ASTM Conference on Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp Industries: Views from Around the World

Presentations Release Date: May 1, 2025

Event Location: Virtually

Organized by: ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis

About the Event

The upcoming ASTM Conference on Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp Industries: Views from Around the World will be held virtually with the release of prerecorded presentations to registrants on May 1, 2025, followed by two live question-and-answer sessions with the presenters at a later date in May 2025.

The language of the presentations will be English.

Objective and Scope

The global cannabis and hemp industries are diverse, represented by several stakeholder groups, many of whom have been historically marginalized and prevented from participating, even in their own market.

ASTM International Technical Committee D37 on Cannabis recognizes these inequities and wants to provide a forum to listen and learn from more diverse representatives of these global industries.

The goal of this conference is to build a bridge between traditional knowledge, science, and commercialization of the many uses of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, its parts, and associated products so that underrepresented groups have an equal opportunity to succeed in the international marketplace.

Conference Schedule

1. Recognizing Historical Marginalization and Inequities in Cannabis and Hemp (Learning from the Mistakes of the Past)

It’s Not Just the Players, It’s The Game
Mike Lomuto, Minority Cannabis Business Association

What if You Don’t Have a Boot?
Frederika Easley, Cannabis Impact Fund

1925–2025: A Centenary of Cannabis Prohibition––A Global Reflection on the Legacy and Future of Cannabis Policy
Myrtle Clarke, Fields of Green for All

From Weed to Seed with Future Potential: The Role of Cannabis in Climate and Social Justice
Maren Krings, Hemp4world

Overcoming Historical Barriers to Entry: Empowering Rural Cultivators in the Cannabis and Hemp Industries
Cian McClelland, Druids Garden

2. Cannabis and Hemp War Stories - Legacy, Indigenous, Women, People of Color, & Other Disenfranchised Stakeholders (Learning from the Mistakes of the Present)

Women in Cannabis
Megan Steyn, CBD Care

Success and Failure of a Cannabis Business
Sarah Needham, Eastern Analytical Labs

Making Mary Jane: Women’s Representation in Capitalizing on Cannabis
Sarah Petrescu, Athabasca University

The Vanguard of Alternative Livelihoods: Smallholder Cannabis Farmers in Malawi
Marty Otanez, University of Colorado
Musa Nkuna, Independent Researcher/Consultant

Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp: A Path Toward Equity and Inclusion
Lauren Stower, Ispire

South Africa's Role in the Global Cannabis Marketplace
Trenton Birch, Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy

3. Identifying Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp - Treaties, Prejudices, Misunderstandings, Cannabinoids, Lack of Standards Acceptance, etc. (What's in the Way)

Assessing the Impact of PM2.5 in Cannabis Hospitality Venues: A Call for Inclusive and Sustainable Regulation
Shannon Donnelly, MSU Denver and CU Boulder

Jamaica’s Determination to Grow its Cannabis Industry
Farrah Blake, Cannabis Licensing Authority

Blazing Trails: Lessons from Africa's Cannabis Frontiers
Daniel Bear, Humber Polytechnic

Evolving Legislative Solutions for Cannabis Policy in the United States
Karen Jaynes

Barriers To Entry To Cannabis Cultivation For Small-Scale Farmers in Zambia
Nchimunya Muleya, The University of Zambia

4. Philosophies for Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp (DEI, Land Rights, Terroirs, Appellations, Social Equity, and Other Ideas)

Avantgarde Km 0 House with Moroccan Beldiya Hemp in the Country’s Historic Cannabis Farming Region
Monika Brümmer, Cannatektum Habitat and Materials science S.L.

Leveraging Appellations to Empower Excluded Cannabis Communities in South Africa
Joshua Swart, Grow One Africa

Weaponization of Terminology: Creating Barriers with How Words are Defined and Ways to Overcome Market-Protectionism
Darwin Millard, TSOC LLC

A Constitutional Legal Philosophy for Overcoming the Barriers to Entry and the ‘Crisis of Illegality’ in South Africa’s Private Adult-use Cannabis ‘Economy’
Brett Pollack, Harambe Solutions

Advancing Sustainable Hemp Solutions: A Multifaceted Approach
Ramon Granados, Hemp Engineering Pty Ltd

5. Actions to Take to Overcome Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp (Awareness of Steps People Can Take Now - Engaging with SDOs, NGOs, etc.)

Empowering Inclusivity: Workforce Training and Social Equity as Pathways to Cannabis Industry Accessibility
Katelyn Avruch, Operator Academy

Empowering Marginalized Communities through Reusable Hemp Sanitary Pads: A Case Study from the Himalayas
Haneesh Katnawer, Himalayan Hemp Research Foundation

Programs in Social Equity: Overcoming Barriers in Technical Assistance/Funding
Mark Slaugh, iComply LLC

Legalizing Fairness: Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Global Cannabis Markets —A Perspective on Biopiracy
Kenzi Riboulet Zemouli, Cannabis Embassy

The Role of Legacy/Equity Integrated Information in Success of Worldwide Business
A.C.Moon Cameron, Indica Innovations International

6. Tools to Use to Overcome Barriers to Entry in Cannabis and Hemp (i.e., Standards)

Preserving Cannabis Landraces: Integrating Nagoya Protocol Principles and Appellations of Origin
Codi Peterson, The Cannigma; UC Irvine

Standardized Cannabis Labeling
David Nathan, Doctors for Drug Policy Reform

Waiving the Treaty’s Barrier to Cannabis Legalization: Article 2(9) of the 1961 Single Convention
Kenzi Riboulet Zemouli, Cannabis Embassy

Community-Oriented Solutions to Share Resources and Knowledge and Facilitate Access to the Industry
Marleen Theunissen, Harambe Solutions

The Creation of a Commodity Hemp Market
Tai Olson, US Heritage Group

Abstract Submission

Those interested in presenting at this event should submit an abstract describing how their presentation will address one of the conference themes. Submitters are encouraged to cover subject matter which they are most familiar. Abstracts should be no longer than 200 words and should clearly describe the learning objectives of the presentation and how they fit into the chosen theme.

Abstracts must be submitted using the ASTM Submission Portal and received no later than November 30, 2024. To ensure your abstract was received into the ASTM database, please email symposia@astm.org and let us know that you have submitted an abstract.

Acceptance notifications will be sent on a rolling basis but no later than December 15, 2024. If your abstract is selected for this event, you will be asked to work with our third-party contractor to record your presentation. Accepted presenters will receive further instructions upon acceptance.

NOTE: ALL ACCEPTED presenters must agree to be recorded and to the ASTM speaker release terms that go with it.

Can’t make it to South Africa but still want to share your connection with the Cannabis sativa L. plant?

We want to hear from as many affected stakeholders as possible and recognize that not everyone can make it to South Africa.

To make it possible to learn from more diverse stakeholder groups from around the world we are encouraging individuals to submit a short video explaining how the cannabis plant and it’s parts and products positively impact culture, religion, economics, and other activities associated with daily life.

The videos should be lighthearted and will be used to set the tone of our 2-day conference. Please upload videos to the ASTM Submission Portal no later than June 30, 2024. Submissions should be MP4 format, and less than a minute in length. Video submission in languages other than English, must provide an English transcript for the video. Videos longer than 1-minute will not be considered. Submitters of accepted videos will be notified prior to the event.

NOTE: All submitters (abstracts and videos) will be required to agree to the ASTM Conference Speaker Release Terms.

Registration

Registration opens approximately 10 weeks before the start of the SYMPOSIUM/WORKSHOP.

Registration

Registration is now open and will close after 11:59 PM EDT April 11, 2025. The fees to attend this event are listed below.

	Through MARCH 31, 2025	APRIL 1-11, 2025
ASTM Member	$50.00	$100.00
Non-member	$115.00	$165.00
Presenter	Waived	Waived
Student	Waived	Waived

Not an ASTM Member? An Individual Membership costs only $115.00. If you would like to become a member of ASTM International and Committee D37 on Cannabis to begin taking advantage of all the ASTM membership benefits, including attending this event for at a reduced rate, please use the link below to join ASTM before registering for the event. After you have become a member, please return to this webpage to register for the event as an ASTM Member.

ASTM International Membership

Presenters– Presenters for this event are automatically registered to attend, and do not need to register themselves.

Students – Students may be eligible for a reduced registration fee provided they meet certain requirements. To qualify for the reduced fee you must be an active ASTM Student Member, full-time student, not employed full-time, and be able to provide a current valid university email address for registration. To register as a student, please email ASTM Symposia Operations at symposia@astm.org.

Cancellations – A refund of the conference fee will be honored only if requested at least 10 business days prior to the the video relaese date. To cancel your registration, please click the "Modify My Registration" button found in your registration confirmation email and follow the prompts to cancel your registration. Please contact Symposia Operations at symposia@astm.org or 610-832-9522 if you need assistance.

If you have questions concerning your registration, please email Symposia Operations at symposia@astm.org or call us at +1 610-832-9522 during nornal business hours. For immediate support outside of normal business hours please contact ASTM Technical Support at https://www.astm.org/contact.

Technical Chair Contact Information

More information about this event can be obtained from the organizing committee contact, Darwin Millard, at darwin@thespockofcannabis.com.

Sponsorship Opportunity

Sponsors are invited for the upcoming ASTM Conference Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis Industries,: Views from Around the World to be held virtually via ondemand streaming the week of March 24, 2025 followed with two live question-and-answer sessions with the presenters in April 2025.

This event is an excellent opportunity to highlight your company or organization's commitment, not only to your local community but to the international marginalized communities and stakeholders with the goal of creating a fair and viable global marketplace.

Organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring this event must complete the sponsorship form and
return it to ASTM with payment as detailed on the form. We ask that all sponsorship funds be received no later
than November 30, 2024.

For more information on the sponsorship packages and to obtain the form, please click here .

Continuing Education Units

SYMPOSIUM/WORKSHOP attendees interested in receiving 0.35 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must complete the CEU application form in the back of the program booklet and email it to ASTM Symposia Operations at symposia@astm.org. You must be registered and have attended the entire event in order to receive the CEU’s. A certificate will be sent to you via email approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the SYMPOSIUM/WORKSHOP concludes.

Hotel Information

The event will be held at the Virtual in , . More information on how to make your sleeping room reservation will be posted approximately 12 weeks prior to the start of the event.

OR

COPY AND PASTE CW HOTEL INFORMATION

Standards Development Meetings

Committee D37 Invites you to attend their future standards development meetings. There is no fee to attend these meetings, and membership in ASTM International is not required to attend. For more information about the committee and their future meetings, please visit the Committee D37 Homepage.