The first Southwest Cannabis Conference and Expo rolls into Phoenix
- The conference features more than 300 vendors selling grow lamps, clothing, insurance
- Scottsdale resident is popular dispensary designer in nine states
The first Southwest Cannabis Conference and Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center this month assembles big names and the best products in the growing industry.
A one-day career fair kicks off the conference on Monday, Oct. 26.
More than 40 presentations and 300 vendors selling items such as indoor grow lights, hemp clothing and cannabis insurance continue over Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Among the presentations:
- Kickstarting your Cannabis Career: A conversation with the star of CNN’s docu-series "High Profits."
- Existing Marijuana Laws: Southwestern States
- Indoor v. Outdoor Cultivation: Sun or science?
- Cannabis Stocks & Wealth Management
Demitri Downing, event organizer and one of Arizona's experts in marijuana policy and compliance, said the conference's "objective is to pull back the curtain on the medical marijuana industry and recreational adult use trend."
"Just like alcohol, it's here to stay," Downing said. "What this conference demonstrates is that it can be handled in an intelligent manner where it can be taxed, regulated and people can generate resources to either combat (marijuana) or build roads with it. With more transparency, people are coming to understand that."
Represented in large numbers in the presentations are women. An August 2015 story in "Newsweek" magazine titled "The Women of Weed" said that cannabis could be the first billion-dollar industry not dominated by men.
Cheryl Shuman, known as the "Martha Stewart of Marijuana" and a self-made billionaire in the industry is among a group of panelists in the "Power Women of the Cannabis Industry" discussion. Katherine Grimm, a cannabis consultant featured in CNN's docu-series "High Profits" is also part of the panel, as is Scottsdale resident Megan Stone. Stone has designed medical marijuana and recreational use dispensaries in nine states. The highly regulated industry presents design challenges because states vary on how the product can be displayed and who has access to it in front and in back of the store, among other rules.
Stone said her job is to design a store that makes people feel comfortable about buying a product she believes can "save people's lives."
"For such a wonderful product, people should be able to acquire it in a way that is dignified and respectable," Stone said. "I really want to provide a retail experience that paints a better picture."
Arizona law permits use of medicinal marijuana. A 2016 ballot initiative would ask Arizona voters to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Marijuana remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act, but in 2013 the Department of Justice said it would not interfere with laws regulating recreational use of marijuana.
The conference is presented by the Southwest Events Group, MJ Freeway, which sells tracking software for marijuana retailers and New Times Phoenix.
Southwest Cannabis Conference and Expo
What: A two-day conference with speakers and authors from journalists to marijuana cultivation experts to medical professionals to attorney and industry leaders. A career and job fair is the day before the conference.
When: The career and job fair begins at 9 a.m on Oct. 26. The conference and expo presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. on Oct., 27 and 28.
Where: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix.
Tickets: A career-fair pass is $50 and provides passes to the expo. Admission to the career fair, conference and expo is $450.
Details: swccexpo.com, 877-775-1568.