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Blank Rome partners and Cannabis practice co-chairs Frank A. Segall and Scott H. Moskol, who are recognized as two of the most experienced and successful cannabis attorneys in the country, will serve as panel moderators at Blank Rome’s Tenth Annual State of the Cannabis Industry Conference, being held Monday, October 26, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. 

A decade ago, this conference was launched during a period of real uncertainty for the cannabis industry, and it has since grown into one of the premier national forums for the people shaping this space. Now recognized as one of the industry’s leading substantive and networking conferences, industry leaders will share key insights, experience, and practical perspectives on the most pressing issues and opportunities confronting the cannabis industry.

The conference will focus on the issues that matter most right now, including federal rescheduling, distressed companies and receiverships, capital constraints, M&A, and an increasingly competitive landscape.

Conference Highlight

To mark our 10th year, we are introducing our inaugural Hall of Fame induction, spotlighting a select group of pioneers who have had a lasting impact on the cannabis industry. Our first inductees are Boris Jordan, George Archos, and Charlie Bachtell, who will participate in a premier panel discussing their roles in shaping the past, present, and future of the industry.

  • Moderator: Frank A. Segall, Partner and Co-Chair of Boston Office and Cannabis Practice, Blank Rome
  • Boris Jordan, Chief Executive Officer, Curaleaf
  • George Archos, Chief Executive Officer, Verano
  • Charlie Bachtell, Chief Executive Officer, Cresco Labs

Additional Sessions

A Candid Conversation with CCC Chair Christopher Harding

Moderator: Frank A. Segall

Special Guest: Christopher Harding, Chair, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

Join Frank Segall, Blank Rome’s Cannabis Practice co-chair, for a candid fireside discussion with Christopher Harding, the chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”). This timely conversation will place attendees front and center for direct insight into the Commission’s priorities and its approach to the issues confronting Massachusetts’ cannabis industry. A must-attend session for anyone operating in or considering entering the Massachusetts market.

Capital Markets: Navigating Cannabis Financing in a Changing Market

Moderator: Sean P. Coyle, Partner, Blank Rome LLP

Panelists:

  • Michelle Haughton, FVP Structured Finance Relationship Manager, Needham Bank
  • Steve Ham, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Altmore Capital
  • Peter Sack, Managing Partner, Chicago Atlantic
  • Jack Mascone, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Seaport Global Securities
  • Craig Kelleher, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Millstreet Capital Management
  • Charles Corbisiero, Managing Director & Head of Midwest Commercial Banking, East West Bank

We are excited to bring together the heads of lending from Needham Bank, Altmore Capital, East West Bank, Mill Street Capital, Seaport Global Securities, and Chicago Atlantic, who will share their perspectives on lending trends, refinancing challenges, credit risk, and the sectors attracting the greatest investor interest. Whether you are seeking growth capital, evaluating strategic opportunities, or preparing for future market shifts, this session will provide valuable insights from the lenders shaping today's cannabis capital markets.

Distressed M&A: Consolidation, Restructuring, and Strategic Opportunity

Moderator: Scott H. Moskol, Partner, Co-Chair of Cannabis Industry Team, Blank Rome LLP

Panelists:

  • Jacques Santucci, President, Opus Consulting
  • Brian Schinderle, Principal, SSC Advisors
  • Tyson Macdonald, CFO, Vireo Growth Inc.
  • Tiffany Liff, EVP Corporate Development, Ascend Wellness Holdings
  • Thomas Sheffield, Executive Vice President, Practice Leader, Professional & Executive Risks (ProEx), HUB International

As market pressures continue to reshape the cannabis industry and the industry undergoes a cycle of consolidation, companies are increasingly exploring restructurings, strategic acquisitions, and distressed transactions as paths forward. This session brings together experienced advisers, operators, and dealmakers to discuss how businesses are evaluating opportunities amid financial challenges and navigating judicial and non-judicial insolvency proceedings.

Explore the realities of distressed asset sales, receiverships, secured party sales, valuation considerations, and transaction structures in today's market. Gain practical insights into how companies, acquirors, lenders, and other stakeholders are identifying opportunities, managing risk, and positioning themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Innovation in Cannabis: Payments, POS, and Data Analytics

Moderator: Lauren Medeiros Forster, Partner, Blank Rome LLP

Panelists:

  • Kraig Fox, Founder & CEO, Reklaim Credit Solutions
  • Tony Repanich, CEO, Shield Compliance
  • Rocco Del Priore, President & Co-Founder, Sweed POS

As the cannabis industry continues to navigate complex regulatory and operational challenges, innovation remains critical to growth and profitability. This panel of industry leaders will explore the evolving landscape of payments, point-of-sale (“POS”) technology, and business analytics. Panelists will discuss how emerging solutions are helping operators address persistent payment challenges, including uncertainty surrounding cashless ATM programs; improve the consumer purchasing experience; enhance financial transparency; and leverage data-driven insights to make smarter business decisions. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on the technologies shaping the future of cannabis commerce and the tools helping businesses compete in an increasingly sophisticated marketplace.

From State Regulation to Federal Rescheduling: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead

Moderator: Vijay S. Choksi, Partner, Blank Rome LLP

Panelists:

  • Shane Pennington, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
  • Michael Bronstein, Founder & President, ATACH
  • Jill Scher, Managing Director, CBIZ
  • James Winokur, Board of Directors for the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists / CEO of CitraChem

Blank Rome is at the forefront of Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) new schedule III marijuana registration process and the broader federal rescheduling landscape, helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving cannabis regulatory framework. Drawing on their shared experience and expertise, the panel will explore historic trends and best practices in cannabis regulation and the practical implications of the evolving federal framework on existing state regulatory systems, including the transition to schedule III, DEA registration, and the continuing evolution of cannabis regulation for operators, investors, researchers, and the broader industry.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event webpage.