Is New Jersey The Next Cannabis Capital? Find Out At Benzinga's June 17 Event

Benzinga, a rapidly expanding financial news platform, is gearing up for its next Cannabis Market Spotlight event and Canna Founders Pitch Competition. The event, scheduled for June 17, 2024, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Jersey promises to be a pivotal gathering for the cannabis industry, especially in the Northeast.

A Strategic Gathering: New Jersey

Following a sold-out event in California and a 2,000-strong conference in Florida, Benzinga’s New Jersey Spotlight aims to build on this momentum. The Garden State, with its burgeoning cannabis market, will be the primary focus, but the event is also drawing interest from neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. This regional gathering is more than just a networking opportunity, it’s an arena where significant business relationships and future strategies for the cannabis industry are forged.

High-Impact Networking Opportunities

The event is designed to foster meaningful connections and business relationships. Attendees will have the chance to engage with top industry figures in structured sessions and casual mixers, transforming each interaction into a potential business breakthrough. It’s where the future of cannabis in New Jersey and beyond is shaped.

Benzinga, known for providing essential news and data to the financial community, has made a mark with its Cannabis Market Spotlight event series. 

Spotlight On The Pitch Competition

A highlight of the event is the Canna Founders Pitch Competition, supported by Rooted in Good, Curaleaf CURLF’s philanthropic arm. Rooted In Good is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the cannabis industry by supporting social equity 

and promoting environmental sustainability.

This competition is open to businesses with products or services in the market and annual revenues under $250,000. The application deadline is June 3rd.

Prizes and Opportunities

• Winner: $5,000 and a chance to compete in the Rooted In Good Cannabis Demo Day during Boston Cannabis Week for an additional $25,000.
• Runner-Up: $2,500 and a chance to compete in the Rooted In Good Cannabis Demo Day during Boston Cannabis Week for an additional $25,000.

Diverse Topics And Esteemed Speakers

The event will feature a robust agenda, addressing various aspects of the cannabis industry:

• Exploring New Jersey’s market potential and retail opportunities
• Supply chain logistics and cultivation challenges in a newly legalized landscape
• Navigating regulatory frameworks and compliance issues
• Strategies for transitioning from an illicit to a regulated market
• The role of cannabis lounges as unique tourism attractions near NYC

Attendees will hear from high-profile figures and pioneers, including:

• Jennifer Cabrera, Partner – Vicente LLP
• Jon Purow, Partner – Greenspoon Marder LLP
• Luna Stower, Chief Impact Officer – Ispire ISPR
• Suzan Nickelson, Founder & CEO – Holistic Solutions
• Joshua Hirschey, President – Timeless Vapes
• David Hart, CEO – The Cannabist Company CBSTF
• Laurie Parfitt, Founder & CEO – LKP Impact Consulting
• Pablo Zuanic, Managing Partner – Zuanic & Associates
• Dr. Chanda Macias, CEO and Chairwoman of the Board of Managers – Women Grow
• Justin Singer, Partner – Feuerstein Kulick LLP
• Chirali V. Patel, Managing Partner – Blaze Law Firm LLP
• Donny Moskovic, Principal Strategist – Katz & Associates
• Sarah Trent, Founder & CEO – Valley Wellness
• Todd Johnson, Executive Director – New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association
• Jon Lowen, Co-CEO – Surfside Solutions Inc.
• Julio Casado, CEO – ANJA
• Trip McDermott, COO – Verano VRNOF
• Matt Karnes, Founder – GreenWave Advisors
• Anthony Coniglio, CEO – NewLake Capital Partners NLCP
• Solonje Burnett, Co-Founder, Chief Culture + Community Officer – Erven
• Jason Ackerman, Founder – Joyleaf
• Brian Adams, CEO – Nimbus Cannabis Co
• Marc Claybon, Principal-Tax – Crowe
• Lou Magazzu, Partner – Weiner Law Group LLP
• Richie Proud, CEO – iAnthus ITHUF
• Jeremy Berke, Founder and EIC – Cultivated News
• Wesley McWhite III, Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion – NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
• Christopher Riggs, Acting Executive Director – NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
• Tom Zuber, Managing Partner – Zuber Lawler
• Kenneth Rose, Fund Co-Manager – Abraxis Eagle Fund
• Joshua Krane, Executive General Manager – Garden Greens
• Gabriella Wilday, CEO – Molly Ann Farms
• Robert Vanisko, VP of Public Engagement – AYR Wellness AYRWF
• Joshua “Raz” Rassin, Co-Founder – TICAL

Venue And Ticket Information

The event will be held at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, located at 60 Bayard St, New Brunswick, NJ. Parking is available at the NBPAC Parking Garage and the Morris Street Deck.

Ticket Pricing:

• General Admission – Early Bird: $197.00 (Regular price: $249.00)
• Investor Pass: Free for institutional and accredited investors (Email registration@benzinga.com to qualify).

For more information and to apply for the Canna Founders Pitch Competition, visit the event website.