Market Spotlight: New Jersey

Join the Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight
New Jersey, cultivating the future of Cannabis Innovation.

This premier event, focused on high-impact networking, offers a chance to connect and create lasting business relationships. Engage with top
industry figures in structured sessions and casual mixers, turning each interaction into a potential business breakthrough. It’s more than networking,
it’s where the future of cannabis in New Jersey (and beyond) is shaped. Be part of the defining conversation.

Join us and…

  • Discover New Jersey’s burgeoning cannabis market potential and retail opportunities

  • Examine supply chain logistics and cultivation challenges in a newly legal landscape

  • Navigate New Jersey’s regulatory framework and compliance for cannabis businesses

  • Discuss strategies for shifting the illicit market to a regulated, legal framework

  • Network with New Jersey state officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors

  • Gain insights from high-profile figures and pioneers in the cannabis industry

  • Explore the role of cannabis lounges as unique tourism attractions near NYC

Who should attend?

Are you ready to cultivate growth in the cannabis industry? Join us!

This event is the ultimate gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals looking to thrive in the cannabis market.

  • Dispensary Owners & Managers

  • Cannabis Brand Leaders

  • C-Suite Leaders

  • Market Investors

Gallery

Experience past Cannabis Market Spotlight: New Jersey events through the photo gallery below.

Speakers

Our list of speakers, sponsors and attendees is growing every day. Take a look at some of our confirmed speakers.

Ankur Rungta
Ankur Rungta
C3 Industries
Co-Founder & CEO
Brian Adams
Brian Adams
Nimbus Cannabis Co.
CEO
Christopher Riggs
Christopher Riggs
NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Acting Executive Director
Bran Noonan
Bran Noonan
OGeez!
CEO
Debra Borchardt
Debra Borchardt
Green Market Report
Executive Editor, Co-Founder
Dianna Houenou
Dianna Houenou
NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Commission Chair
Donny Moskovic
Donny Moskovic
Katz & Associates
Deal Junkie - Principal Strategist
George DeNardo
George DeNardo
AYR Wellness
Chief Operating Officer
Jill Cohen
Jill Cohen
Elevated by CannaBossLady
CEO
Joseph Lustberg
Joseph Lustberg
Upwise Capital
CEO
Karl Frederic
Karl Frederic
Clark Hill Law
Member Senior Director
Laurie Parfitt
Laurie Parfitt
LKP Impact Consulting
Founder & CEO
Luna Stower
Luna Stower
Ispire
Head of Impact
Marc Claybon
Marc Claybon
Crowe
Principal-Tax
Patrick Lane
Patrick Lane
Benzinga
EVP
Rachel Wright, CPA
Rachel Wright, CPA
VERDANT Strategies
CEO of VERDANT Strategies and 420 CPA
Randy Lanier
Randy Lanier
Freedom Grow
CEO
Richie Proud
Richie Proud
iAnthus
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Highsman
Founder
Samantha Gleit
Samantha Gleit
Feuerstein Kulick LLP
Partner
Seth Yakatan
Seth Yakatan
Katan Associates
Co-Founder
Stella Morrison
Stella Morrison
CannaContent
Founder and Content Strategist
Susanna Puntel
Susanna Puntel
ATACH
NJ State Policy & Advocacy Lead
Tahir Johnson
Tahir Johnson
Simply Pure Trenton
CEO
Tahira Rehmatullah
Tahira Rehmatullah
Highlands Venture Partners
Partner
Trip McDermott
Trip McDermott
Verano
COO
Will Bowden
Will Bowden
Grasshopper Farms
Founder & CEO
Kelly Heinichen
Kelly Heinichen
iAnthus
VP of Retail & Planning
Michael Piermont
Michael Piermont
iAnthus
Founder, Cheetah & CCO, iAnthus
Elliot Lane
Elliot Lane
Benzinga
Senior Vice President, Event Partnerships
Gabriella Wilday
Gabriella Wilday
Molly Ann Farms
CEO
Joshua Krane
Joshua Krane
Garden Greens
Executive General Manager
Amy Larson
Amy Larson
Rx Green Technologies
SVP - Head of Sales & Marketing
Jon Lowen
Jon Lowen
Surfside
Co-CEO and Co-Founder
Meilad Rafiei
Meilad Rafiei
WeCann
CEO
Sarah Trent
Sarah Trent
Valley Wellness
CEO
Steven Ernest
Steven Ernest
Chicago Atlantic
Director, Originations
Dan Saita
Dan Saita
North Lake Supply
Co-Founder & Owner
Jeanne Sullivan
Jeanne Sullivan
Arcview Ventures`
Chief Investment Officer
Jenny Lamboy
Jenny Lamboy
Hybrid Marketing
Director of Strategy
Leah Heise
Leah Heise
Wolf Meyer
Partner
Nick Richards
Nick Richards
Greenspoon Marder LLP
Tax Partner
Patrick Rea
Patrick Rea
Poseidon
Managing Director
Kris Ciccarelli
Kris Ciccarelli
Flowhub
Chief Technology Officer
David Fettner
David Fettner
Grow America
Managing Partner
Ben Burstein
Ben Burstein
LeafLink
Senior Corporate Development Manager
Jacqueline Ferraro
Jacqueline Ferraro
Cannability
Advocate | Strategic Advisor | Founder | Connector
Shane Fairbrother
Shane Fairbrother
HARA Supply
Director of Sales / Operations
Carl Tirella Jr.
Carl Tirella Jr.
Budr Cannabis
Co-Founder & CEO
Dan Neville
Dan Neville
Advanced Flower Capital
Partner, Chief Executive Officer
Derek Ross
Nova Farms
CEO
Kate Juliano
GTI
NJ Sales Manager
Julie Winter
Julie Winter
AYR Wellness
CRO
Mark Kazinec
Mark Kazinec
Best in Grass
Co-Founder & COO
Jesce Horton
Jesce Horton
Plant Fidelity Solutions
CEO
Lou Magazzu
Lou Magazzu
Law Offices of Louis N. Magazzu
Partner
Jason Quinn
Best in Grass
CEO

March 4th Agenda

Tuesday, March 4, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:40 AM
Networking
 
 
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Presentation
 
 
9:40 AM - 9:45 AM
Opening Remarks
 
 
9:45 AM - 10:05 AM
Keynote
 
 
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM
Panel

With New Jersey outpacing New York in 2024 cannabis sales, how can your business ensure it grows alongside the market in 2025? This panel explores key strategies for leveraging momentum, staying competitive, and setting the stage for record-breaking success in the coming year.

10:35 AM - 11:05 AM
Panel

Investors are focusing on retail to achieve quicker returns within 1-2 years, shifting away from long-term waits for profitability. Discover strategies for aligning with this new timeline and maximizing short-term investment outcomes.

11:05 AM - 11:25 AM
Panel
 
 
11:25 AM - 11:55 AM
Panel

How to stock your shelves with the hottest products and who drives these decisions. Do your picks truly impact customer demand or will people buy whatever you have?

 
11:55 AM - 12:15 PM
Fireside
 
 
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Meal
 
 
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Panel

Set your business up for success from day one. This panel will explore how to implement winning strategies to drive immediate revenue, position your retail operation competitively, and adapt to the fast-changing cannabis market in New Jersey.

 
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
 

Stay updated on New Jersey’s cannabis regulations, including $1 billion in 2024 sales, new consumption area endorsements, and evolving legal changes. Learn how these developments impact your business and what’s next.

 
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM
 

What it takes to become an attractive M&A target in today’s market—are your profitability, EBITDA, and cash flow where they need to be, and what steps can you take to get there?

 
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
 

Understand how financiers evaluate assets like real estate, brand value, sales, and profits. Gain insights into what matters most and how to maximize your business’s appeal.

 
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM
 

As East Coast cannabis markets mature, can your products match the quality and reputation of the West Coast's legendary cannabis? Does achieving this standard require local expertise, or is bringing in West Coast talent the key to standing out? Join the discussion on elevating product quality and winning consumer trust.

 
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM
Presentation
 
 
3:35 PM - 4:10 PM
Panel

Explore the symbiotic relationship between brands and dispensaries. Can a strong brand drive dispensary sales, and how can dispensaries help amplify brand success? Strategies to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that boosts revenue and builds loyalty.

 
4:10 PM - 4:15 PM
Closing Remarks
 
 
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Meal
 
 
Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) [Change Time Zone]

The Venue

DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT

110 Davidson Avenue Somerset, NJ 08873

NBPAC features two state-of-the-art theatrical venues in the Elizabeth Ross Johnson and Arthur Laurents Theaters, dedicated studios, collaborative work spaces for arts organizations across the region, as well as 207 residential apartments and public parking.

The Room Block cut off date is Monday, February 17th

Cannabis Market Spotlight Partners & Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring or participating?