Midwest Cannabis Forum Agenda

The Midwest Cannabis Forum is a one-day, curated, application-only gathering of operators, investors, regulators, and finance leaders shaping the Midwest cannabis market. This day-long program will highlight the current state of Midwest cannabis, but also what the future holds.

9:30 a.m. | Registration
Check-in

9:30 to 10:15 a.m. | Nosh, Networking, & Brand Showcase
Coffee, pastries, and networking

10:15 a.m. | Welcome and Program Overview 
Jay Rosenthal/Cultivated & Brad Spirrison/Grown In welcome attendees and share an overview of the day.

10:30 a.m. | Cannabis 7x7s | Cannabis in the Midwest
Rapid-fire, seven, seven-minute talks from stakeholders in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa to set the stage for what’s happening in the Midwest. Each talk is followed by Q&A with presenter. 

Noon | A True Chicago Lunch
Lunch (Lou Malnati’s) & networking

1 p.m. | The “Beverage Exception,” the inevitable path forward for hemp?
A uniquely Midwest perspective on the current and future state of hemp-derived, THC beverages – including how Illinois may be the newest frontier.

1:30 p.m. | Reflections on State-Mandated Social Equity Programs
A candid discussion on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how state-mandated social equity programs are impacting real operators across Midwest markets.

2 p.m. | Life After Price-Compression
Operators unpack how businesses are adapting to sustained price compression — and what it means for margins, strategy, and survival going forward.

2:30 p.m. | Rescheduling: What Changes? What Doesn’t? What’s Happening?
A clear-eyed breakdown of what federal cannabis rescheduling actually changes, what remains the same, and what’s unfolding right now across states and markets.

3:30 p.m. | Program Ends, Networking, Sesh Bus & Brand Showcase

5 pm | Reception & After Parties