A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives: a curated forum reserved for leaders nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the Cannabis Business Insights Advisory Board.

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Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Returns to Chicago June 8-10, 2025, Uniting Top Investors, Brands, and Advocates to Shape the Industry's Next Chapter

CHICAGO, IL —  The cannabis industry’s most influential leaders will gather at the Marriott Magnificent Mile for the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, North America’s premier event for cannabis investment, branding, and business development. With public policy evolving, capital markets reawakening, and brand-building strategies transforming rapidly, this year’s summit arrives at a critical moment for the sector.

Get your tickets here.

Where Deals Get Done

This edition of the conference features more than 120 speakers, investors, and operators, including top CEOs, regulators, strategists, and cultural influencers. Attendees will hear from leaders such as:

  • Aaron Grey (Alliance Global Partners)
     
  • Aaron Miles (Verano)
     
  • Alberto Paredero-Quiros (SNDL)
     
  • Ankur Rungta (C3 Industries)
     
  • Angela Pih (Point Brand)
     
  • AnnaRae Grabstein (Wolf Meyer)
     
  • Anthony Coniglio (NewLake Capital Partners)
     
  • Beena Goldenberg (Organigram Global)
     
  • Bill Morachnick (Charlotte’s Web)
     
  • Brady Cobb (Sunburn Cannabis)
     
  • Brett Finkelstein (Skyvest Partners)
     
  • Cameron Forni (Adaptaphoria)
     
  • Charlie Bachtell (Cresco Labs)
     
  • Christine De La Rosa (The People's Ecosystem)
     
  • Christine Hersey (Trulieve)
     
  • Christelle Gedeon (Canopy Growth)
     
  • Cy Scott (Headset)
     
  • Dan Ahrens (AdvisorShares)
     
  • Dana Lambert, PhD (Andira Pharmaceuticals)
     
  • Darren Lampert (GrowGeneration)
     
  • Deepak Anand (ASDA Consultancy Services)
     
  • Dominique White (Ivy Hall)
     
  • Dr. Chanda Macias (Women Grow)
     
  • Dr. Marcel Bonn-Miller (Charlotte’s Web / DeFloria)
     
  • Franny Tacy (Franny’s Farmacy)
     
  • Gary Santo (Rx Green Technologies)
     
  • George Archos (Verano)
     
  • Jackie Gonzalez-Becerra (Weedmaps)
     
  • Jade Green (Next Titan Capital)
     
  • Jeanne Sullivan (Arcview Ventures)
     
  • Jesce Horton (Grand National)
     
  • JoJo Simmons (3isFor)
     
  • Julie Valdes (Thompson Hine)
     
  • Kelly D. Fair (Dentons)
     
  • Kim Rivers (Trulieve)
     
  • Kim Sanchez Rael (Azuca)
     
  • Kristi Palmer (Kiva Confections)
     
  • Kyle Kazan (Glass House Brands)
     
  • Leah Heise (Wolf Meyer)
     
  • Los Arias, JD (Green Horizons)
     
  • Lou Magazzu (Law Offices of Louis N. Magazzu)
     
  • Mark Collins (Highly Capitalized Network)
     
  • Matt Hawkins (Entourage Effect Capital)
     
  • Michael Salaman (GrowGeneration)
     
  • Michael Sassano (Somai Pharmaceuticals)
     
  • Michael Villapiano (Altmore Capital)
     
  • Nick Kenny (KBS Strategic Advisory)
     
  • Nick Kovacevich (CCELL)
     
  • Paul Weaver (The Boston Beer Company – TeaPot)
     
  • Rachel Wright, CPA (Verdant Strategies / 420 CPA)
     
  • Rachelle Gordon (GreenState)
     
  • Ricardo Baca (Grasslands)
     
  • Richie Proud (iAnthus)
     
  • Samuel Brill (Ascend Wellness Holdings)
     
  • Samantha Gleit (Feuerstein Kulick LLP)
     
  • Sarah Griffis (Weedmaps)
     
  • Seth Yakatan (Katan Associates)
     
  • Terry Mendez (Safe Harbor Financial)
     
  • Thomas Winstanley (Edibles.com)
     
  • Tim Seymour (Seymour Asset Management)
     
  • Todd Harrison (CB1 Capital / Mission [Green] Alliance)
     
  • Tom Epstein (POLN8)
     
  • Vic Mensa (93 Boyz)
     
  • Will Bowden (Grasshopper Farms)
     
  • Will Muecke (Artemis Growth Partners)
     
  • Zachary George (SNDL)
     
  • Zoe Wilder (Zoe Wilder PR)

Scholarship Programs & Social Equity Partnerships

As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, Benzinga continues to partner with organizations such as Women Grow and BIPOCann to offer scholarship opportunities that elevate women- and minority-owned cannabis businesses. These earned opportunities allow founders to showcase their companies on the main stage and in the exhibit hall, creating access to capital, partnerships, and exposure.

“It is imperative that women are empowered by financial solutions,” said Dr. Chanda Macias, CEO of Women Grow. “Benzinga has opened the doors of access for our community, and we are ready to drive innovation and growth.”

Benzinga’s partnership with BIPOCann further supports entrepreneurs from communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, including those impacted by the War on Drugs. Programming at the conference will include dedicated discussions on social equity, expungement, and inclusive business policy.

The Final Spark: Rooftop Networking to Close It Out

The event will conclude with The Final Spark, a rooftop networking celebration powered by Dickinson Wright, on the evening of Tuesday, June 10. Taking place at Tunnel Treehouse, this afterparty offers attendees a chance to build lasting connections and celebrate a successful conference in a relaxed setting.

The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.