The Medical Marijuana & CBD Wellness Expo | Industry Day Program 2024

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ARKANSAS CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

CANNABIS & WELLNESS EXPO 1.19.24 SPONSORED BY

INDUSTRY DAY PARTICIPANTS Arkansas Times

Established in 1974, the Arkansas Times has solidified its position as a dynamic and outspoken hub for news, politics and cultural insights within the state of Arkansas. Our monthly magazine, widely distributed at more than 500 locations in central Arkansas, serves as a beacon for those seeking engaging perspectives on the unfolding stories that shape our community. As we proudly mark our 50th anniversary in 2024, the Arkansas Times remains committed to delivering news with a distinct edge.

Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association

The Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) is a 501(c)(6) cannabis industry trade association advocating for laws, regulations and public policies that foster a healthy, professional and accountable medical cannabis industry in our state. ACIA seeks to responsibly advance the cannabis industry in Arkansas through promoting best practices and sensible regulation in areas including patient safety, supply chain security and product testing, and aims to promote and foster awareness so the industry may continue to provide Arkansans with safe access to medical cannabis.

OUR SPONSORS GOOD DAY FARM

Come discover the #1 medical dispensary in the south.

At GOOD DAY FARM, we believe in harnessing the magic of Mother Nature to help people feel GOOD. From the moment you walk through our doors to the way you feel when you try our products, we strive to provide an experience that’s undeniably great from start to finish. We believe it’s always a great day to have a good day – and we do everything in our power to make that a reality for ourselves, our patients, and our communities. Every patient is important to us, and we welcome all people from all walks of life to share our passion for cannabis. Inspired by the Southern communities that raised us, GOOD DAY FARM dispensaries were created to illuminate the GOOD in everyone, everywhere, every day.

GOOD PEOPLE. GOOD CANNABIS. GOOD DAY.

AA Analytics

AA Analytics opened in February 2022 with one goal in mind: to provide quick, trustworthy and accurate testing for medical marijuana. “Speed, Accuracy, Value, and Ease” is their motto. They understand that getting accurate results back to the cultivator quickly helps to get the medicine into the hands of the patients of Arkansas. The patients can feel confident in the medicine they choose knowing that it was thoroughly tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory with brand new Shimadzu equipment and top-notch chemists.

Custom Cannabis

Located in Alexander, Arkansas, sits a quaint little building on the corner of AR-5 and Alexander Road, aptly named Custom Cannabis. The diverse and eclectic team sets out every day to respect the customs that come with cannabis. We value the tradition of conversation, sharing knowledge and personal ideas, and, most importantly, the practice of warmly welcoming everyone who walks through our doors. Locally operated and owned, you are visiting a team that is passionate about two things — helping people and cannabis.

Say Hi and talk to us whether it is the beginning of your journey or decades into it.

Whether you are a flower connoisseur or an extract aficionado, hang out for a bit.

At Custom, everyone is a friend, and we are here to help.

Dark Horse Medicinals

At Dark Horse, we stand behind our products because we know that quality is incorporated in every aspect of the lab and production. Customer experience and trust are at the forefront of every decision as we continue to provide a full range of products, from cartridges, concentrates and chocolates to a vast range of products from our national partners, The Clear and Smokiez. We are also happy to announce our newest partnerships with Mary’s Medicinals, Big Pete’s Treats and Keef in 2024!

Our products are only as good as the people who create them. The Dark Horse team includes classically trained chemists, material engineers, lab technicians and professional chefs. All showcase a dedication to the science of cannabis and a desire to bring innovative and quality cannabis products to our markets.

Keef

Born in 2010 in Boulder, Colorado, Keef Brands is a leader in the cannabis beverage space with a suite of products that offer a new generation of consumers an alternative to alcohol and an innovative new way to celebrate, have fun and enjoy life.

Unlike other edibles that can take up to two hours to take full effect, cannabisinfused beverages offer full effects in as little as 15 minutes of consumption, leading to a more real-time and responsible consumption experience. Keef has perfected microemulsion so that you can trust your dose every time!

Keef is available in eight states, Puerto Rico and Canada, but it will be available in Arkansas soon. The initial launch will include a variety of exceptional-tasting cannabis-infused sodas with resealable lids, so you can have as much or as little as you need. Coming very soon to a dispensary near you.

Leafology

Leafology, located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, is a vibrant, familyowned medical marijuana cultivation. We define our approach to business by boldness, inclusivity and a quick pace, driven by our commitment to producing high-quality medical cannabis. Beyond cultivation, we aim to build a supportive community that educates patients about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, empowering them to make informed choices for healthier lives. Leafology stays ahead in Arkansas’ cannabis scene by regularly introducing innovative products and new strains. As the state’s newest cultivation operation, we blend family values, cutting-edge methods and a dedication to diverse products. This combination positions Leafology as a key player, making significant contributions to Arkansas’ evolving marijuana industry, all while helping patients lead more fulfilling lives through cannabis.

Mary’s Medicinals

Established in Colorado in 2013, Mary’s Medicinals pioneered products to maximize the potential benefits of cannabinoids, terpenes and other plant nutrients. Their commitment to cannabis and innovative solutions enhances the quality of life for patients.

Combining novel delivery methods and horticulture, Mary’s Medicinals has transformed how people view and utilize plant-based alternative treatments.

Mary’s award-winning transdermal patches, recognized as the best-selling in North America, make a trusted ally on your journey to harness the healing power of cannabis. They say “self care is no longer black and white.”

Mary’s Medicinals is excited to launch in Arkansas in early 2024, with a line of transdermal patches with other innovative products soon to follow.

Natural State Medicinals

Founded in 2019, Natural State Medicinals (NSM) is the collective effort of local experts in medical, business and cannabis industries with a strong connection to Arkansas. We focus on producing premium-quality products to prioritize the well-being of our fellow Arkansans. Our commitment to crafting exceptional cannabis products reflects our dedication to the local community and the unique needs of Arkansas patients.

We credit our success to our tenured team of dedicated professionals who contribute unique industry expertise. Veterans, accomplished women, and skills from all walks of life drive our innovation. NSM embraces diversity, fostering creativity and collaboration. We are committed to representation at all levels, with an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.

Smokiez

Smokiez is a national brand that started in Colorado in 2010 and has since increased its footprint to 17 states and counting, including its expansion to Arkansas in 2023. Smokiez provides a consistently delicious and effective edible using their proprietary formula made with high-clarity extract.

The pectin-based gummy recipe is vegan and gluten-free to provide pure euphoric relief and relaxation. With a proprietary homogenization process, each gummy is guaranteed to provide a consistent effect and flavor. Smokiez THC fruit chews are now enhanced with cannabis terpenes to target indica, sativa and hybrid effects. Now available at most Arkansas retailers with more flavors coming soon. Try our new 800mg Smokiez at a dispensary near you.

The Clear

Chip Leibovich, Staff Attorney, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Leibovich

Molecular distillation allows us to produce cannabis oil that is clear, potent, smooth and safe. In addition, starting with clean, tasteless and odorless distillate enables us to formulate various cannabis products featuring truly unforgettable flavors from all-natural plant compounds.

Alan Leveritt, Arkansas Times publisher, dropped out of UALR during his

The Clear prides itself on being one of the original cannabis brands and an industry leader focusing on safe, quality and innovative products. It was founded in 2013 by a team of scientists in California who brought molecular distillation to the cannabis market and, in the process, reinvented the cannabis industry.

The Clear only utilizes science-grade hardware, AAA quality distillate and awardwinning flavors to provide the best smoking experience. Available now at most Arkansas retailers.

Wright Lindsey Jennings

Founded in 1900, Wright Lindsey Jennings is one of the premier law firms in Arkansas and the region, representing the businesses, organizations and industries that make up the fabric of the Arkansas and regional economies.

Many Wright Lindsey Jennings attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers as among the best in their practice areas. The firm’s attorneys are also committed to excellence beyond the practice of law – serving and leading in local, regional and national professional and community organizations. Wright Lindsey Jennings has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Arkansas since 2018. WLJ received the 2020 Olivia Farrell Gender Equity Leadership Award and, in 2019, the Arkansas Community Foundation honored Wright Lindsey Jennings with a Smart Corporate Giving Award. Today, Wright Lindsey Jennings has 73 attorneys practicing in Little Rock and Rogers. Visit www.WLJ.com to learn more.

OUR SPEAKERS Cindi Renee Brownmiller, AA Analytics, is a native of Fort Smith and has

resided in southern Washington County for the past 30 years. She received her master of science degree in food science at the University of Arkansas in 2000.

Before joining AA Analytics, Brownmiller worked as a researcher/lab manager with the University of Arkansas for over 23 years. She has authored and co-authored 53 publications in many internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals.

Her research in chemistry and nutrition focused on food bioactives, natural products chemistry, metabolomics and oxidative stress and inflammation.

Cindi often worked in collaboration with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. While collaborating with the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, Cindi developed several products for carriers of nutritional supplementation as well as consumer acceptance of these products. This research, as with much of her other research projects, not only included the identification and quantification of the bioactive compounds, but also included the stability of the active compounds through preparation stages, differing storage conditions and storage times.

Griffin Coop, Cannabiz editor, Arkansas Times, covers the state cannabis

industry. In the past year, Coop has reported on the state medical marijuana industry surpassing $1 billion in sales and the use of medical marijuana tax revenue to subsidize school meals. Coop has reported on lawsuits impacting the legality of hemp-derived THC as well as advertising restrictions on the state’s cannabis businesses. Coop has reported on his tours of cannabis cultivation and processing facilities, the effort to legalize adult-use marijuana in Arkansas in 2022 and the proposal to expand medical marijuana in Arkansas in 2024.

Erika Gee, Wright Lindsey Jennings, has represented cannabis businesses

since December 2016 in various matters, including regulatory and legislative lobbying, compliance counsel and general counsel for licensed dispensaries, cultivation facilities, processors, licensed hemp growers, processors and ancillary businesses. She leads a multidisciplinary team of attorneys at Wright Lindsey Jennings who represent tax matters, mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, employment law and other issues affecting the industry. She has been recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for Government Relations in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America©. She is a sought-after speaker on the legal and regulatory aspects of cannabis in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and the surrounding region. She has written multiple articles on the topic for Arkansas Business and has made appearances on “Arkansas Week,” “Talk Business,” and Arkansas Public Media.

began working at the ABC in March 2019, shortly before the first dispensaries opened in Arkansas. As the staff attorney for ABC, he has handled hundreds of violation reports, calls from patients, and questions from cannabis industry members. Before working at the ABC, Leibovich was a public defender in Faulkner County. He graduated from Hendrix College and the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law.

senior year in 1974 and started the Arkansas Times with a $200 investment from bookstore owner Jim Bell. Years later, Bell confessed he had written “donation” on the check stub, never expecting to see his $200 again. Since then the Arkansas Times has become what Leveritt describes as “the voice of the blue community in a very red state.” In addition to 21,000 copies of the monthly magazine, the Times has a strong web presence with over 400,000 monthly unique visitors at arktimes.com. Arkansas Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Leveritt is a longtime advocate for legal, medical and recreational cannabis. He lives and farms on his great-grandparents’ 87 acres, where he raises heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables for restaurants and farmers markets.

Brian Nichol, MD, Interventional Pain Consultants, is a board-certified anesthesiologist practicing chronic pain management in North Little Rock.

The medical use of cannabis has been an interest of his since he noticed the improved quality of life his patients were experiencing when self-medicating with cannabis. He has been guiding patients on the successful and effective medical use of cannabis and has been an advocate for more than two decades.

Legalization of hemp and then medical cannabis in Arkansas has brought medically guided cannabis treatment to the next level by being able to recommend cannabis preparations, dosing and administration schedules for more optimal results in an individual. He is a consultant to the industry and medical director for HypnosVR Vortex Clinical Terpene Inhalation systems. Nichol continues to advocate for medical cannabis patients, providing patient education through personal appearances and through his work on social media and radio as CannabisExpertMD. Bill Paschall, Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, has been providing

public affairs, public relations, governmental relations and marketing support to a wide range of clients for over 30 years. Paschall develops successful strategies to shape public policy, market issues, ideas and institutions and help his clients navigate the regulatory and legislative maze of government. Paschall provides strategic counsel to Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, nonprofits and trade associations.

Paschall and his team took over ACIA’s day-to-day operations in 2020. He has helped the organization navigate the pandemic, achieve success on the regulatory and legislative fronts, engage politically, initiate robust member communications and launch a professional development program.

David Potter, Enforcement Director, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

David is a native-born Arkansan and resident of Lonoke County. He joined Arkansas State Government in 2013 as the Chief Investigator of Arkansas Tobacco Control. He held many titles throughout the years and was appointed the ABC Enforcement Director and Assistant Administrator of the DFA Regulatory Division in 2020 by Secretary Larry Walther. Along with his current duties in medical marijuana, he oversees the Tobacco and Alcohol Enforcement Divisions. He is the voting Arkansas committee member for the national Cannabis Regulators Association and a member of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police. He is an Arkansas State University alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

David Harris, President AA Analytics, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Ouachita Baptist University in 1990. From there, he worked in R&D for several companies for a few years. With his entrepreneurial spirit and chemistry background, he created a rust remover product in his garage that he decided to sell from his own company. Over the next 20+ years he sold EvapoRust to the military, brick and mortar stores, online, and internationally. After closely guarding the formula from others in the industry for over two decades, he sold his product line to CRC Industries so he could focus his attention elsewhere.

He had always had an interest in the medical marijuana industry, specifically in the analytical testing process involved because of his chemistry background. In 2022, he took his chemistry knowledge and business experience and opened AA Analytics, the only medical marijuana testing laboratory in Northwest Arkansas.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS INDUSTRY DAY 10:00 A.M.

Opening: “A Look Back at the Growth of the Industry in Arkansas and the Future,”

with Alan Leveritt of the Arkansas Times 10:15 A.M.

Panel: “Women in Cannabis,”

with Erika Gee, Wright Lindsey Jennings; Good Day Farm, TICAL, Leafology, The Source and AA Analytics 11:15 A.M.

“The Patient Access Amendment Discussion with Q & A,” with Steve Lancaster, Wright Lindsey Jennings and Bill Paschall, ACIA

12:00 P.M.

“From Seed to Flower: A Deep Dive into the Whole Cannabis Plant,” with Leafology

1:00 P.M.

“Cannabis and Cooking Discussion,“ with Chef Travis Petersen, @the_NomadCook

2:15 P.M.

Panel: “Regulation and Enforcement Discussion with Q & A,”

with Erika Gee, Wright Lindsey Jennings; Bill Paschall, ACIA; Christy Bjornson, Executive Director ABC; Chip Leibovich, Staff Attorney ABC; and David Potter, Enforcement Director ABC 3:15 P.M.

“New Technology, Lab Practices and Testing Discussion with Q & A,” with Griffin Coop, Cannabiz Editor Arkansas Times; David Harris, CEO AA Analytics; and Cindi Brownmiller, Lab Director AA Analytics

3:45 P.M.

“The Ask Ethel Discussion with Q & A,” with Griffin Coop, Cannabiz Editor Arkansas Times; Annie Iselin, and Ryan Kenaga

4:20 P.M.

Closing

5 - 11 P.M.

Cocktail Party at Cache Restaurant, 425 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201

Sponsored by Dark Horse Medicinals, High Speed Extracts, The Clear, Smokiez Edibles, Steep Hill, Mary’s Medicinals, AVD and Keef

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS