Please be aware that cannabis and related laws vary. Programming in this track is designed to inform attendees about this fast-changing industry, and does not promote the use or sale of illegal drugs.

The cannabis industry has grown by leaps and bounds, evolving and maturing into a strong, diverse global market. Now in its adolescence, cannabis companies, brands, growers, and more are encountering a set of challenges unique to the industry, including changing regulations, banking uncertainty, health concerns, and the cultural changes that come with increased popularity. Companies growing up in this fast-moving, emerging industry must be able to anticipate and react to a constantly shifting landscape, and learn to embrace change while forging into the unknown.

In the ten years since its founding, Leafly, the world’s largest cannabis resources, has experienced the exhilarating highs and sobering lows of legalization efforts while helping consumers find and enjoy legal cannabis. As CEO of Leafly and a former Amazon executive, Tim Leslie is at the forefront of the world of weed, and has a unique perspective on how to navigate industry challenges — from branding to ecommerce to legislation — and what a shared vision for the future of cannabis looks like. In his talk, Tim will present a three-part approach to building a cannabis industry in which we can all be proud.
Provide accurate, science-based information that demystifies cannabis and builds consumer confidence. Be empathetic to the educational needs of all cannabis consumers — from novices to enthusiasts — by providing straightforward, reliable, timely information. Create technologies like data-based market insights and reliable ecommerce platforms that reduce friction and help great products and neighborhood dispensaries flourish.

Attendees will leave not only with a renewed sense of purpose, but with the tools to apply future-focused thinking to their own work so that together, we can build a cannabis industry that convinces the world of the possibilities of the plant.