October 16-18, 2023

The Hilton, Parsippany, New Jersey

Agenda At A Glance

Monday, October 16, 2023

12:00 – 5:00 PM: Pre-Conference Workshops

Exhibitor Move-In

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

9:00 – 9:45 AM: M&A Closing the Deal Compliantly (Bob Wagener)

9:45 – 10:30 AM: Economic Equity: Brand Building, Strategic Partnerships & Growth in Cannabis (Ernest Toney, Marlena Tucker-Fishman, Jonathan Ross, Carlondo Mitchell)

11:00 – 11:45 AM: Introducing New Jersey’s Cannabis Training Academy, The Country’s 1st State-Run Cannabis Academy (Penni Wild, Tauhid Chappell)

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Remarks from Congressman Earl Blumenauer

1:45 – 2:30 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Product Safety and Quality Control Considerations when Manufacturing Cannabinoid-Based Novel Food Ingredients (Darwin Millard)
  • Cannabis Business: Making the Connection Between Risk Management & Profitability (Jay Virdi)

2:30 – 3:15 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Lab Fraud & Potency Inflation: The Problem, The Causes & The Solutions (Sarah Otis)
  • Cannabis Business: Getting Fat & Sassy with Edibles and Consumption Lounges (Steve Schain)

3:45 – 4:30 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Delivering Safe & Predictable Edible Experiences to Consumers (Keith Woelfel)
  • Cannabis Business: Getting to the Truth of 280E & Other Timely Tax Topics (Rachel Wright)

4:30 – 5:15 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Regulatory Audits for Laboratories (Kyle Kershner)
  • Cannabis Business: How to Launch a Business in New Jersey & Beyond (Chris Boudreau, Michael Schwamm, Summer Westerbur, Mike Goral, Rachel Wright)

5:15 PM: Cocktail Reception, Co-Hosted by the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

9:45 – 10:30 AM: The Greenprint: How I Opened the First Black Owned Social Equity Dispensary in NJ (Tahir Johnson)

10:45 – 11:30 AM

  • Cannabis Quality: What to Expect When You’re Inspected: Creating a Culture of Compliance (Casey Leaver, Stephen Pemberton)
  • Cannabis Business: Cannabis Financing, Myths & Truths (Peter Su)

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Quality Management Strategies, Reducing Bioburden Throughout Manufacturing Processes (Carly Bader)
  • Cannabis Business: Crossing the Line: Winning Strategies for Multi-State Expansion (Sumer Thomas)

1:30 – 2:15 PM

  • Cannabis Quality: Navigating the ISO 17025 Accreditation Process for Cannabis Testing Labs (Arun Apte)
  • Cannabis Business: NJ Cannabis Law & How it Affects Day-to-Day Operations (Victor Guadagnino)

2:15 – 3:00 PM 

  • Cannabis Quality: The Devil in the Details: Specifications for Safeguarding Solventless (Matt Regusci, Tyler Williams, David Vaillencourt)
  • Cannabis Business: Cannabis Security Beyond Compliance (Tim Sutton)

October 16-18, 2023

The Hilton, Parsippany, New Jersey

The CQC Is Coming Home: Same Dates & Location as 2022

Plan to Attend

Registration is now open: Click here to register, view hotel accommodations, sign up for pre-conference workshop and to view the full list of speakers and detailed agenda. Stay tuned for important announcements like agenda additions, keynote updates and more! Make sure you are subscribed to the CIJ newsletter to stay up to date.

New This Year: We are excited to co-host the networking cocktail reception with The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce from 5:15 to 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 17. Join us and the CCC Tuesday evening for drinks, networking, light canapés and more!

Two Events Under One Roof

The Cannabis Quality Conference and the Food Safety Consortium will take place under one roof and at the same time. With both food and cannabis markets innovating relentlessly with new technology and best practices to improve quality and safety, the two conferences running alongside each other will allow for a meeting of the minds like no other. CQC attendees will get full access to the Food Safety Consortium and vice versa. Mingle with your counterparts in other markets and see why the food and cannabis industries share so much in common.

Pre-Conference Workshops & Training. Earn CE Hours!

The 2023 Cannabis Quality Conference features four different pre-conference workshops and training alongside the Food Safety Consortium in an effort to promote educational and professional learning opportunities. 12 or 20 CE Hours: The Cannabis Quality Conference’s two-day program is recognized by NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) for 12 Continuing Education (CE) Hours. If you participate in one of the pre-conference workshops or training and attend the conference, a total of 3 days, the NEHA CE Hours is 20.

CP-FS Credential Review Course

The Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS) credential is the gold standard for those working in retail food safety, including cannabis edibles. Earning your CP-FS demonstrates your commitment to the health and well being of your customers and shows the public you take their safety seriously. This course takes place on Monday, October 16 and the morning of Tuesday, October 17.

Food Safety Culture Design Workshop

Presented by the Center for Foodborne Illness in collaboration with Sage Media, we will be offering a one-day Food Safety Culture Design Workshop which will guide food industry professionals through the necessary steps to create an actionable food safety culture strategy. This course takes place on Monday, October 16.

Food Safety Auditor Training

This 4 part series is designed to provide the knowledge, behaviors and technical skills attributed to a competent food safety auditor. The series includes 3 virtual 2 hour presentations conducted by a live instructor to support participants learning experience regardless of their current level of auditing experience. These sessions are recorded and available for additional self-paced study for less experienced participants, while experienced auditors can refresh their understanding of auditing fundamentals before advancing to the more complex skills and critical thinking behaviors needed to audit high risk products. The course culminates with a full day of in person instruction (Monday, October 16) on advanced topics such as potential conflicts of interest, enhanced conflict resolution techniques and providing tips in advanced written communication skills to support the delivery of comprehensive audit reports. A variety of learning techniques such as case studies and role playing will be used to reinforce the knowledge and skills covered by this course of study. designed to augment the skills, knowledge and behaviors attributed to a competent third party food safety auditor.

What People Are Saying About the CQC

“What set the Cannabis Quality Conference apart from many others was the intentionality and focus on high value substance from the presentations.”

“Once again, excellent panels today at the CQC here in Jersey! Have I mentioned how much I love to learn? This industry is forever evolving and being able to observe and watch it roll out from infancy in New Jersey has been tremendous.”

“What an informative and motivating event!”

“I feel fortunate to have been in attendance for such inspiring, informative and REAL discussions being had by industry experts from all across the country.”

“It was so great to listen, meet and speak with so many industry influencers!”

About the Cannabis Quality Conference

Last year’s Cannabis Quality Conference (CQC), took place October 16-18, 2022 at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey and we’re excited to come back to New Jersey at the same place and at the same time as last year! With cannabis markets in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts all beginning to flourish, this event will allow for a meeting of the minds like no other.

Brought to you by Cannabis Industry Journal, the CQC is a business-to-business conference and expo where cannabis industry leaders and stakeholders meet to build the future of the cannabis marketplace. In a location surrounded by new market opportunities, the CQC will deliver hands-on education, networking and business discussions. The venue setting, coupled with our highly focused content, creates a business meeting environment unlike anything else. 

Click here for more information

Some Highlights From 2022

Commissioner Maria Del Cid-Kosso

2022 Keynote Speaker

Commissioner Maria Del Cid-Kosso, New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission

2022 Keynote Speaker

Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO at the Marijuana Policy Project

Presentations from 2022:

  • The Future of East Coast Cannabis: Social Equity, Justice & Legalization
  • The State of the State: An Update on New Jersey Legalization
  • From Research to Recall: Regulatory Compliance for Cannabis Businesses in New Jersey
  • The State of the State: An Update on New York Legalization
  • 280E & Beyond: Accounting and Tax Compliance for Cannabis Businesses
  • Other Cannabinoids 101
  • Navigating Cannabis Testing Regulations for Multi-State Operations
  • Quality in the Retail Ecosystem
  • Get It Right the First Time: Best Practices to Design Your Facility for a Successful Operation
  • Tri-State Cannabis: Pro Tips for Winning Applications
  • Security in Cannabis: From Application to Operations
  • Stay Tuned for More!

Plan to Attend

Registration is now open: Click here to register, view hotel accommodations, sign up for pre-conference workshop and to view the preliminary agenda. Stay tuned for important announcements like agenda additions, keynote updates and more! Make sure you are subscribed to the CIJ newsletter to stay up to date.

New This Year: We are excited to co-host the networking cocktail reception with The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce from 5:15 to 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 17. Join us and the CCC Tuesday evening for drinks, networking, light canapés and more! 

Two Events Under One Roof

The Cannabis Quality Conference and the Food Safety Consortium will take place under one roof and at the same time. With both food and cannabis markets innovating relentlessly with new technology and best practices to improve quality and safety, the two conferences running alongside each other will allow for a meeting of the minds like no other. CQC attendees will get full access to the Food Safety Consortium and vice versa. Mingle with your counterparts in other markets and see why the food and cannabis industries share so much in common.

Become a Sponsor

Interested in sponsoring? Learn More.

Reserving your booth or sponsorship is a sound business decision. The Cannabis Quality Conference gives sponsors new and innovative tools for lead generation. With limited space for sponsors, get exclusive access to hundreds of registrants and attendees, interact with participants and reserve a spot for your business today before they sell out.

Sponsors

Partner Organizations

BIPOCANN
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
ProCanna USA
ASTM
Green Lane Communication, Inc.
Green Lane Communication, Inc.

Media Partners

Participating Organizations

BIPOCANN
BIPOCANN
BIPOCANN
BIPOCANN
BIPOCANN
BIPOCANN
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association
ProCanna USA
ProCanna USA
ProCanna USA
ProCanna USA
ProCanna USA

Cannabis Industry Journal

Stay Up To Date

Stay informed with announcements about the event, pricing, hotel deals, speaker additions and more when you sign up for the Cannabis Industry Journal newsletter here.

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