X Cup is Connecticut’s most rigorously tested and judged Cannabis Competition. The competition is a third-party blind evaluation of cannabis and cannabis products. The best products are recognized and awarded as the best cannabis products from Connecticut during XpoCanna-Connecticut Expo.
Seven Categories include: Indica, Sativa, Pre-Roll, Pre-Roll enhanced, concentrates, edibles, and tinctures/capsules
Flower: Flower entries will be broken down into 2 categories based on Sativa dominant profiles or Indica dominate profiles
Sativa dominant – Sativas can smell and taste pine-like, sweet, fruity, or even spicy.
Indica dominate -Indica strains tend to emit musty, earthy, and skunky aromas and taste profiles.
You can select the category of your preference based on what you think your entry should be in.
***We reserve the right to move it if we feel that it belongs in the other dominate category.
If changed you will be notified which category your flower was entered into before the event happens and winners are announced.
*Flower Entries Packaging – Entries can be packaged in glass jars or plastic bottles/containers. NO Bags
NO other markings should be on the containers. No labels, no strain names. NO LOGOS or BRANDING! – All entries must be unmarked, unbranded and have no distinguishing features to the packaging.
*Flower Entry Amounts -Submissions should contain a total of eight (8) 2-gram packages and one (1) 5-gram packages (for a total of 21 grams) Please label the lab sample and display sample containers ONLY.
Display Sample – (Optional) In order to display your entry during the weekend, we will be doing a professional photo shoot with it to have on a big screen for all those who come by the X Cup Lounge where we will announce the winners.
If you would like to include an additional sample to be specifically used for the photoshoot, please include this in your submission. Also please label this sample only as the Display Sample in a way that does not interfere with our ability to photograph the sample. This is the ONLY part of your entry that should have any markings on it other than the lab sample.
This is an optional part of your submission. If none is provided, we will select the sample to photograph from your entry submissions.
*Flower Judging Criteria: Flower entries will be judged on the following items ona scale of 1-10 (with a .1-point scale) for a total possible score of 50 points: visual, aroma, taste, cure/flush, and effect.
Test results will be available to competitors upon request after the award ceremony takes place. Please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jenksproductions.com to receive your entry/entries test results.
Cannabinoids
WHAT WE TEST FOR
We test for 16 cannabinoids: Δ9-THC, THCA-A, CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBNA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBGA, CBG, Δ8-THC, CBC, CBCA THCV, THCVA, CBL.
TESTING DETAILS
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
The cannabinoid profile of your sample informs about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids. While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, it’s only responsible for a fraction of cannabis’ medicinal benefits. It’s vital that the active ingredients in cannabis are clearly labeled. Plant profiling allows doctors to determine accurate dosage, ensures that providers can verify the quality of their products, and helps patients to select the right treatment for their symptoms.
Heavy Metals
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury
TESTING DETAILS
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Microbiological Contaminants
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Our powerful DNA technology tests for all state-required microbes with less starting material, more accurate results, and the fastest turnaround time in the state.
E.coli, Salmonella, Total Aerobic Bacteria, Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria, Total Yeast and Mold, and Total Coliforms
TESTING DETAILS
End point PCR and microarray
Pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and mold are some of the most common sources of contamination on cannabis products. Our DNA-based methods ensure accurate results in less than 8 hours.
Mycotoxins
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Identifies and quantifies the most common mycotoxins including Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, and Orchratoxin A.
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by naturally occurring fungi that can proliferate on cannabis in the field and/or during storage. Mycotoxins are extremely toxic to humans, particularly in circumstances involving long-term exposure. Aflatoxin exposure can result in severe abdominal pain, edema, hemorrhaging, liver damage, mental impairment, convulsions, coma, and even death.
Pesticides
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Bifenazate, Bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin, Etoxazole, Imazalil, Imidacloprid, Myclobutanil, Spiromesifen, Trifloxystrobin
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS and GC-MS)
Even the smallest amount of pesticides in cannabis products can cause adverse health effects. Chronic oral or inhalation exposure can result in neurodegenerative disease, respiratory disease, birth defects, cancer, and reproductive problems.
Pre-Roll: Pre-Roll entries will be broken down into 2 categories based on Standard Pre-Roll and Enhanced Pre-Roll.
Standard Pre-Roll: A Pre-Roll rolled with Only flower and the paper used to roll it. No other THC or flavor enhancing products are used.
Enhanced Pre-Roll: A Pre-Roll that has any additive other than the flower used in the Pre-Roll will be considered enhanced. – This includes dipped, dusted, snaked, or anything else that you can use to alter a Pre-Roll from being just flower and the paper used to roll it.
You can select the category of your preference based on what you think your entry should be in
***We reserve the right to move it if we feel that it belongs in the other Pre-Roll category.
If changed you will be notified which category your flower was entered into before the event happens and winners are announced.
*Pre-Roll entries packaging – Entries can be packaged in individual glass or plastic tubes.
NO other markings should be on the containers. No labels, no strain names. NO LOGOS or BRANDING! – All entries must be unmarked, unbranded and have no distinguishing features to the packaging.
*Pre-Roll entry amounts – Submissions should contain a total of 22 Pre-Rolls in individual packages/container/tubes.
*Pre-Roll Judging Criteria: Pre-Roll entries will be judged on the following items on a scale of 1-10 (with a .1-point scale) for a total possible score of 50 points: visual, aroma, taste, burn constancy, and effect.
Display Sample – In order to display your entry during the weekend, we will be doing a professional photo shoot with it to have on a big screen for all those who come by the X Cup Lounge where we will announce the winners.
If you would like to include an additional sample to be specifically used for the photoshoot, please include this in your submission. Also please label this sample only as the Display Sample in a way that does not interfere with our ability to photograph the sample. This is the ONLY part of your entry that should have any markings on it other than the lab sample.
This is an optional part of your submission. If none is provided, we will select the sample to photograph from your entry submissions.
Test results will be available to competitors upon request after the award ceremony takes place. Please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jenksproductions.com to receive your entry/entries test results.
Cannabinoids
WHAT WE TEST FOR
We test for 16 cannabinoids: Δ9-THC, THCA-A, CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBNA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBGA, CBG, Δ8-THC, CBC, CBCA THCV, THCVA, CBL.
TESTING DETAILS
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
The cannabinoid profile of your sample informs about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids. While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, it’s only responsible for a fraction of cannabis’ medicinal benefits. It’s vital that the active ingredients in cannabis are clearly labeled. Plant profiling allows doctors to determine accurate dosage, ensures that providers can verify the quality of their products, and helps patients to select the right treatment for their symptoms.
Heavy Metals
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury
TESTING DETAILS
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Microbiological Contaminants
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Our powerful DNA technology tests for all state-required microbes with less starting material, more accurate results, and the fastest turnaround time in the state.
E.coli, Salmonella, Total Aerobic Bacteria, Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria, Total Yeast and Mold, and Total Coliforms
TESTING DETAILS
End point PCR and microarray
Pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and mold are some of the most common sources of contamination on cannabis products. Our DNA-based methods ensure accurate results in less than 8 hours.
Mycotoxins
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Identifies and quantifies the most common mycotoxins including Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, and Orchratoxin A.
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by naturally occurring fungi that can proliferate on cannabis in the field and/or during storage. Mycotoxins are extremely toxic to humans, particularly in circumstances involving long-term exposure. Aflatoxin exposure can result in severe abdominal pain, edema, hemorrhaging, liver damage, mental impairment, convulsions, coma, and even death.
Pesticides
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Bifenazate, Bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin, Etoxazole, Imazalil, Imidacloprid, Myclobutanil, Spiromesifen, Trifloxystrobin
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS and GC-MS)
Even the smallest amount of pesticides in cannabis products can cause adverse health effects. Chronic oral or inhalation exposure can result in neurodegenerative disease, respiratory disease, birth defects, cancer, and reproductive problems.
Concentrates: Hydrocarbon solvent or non-solvent cannabis extract including but not limited to rosin, wax, bubble hash, ice hash, water hash, etc.
*Concentrates packaging – Entries can be packaged in 4” x 4” parchment or PTFE squares inside a blank coin envelope, in silicone containers or in small, unmarked glass jars.
NO other markings should be on the containers. No labels, no strain names. NO LOGOS or BRANDING! – All entries must be unmarked, unbranded and have no distinguishing features to the packaging.
*Concentrates Entry Amounts – Submissions should contain eight (8) 1-gram packages and one (1) 5-gram package (for a total of 13 grams) Please label the lab sample and display sample containers ONLY
*Concentrates Judging Criteria: Concentrates entries will be judged on the following items on a scale of 1-10 (with a .1-point scale) for a total possible score of 50 points: visual, aroma, taste, purge/cure, and effect.
Display Sample – (Optional) In order to display your entry during the weekend, we will be doing a professional photo shoot with it to have on a big screen at the XCup Lounge where we will announce the winners.
If you would like to include an additional sample to be specifically used for the photoshoot, please include this in your submission. Also please label this sample only as the Display Sample in a way that does not interfere with our ability to photograph the sample. This is the ONLY part of your entry that should have any markings on it other than the lab sample.
This is an optional part of your submission. If none is provided, we will select the sample to photograph from your entry submissions.
Test results will be available to competitors upon request after the award ceremony takes place. Please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jenksproductions.com to receive your entry/entries test results.
Cannabinoids
WHAT WE TEST FOR
We test for 16 cannabinoids: Δ9-THC, THCA-A, CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBNA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBGA, CBG, Δ8-THC, CBC, CBCA THCV, THCVA, CBL.
TESTING DETAILS
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
The cannabinoid profile of your sample informs about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids. While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, it’s only responsible for a fraction of cannabis’ medicinal benefits. It’s vital that the active ingredients in cannabis are clearly labeled. Plant profiling allows doctors to determine accurate dosage, ensures that providers can verify the quality of their products, and helps patients to select the right treatment for their symptoms.
Heavy Metals
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury
TESTING DETAILS
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Microbiological Contaminants
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Our powerful DNA technology tests for all state-required microbes with less starting material, more accurate results, and the fastest turnaround time in the state.
E.coli, Salmonella, Total Aerobic Bacteria, Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria, Total Yeast and Mold, and Total Coliforms
End point PCR and microarray
Pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and mold are some of the most common sources of contamination on cannabis products. Our DNA-based methods ensure accurate results in less than 8 hours.
Mycotoxins
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Identifies and quantifies the most common mycotoxins including Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, and Orchratoxin A.
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by naturally occurring fungi that can proliferate on cannabis in the field and/or during storage. Mycotoxins are extremely toxic to humans, particularly in circumstances involving long-term exposure. Aflatoxin exposure can result in severe abdominal pain, edema, hemorrhaging, liver damage, mental impairment, convulsions, coma, and even death.
Edibles: Anything SWEET THC-infused food product including but not limited to cakes, cookies, confections, hard candy, gummy bears, sweet snack mixes, chocolates, granola bars, popsicles, etc.
Anything SALTY OR SPICY THC-infused food product including but not limited to pickles, soups, baked beans, popcorn, beef jerky, spicy/salty snack mixes, crackers, etc.
(Please note: Any items that require refrigeration/freezing are to be entered at your own risk as we cannot guarantee the stability of the product during transition periods. We cannot stress enough that we do not recommend these types of products and we have had many judges complain about the integrity of such products as they are often not able to consume them for at least a week after submission. Please keep this in mind when crafting your edible creation!!
*Edible Packaging – Entries can be packaged in a variety of ways. Each sample MUST include mg per item, ingredients, dosing instructions, allergen information, and any handling instructions for Judges (i.e. Item must be heated, served over ice, etc.).
NO other markings should be on the containers. No labels, no strain names. NO LOGOS or BRANDING! – All entries must be unmarked, unbranded and have no distinguishing features to the packaging.
*Edible Entry Amounts: Edible category submissions should contain a total of 20 samples or individual servings.
• What is an Individual Serving? – If you want the judges to eat 2 cookies to judge the effect of your entry then 2 cookies is 1 individual serving.
*Edible Judging Criteria – All Edible entries will be judged on the following items on a scale of 1-10 (with a .1-point scale) for a total possible score of 50 points: visual, taste, directions/instructions accuracy, consistency/texture, and effect.
Display Sample – (Optional) In order to display your entry during the weekend, we will be doing a professional photo shoot with it to have on a big screen for all those who come by the X Cup Lounge where we will announce the winners.
If you would like to include an additional sample to be specifically used for the photoshoot, please include this in your submission. Also please label this sample only as the Display Sample in a way that does not interfere with our ability to photograph the sample. This is the ONLY part of your entry that should have any markings on it other than the lab sample.
This is an optional part of your submission. If none is provided, we will select the sample to photograph from your entry submissions.
Test results will be available to competitors upon request after the award ceremony takes place. Please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jenksproductions.com to receive your entry/entries test results.
Cannabinoids
WHAT WE TEST FOR
We test for 16 cannabinoids: Δ9-THC, THCA-A, CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBNA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBGA, CBG, Δ8-THC, CBC, CBCA THCV, THCVA, CBL.
TESTING DETAILS
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
The cannabinoid profile of your sample informs about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids. While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, it’s only responsible for a fraction of cannabis’ medicinal benefits. It’s vital that the active ingredients in cannabis are clearly labeled. Plant profiling allows doctors to determine accurate dosage, ensures that providers can verify the quality of their products, and helps patients to select the right treatment for their symptoms.
Microbiological Contaminants
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Our powerful DNA technology tests for all state-required microbes with less starting material, more accurate results, and the fastest turnaround time in the state.
E.coli, Salmonella, Total Aerobic Bacteria, Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria, Total Yeast and Mold, and Total Coliforms
TESTING DETAILS
End point PCR and microarray
Pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and mold are some of the most common sources of contamination on cannabis products. Our DNA-based methods ensure accurate results in less than 8 hours.
Mycotoxins
WHAT WE TEST FOR
Identifies and quantifies the most common mycotoxins including Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, and Orchratoxin A.
TESTING DETAILS
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by naturally occurring fungi that can proliferate on cannabis in the field and/or during storage. Mycotoxins are extremely toxic to humans, particularly in circumstances involving long-term exposure. Aflatoxin exposure can result in severe abdominal pain, edema, hemorrhaging, liver damage, mental impairment, convulsions, coma, and even death.
To register in the 2025 X Cup Cannabis Competition Click Here
Apply to be a judge of the 2025 X Cup Cannabis Competition Click Here
Jen Brown is a former pharmaceutical professional with 20 years in the industry and a survivor of a 28 year cancer journey. Her transition from traditional medical treatments to cannabis not only cured her stage 4 cancer, but also reshaped her career. Jen is a testament to the powerful healing that nature can provide and is an advocate for those seeking alternative paths to wellness. She lends her experience to educate others about the healing virtues of cannabis, offering hope to all who need it. Her journey has been one of transformation, from industry professional to a champion of cannabis education. Jen shares her story to inspire others to explore the potential that lies within nature’s gifts and within themselves.
We are the state wide coalition in pushing for decriminalization of psilocybin and legalization for psychedelic assisted treatments. Our movement is adjacent to the cannabis world.
Meg Sanders is CEO and co-owner of Canna Provisions in Western Massachusetts, home to Smash Hits cannabis.
Over the last 12+ years Sanders has worked with, consulted for, started or raised capital for well over 30 dispensaries and in five different states (and counting). An industry pioneer with extensive cultivation, regulation and consumer sales experience, Sanders has led Canna Provisions since its launch in 2019 to become a $55mil+ cannabis company and the 9th largest independent cannabis company in Massachusetts. Sanders continues to be one of the most celebrated and experienced successful female cannabis CEOs in the industry in the Northeast.
Meg Sanders was also a notable trailblazer in Colorado at the dawn of the legal industry in the United States, operating and eventually successfully selling her chain of MindFUL dispensaries in CO, while continuing to have interests in the national market with different operations being set in or impacting essentially every state that has legal cannabis operations.
Previously, Meg has been honored to participate with the White House, FBI, NSA and other national organizations in a workshop hosted by the National Science Academy. She is also a mom, and an avid animal lover with dogs, cats, and chickens at her Lee home.
Through the local community support of Canna Provisions both the Lee Chamber of Commerce and the local Kiwani’s chapter each named Canna Provisions “Corporate Citizen of the Year 2023”.
Erik Williams is COO and co-founder of Canna Provisions, home to Smash Hits cannabis. Along his career Williams has contributed a great deal to the cannabis industry in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, previously serving as the Executive Director of the Connecticut Division of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). In that role, he led the way for new legislation that shaped state regulations, including working with the Governor of Connecticut on the passage of medical marijuana.
Along with Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders, he formed Mindful, Inc. in Colorado, then went on to form Will and Way Consulting consulting for and working cannabis firms and legalization initiatives all over the United States.
Williams has been instrumental in guiding Massachusetts toward a healthy cannabis industry which benefits immensely from his willingness to bring a decade of experience to the table as an activist, politico, cannabis consumer, and executive.
Williams is a committed thoughtful executive seeking new means of cannabis education and deprogramming of a generation of prohibitionist thinking, and by leading through example in all aspects of cannabis industry stewardship in the respective communities he serves as a retailer and consultant. His expertise in cultivation, strain selection, and retail management are critical to Canna Provisions outposts.
Through the local community support of Canna Provisions both the Lee Chamber of Commerce and the local Kiwani’s chapter each named Canna Provisions “Corporate Citizen of the Year 2023”.
Dr. Mitchell Doucette is a public health epidemiologist earning his PhD from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Doucette, is a research methodologist by training, applying advance statistical techniques to understand how new treatments effect health at the population level. He has published over 25 peer reviewed academic journals, has won best paper of the year award twice, winning the award from the American Journal of Public Health (2018) and the Journal of Urban Health (2022). He has presented his work at numerous academic conferences over the past 5 years and contributed to national news (Associated Press etc.) via print and television. Dr. Doucette its the current research director at Leafwell, a Telehealth company connecting potential medical cannabis patients with physicians, and oversees their large patient registry of over 200K+ patients. In this role, Dr. Doucette has endeavored to estimate the impact of medical cannabis treatment on various disease states, using real-world data to estimate the causal impact of starting treatment on various health outcomes. While Dr. Doucette is relatively new to the cannabis industry, he a has a long track record of conducting, publishing, and presenting academic work at national-level conferences.
Shawn is a Medicinal Plant Chemist, regenerative farmer, hashishin, and innovator in the field of cannabis cultivation. Shawn is the Co-Founder of TheCBGGurus, a vertically integrated, USDA certified organic farm located in Harwinton, Connecticut. TheCBGGurus is focused on creating the highest quality hemp products possible using regenerative farming techniques paired with ice water extraction. As a part of this mission Shawn has been a driving force in the implementation of fully circular systems to optimize soil building, space use, food production, and the creation of craft cannabis products.
Duncan is the co-founder and owner of Better Ways LLC, a cannabis health and wellness store focused on educating the community about the benefits and cautions around cannabis, the importance of souring, and creating a healthy atmosphere for trust and rapport with those already using cannabis for it’s benefits or for those interested in learning more about it.
Better Ways was founded in 2019 in Branford, CT and has respectfully earned the titles of First Place for Connecticut Best on the Shoreline Best Alternative Medicine, Hemp / CBD Store in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
After suffering from a signifiant surgical complication in 2010 and recovering, Duncan began his journey into experiencing the medicinal benefits of plant based medicine especially how cannabis helps with post opiate detox. Through those experiences and beyond Duncan began to truly understand and embody the benefits that come with well sourced cannabis.
Uzma Zakir RPh is the Director of Outreach for Prime Wellness of CT, The Botanist Danbury and The Botanist Montville. She has been treating medical patients in CT since 2015 and is a firm believer in patient focused cannabis treatment plans. Uzma hosts a monthly virtual series on a variety of medical cannabis topics to empower patients on their brave choice to use marijuana as their medicine and to foster a compassionate cannabis community. She speaks extensively in CT on patient care and cannabinoid therapeutics.
C Suite executive with more than 45 years management experience, with expertise in cross platforms, creative, technical and business development, marketing and strategic planning. Significant international business development experience in major brand licensing and marketing with an excellent understanding of current trends and developments in the fields of new media technologies and cannabis extraction technologies. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial pragmatic professional who can shape successful teams and put ambitious ventures into practice.
Corey Finke of Phocas Seeds has been involved in farming and horticulture since 2013, and began working in the CT hemp industry in 2020 mainly breeding new varieties of hemp for cannabinoid and terpene production.
Esquivel, CEO & Geneticist, Green Luster Phenos LLC, has been an influencer and leader in the cannabis industry for fifteen (15) years. Esquivel was the head grower and geneticist of a 20,000 sq. ft indoor commercial-scale cultivation operation out in Colorado back in 2012. Justin has consulted with 87 cannabis facilities, 64 of which operate commercial canopies. He brings standard operating procedures to a gold standard. Esquivel also specializes in Cannabis Tissue Culture & Selective Homozygous Breeding, enabling his company to bring exotic tailored offspring to growers globally!
Cannabis Basic information for the new recreational market.
Burn and Learn Educational Booth:
Set Up: Q & A the entire show and staffed by CT experts. We are going to u-shape 4-foot tables. Can we get 10 chairs for the center space? We have educational Videos we would like to show-Is it possible to get a TV from them? With all the
Booth demonstrations (Oregano in place of flower)
Kristin Souza is a Connecticut cannabis advocate, cannabis marketing specialist and the founder of Sugar Leaf, a HIGHbrid boutique located in Middletown, Connecticut. Kristin focuses on breaking the stigma around cannabis consumption, particularly as it pertains to women, mothers, and parents through education, events, advocacy and by harnessing the power of social media.
She is also an elected member of the City of Middletown Democratic Town Committee which has allowed for a multitude of opportunities to dovetail cannabis advocacy with political engagement. In addition to a variety of Boards and Committees that she has been appointed to or elected to, Kristin is sworn in as a State of Connecticut Justice of the Peace and has thread the needle rather deftly between advocacy and nuptials by offering consultation and coordination of “weed weddings” in addition to wedding officiant services.
She is a Connecticut rising star who has been featured in local print publications such as The Middletown Press and CT News Junkie, radio shows such as CT Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and “88.1FM WESU”. She also served as an interim podcast co-host on 2 Be Blunt with Peezy and has been a guest on multiple other podcasts. She is currently a co-host on Cannabis Corner Radio, 103.5FM WNHH New Haven Independent/Green Haven Media. Kristin was also nominated for the 2022 NECANN Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Graduated 2012 UCONN School of Social work. Eric Jamal Henry has worked in the mental health field for 25 years in a case work and clinician capacity. Mr. Henry experience working with diverse populations to help gain more control of their well being. Advocates for mental health treatment and mindfulness within disenfranchised communities. Guides clients to self empowerment and insight into taking care of one’s self.Mr. Henry is currently doing individual therapy along with helping CT medical marijuana patients obtain their Connecticut medical marjiuana medical marijuana certification for Healing Treez,LLC.
Jarrett Hines-Kay has worked in the US cannabis industry since 2014, when he founded a medical cannabis company in New Mexico. Since then, Jarrett has worked across the United States in senior Cultivation and Operations leadership roles for leading MSOs including Cresco Labs (VP of Cultivation Operations), TILT Holdings (Market President) and Parallel (Vice President of Cultivation). Prior to working in cannabis, Jarrett was a research scientist performing early-stage drug discovery. He holds an MBA from the University of Arizona, an MS in Biology from the University of New Mexico, and a journalism certificate from the Army’s Defense Information School. Currently Jarrett does independent consulting with RKDA Consulting, which focuses on building efficient, predictable, data-driven cannabis operations.
He regularly represents family offices, private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds and individual investors in connection with investments in the cannabis industry. His cannabis practice is nationally recognized by Chambers and Partners.
He represented a consortium of lenders in lending over $100 million to a cannabis company.
He represented a various family offices, private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds and individual investors in investments in excess of $100 million in the cannabis industry in various opportunities, including sponsoring a REIT, investments in REITs, sale-leaseback of dispensaries, and investments in MSOs (multi-state operators), brands, cultivation facilities and other cannabis companies in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Mark Mathew Braunstein is the author of six books, including Mindful Marijuana Smoking: Health Tips for Cannabis Smokers, published 2022. He has also written countless newspaper editorials and magazine articles about cannabis and medical marijuana.
You can read many of his writings at www.MarkBraunstein.Org
Tiffany Araujo, MPH
Cannabis Workforce Program Manager
Office of Workforce Strategy
I’m Tiffany Araujo, armed with a Master’s in Public Health and a profound commitment to fostering an efficient and equitable cannabis workforce in Connecticut. My adventure in the cannabis sector kicked off in 2020 within the Department of Consumer Protection’s Medical Marijuana Division, where I honed my skills as a license and application analyst. The legalization of adult use in Connecticut marked a pivotal expansion of my expertise, steering me toward the heart of cannabis workforce development. Currently, I serve as the Cannabis Workforce Program Manager at the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, where I dedicate my efforts to shaping the future of the cannabis industry alongside the Social Equity Council. With a foundational background in Justice and Law Administration, my journey is driven by a blend of legal acumen and public health principles, aiming to cultivate a well-rounded and inclusive cannabis workforce landscape.
Ginne-Rae Clay is the Executive Director of the Social Equity Council. Appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in August 2021. Ginne-Rae is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Social Equity Council which is charged with promoting and encouraging full participation in the cannabis industry by people who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition enforcement. Ginne-Rae is responsible for ensuring that the revenue from the adult-use cannabis sales taxes are reinvested in communities devastated by the war on drugs. The council’s current budget for operations and reinvestment totals over $42 million.
Ginne-Rae is an accomplished senior level executive with over 38 years of expertise in government, education, community action, and community engagement. Ms. Clay serves on the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union CT (ACLU); City of Waterbury Diversity Committee, Economic Development/Housing Opportunity Subcommittee, and the Governance subcommittees. In addition, Ginne-Rae is a member of the Board of Directors of Capital for Change (C4C). C4C is the largest full-service Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Connecticut. Ginne-Rae is co-chair of the C4C Racial Equity and Inclusion subcommittee and a member of the Nominating subcommittee. Ms. Clay is also a trained Legal Observer. In this role Ms. Clay observes and documents civil rights violations that may take place during rallies, demonstrations, and marches.
Ms. Clay is the immediate past president of the Greater Waterbury NAACP (2016-2022). Under her leadership the branch received the W.E.B. Dubois Civil Rights Advocacy Award given to a branch that display exemplary dedication and commitment to the mission and vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Ms. Clay received an Executive Master of Public Education from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, West Harford CT, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication with a focus on media and marketing from the University of Connecticut, Storrs.
Ms. Clay is the first and only African American and the only female to serve as State Director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and was the first African American Female Deputy Director of the City of Bridgeport’s, Office of Planning and Economic Development.
Ginne-Rae is a life-long resident of Waterbury, and the proud mother of three and grandmother to 5.
Brian Essenter RPh, Diplomate of Medical Cannabinoid Science® is a graduate of Northeastern University, Pharmacist, and recently completed his Masters of Integrative and Functional Medicine. Brian has worked in the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program since 2015. In 2018 Brian founded MM Consult CT where he counsel’s patients, consults for businesses in the cannabis industry, provides expert witness testimony, and has spoken at medical and cannabis conferences and symposiums regarding the appropriate use of medical cannabis. Recently, Brian began a new role as Operations Manager for Connecticut Cannabis Company (a Social Equity Food and Beverage/Product Manufacturing company in CT). Brian also works for John Patrick University and The Institute of Cannabinoid Medicine where he is on their Clinical Advisory Board. Brian has been a strong voice advocating for medical cannabis patients, and equality in the cannabis industry at local, state, and national levels.
Dr. Paulina Miklosz DNP, APRN FNP-BC is the proud owner of Higher Med– a health & wellness clinic in Plainville,CT specializing in cannabis medicine & integrative health. With over 16 years of experience in healthcare, Paulina founded Higher Med with the purpose of providing a more comprehensive & informational experience to patients looking to explore cannabis as medicine. She has certified hundreds of CT citizens for their medical cannabis cards and led many educational forums & presentations on cannabis medicine at local libraries, senior centers and community events. Paulina is a member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. She has also worked directly with world-renowned cannabis physician Dr. Sulak to better understand cannabis’ role in the treatment of refractory conditions. Paulina is committed to helping her patients improve their most bothersome symptoms and optimize their health through cannabis medicine and lifestyle optimization. She is fluent in Spanish and Polish and is passionate about bringing awareness to cannabis as medicine to communities where cannabis remains stigmatized.
Budr was founded by Carl Tirella Jr. and Derrick Gibbs.
Carl comes from the cannabis industry. Prior to starting Budr, he oversaw three medical dispensaries in Connecticut and saw firsthand the magical healing properties that cannabis had on patients with illnesses such as PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, and more. His passion drove him to own his own dispensary.
Derrick came from the home healthcare industry, where he spent 15 years providing services to elderly and disabled patients. He always had a desire to offer a product that would help people the way his services did.
Both Carl and Derrick share a goal of wanting to give back to their communities.
Together, they’ve been in the cannabis industry for over 10 years and when Connecticut legalized marijuana for adult-use, they saw the opportunity to combine their passions. And that’s how Budr bloomed.
Budr believes in the power of community and recognizes the importance of social equity in the Connecticut marijuana marketplace. It’s a philosophy that we bring to all of our current and future locations.
With over 19 years of experience in financial and service industries, I’m dedicated to comprehensive financial planning at Generous Wealth Management. My clientele ranges from first-time retirement account holders to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their family offices.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and IRS Enrolled Agent, I bring a collaborative family office approach to all clients, covering various aspects of comprehensive planning.
In addition to my financial expertise, I’m a franchise owner of Dope CFO Certified Advisors, specializing in providing comprehensive financial solutions to cannabis companies. Since 2020, I’ve been actively involved in the cannabis industry, including launching a private 506c fund, Zion Ventures. This fund offers debt solutions to the cannabis and plant medicines sector.
I hold FINRA Series 65 securities registration and am a Notary Public. My educational background includes a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Beyond my professional life, I’m an avid Boston sports fan and enjoy reading, exercising, tending to my home and garden, and spending cherished time with my wife, Emily, and our two children.
David Feldman concentrates his law practice on corporate and securities law and mergers and acquisitions, as well as general representation of public and private companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and private equity and venture capital firms. David has represented a wide range of clients in the legal cannabis and psychedelics industries since 2013. He provides guidance on private placements, public offerings, loan structuring and fund formation for cannabis companies, as well as corporate structuring advice and applications for grow, processing and dispensary licenses. He also advises on risk assessment issues for large, multinational businesses seeking to enter the cannabis industry. The global guide Chambers & Partners ranked Mr. Feldman as a leading US attorney in cannabis law and one of only seven US lawyers in “band 1” for corporate and transactional work in the industry. In addition, the National Law Journal named him a “Cannabis Law Trailblazer” and Business Insider named him as a top lawyer in the cannabis industry. He has also been listed several times in the Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers published by Cannabis Law Digest. David is the former team lead of an AmLaw 100 firm’s 60-attorney Cannabis Industry Group. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and is quoted by numerous publications about legal developments and business news in this rapidly expanding market.
David also advises emerging growth companies in a range of industries with regard to alternatives to traditional financing through initial public offerings, and is considered an authority on public offerings through SEC Regulation A+. He published a book on that subject, called Regulation A+ and Other Alternatives to a Traditional IPO (John Wiley & Sons), in 2018. David has also published The Entrepreneur’s Growth Startup Handbook: 7 Secrets to Venture Funding and Growth Success (2013) and the award-winning Reverse Mergers and Other Alternatives to a Traditional IPO (First Edition 2006, Second Edition 2009). A Wharton School and University of Pennsylvania Law School graduate and former Chair of Wharton’s worldwide alumni, David is not just a lawyer – he’s a community builder. He’s run, built, bought, invested in, and sold businesses. He feels his clients’ pain but provides the objective outsider’s point of view that founders need.
Jason Ortiz ’08 is SSDP’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy Executive Director. In addition to being a longstanding alumnus, Jason has been on the frontlines of the cannabis equity movement. Jason is a founder and President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, where he led efforts to create model cannabis equity policies at the state and municipal levels.
While he comes with extensive drug policy expertise, Jason has experience organizing on numerous issues including his role as Director of Campaigns with Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation, where he worked to end capital punishment. He also served on the National Puerto Rican Agenda, where helped with Hurricane Maria relief efforts and continues to address issues of economic justice for his island.
Professionally, Ortiz has led over a dozen races for elected office as campaign manager and political consultant, and served as Executive Assistant to Minority Leader Wildaliz Bermudez of the Hartford Connecticut Court of Common Council, the city where he now resides.
As a seasoned visionary David strategizes and produces innovative projects for brands & businesses all over the world. In the last 10 years David’s work has been focused in sports entertainment, immersive retail, and brand licensing. David’s keynotes and panels facilitate high value conversations that spark global change in brands.
1. Position your brand as a monumental pioneer in the undeniable and foreseeable merge of customer experience and web3 integration.
2. Learn to gain and retain invaluable customer data through the 3D scan process, which is vital for strategic marketing campaigns.
3. Better utilize paid talent, ambassadors, influencers, etc. to create a compelling omnichannel experience.
4. The importance of building digital hardware to enhance the customer experience for seamless web3 integration.
I LOVE CANNABIS for so many reasons. and can speak on subjects from Law, Legislation and Veterans to Social Equity, Banking, Reinvestment and Reparations, to my own multi-decade use of the plant instead of Pharma, but here’s my straight-up business info:
Erin Gorman Kirk, Esquire is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cannabis Government Strategies (CGS), a boutique consulting firm founded in 2014, servicing the cannabis, hemp and CBD industries. CGS advises individuals, companies and elected officials on cannabis and hemp policy and provides strategy on business positioning, cannabis ballot initiatives, healthcare law, manufacturing and commerce, and, extremely importantly, Veterans and Social Equity issues. Erin is responsible for client engagement, interacting with government officials, researching state and federal commerce, banking and financing considerations, writing white papers, helping social equity candidates, networking, keeping abreast of new laws and compliance protocols, and all other facets of the business. Erin recently petitioned the Maryland State Bar Association to implement, and perhaps allow her to Chair, a Committee on Cannabis and Hemp. Erin and her partner, Patrick Gorman, recently were honored to curate and present the first ever Cannabis-related panel for the prestigious “Just Economy Conference,” which was the highest-attended event in the 25 year history of the NCRC Banking Conference: Cannabis And a Just Economy. (NCRC.org)
Erin meets weekly with elected officials at the local, state, national and international level, and regularly attends and curates meetings and conferences with stakeholders in the industry, including State officials, Social Equity Commissioners, cannabis professionals and ancillary service providers of all types. She has helped achieve success through branding, ad campaigns, canna-based events, and thought pieces, and is deeply knowledgeable about the industry and processes from Seed to Sale. Erin is keen to grow the Cannabis sector, particularly on the East Coast, and to continue providing pro bono assistance to our hero Veterans.
Discuss how Policy, Banking, & Legislation have negatively impacted communities, but Reinvestment can also bring them back!
Esquivel, President & Geneticist, Green Luster Phenos LLC, has been an influencer and leader in the cannabis industry for fourteen (14) years. Esquivel was the head grower and geneticist of a 20,000 sq. ft indoor commercial-scale cultivation operation out in Colorado back in 2012. Justin has consulted with 62 cannabis facilities, 34 of which operate commercial canopies. He brings standard operating procedures to a gold standard. Esquivel also specializes in Cannabis Tissue Culture & Selective Homozygous Breeding, enabling his company to bring tailored offspring to growers globally!
Enhance & Educate
Licensed HVAC pipefitter tech, weed connoisseur and adventurer
I’m a doctorally-prepared Family Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in primary care and population health. I spent the first 8 years of my clinical practice working primarily with underserved, under-represented populations in FQHC-setting. In 2016, I became the lead medical provider of a Healthcare for the Homeless program, where I worked in 5 different homeless shelters/domestic violence shelters each week to provide acute & primary care services to those in need. It was during that time that I first recognized the many benefits of the cannabis plant and I soon became one of the first clinicians in our organization to begin certifying patients under the CT Medical Marijuana Program. This led me to pursue more education and training in the area of cannabis medicine and ultimately led to the creation of my own practice (Higher Med) in 2020. Higher Med is a health & wellness clinic specializing in Cannabinoid Medicine, cannabis education & coaching. Over the last 2 years, we’ve successfully certified over a hundred patients and held community-based events to increase awareness and education around cannabis as medicine.
Award-winning marketer and corporate media executive with a long-standing experience in print and digital publishing.
Following an experience of civil injustice, Christina launched The Emerald™ as a media outlet to advocate for the positive uses of cannabis and its decriminalization.
She has spoken at numerous conferences and expos and has established The Emerald™ as a nationally recognized brand that is a trustworthy ally and voice for the cannabis industry.
All the steps in starting a business: name, logo, state filing, website, mission statement, identifying target audience/demographic, networking, connections, sourcing, branding, marketing, advertising, distribution
As a PTSD-focused therapist and survivor, Cannabis is key.. Providing evaluations for PTSD and Certification Services for the CT MMP since 2015. Psychotherapy services provided for individuals of all ages and backgrounds since 2004. EMDR/Trauma therapy practitioner since 2016. CT MMP Patient since 2015. LGBTQ-affirming, dog-loving, crystal healing, reiki healing, cannabis medicine specialist.
Destigmatizing Cannabis and PTSD/Mental Health through education, exposure, and open dialogue.
Dylan Lowery, co-founder of Cantrip, Inc and Almanac Partners Group, is a sought after cannabis professional who has extensive experience in building organizations from the ground-up. The financial acumen coupled with his strong background in operations makes Dylan’s experience invaluable for new and existing operators in the cannabis space.
In 2020, Dylan and his business partner, realized there was a need for mass-appeal cannabis beverages. Working diligently together, Cantrip Seltzer was brought to life in 2021 in the licensed Massachusetts cannabis space. At the same time, Dylan departed his tenured position at a vertically integrated multi-state operator, Temescal Wellness, to pursue cannabis consulting. Dylan has worked on cannabis licenses and entities 5+ states including, Illinois, Michigan, Utah, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maryland.
Bringing Dylan’s prior tech background, which included a successful exit to Groupon, and his cannabis experience (+5 years) uniquely positions him along with his teammates to provide best-in-class service to consumers, local officials, and regulators.
Provide information around the licensing process, entity structure, and operational needs to have a successful cannabis business in CT.
High level strategic planning, operations and financial experience, largely gained in health care. Educated at Harvard College, Harvard Business School and trained at McKinsey & Co. One of my key industry goals is to share this knowledge and experience with industry entrepreneurs in order to help them compete against billion dollar companies.
To share a valuable and effective analytical technique with attendees
I am a partner at WithumSmith+Brown PC, a top 25 CPA firm that specializes in all aspects of cannabis, including cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, testing labs, and ancillary businesses. I have 6+ years of cannabis experience and work with about 50+ cannabis companies across 10 states. I strive to be creative with my clients and be a resource to them as they navigate capital raises, entity structures, IRC Section 280E, inventory costing, expansion into new states, and all other changes they can run into. I have helped many cannabis companies through their start-up phase in MA, MI, RI, NH, PA, FL, and other states, and can bring this knowledge and experience to applicants in the CT market. I also understand the pitfalls that can hold a cannabis start-up back, or can make / break the deal. In my presentation, I plan on speaking about the ‘deadly sins’ of cannabis start-ups. This includes approaching the equity or debt raise properly, choosing proper entity structure (C-Corp vs. LLC vs. S-Corp), and keeping accurate and timely accounting records. These deadly sins were developed from our own experiences, but also from the various tax court cases that have often shook up the cannabis tax landscape. Namely, the Harborside case and the Lord case have significantly molded our positions and recommendations we are making with clients. I am excited to bring this to the CT market.
Provide information around the licensing process, entity structure, and operational needs to have a successful cannabis business in CT.
Hempologist John Dvorak has studied cannabis hemp and its prohibition for more than 25 years. JD developed the Cannabis Curriculum to encourage research into the beneficial aspects of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis and the devastating effects of marijuana prohibition. His Traveling Hemp Museum includes raw materials, artifacts and finished products made from hemp. He’s written articles for numerous publications and websites while providing advice, guidance and counseling for those entering the cannabis hemp space.
Learn about hemp’s history and how to make hemp’s future bright
Mr nice guy CTs #1 grow shop back for year 2 ready to rock the mic
Explain the use and importance of sustainable agriculture practices and teritary cannabis cultivation avenues i.e composting and bio remediation.
I am a breeder, organic gardener, hash maker and teacher. I have been in the industry my entire adult life and have owned and operated facilities all over the country.
Consumer Education