
Eighth Native American Cannabis & Hemp Conference
June 6-7, 2023
Pechanga Resort Casino – Temecula, CA
Event Details
The Eighth Native American Cannabis & Hemp Conference will be held on June 6-7, 2023 at Pechanga Resort Casino – Temecula, CA.
Industry experts will come together with Tribal Leaders and decision-makers to share information regarding the evolving legal landscape of the cannabis and hemp industries throughout the country. You will hear success stories and discuss best practices for creating regulated, legal, safe, and high-quality products in your communities. This is a must-attend event if your Tribe has already entered this complex market or is considering other means to drive revenue and create jobs. This is also a unique opportunity for professionals with products or expertise to take advantage of the many benefits offered when entering a business relationship with a Tribe.
We ensure our attendees get to know their peers and interact with one another throughout the event by providing a variety of engaging sessions, numerous networking opportunities, and impressive business solutions.
Four Conferences for the Price of One!
This event is being held in conjunction with our:
- 16th Annual Native American Economic Development Conference
- 13th Annual Native American Healthcare Conference
- 11th Annual Native American Housing Conference
When you register for one, you will have access to all four conferences!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- Tribal Leaders
- Council Members
- Cannabusiness Professionals
- Insurance Professionals
- Finance and Legal Professionals
- Information and Technology Professionals
- Risk Managers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Economic Development Professionals
- Industry Consultants
- Government agencies
TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT ATTENDING, SPEAKING, EXHIBITING OR SPONSORING, PLEASE CALL US AT 201-857-5333 OR EMAIL SALES@NATIVENATIONEVENTS.ORG.
At Native Nation Events, we pride ourselves on offering best-in-class networking events in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. No need for suits and ties; business casual is the preferred dress code for our conferences.
Thank you to our Co-Chairs and Platinum sponsors for their continued support, dedication to knowledge, and drive to enhance the Native American community.




Register Now To Attend
For Elected Tribal Council or Tribal Government/Enterprise Representatives
d Hemp Conference Tribal Super Early Bird
$745
d Hemp Conference Tribal Early Bird
$845
d Hemp Conference Tribal Standard Rate
$945
Group Rate (Four or more paid from same Tribe or entity)
d Hemp Conference Tribal Group Super Early Bird
$645
d Hemp Conference Tribal Group Early Bird
$745
d Hemp Conference Tribal Group Standard Rate
$845
For Other Industry Professionals
d Hemp Conference Pro Super Early Bird
$845
d Hemp Conference Pro Early Bird
$945
d Hemp Conference Pro Standard Rate
$1045

HOTEL INFORMATION
Pechanga Resort Casino45000 Pechanga Parkway
Temecula, CA 92592
1-888-PECHANGA
Room Rate: $204 per night
Booking Code: 7374159
Room Cut-Off Date: May 4, 2023
YOU MUST MENTION NATIVE NATION EVENTS OR THE NATIVE AMERICAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – CANNABIS CONFERENCE TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNTED RATE!
Reserve Room NowEighth Native American Cannabis and Hemp Conference
June 6th - 7th, 2023
Pechanga Resort Casino - Temecula, CA
Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
7:30-8:30 AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Registration A&B | Summit Ballroom C
8:30-8:45 AM
Opening Remarks
Summit Ballroom AB

Justin O'Connor
President | Native Nation Events

Ken Perez
President | Pechanga Development Corporation
8:45-9:30 AM
Keynote- Unlocking the Best Version of Yourself and Embracing Change and Uncertainty
Summit Ballroom AB

Jim Stroker
Coach | Native Nation Events
- The 3 questions you must answer to create alignment and tranquility in your life.
- Becoming aware of the space between stimulus and response, and making this your power tool.
- Regaining a sense of control by discipline of focus on what is in your control and what is out.
- Deciding to bring your attention to “The Process”, and leading teams to focus here rather than outcome.
- The mindful leader and self care strategies that allow for sustainability and building teams of trust.
- The locked in intention that you have for exiting the game of life, and will you create a game plan that uses AMOR FATI as your theme?
9:30-10:15 AM
Legislative Update: New and Pending Legislation and What It Means for Indian Country
Summit Ballroom AB

One Who Rides His Horse East (Tom Rodgers)
Founder and CEO | Carlyle Consulting
- Cannabis Federal and State political and policy developments
- Psychedelic Federal and State political and policy developments
- Native American sovereignty- DEA licensure and intellectual property
10:15 - 10:45 AM
Morning Networking Break
Summit Ballroom C
10:45-11:00 AM
Cannabis and Hemp Conference Co-Chair Remarks
Summit Ballroom E

Anthony Reider
President | Native Nations Cannabis

Peter D. Lepsch
Partner | Peebles Kidder Bergin & Robinson LLP
11:00-12:00 PM
The State of the Cannabis and Hemp Industries in 2023
Summit Ballroom E

Peter Lepsch- Moderator
Partner | Peebles Kidder Bergin & Robinson LLP

John Barthel
Founder & CEO | Honest Cannabis

Mark Levitan
Attorney at Law | Levitan Law
- The global cannabis market is estimated to be valued at $27.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $82.3 billion by 2027.
- What industry trends and developments must be monitored as we move through 2023 and beyond?
- Dive deep into current cannabis and hemp challenges and opportunities in Indian Country.
- What is the latest on the political landscape?
- After almost a decade of tribes establishing themselves in the cannabis Industry, what lessons have been learned?
- Fewer than 100 of the nearly 600 federally recognized tribes are actively exploring entry into the industry; how much growth is expected in the foreseeable future?
- What future market conditions must be considered when entering into the cannabis industry?
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Summit Ballroom C
1:00-2:00 PM
Tribe to Tribe Trade-Best Practices in Protecting Interests and Sovereignty
Summit Ballroom E

Jonathan Hunt- Moderator
Chief Operating Officer | Native Nations Cannabis

Seth Pearman
Attorney General | Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Richard Sneed
Principal Chief | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Mary Jane Oatman
Chief Operating Officer | Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association

Marjorie Matheson
Chief Executive Officer | Qwibil Natural Healing and Research Center
- Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level; do experts predict that changing soon?
- What do tribal leaders need to do to advocate for inclusive policies at the federal level?
- How do you ensure new tribal/federal/state frameworks safeguard tribal interests?
- The prospect of federal reform could create positive change but potentially disrupt current industry standards and business operations.
- Discuss opportunities and challenges tribes could face as the federal government becomes more involved.
- Would federal legalization relieve some tribes’ fears of entering into the industry?
2:00-3:00 PM
How to Start a Cannabis Industry on Your Reservation: A Step-by-Step Guide by Professionals That Are Up and Running
Summit Ballroom E

Tom Zuber- Moderator
Managing Partner | Zuber Lawler

Taryn Thompson
General Manager | Akwesasne Cannabis Dispensary

Samuel Strong
Tribal Secretary | Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

Alexander Oxendine
General Manager | Waabigwan Mashkiki

Mark Abraham
Chief Executive Officer | Farm Science
- Make sure you have the most up-to-date knowledge on CBD, THC, and hemp. Know the differences and determine where the greatest opportunities exist for your tribe.
- You want to get started on a project, but where do you begin? Understanding the terminology, technology, and tools that produce success.
- Decide what path is best for your tribe. Do you plan to cultivate and grow, process, package, and sell products through a retail shop or dispensary, and set up a complete vertical integration?
- The importance of working through legislative regulations and securing legal direction.
- How do you avoid million-dollar mistakes?
3:00-3:30 PM
Afternoon Networking Break
Summit Ballroom C
3:30-4:15 PM
The Convergence of Sacred Substances and FDA-Route Psychedelics
Summit Ballroom E

Benton Bodamer
Member | Dickenson Wright

One Who Rides His Horse East (Tom Rodgers)
Founder and CEO | Carlyle Consulting
- Recent clinical trials are leading to significant advances toward FDA approval of various substances long known as sacred.
- Characterization of the same substance as “medical”, “sacramental”, or “recreational”, has transformative impact on legality and religious or commercial availability.
- What are the current substances with significant FDA-route tailwinds, and how could or should Native communities get involved in shaping the law and the industry?
4:15-5:00 PM
Working with Other Governments: A Discussion of Tribe-to-Tribe Transactions, State Boundaries, and the Ever-Present Federal Law and Policy
Summit Ballroom E

Jana Simmons- Moderator
Partner | Ropers Majeski

Ronald LaFrance, Jr.
Tribal Chief | St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

David Vialpando
Commission Chairman | Pokagon Potawatomi Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Dr. Jacquelyn Amour Jampolsky
Founding Partner | Aim Law
- How to avoid pitfalls from federal, state, or local governments.
- Best practices for staying on top of legal changes and challenges when working in the cannabis industry.
- How do current regulations, or lack of regulations, impact your cannabis operation?
- What are the benefits of running an enterprise fully self-regulated and overseen by the tribe or a tribal cannabis commission?
- Discuss how operating a tribal enforcement division or an independent regulatory body increases safety and compliance of cannabis businesses.
- Know the risk management factors to consider in the industry
5:00 PM
Day One Sessions Conclude
Wednesday, June 7th, 2023
7:30-8:30 AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Registration A&B | Summit Ballroom C
8:30-9:15 AM
Community Benefits of a Tribal Cannabis or Hemp Operation
Summit Ballroom E

Nicole Cropper- Moderator
Deputy Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and Tribal Affairs | California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Michael Blacksmith
General Manager | Jamestown Tribe

Jimmy Lunsford
General Manager | Ioway Bee Farm

Michael Macias
CEO | CCAT

Rob pero
Founder and CEO | Canndigenous
- Hear what has worked and what has not worked with Tribal engagement in the cannabis industry.
- What are barriers to inclusion in the cannabis industry, common pitfalls and lessons learned?
- How are Tribes managing the environmental impacts of their cannabis or hemp operations?
- What types of employment opportunities exist for Tribal members? What considerations do they need to be aware of?
- Discuss how cannabis operations can employ hundreds of workers, helping Tribal members find work.
9:15-10:15 AM
Hemp Opportunities in Indian Country
Summit Ballroom E

Matthew Klas - Moderator
Senior Associate | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D

William Mitchell
Compliance Specialist | Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

Artees Vannett
Director of Industrial Hemp Program | Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
- Dive deep into current hemp regulations and how tribes can take advantage of the opportunities to improve tribal economics.
- How to successfully set up and operate a tribal hemp commission; what are the best practices and challenges?
- Understand the importance of finding the right industry partners to help you capitalize on opportunities within the hemp industry.
- How can hemp be used as an alternative to common products and materials?
10:15-10:45 AM
Morning Networking Break
Summit Ballroom C
10:45-11:45AM
Regulatory Update: New and Pending Regulations and What It Means for Indian Country
Summit Ballroom E

Amelia Wright- Moderator
Cannabis Program Director | California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Peter Lepsch
Partner | Peebles, Kidder, Bergin & Robinson LLP

Seth Pearman
Attorney General | Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
- What do various cannabis State and Federal regulations mean for Indian Country? Are they helping or hurting tribes?
- What type of governments/stakeholder engagement works best for tribes?
- What type of legislation or regulations would tribes like to see go away?
- What type of legislation or regulations would tribes like to see happen?
11:45-12:45PM
Tribal Success Stories-Successful Cultivation and Retail Operations
Summit Ballroom E

Leonika Charging-Davison - Moderator
Partner | Big Fire Law & Policy Group, LLP

Bernard Allen-Bey
Chief Financial Officer | Indian Country Agriculture & Resource Development

Jennilee Rooks
Commissioner Chair | Oglala Sioux Tribe Marijuana/Cannabis Commission

Anthony Reider
President | Native Nations Cannabis-Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Artees Vannett
Director of Industrial Hemp Program | Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
- Hear from your peers about what works in the industry’s cultivation, manufacturing, and sales. How tribes have proven to be successful in the following:
- Cultivation – ensuring you have the correct grow capacity, seeds, facilities, lighting, etc.
- Processing – preparing the raw product for sale, packaging, testing, labeling, transporting, etc.
- Retail – having the necessary services to sell your products to customers or patients, running a successful dispensary or retail business.
- Discuss best practices for setting up a business entity, including back-office practices, HR and staffing, security, funding, accounting, insurance, and more.
- When should outside help be brought in, how do you decide whom to work with, and how do you make sure you’re not being taken advantage of?
- What marketing strategies and tools do you need to sell your products?
- What approaches have proven successful for tribal enterprises as they straddle state and federal law?
12:45 PM
Cannabis and Hemp Conference Concludes

Nicole Cropper
