The Second Annual Cannabis Education Forum of West Hollywood, California, delivered on its promise. Women Grow did a spectacular job organizing this 26 August 2016 event. I took lots of video that day and posted some on my blog, especially highlighting the information on the upcoming Proposition 64 legalization voter initiative on the November ballot.
Lynne Lyman explained the workings of Prop 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
So much about Prop 64 is so good and so long over due. Drug Alliance Policy’s California director, Lynne Lyman, broke down Prop 64, aka the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), into chewable, easily digested bites. Of course there were detractors expressing concern that Prop 215 medical marijuana rights could be decimated, but Ms. Lyman took care to discuss some of AUMA’s specific provisions showing that is not the case.
Cannakids founder Tracy Ryan spoke on The Future of Cannabis in the Medical Age panel. Her little girl diagnosed with a brain tumor is doing remarkably well and, yes, she says that cannabis oil is why. All other medicines had failed when this family turned to Mother Nature’s own.
Women Grow/LA co-chair, Jackie Subeck, CEO of HeyJackpot, moderated How To Start a Legal Cannabis Business and made sure her questions allowed each panelist to deliver specific information centered on their wheelhouse of experience in this industry.
MedMen’s co-founder/CEO Adam Bierman is one of the entrepreneurs who entered this industry back in the early to mid 2000’s, when there was a shift in marijuana’s image. He said that about that time, a company called Privateer Holdings entered a relationship with a relatively new Southern California start-up, Leafly. A few years later, MedMen was a stand out LA dispensary. Bierman spoke about opportunities in the industry. His perspective wasn’t meant to be discouraging but the 2016 reality is what it is: Opportunities are shrinking. Dispensaries like MedMen have suppliers that fill their shelves with great products. There’s room, just not as much.
My take on this whole experience was that, as the roots take hold, the cannabis industry will grow furiously just as the alcohol industry did after the prohibition ban was lifted and many underground bootleggers rose up to sell their spirits. If Prop 64 passes on November 8, California is going to be growing a lot more cannabis.
Marla Miller’s latest project is Easy Home Grow With MediMJ Mama, a primer and guide to the home gardeners among us.
Original URL: http://theleafonline.com/c/business/2016/09/women-grow-event-hit-w-hollywood/