigating the 280E Tax Burden
Nick Richards, Partner - Greenspoon Marder LLP.
Internal Revenue Code Section 280E is a discriminatory tax burden imposed on an industry with an already immense cost of compliance. Hear from a former IRS trial agent about the IRS techniques to enforce 280E and the Internal Revenue Code, case law to be aware of and how to maximize the minimal legislative grace granted to cannabis businesses.

12:25-12:55 p.m.
Lunch

12:55-2:10 p.m.
The Legal Lifecycle of a Cannabis Business
Moderator: Josh Bauchner, Partner - Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC
Panelists: Donald Clarke, Esq. - Genova Burns
Lisa Gora, Esq., Shareholder - Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, PA
Jonathan Havens, Esq., Partner - Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Michael McQueeny, Esq., Counsel - Foley Hoag
For the cannabis industry, compliance is key to avoid scrutiny and maintain licensure status. Our panel of legal experts will tackle some of the legal hot-button issues that accountants should be aware of when advising their clients. While it is not our job to navigate the uncertain legal waters, it is important to know when to call an attorney to assist.

2:20-4 p.m.
Compliance, Banking and Payment Processing Opportunities on Public and Private Blockchains
Moderator: Melissa Dardani, CPA, MAcc, Founder - MD Advisory
Panelists: Ashley Elsner, COO - Artery Pay
Karolis Matulis, CPA, CVA - WilkinGuttenplan
Steven "Mac" McKeon, Founder and CEO - MacguyverTech
Dr. Sean Stein Smith, DBA, CMA, CPA, CGMA, CFE, Assistant Professor - Lehman College
We'll wrap up the day with a Q&A to discuss how crypto can help cannabis businesses overcome the challenges associated with banking, payment processing, reporting and tracking. Our crypto experts will speak to the potential synergies, and hurdles still to be overcome, that could result from a crypto-based infrastructure for cannabis companies.