Igniting Legal Excellence in the Cannabis Industrysm
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law | Chicago, Illinois
14 Hours of CLE | July 25-26, 2024
Conference Chairs
Conference Chair
Nastasia Mora
Assistant Executive Director
International Cannabis Bar Association
Content Chair
Jessica C. McElfresh
Founder and Principal
McElfresh Law, Inc.
Conference Co-Chairs
David Ruskin
Partner
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Fatima Afia
Associate
Rudick Law Group, PLLC
Kyle Finnegan
Associate
Ice Miller LLP
Jason Horst
Managing Partner
Horst Legal Counsel, PC
Marialle A. Bell
Attorney at Law
The Law Office of Marialle A. Bell, LLC
Shay Gilmore
Attorney at Law
The Law Office of Shay Aaron Gilmore
Mitzi Vaughn
Shareholder
Karr Tuttle Campbell
Shabnam Malek
Chief Legal Officer
Nuka Enterprises, LLC
Marie Sanchez
Lawyer & Founder
Nooa Avocats
Jessica C. McElfresh
Founder and Principal
McElfresh Law, Inc.
Agenda at-a-glance
Two Days of Live CLE | 12 hrs General | 2 hrs Ethics
July 25th | Plenary | Single Track
Location: Thorne Auditorium
Available CLE: 2 hrs General
8:00-9:00am: Registration The registration table will be located inside the entrance of the building. Check in and pick up your badge.
9:00-9:30am: CLI 2024 Introduction by Conference Co-Chairs
9:30-10:00am: Keynote - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker - Governor J.B. Pritzker is recognized for signing House Bill 1438, the nation's most equity-centric law legalizing adult-use cannabis. This initiative positioned Illinois as the first state to fully legalize adult-use cannabis through legislation and serves as a model for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis nationwide.
10:10-11:10am: Anticipating and Navigating Legal Risks in International Transactions - Get practical insight on the key challenges cannabis and hemp operators are likely to face when engaging in international activities and expansion.
11:20-12:20pm: State of Federal Cannabis Policy - The C-Suite Perspective
12:25pm-1:25pm: Lunch
1:30-2:00pm: Sponsor Presentation or Extended Lunch Time
2:00pm-3:00pm: Psychedelics Regulation: Walking Its Own Path - From the start, psychedelics are walking a different path towards legalization than cannabis. Learn about the different types and programs and why the roll out is different than cannabis - and discover why some advocates are seeking an alternate destiny from cannabis.
03:10-04:10pm: State Enforcement Against Licensed and Unpermitted Cannabis Operators - What should follow when outreach and initial licensing are not enough to bring people into licensed market? A discussion of how states are, could be, or should be enforcing laws and regulations in the permitted cannabis marketplace and against unpermitted operators.
4:25-5:25pm: Meet the Cannabis Press and How to Get Featured - In INCBA's version of Meet the Press, hear from writers covering the cannabis beat around the country. Learn what makes a story newsworthy, how is cannabis industry coverage different, what makes a journalist pursue a story, what are responsible press practices, and more.
5:30-7:00pm: Reception - Follow signs to the school's courtyard.
July 26th - Dual Tracks
Available CLE: 10 hrs General | 2 hrs Ethics
Track 1 (am) - The Classics
The Classics: Employment, Labor, and Medical Access
Location: Aspen Hall (RB150)
9:30-10:30am: Employment Nondiscrimination in a Drug-Free Workplace: the "WIRE" Concept - Learn about the legal implications of new anti-discrimination protections for employees who consume cannabis, the use of "impairment expert" roles, and how employers can continue to enforce drug-free workplace policies while not violating cannabis use nondiscrimination laws.
10:40am-11:40am: Cannabis Labor Issues: Labor Peace Agreements and Beyond - Distinguished labor law practitioners will lead a lively discussion of the key labor law concepts and issues every cannabis lawyer should understand, from the National Labor Relations Act to Labor Peace Agreements.
11:50am-12:50pm: From Stigma to Medicine -Medical Cannabis Law and Healthcare Considerations - As cannabis is incorporated in healthcare, providers and patients face new legal challenges in everything from licensing, payors, and accreditation hurdles, to DEA registrations, controlled-substance prescribing rules, fraud, right-to-try laws, and FDA oversight. With anticipation of rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III substance, there will be a discussion on how it impacts healthcare delivery, patient access and provider liability issues.
Track 1 (pm) - Attorney Updates
Attorney Updates: CTA, Expansion, and Ethics
Location: Aspen Hall (RB150)
2:00-3:00pm: Surviving the Fire Swamp: Ethical Pitfalls When Lawyers Wear Multiple Hats - The relatively sudden legalization of commercial cannabis has led attorneys to take on multiple roles for clients: brokers, business consultants, legal counselors, and more. Learn to identify ethical pitfalls in taking multiple jobs for a client - and when you must decline.
3:10pm-4:10pm: Corporate Transparency Act: Federal Demands for Transparency in Cannabis - Designed to counter drug trafficking, money laundering, and other financial crimes, the Corporate Transparency Act poses particular challenges for the cannabis industry, such as fully disclosing beneficial owners in an industry still prohibited under federal law.
4:20pm-5:20pm: Branching Out: Market Expansion in the Cannabis Industry - How should clients in the cannabis space expand into new markets? Here, industry lawyers will share their expertise in navigating IP licensing, partnerships, joint ventures, and more. Learn which strategies can accelerate your clients’ growth and which could pose risks.
Track 2(am) - Rescheduling
Rescheduling: What Changes Next
Location: Classroom 140 (RB140)
9:30-10:30am: Sleeping Giant: The Dormant Commerce Clause's Impact on Future of Cannabis - Lawsuits around the country based on a constitutional principle referred to as the "dormant Commerce Clause" have upended the cannabis industry over the past two years. We will discuss the merits of these cases and how they may impact shape and trajectory of the industry.
10:40-11:40am: Fault Lines on Federal Policy Post Rescheduling - Recent developments have convinced many that the DEA will seek to transfer cannabis to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act soon. Yet the mechanics of the administrative process and the implications of the proposed change are not well understood. Our panel will discuss the role of other federal agencies in the scheduling review process, the legal implications of cannabis’s scheduling status under federal law, and the implications rescheduling would have for state-regulated cannabis markets, FDA enforcement, and more.
11:50am-12:50pm: Cannabis Financing and M&A Post Rescheduling, 280E, and SAFER - A discussion of the how rescheduling, the potential end of 280E, and the SAFER Banking Act will impact the currently moribund cannabis financing and mergers and acquisitions.
Track 2(pm) - State and Local
State and Local: Litigation, Hemp, & Future Laws
Location: Classroom 140 (RB140)
2:00-3:00pm: License Litigation Actions – How Many Ways Can this Go Wrong? - Never short on litigation, state licensing schemes are mired in lawsuits in 2024. Explore not only constitutional challenges, but also clashes between states and agencies over licensing, including third-party contractor error, discrimination, and abuse of discretion.
3:10pm-4:10pm: D8 and D9 Knocking on the Door – The Five Ws of Cannabinoid Litigation - Intoxicating hemp cannabinoids are the source of a growing tide of lawsuits. Learn who the litigants are, why they want or don't want these products sold, what jurisdictions are feeling the brunt of the fight, and where the fight seems to be heading next.
4:20pm-5:20pm: Lessons Learned: Adult – Use Programs for Future State and Federal Policy - As cannabis legalization sweeps across the United States, legislators, regulators, and the industry must improve and mesh future state and federal adult-use policy, armed with lessons from states that pioneered adult-use programs. Learn what worked and what must change.
5:30-7:00pm: Reception - Follow signs to the school's courtyard.
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Cannabis Law Institutesm 2024
A Comprehensive Guide
Topics
Cannabis Law Institutesm will include two days of substantive legal education and networking opportunities for cannabis attorneys.
Co-Chairs
Meet the incredible minds behind the production of INCBA's 7th annual Cannabis Law Institutesm and the amazing panelists sharing their wisdom.
Socials
Join your friends and colleagues for a Welcome Happy Hour and network at our nightly receptions on the 25th and 26th! | Offshore Rooftop Instructions
Location
Graciously hosted by Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, this year's Cannabis Law Institutesm will be held in Chicago, IL. Click here for all location info.
About CLI
The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Cannabis Law Institute 2024 (CLI 2024), the marquee conference dedicated to advancing legal excellence in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. This dynamic event, widely considered to be the preeminent annual conference for cannabis law practitioners, will take place July 25th & 26th, 2024, at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, IL.CLI 2024 is set to bring together a diverse array of legal experts, policymakers, and industry pioneers from around the world. As the cannabis landscape continues to transform, this conference will provide attendees with invaluable insights and practical knowledge to navigate the complex legal framework surrounding the industry."We are excited to host the Cannabis Law Institute 2024 and provide an exceptional platform for legal professionals and industry leaders to collaborate, learn, and share cutting-edge legal strategies," said Jason Horst, President of the INCBA. "This conference is instrumental in shaping the future of the cannabis industry, fostering innovation, and ensuring compliance with evolving legal standards."Spanning two insightful days, the INCBA Cannabis Law Institute 2024 will feature a robust program packed with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, covering a wide range of critical topics (summary below). Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with esteemed experts and gain profound insights into emerging legal trends, regulatory challenges, business opportunities, and social equity issues in the cannabis industry.The INCBA Cannabis Law Institute 2024 offers unparalleled networking opportunities, fostering connections among legal professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry influencers.
Location
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Each year, INCBA holds its annual event at a law school around the continental US. We search for a location that can support our growing numbers, but provide the intimate setting and academic influence that makes our members and attendees strive for legal excellence.We are thrilled to present our 7th annual Cannabis Law Institute® at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law for just these reasons.
375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3069
View Northwestern's "Directions" Page
Hotels
With Block Pricing
W Chicago - Lakeshore
644 North Lake Shore Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Omni Chicago Hotel
676 North Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois 60611
CLI2024 Retail Price: $1,299
Members "STANDARD": $899
The benefit of INCBA membership!
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Pay CLI2024 Member Price
New Member "STANDARD": $1,199
🎯 First year of membership included.
Click Button Below then click "Join and Purchase"
Select Annual Attorney Membership (reg. $420)
Use Discount Code CLI24-300 at checkout
Non-Member "STANDARD": $1,199
Non-Member and/or Non-Attorney.
Click Button Below, then click Purchase
Pay Same Price as Non-Member Early Bird
Wish you were a member. 😉
How *Discount Code CLI24-300 is applied:
Annual Attorney Membership $420 $300 + Current CLI2024 Member "STANDARD" Price $899 = Bundled Price $1,199
Need help? Email: support@incba.org
*Discount code is only valid towards our Annual Attorney Membership.
Membership renews annually at regular price.
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Instructions to the Offshore Rooftop social event:Parking details:Offshore is located at the far East end of Navy Pier at Entrance 2.Discounted valet rates are available.
Valet is located in front of the Sable Hotel lobby.
Please validate valet tickets at Offshore's host stand.
VALET RATES: 0 - 4 $20
SELF PARK: 1 - 1:30 $26
1:30 - 2 $32
2 - 6 $37
Please note self parking does not receive any discounts.Public transit
Bus Lines: #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #124 Navy Pier (serving Metra lines from Millennium Station, Ogilvie and Union Stations) and #2 Hyde Park Express (during weekday morning and evening rush hours only)