• Acknowledgment as a Gold Level Sponsor, name and logo placement on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• Two (2) display tables in the exhibit area with the opportunity to distribute marketing materials and swag during the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• Two (2) complimentary event registrations.
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

• Acknowledgment as a Silver Level Sponsor, name and logo placement on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• One (1) display table in the exhibit area with the opportunity to distribute marketing materials and swag during the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• One (1) complimentary event registration.
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

• Acknowledgment as the Lunch Sponsor and shared premium name and logo placement with Cocktail Reception Sponsor on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• One (1) display table in the exhibit area and one (1) display table at the Luncheon with the opportunity to distribute marketing materials and swag during the Cannabis IP Law Conference and Networking Lunch.
• Three (3) complimentary event registrations.
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

• Acknowledgment as the Cocktail Reception Sponsor and shared premium name and logo placement with Lunch Sponsor on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• One (1) display table in the exhibit area and one (1) display table at the Cocktail Reception with the opportunity to distribute marketing materials and swag during the Cannabis IP Law Conference and Cocktail Reception.
• Three (3) complimentary event registrations.
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

• Acknowledgment, name, and logo placement on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• Opportunity to distribute marketing materials and swag during one networking break.
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

• Acknowledgment, name, and logo placement on the Intellectual Property Section website, all electronic and printed programs, promotional materials, social media marketing, and signage at the Cannabis IP Law Conference.
• Opportunity to provide branded lanyards to all conference attendees (lanyards to be provided by CLA).
• Sponsor badge ribbons for all in person attendees from sponsor’s firm or company.

If you are interested in sponsoring in any amount, please get in touch with us to discuss.

Welcome and Opening Remarks from Planning Committee Chair, Elizabeth J. Rest.

How is cannabis regulated in California? How did we get here? What is Proposition 215? What was Senate Bill 420? What about Proposition 64? Which is it: the Bureau of Cannabis Control, or the Department of Cannabis Control? How is cannabis defined under California law, and how is hemp different? How do you navigate the conflict of laws between federal law, which regards cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, and state laws, which regulate, license, and tax commercial cannabis activity? Legendary attorney Omar Figueroa, who literally has written books documenting the evolution of California’s cannabis laws and regulations, will provide a legal and regulatory history of the cannabis industry in California.

Speaker:
Omar C. Figueroa, Founder
Law Offices of Omar Figueroa

While cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, nearly twenty states have passed laws authorizing the adult use of cannabis products, and nearly 40 states allow medical cannabis use. As the industry ramps up and matures across the U.S., intellectual property concerns—from consumer branding to production technology, in plant-touching and ancillary businesses—naturally follow, and related disputes emerge against a backdrop of state-by-state rules and federal prohibition. On this panel, top IP litigators will share their experiences and best practices for how IP disputes involving cannabis differ from those involving mainstream technologies. Hear how state and federal courts are responding to these tricky disputes and learn some best practices for addressing infringement in an industry where things operate a bit differently.

Speakers:
Katy M. Young, Managing Partner
Ad Astra Law Group, LLP

Joshua M. Masur, Partner & IP Group Head
Zuber Lawler LLP

Cannabis companies that have played off the trademarks and trade dress of more established brands have asserted fair use defenses against claims of infringement.  The panelists will discuss the legal framework for these disputes and how cannabis companies have fared.

Speakers:
Russ Jacobs, Director, Managing Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property
Starbucks Coffee Company, Law & Corporate Affairs

David Branfman, Of Counsel
Branfman Mayfield Bustarde Reichenthal LLP

What are the critical modifications to make to an IP license governing cannabis or hemp goods, or even ancillary goods or services?  When does the deal risk being construed as a franchise agreement, subject to heightened scrutiny and risk for the licensor? This panel will discuss industry-specific considerations for the license including basic deal structure, representations and warranties regarding trademarks and other IP, state regulatory requirements that may be triggered by royalty fee structures, planning ahead for federal legalization, and revising key provisions.  The program will explore the opportunities and challenges of IP licensing in a wide variety of situations, the significant issues surrounding both franchise law compliance and avoidance, unexpected issues that arise due to the stalemate between federal and state laws, and additional hurdles often imposed by our clients’ expectations.

Speakers:
Dawn Newton, Partner
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP

Brian Ross, Partner
Ross Legal Corporation

Most intellectual property protection happens at the federal level—yet marijuana is still federally prohibited, and meaningful federal regulation of hemp products remains little more than a pipe dream. Attend this panel to learn how you can help your cannabis clients navigate the process of protecting and enforcing their brands, technologies, strains, and other valuable intangible assets by leveraging traditional forms of IP in some less-than-traditional ways.

Speakers:
Alison Malsbury, Partner
Ragghianti Freitas LLP

Dale C. Hunt PhD, JD, Founder & Senior Attorney
Plant & Planet Law Firm

Moderator:
Amanda R. Conley, Founder, Conley Law, P.C.

Cannabis law practice requires greater attention to the rules of professional responsibility because of rapidly changing laws, enhanced potential for conflicts of interest, and because cannabis remains a Schedule I Controlled Substance in the United States.  Learn how to properly begin representing cannabis clients, take steps to ensure attorney-client privilege, manage conflicts of interest, and create and protect cannabis intellectual property when many federal agencies still shut down when they see the word “cannabis.”  Learn from our panelists about the issues they confronted as soon as they entered cannabis practice, and what they never expected.

Speakers:
Jessica C. McElfresh, Founder
McElfresh Law, Inc.

Vijay Toke, Partner, IP Group
Rimon P.C.