Full Program

10 AM – 11:30 AM Know your Rights + Q&A
Now that cannabis is legal for adult use in Illinois, you can still get in trouble. Join our panel discussion to learn how you can protect yourself from criminalization, and how legal cannabis affects your housing, employment, immigration status, and more.
Moderator: Yajaira Rodriguez, Cannabis Equity Coalition Illinois

Guest Speakers
Iris Guitierrez Berrios -Immigration
Ashley Rodriguez – Crime Defense
Ricardo Vazquez – Housing
Regina Hernandez – Employment

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  The Art of Advocacy
A conversation with leaders of organizations working tirelessly to make the cannabis industry in Illinois more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to individuals and communities most affected by cannabis prohibition. Join us to learn how you, as a consumer, supporter, and advocate, can become more engaged as we collectively move this industry forward for future generations.

Moderator: Silvia Rogel, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning

Guest Speakers:
Yajaira Rodriguez, Cannabis Equity Coalition Illinois
Teresa Ramirez-Gonzalez, Local 881 UFCW – Recorder and Organizing Director
Vilmarie Fraguada Narloch, Sana Healing Collective, co-founder and Director

12:30 PM-1:30 PM Fire it Up! Get Your Career Started In The Cannabis Industry
From custodian to c-suite, learn about opportunities for employment in one of the fastest-growing industries in Illinois.  Join us for a live Q&A based solely on finding your “in” to the cannabis industry. This session will allow attendees to ask questions directly to industry experts about navigating an entry into the industry.
Moderator: Juan Carlos Hernandez

Guest Speakers:
Kurt Kaufman, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Seed Talent
Amy Nathan, Founder & Executive Director, Gromentum Lab
Sophia Julio, Senior Corporate Recruiter, Trulieve
Ivan Perez, senior Corporate Recruiter, Cresco

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Latinas in Cannabis: Carving Out Your Space in The Cannabis Industry
This panel discussion will offer an overview of professional and business opportunities in the ever-growing cannabis industry. Learn from leaders in the cannabis sector, gain insights and walk away with practical strategies to consider before taking the leap into the fast-growing cannabis industry.
Moderator, Amor Montes de Oca, Executive Director, Illinois Women in Cannabis

Guest Speakers:

Gina Gault, Field Marketing and Outreach Manager, 1906
Annie DeKanter, Central Region Associate Marketing Manager, Curaleaf
LizMarie Palomo, Area General Manager, Cannabist
Joline Rivera, Founder, Kitchen Toke Media & Red Belly Honey
Adriana Tarasiewicz, Sales Account Executive, Vertosa