Cannabis 101 is presented by Ogadinma Obie, M.D. and Max Montrose with the Trichome Institute. Dr. Oga and Max team up to offer a presentation on the basics of cannabis, including an overview of the endocannabinoid system, the basics about how cannabis works with the body, and a thorough breakdown of the cannabis plant and its various components.
The Science of Cannabis Medicine and THC Therapeutics is presented by Bonni S. Goldstein, M.D. Dr. Goldstein shares her perspective of cannabis from a scientific and clinical perspective, including the therapeutic value of THC.
For decades, cannabis consumers have been marginalized and deprived of their rights. Even in states where cannabis has been decriminalized or legalized, cannabis consumers can have their gun rights or parental rights jeopardized. We also need to establish reasonable rules relating to employment.
As our laws on cannabis evolve, we must remain vigilant to secure rights in written law and through enforcement of the law. This is especially important for those who use cannabis for medicinal purposes. Panelists will discuss these important issues and their work to secure the rights of all Texans.
Texas Veterans often suffer from service-related PTSD or other injuries that cause chronic, debilitating pain. Sadly, many do not find relief from traditional treatment or cannot tolerate the side effects of prescription medications. Due to its restrictive nature, veterans and other patients who could benefit from cannabis medicine are being left behind by our state's "Compassionate Use Program."
Five veterans and medical doctors will share their personal and professional experience with pain, PTSD, and cannabis treatment. Panelists include:
As we transition away from prohibition, we see an increase in opportunity for cannabis research and development. In addition to molecular discovery and medical advancement, we will face challenges. Specifically, we'll need to create and navigate varying paths for botanical cannabis vs pharmaceutical cannabis products.
Our panelists will discuss the current status of cannabis, work being done by pharmaceutical companies to create cannabis medicine, and how this well established industry can harmoniously integrate into the legal market for cannabis. Panelists:
In 2019, the legalization of hemp went into effect nationwide. Texas responded by establishing an infrastructure for licensing and regulation through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Since then, TDA and industry leaders have worked to navigate this historic first growing season, overcoming regulatory and agricultural challenges.
Our panelists will discuss the federal and state rule-making process, Texas' regulatory climate for hemp, and the 2020 growing season so far.
Hemp was officially legalized nationwide in 2019, with Texas subsequently establishing regulation and licensure for farmers through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Hundreds of farmers were licensed in 2020, making them pioneers in this recently legalized market.
With this panel discussion, we'll hear from several Texas farmers as they share their experience with this historic growing season.
As marijuana laws change and our government begins the process of regulating - not prohibiting - the plant, it's expected that lawsuits will help correct bad policy. Just this year, the Texas Department of State Health Services overstepped their authority, banning the sale of smokable hemp, a product that is legal to possess and consume in our state. There's an injunction in place, keeping them from enforcing this unlawful rule, and the case is scheduled to be heard in February.
At the federal level, researchers and attorneys are suing the DEA to obtain access to high quality cannabis for research purposes. Hear from the attorneys directly involved in these cases for background on their lawsuits and their outlook on the future.
Aruna Weerasooriya, Ph.D. has over 25 years’ experience in research in Medicinal Plants and Plant Systematics. Before joining Prairie View A&M University, he worked as the Senior Research Scientist at theNational Center for Natural Products Research and the Director of their Medicinal Plants germplasm collection at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where they also had the only legal Cannabis cultivation and research program at that time.
He is now leading the industrial hemp research program at PVAMU and his team includes experts in modern plant sciences to evaluate all the Texas approved hemp strains.
This session will feature a conversation between Dr. Aruna and Nathan Murphy, VP of Outreach and University Research for Hempliance.
Are you (finally!) Ready to Invest in Cannabis? Learn from a couple of seasoned investing pros - leveraging many years as fund managers and now "all in" on the cannabis industry. How to start - what to look for - how to succeed. Presentation by Jeffrey Finkle and Jeanne M. Sullivan of Arcview Ventures.
The Arcview Group has over a decade of deal-making experience. We’re the oldest and largest cannabis network and our members have invested multi-millions in hundreds of companies. Our members have come to know The Arcview Advantage™; delivering a trifecta of services to investors and entrepreneurs.
Current marijuana laws in Texas are harsh and unreasonable. In addition to facing an arrest and significant jail time, those convicted of marijuana possession face a permanent criminal record and lifelong collateral consequences. These repercussions can hinder a person’s access to education, employment, house, and driving privileges.
Each of our panelists have worked to reform Texas law in varying capacities. They’ll discuss our current laws and their impact on individuals, families, and our communities. We’ll also talk about legislative proposals and prospects for reform in our upcoming legislative session. Panelists include Judge John Delaney, Chairman James White, and Senator Nathan Johnson.
The lasting impacts of marijuana criminalization are felt not only by the individual involved, but also by their family and community. A criminal record can make it difficult to access higher education or find employment, setting many Texans on a path of recidivism and second-class citizenship.
Laws criminalizing marijuana also affect families with loved ones who could benefit from legal access for medicinal purposes. Many live in fear when they choose to use this medicine in spite of the law and others suffer knowing effective treatment is out of reach because of the law.
Our panelists will discuss these issues and more from their perspectives as community leaders.
Panelists:
Our country's failed policy of marijuana prohibition has been in place for decades, but the tide has turned and a majority of Americans now support legalization. Shifting political dynamics in Congress and many dedicated advocates have made some important changes possible, such as federal non-interference in states that have legalized marijuana. Recently, though, more comprehensive proposals have been introduced and are gaining traction.
Panelists will discuss the political climate on Capitol Hill, their work to pass meaningful legislation, and the prospects for reform when Congress meets again after the election.
Panelists:
In 1996, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Since then 35 additional states followed suit and 15 states have chosen to repeal marijuana prohibition entirely, legalizing responsible adult use of the plant.Texas is late to the table, but increasingly, lawmakers are considering the prospect of meaningful reform. We have the benefit of learning from other states' mistakes and implementing policy that works for Texas.
Our panelists will discuss Texas' opportunities and key provisions that should be included in legislation, including reasonable levels of taxation, social equity programs, and product diversity.
Originally established in 2015, the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T.CUP) allows limited access to low-THC (.5%) cannabis for certain patients. In spite of being expanded in 2019, T.CUP remains one of the most restrictive medical cannabis programs in the nation. In addition to limited patient access, the program lacks accountability because independent, third-party labs are barred from testing the medicine. Our panelist will discuss the program from their perspectives as caregivers of patients, physicians, and licensed providers in Texas.
Presenters will share how technology contributes to innovative advances and success in the cannabis industry. Specifically, we'll hear about how specialized lighting helps ensure quality cannabis, extraction machines used to produce high yields, and an app based system that helps farmers easily comply with state and federal regulations.
Since June 2019, local law enforcement has had trouble distinguishing between legal cannabis (hemp) and illegal cannabis (marijuana). Previous testing methods were cost prohibitive and not specific enough to determine THC content. The Houston Forensic Science Center has been working with law enforcement to more effectively identify illegal cannabis products. Additionally, the Texas Department of Agriculture has registered more than a dozen labs to test Texas grown hemp and hemp products manufactured within the state. Our panelists will discuss their experience testing cannabis and challenges they've encountered along the way.
On election night, four more states (South Dakota, Montana, New Jersey, and Arizona) legalized marijuana for adult use, bringing the number of legal states to 15. A recent report indicates that Texas could bring in $1.1 billion in tax revenue per budget cycle, plus additional positive economic impacts. While a majority of Texans do support reform, there are reasonable concerns about this shift in policy. Our panelists will discuss the risk and benefits of repealing prohibition, sort the facts from the fear, and lay out the prospects for this kind of reform during the upcoming legislative session.Presenters(s):
Federal marijuana prohibition has dramatically transformed the philosophy, aims, and practices of America's criminal justice system—destroying millions of lives, devastating countless communities and exacerbating many of the social injustices and racial inequities our nation continues to grapple with today.
Chronicles of Prohibition: Past, Present, and Future by Natalie Papillion, a drug policy reform-focused writer, researcher and activist, will dive in the sordid history behind—and crushing consequences of—our country's century-long cannabis criminalization crusade.
Because the Texas Compassionate Use Program is unreasonably restrictive, excluding most of the patients who could benefit from medical cannabis, families are forced to make difficult decisions. For many, it becomes painfully necessary to uproot their lives and move to a state that allows safe and legal access.
Meet Michelle Walker and Glen Mayes, parents who have children who qualify for T.CUP, but had to seek freedom in Colorado because their children need access to whole plant medical cannabis. They'll share their experience and the impacts cannabis has made on their families.
Harsh state marijuana laws have driven local officials to take action of their own. We've seen every major metro area in Texas move forward with cite/release policies, diversion programs, or even non-enforcement.
Elected officials from three areas of the state will join us to share the results of their local policies on marijuana.
The only way to change marijuana laws in Texas is through the legislature, which meets every two years for an intense legislative session that lasts approximately 140 days.
Join Jax Finkel of Texas NORML for "Legislative Advocacy 101" which will help attendees understand and engage in the process. Jax will cover the legislative process, crafting your testimony, expectations for the session as well as an overview of some helpful tools.
Texas law gives you the right to clean up your criminal record in many circumstances. Kyle Hoelscher has prepared an easy to read petition and order for non-disclosure and expunction. He will walk you through these legal documents while discussing the law and procedure to successfully clean up your record..
While cannabis does have an exceptional safety profile, consumers should always be responsible. Nishi Whitely will walk us through the dos and don'ts of cannabis.
Join Amanda Hughes, licensed esthetician, cosmetic chemistry instructor and cannabis educator to discover how cannabis works within your skin for inflammation, topical pain relief and in skincare.
Presented by Kitchen Toke, the demonstration includes a tutorial for creating "cannabutter," which can be used in a variety of ways.
After the demonstration, join Jo Rivera and Jim Belushi for a cannabis infused dinner.
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