Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM - Herscher Hall, Guerin B, Webcast

The Cannabis Legal Barometer – FDA Rulings – Hemp – CBDs – Banking and Local

Jackie Rocco, Business Development Manager, West Hollywood City Council

Bruce Margolin, Director, Los Angeles Chapter, NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Peter Gigante, Head of Policy Research, Eaze

Ariel Clark, founder, Clark Neubert, LLP

Derek Riedle, founder and Publisher, Civilized

Mitchell Berman, Managing Partner, Rise Entertainment, LLC, Moderator

Peter Gigante is Head of Policy Research at Eaze, a technology platform that connects adult consumers with local licensed retailers for on-demand delivery of legal cannabis products. Eaze innovative software solutions give local cannabis businesses the tools they need to build a legal and sustainable industry, while Eaze’s robust compliance team helps retail and brand partners ensure every product and sale meets local and state regulations. As head of policy research, Peter leads research initiatives that inform public policy stakeholders on an array of topics including economics, social impact, and public health. The Eaze insights quarterly publications address current topics in the ever-changing cannabis industry and regulatory landscape.  Recent insights reports address topics like trends in social openness in light of adult-use

legalization and consumer sensitivity and response to cannabis taxation.  Prior to Eaze, Peter spent five years leading the public policy research team at Lyft, which sparked his interest in disruptive startup technology and data-driven public policy.

Bruce M. Margolin — Leading California Criminal Defense Attorney: His firm, The Law Offices of Bruce M. Margolin, Esq., began in 1967. Initially, Margolin dedicated his practice constitutional law by helping individuals fight marijuana charges, which were quite serious at the time, even for minor offenses. He supports the legalization of marijuana and is actively involved in the fight for legislative reform regarding marijuana laws. He continues to participate in organizations that work toward progression of drug laws. Over the years, Margolin’s practice continued to expand to what it is now — a highly effective and successful defense firm offering a comprehensive list of criminal defense services. He handles all criminal cases, including drug charges, DUI/DWI, murder, other violent crimes, sex crimes, theft offenses and Internet crimes. From marijuana to murder, Bruce M. Margolin is a criminal defense attorney well known for his ability to successfully defend people charged with all criminal offenses. Mr. Margolin has served as Chairman for the Ethics Committee for the N.A.C.D.L. (National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers). He was awarded the certificate of appreciation form the A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union) as well as received honors for his work on behalf of the Constitution rights Foundation. Since 1973 he has been Director of Los Angeles National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana (LA NORML), and was also an advisor for Proposition 215 (Californians For Compassionate Use) and served as legal counsel for The California Hem Initiative.   As a candidate for Governor of California in 2003, and US Congress in 2012 he has helped establish the credibility of Marijuana legalization policies.

Ariel Clark is one of California’s longest-serving and best-respected cannabis business attorneys. When the idea of a cannabis business law was often considered an oxymoron, she dedicated her practice to this emerging industry in 2010—foresight that was recognized in 2017 by Rolling Stone which named her one of 18 “Women Shaping The Culture of Tomorrow.” Founding partner of Clark Neubert LLP, a women-owned and run law firm, exclusively focused on the cannabis industry, represents retailers, growers, manufacturers, investors, and other established and emerging cannabis businesses across California. With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Santa Cruz, the firm helps clients execute complex political strategies, obtain licenses, set up proper business structures, and interface with local and state officials. Ariel earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She founded and serves as Chair of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force, is the attorney to the Cannabis Business Council of Santa Barbara County, and serves on the legal committee of the California Native American Cannabis Association. Ariel is also an active member of the National Cannabis Bar Association, California State Bar and Beverly Hills Bar Association. She serves on the board of California NORML, the policy committee of the California Grower’s Association, and is an active member of the National Cannabis Industry Association and the California Cannabis Industry Association.

Derek Riedle is Founder and Publisher of Civilized, the leading lifestyle brand and multiplatform media company that speaks to the millions of adults who chose to enjoy cannabis as a healthy part of a balanced lifestyle. An award-winning entrepreneur, political advisor, television producer and creative story-teller, Derek is igniting positive change in the global cannabis industry and helping shatter outdated stigma. He is a traveler who splits his time between the world’s two largest cannabis economies – Canada and California – and has a unique, global perspective on the culture and industry that he shares with audiences around the world. He is working to make the world a better, more accepting and cannabis-friendly place by sharing and documenting the stories of those shaping it. Derek believes in the many benefits of cannabis – for general wellness, relationships, athletic pursuits and unleashing creativity, and is a champion for its legalization worldwide.

Mitchell Berman, Managing Partner, Rise Entertainment: Mitchell Berman is a 30-year entertainment and technology media veteran, who has participated in the launch of 6 start-ups and a successful IPO. These initiatives span social enterprise, mobile/PC games, streaming OTT video, e-commerce, education technology, video-on-demand, interactive television, cable and satellite entertainment television channels, digital music, YouTube influencer channels, augmented & virtual reality, and subscription-based entertainment products and services. Currently, Mitch serves as managing partner at Rise Entertainment LLC, focused on mentoring Southern California entrepreneurs and managing investments in early to mid stage companies that intend to make a cultural impact in the digital world. Mitch has previously served in various senior management capacities with Home Box Office (HBO/Cinemax), E! Entertainment Television, Sky Network Television New Zealand, Galaxy Media/East Coast Pay TV (FOXTEL Australia), OpenTV, C-COR, ZillionTV Corporation and Berman Strategic Advisors. Mitch is a frequent speaker at domestic and international industry conferences, serves as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, an advisory board member and judge for the UCLA Social Enterprise Academy, a board member of the Silicon Beach Young Professionals, a strategic advisor to the Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development/Auckland Mayor’s Office and New Zealand Consul General in Los Angeles.  Mitch earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).