ARKANSAS CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND PRESENTS
CANNABIS & WELLNESS EXPO
SPEAKER ROOM SCHEDULE
10:30 A.M
1:30
2:30 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
5:00-11:00 P.M.
INDUSTRY DAY
“Minor Cannabinoids- Major Implications, “ with Dr. Brian Nichol, BlissThera
“Rooted in Integrity: A Blueprint for Social Change,” with Jocelin Fuller Brooks, State Director of M4MM Minorities for Medical Marijuana, Mayor Frank Scott and Eddie Armstrong of Armstrong & Associates.
Noon Break
“Innovations in Arkansas: Packaging & Marketing,” with Carson McCord, Leafology; John Hartsell, DIZPOT; Chris Beniche, Natural State Medicinals; Casey Flippo, Dark Horse Cannabis; Allie Jordan, The Source Apothecary
“Regulation and Enforcement Discussion with Q&A,” with Erika Gee, Wright Lindsey Jennings; Bill Paschall, ACIA; Christy Bjornson, Executive Director ABC; Holly Spear, Staff Attorney ABC; Chip Leibovich, Staff Attorney ABC; and David Potter, Enforcement Director ABC.
“ The Patient Access Amendment Update with Q&A,” with Bill Paschall, ACIA. This session will provide industry insiders with an overview of the campaign’s accomplishments and what to expect in the days before the November election.
“Women in Cannabis,” with Madeline Chosich, Arkansas Times; Amy Dailey, Good Day Farm; Megan Raines, Flatland Financial; Meagan Chris, Leafology; Tiffany Keathley, Pharm.D TreeStar Consulting; Amanda Strickland, The Source Apothecary
INDUSTRY NIGHT
Industry Night Cocktail Party at the Hall, presented by Dark Horse Cannabis and sponsored by Dark Horse Cannabis, Dizpot, and Distri, and Active
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.
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.
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 each and every day to respect the customs that come with cannabis. We value the tradition of conversation sharing of knowledge and personal ideas and most importantly, the practice of giving a warm welcome to everyone that walks through our doors. Locally operated and owned, you are visiting a team that is passionate about two things — helping people and cannabis. Whether it is the beginning of your journey or decades into it, come say Hi and talk to us! Whether you are a flower connoisseur or an extract aficionado, come hang out for a bit!
At Custom, everyone is a friend and we are here to help!
Dark Horse Cannabis
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 is at the forefront of every decision we make as we continue to provide a full range of products from cartridges and concentrates, to a range of products from our national partners; The Clear, Smokiez, Keef, Mary’s Medicinals, Benevolent Bakery, and our newest partner Cannadips.
Our products are only as good as the people who create them. The Dark Horse team is comprised of 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 the markets we serve.
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.
Natural State Medicinals Cultivation is proud to be minority owned, veteran operated, and fully Arkansan. Natural State Medicinals was founded in 2019 by local medical professionals, pharmaceutical, business and cannabis industry experts. Working in partnership with qualified, trustworthy professionals, their goal is to provide the highest quality, pharmaceutical-grade product for the patients of Arkansas.
River Valley Relief (RVR) is a family-owned medical cannabis cultivator located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. River Valley Relief’s founding purpose is to help give Arkansans an alternative to opiates and other addictive medications. RVR’s commitment is to provide high quality, affordable cannabis to the patients of Arkansas. River Valley Relief offers a wide variety of hand-finished, heirloom marijuana flower to the dispensaries of Arkansas, and Relief by RVR produces both live and cured cannabis extracts with a focus on the healing properties of terpenes. River Valley Relief has partnered with Wana Brands to bring North America’s #1 Gummie to the State of Arkansas. Relief by RVR launched a new product called ArkanRaw to dispensaries this month to help Arkansas patients suffering from some of the worst conditions. River Valley Relief chooses to focus on quality of product for the patients because we are all patients ourselves.
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 areas of practice. 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 77 attorneys practicing in Little Rock and Rogers. Visit www.WLJ.com to learn more.
OUR SPEAKERS
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.
Chip Leibovich, Staff Attorney, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Leibovich 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.
Alan Leveritt, Arkansas Times publisher, dropped out of UALR during his 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.
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.
John “Harts” Hartsell is the co-founder and CEO of DIZPOT, a leading global cannabis packaging and logistics company. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has worked with major brands such as YUM! Brands, Walmart, and Harkins Theaters. Hartsell co-founded DIZPOT in 2017, and the company has since become one of the largest cannabis packaging companies in the country. He is known for his supportive stance on legalization efforts and is actively involved in lobbying at state and federal levels. His greatest achievement is his strong family bond with Marcie, Maddox, and Gracie.
Eddie Armstrong is CEO and Chairman of Armstrong & Associates. With more than two decades of experience working with government, both from the inside and the outside, Eddie has a strong track record of success as a lobbyist for clients across multiple industries.
Eddie Armstrong
Eddie’s expertise as a communicator makes him a forceful advocate for clients and for the industry. The former minority leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Eddie understands how to work with governments at all levels to get things done for clients. Eddie frequently serves as a contract lobbyist focused principally on strategic business development and government affairs. His broad skillset and deep network of connections allow him to represent a diverse group of clients across the southeastern United States, especially Arkansas.
Jocelin Fuller-Brooks is an experienced cannabis consultant with a unique background in both recreational and medical markets, spanning over four years. Passionate about promoting justice, wellness, and advocacy through education, Jocelin has made significant contributions to the cannabis industry. In 2023, Her dedication and expertise were acknowledged with the highly regarded Arkansas Times “Budtender of the Year” award.
Alongside her consulting role, Jocelin also serves as the State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), where she spearheads initiatives for cannabis justice reform, public policy and community outreach. She is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities by providing education and facilitating responsible access to cannabis and wellness resources.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Jocelin embraces the fulfilling chaos of motherhood. Her diverse background and experiences drive her to inspire and support others on their unique journeys.
Dr. Brian Nichol, MD, is a highly accomplished anesthesiologist with nearly three decades of experience specializing in chronic pain management. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Nichol has integrated the use of natural forest medicine extracts and innovative techniques into the treatment of pain patients who are eager to explore alternative therapies. By meticulously analyzing NIH basic science research and clinical studies, he has delved into the physiological and psychological effects of specific terpenes and terpenophenolic compounds. Through extensive patient testing, Dr. Nichol has been able to identify precise combinations of these compounds that effectively mitigate a wide range of symptoms.
Presently, Dr. Nichol operates a private chronic pain management practice in North Little Rock, AR. He also holds the esteemed position of Medical Director for several innovative ventures, including BlissThera Forest Medicine, Hypnos Virtual, MindScape Technologies, and Tranquil-Mind therapy systems, all located in Little Rock. His dedication to advancing the field of chronic pain management through holistic and natural approaches has made him a respected figure in the medical community.
Casey Flippo is a graduate of the University Of Arkansas’s Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, where he studied business administration and marketing. Along with Flippo’s years of management experience, he also brings extensive knowledge from his years as Natvana LLC and Dark Horse Medicinals’ CEO. Natvana LLC was Arkansas’s premiere hemp extraction facility and through Flippo’s leadership, it blossomed into a nationally recognized option for high quality extracts. Dark Horse Medicinals was founded in early 2021 and after establishing itself as Arkansas’ premiere MIP option in just two short years, it is now one of the most recognizable brands in the Mid-south, with operations in AR, MO, and MS. To accompany Casey’s cannabis experience, he also totes a number of successes in high-risk marketplaces, which afford both Dark Horse and Natvana strategic advantages in markets that are eagerly trying to establish themselves as viable. Flippo was born and raised in Northeast Arkansas and is a true Arkansan. His experience, consumer-centric approach and passion for progress in his home state position him firmly as one of Arkansas’s cannabis industry experts.
Megan Raines is a co-founder and managing partner at Flatland Financial, a cannabis CPA firm in Northeast Arkansas. With over 10 years of experience in public accounting, she specializes in tax planning, small businesses, payroll, and sales tax compliance. She founded Flatland Financial to provide top-notch accounting and tax services tailored to Arkansas cannabis businesses. Megan advocates for the industry and organizes monthly Medical Marijuana New Patient Access Drives in Blytheville. Outside of work, she spends time with her family and enjoys coaching softball.
Chip Leibovich, Staff Attorney, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Chip Leibovich began working at the ABC in March 2019, shortly before the first dispensaries opened in Arkansas. As staff attorney for ABC, he has handled hundreds of violation reports, calls from patients, and questions from cannabis industry members. Prior to working at the ABC, Chip was a public defender in Faulkner County. He is a graduate from Hendrix College and the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law.
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 as 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 member of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police. He is an Arkansas State University Alumni with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Chris Beniche, the Vice President of Marketing at Natural State Medicinals, brings over 12 years of results-driven marketing experience to the table, with nearly two years dedicated to the cannabis industry. His role at Natural State is focused on bringing high-quality medicinal products to patients, a mission that aligns with his core values of authenticity and patient care.
Chris is passionate about the work he does at Natural State, stating, “I am passionate about our brand’s commitment to patients, with our products crafted by those who understand their needs firsthand.” This dedication to the patient experience is at the heart of his marketing strategies, which aim to elevate the brand while staying true to its roots.
Allie Jordan is the Marketing Lead at The Source, where she oversees a diverse creative team, which includes a writer, designer, & web developer. The overall mission of the marketing department at The Source is to create products that tell a story, while cultivating retail experiences that impact the lives of patients.
Allie balances a data-driven, sales-forward approach with a mission to impact the culture of cannabis in Arkansas.
Allie’s background in Communication Studies, liberal arts education, and years of experience working as a documentarian in Mexico give her a unique perspective as a cannabis marketer. She is a photographer, videographer, & social media butterfly.
Amanda Strickland is the CEO of The Source, where she oversees a team of nearly 60 folks who work to cultivate, harvest, process, cook, & dispense craft cannabis to medical marijuana patients in Northwest Arkansas.
With a background as a documentary filmmaker, writer, & anthropologist, she believes in the power of making cultural impact in parallel with creating financial growth & sustainability for her business.
She first accomplished this as the Marketing Director of The Source, when she increased her company’s sales significantly, while also establishing The Source as a cultural pillar in the local community.
Her marketing efforts led The Source to become a beacon for Arkansas cannabis industry players, resulting in her promotion to CEO of the company in February of 2024.
Carson McCord, a finance management and economics graduate from Chapman University, is the Chief Operating Officer of Leafology, a position she has held since the company’s launch. Her leadership has been key to the company’s growth and sustainability efforts. In her free time, Carson enjoys thoroughbred horse racing and reading, combining her love for competition with a passion for learning.