The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals, a major gathering in Austin, TX that will celebrate its 31st anniversary next year, is known for allowing attendees to discover the newest original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Part of event, which runs from March 10-19, includes the SXSW Interactive Festival, which takes place from the 10th through the 14th and offers compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer.
We wrote about the big uptick in cannabis content last year, and 2017 promises to be even more substantial. The good news is that we can help make that the case by participating in the selection process. There are 23 different possible panels, several of which include some of the leading companies and investors in the industry. Readers can search for “cannabis” or “marijuana” content here, but there are several that we would like to highlight. To vote, visit http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/, where you can create a log-in or use your Facebook account. You can then vote: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote
Women Leaders Shaping the Legal Marijuana Industry
This proposed panel includes Dr. Suzanne Sisley of Scottsdale Research Institute, Emily Pahxia of Poseidon Asset Management, Gaynell Rogers of Bloom Cannabis Group and Caroline Rustigian-Bruderer of K-LINE & Company and “will present a group of women from multiple industries who are at the top of their professions the only federally-sanctioned medical research study on cannabis and PTSD and the industry’s top Hedge Fund owner to the most respected industry influencer on policy, media and marketing.”
Reporters’ Perspectives on Marijuana Legalization
This proposed panel includes Jacob Sullum of Reason, Trish Regan of FOX Business Network and Ricardo Baca of the Denver Post (and the Cannabist) and “will discuss the changes in how the media have reported on marijuana over the years through today.”
Political Strategy for Legalizing Marijuana
This proposed panel includes Rob Kampia of Marijuana Policy Project, Zoe Russell of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center and Montel Williams of Montel Media Group and “will explain how and why the landscape of marijuana policy is shifting so quickly, will predict which states will be next to pass both medical and adult-use marijuana legislation and will debate what year Congress will finally change federal law.”
Investing in the Legal Marijuana Space
This proposed panel will include Rick Kimball of HExL Advisors, Troy Dayton of The Arcview Group, Emily Paxhia of Poseidon Asset Management and Adam Bierman of MedMen and “will explore what stood in the way of investing in marijuana businesses and how those barriers are lifting.”
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: Women, Weed & Business
In this panel discussion, Ashley Picillo of Point Seven Group, Diane Czarkowski of Canna Advisors, Wanda James of Simply Pure and Giadha DeCarcer of New Frontier will discuss the “challenges and the opportunities that abound for women who want to be involved in the world of marijuana.”
Intersection of Technology and Marijuana
This proposed panel will include Aeron Sullivan of Tradiv, David Hua of Meadow, Isaac Dietrich of MassRoots and Amy Poinsett of MJ Freeway “will explore how technology and regulation go hand-in-hand and how innovative technological advances could further influence the future marijuana market.”
Redefining Cannabis Consumer Culture
For this proposed solo presentation, “PAX Labs CMO Richard Mumby discusses how the company has conceptualized its PAX vaporizer while elevating the entire category and consumer culture of both vaporization and the cannabis industry. He will also discuss the process of appealing to today’s consumer and creating market leadership, all while operating in a highly regulated category.”
Vote for this solo presentation
Silicon Valley 2.0: Cannabis Startups
For this proposed panel, Gateway’s Carter Laren and Ben Larson “will talk about the current state of the cannabis industry, including an overview of the science, products and applications, as well as the legal landscape, outline where the big unsolved problems are, how to differentiate your cannabis startup from others, what pitfalls to be aware of, and how do go about raising capital from traditional venture channels and also cover the opportunities and risks for early stage investors.”
Cannabis Crossroads: Shattering Stigmas
In this proposed panel, Hugh Hempel of Strainz, Pamela Hadfield of HelloMD.com and Cort Smith of DaVinci Vaporizer will discuss corporatization of the cannabis industry, highlight the most promising medical research and share the primary challenges of scaling a cannabis business.
How Vaping Cannabis Can Elevate Performance
In this proposed panel, Seibo Shen of VapeXhale and Jake Shields, a MMA fighter with World Series of Fighting, will team up to discuss how athletes have used cannabis to elevate mental and physical performance, share best practices and explain the advancements in vaporizer technology.
Joint Space: The Intersection of Cannabis & Tech
In this proposed panel, David Chao of DCM Ventures and Keith McCarty of Eaze will team up to “discuss the outlook of the cannabis industry, the opportunities within the cannabis supply chain and what startups need to know to position themselves to service these needs.”
Cannabis: Keep Your Career, Change Your Industry
In this proposed panel, Karson Humiston of Vangst Talent
and Ashley Picillo of Point Seven Group will offer a “meet-up group designed to connect individuals interested in learning more about the cannabis industry with professionals who can speak to the professional opportunities that exist.”
Technology, Innovation and the Cannabis Industry
In this proposed panel, Adelia Carrillo of Direct Cannabis Network, Holly Alberti of Healthy Headie Lifestyle, Natasha Irizarry of Stashbox and Meghan Larson of Adistry will discuss “innovation in the cannabis industry, lessons in starting a business in the cannabis industry, what the industry needs in skills and talent to push the industry in the right direction, normalizing cannabis culture and promoting diversity.”
Thanks to all of our industry peers who are making the effort to share positive cannabis industry stories at this big event, and thanks to everyone who can help let the organizers at SXSW learn about how interested people are in hearing those stories.
Are you a cannabis industry thought leader and want to be heard? Let us know your story.
