Market Spotlight: New Jersey 2025
Market Spotlight: New Jersey 2025
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Join the IgniteIt Cannabis Market Spotlight

Market Spotlight: New Jersey

October 8th, 2025

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Market Spotlight: New Jersey
Join the Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight
New Jersey, cultivating the future of Cannabis Innovation.
This premier event, focused on high-impact networking, offers a chance to connect and create lasting business relationships. Engage with top industry figures in structured sessions and casual mixers, turning each interaction into a potential business breakthrough. It’s more than networking, it’s where the future of cannabis in New Jersey (and beyond) is shaped. Be part of the defining conversation.
Join us and…
  • Discover New Jersey’s burgeoning cannabis market potential and retail opportunities
  • Examine supply chain logistics and cultivation challenges in a newly legal landscape
  • Navigate New Jersey’s regulatory framework and compliance for cannabis businesses
  • Discuss strategies for shifting the illicit market to a regulated, legal framework
  • Network with New Jersey state officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors
  • Gain insights from high-profile figures and pioneers in the cannabis industry
  • Explore the role of cannabis lounges as unique tourism attractions near NYC

Wednesday, October 8

Delta Hotels By Marriott
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Who should attend?
Are you ready to cultivate growth in the cannabis industry? Join us!

This event is the ultimate gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals looking to thrive in the cannabis market.
  • Dispensary Owners & Buyers

  • Cannabis Brand Executives

  • Regulatory & Operations Experts

  • Investors & Financial Institutions

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Experience previous Market Spotlight events in New Jersey and California.
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2025 Speakers
Our list of speakers, sponsors and attendees is growing every day. Take a look at some of our confirmed speakers.
Brian Adams
Brian Adams
CEO
Nimbus Cannabis Co.
Christopher Riggs
Christopher Riggs
Acting Executive Director
NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Bran Noonan
Bran Noonan
CEO
OGeez!
Debra Borchardt
Debra Borchardt
Executive Editor, Co-Founder
Green Market Report
Dianna Houenou
Dianna Houenou
Commission Chair
NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Donny Moskovic
Donny Moskovic
Senior Director
Katz & Associates
Jill Cohen
Jill Cohen
CEO
Elevated by CannaBossLady
Joseph Lustberg
Joseph Lustberg
CEO
Upwise Capital
Karl Frederic
Karl Frederic
Member Senior Director
Clark Hill Law
Laurie Parfitt
Laurie Parfitt
Founder & CEO
LKP Impact Consulting
Marc Claybon
Marc Claybon
Principal-Tax
Crowe
Patrick Lane
Patrick Lane
Executive Vice President
Benzinga
Rachel Wright, CPA
Rachel Wright, CPA
CEO of VERDANT Strategies and 420 CPA
VERDANT Strategies
Randy Lanier
Randy Lanier
CEO
Freedom Grow
Richie Proud
Richie Proud
CEO
iAnthus
Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Founder
Highsman
Samantha Gleit
Samantha Gleit
Partner
Feuerstein Kulick LLP
Seth Yakatan
Seth Yakatan
Co-Founder
Katan Associates
Stella Morrison
Stella Morrison
Founder and Content Strategist
CannaContent
Susanna Puntel
Susanna Puntel
National Council Member
American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp
Tahir Johnson
Tahir Johnson
CEO
Simply Pure Trenton
Trip McDermott
Trip McDermott
COO
Verano
Will Bowden
Will Bowden
Founder & CEO
Grasshopper Farms
Kelly Heinichen
Kelly Heinichen
VP of Retail & Planning
iAnthus
Michael Piermont
Michael Piermont
Chief Commercial Officer, Founder of Cheetah Company
iAnthus
Elliot Lane
Elliot Lane
Senior Vice President, Event Partnerships
Benzinga
Gabriella Wilday
Gabriella Wilday
CEO
Molly Ann Farms
Joshua Krane
Joshua Krane
Executive General Manager
Garden Greens
Amy Larson
Amy Larson
SVP - Head of Sales & Marketing
Rx Green Technologies
Jon Lowen
Jon Lowen
Co-CEO and Co-Founder
Surfside
Meilad Rafiei
Meilad Rafiei
CEO
WeCann
Sarah Trent
Sarah Trent
CEO
Valley Wellness
Steven Ernest
Steven Ernest
Director, Originations
Chicago Atlantic
Dan Saita
Dan Saita
Co-Founder & Owner
North Lake Supply
Jeanne Sullivan
Jeanne Sullivan
Chief Investment Officer
Arcview Ventures
Jenny Lamboy
Jenny Lamboy
VP of Strategy
Hybrid Marketing
Leah Heise
Leah Heise
Partner
Wolf Meyer
Nick Richards
Nick Richards
Tax Partner
Greenspoon Marder LLP
Patrick Rea
Patrick Rea
Managing Director
Poseidon Asset Management
Kris Ciccarelli
Kris Ciccarelli
Chief Technology Officer
Flowhub
David Fettner
David Fettner
Managing Partner
Grow America
Ben Burstein
Ben Burstein
Senior Corporate Development Manager
LeafLink
Jacqueline Ferraro
Jacqueline Ferraro
Advocate | Strategic Advisor | Founder | Connector
Cannability
Shane Fairbrother
Shane Fairbrother
Director of Sales / Operations
HARA Supply
Carl Tirella Jr.
Carl Tirella Jr.
Co-Founder & CEO
Budr Cannabis
Dan Neville
Dan Neville
Partner, Chief Executive Officer
Advanced Flower Capital
Kate Juliano
Kate Juliano
NJ Sales Manager
Green Thumb Industries
Julie Winter
Julie Winter
CRO
AYR Wellness
Jesce Horton
Jesce Horton
Co-Founder
Grand National
Lou Magazzu
Lou Magazzu
Managing Member
Law Offices of Louis N. Magazzu
Jason Quinn
Jason Quinn
CEO
Best in Grass
Ritesh Shah
Ritesh Shah
CEO
NJ Leaf
Joshua Horn
Joshua Horn
Partner
Fox Rothschild LLP
Brett Finkelstein
Brett Finkelstein
Managing Director
Skyvest Partners
October 8th Agenda
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:40 AM
REGISTRATION + NETWORKING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
 
Elliot Lane, Benzinga
Patrick Lane, Benzinga
 
 
 
 
 
 
9:40 AM - 9:45 AM
Opening Remarks
 
Elliot Lane, Benzinga
Patrick Lane, Benzinga
 
 
 
 
 
 
9:45 AM - 10:05 AM
Keynote
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth

With New Jersey outpacing New York in 2024 cannabis sales, how can your business ensure it grows alongside the market in 2025? This panel explores key strategies for leveraging momentum, staying competitive, and setting the stage for record-breaking success in the coming year.

Debra Borchardt, Green Market Report
Trip McDermott, Verano
Richie Proud, iAnthus
Julie Winter, AYR Wellness
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth
 
 
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset

Investors are focusing on retail to achieve quicker returns within 1-2 years, shifting away from long-term waits for profitability. Discover strategies for aligning with this new timeline and maximizing short-term investment outcomes.

Steven Ernest, Chicago Atlantic
Karl Frederic, Clark Hill Law
Dan Neville, Advanced Flower Capital
Patrick Rea, Poseidon Asset Management
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset
 
 
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM
The Lifecycle of a Deal
 
Laurie Parfitt, LKP Impact Consulting
Seth Yakatan, Katan Associates
Rachel Wright, CPA, VERDANT Strategies
The Lifecycle of a Deal
The Lifecycle of a Deal
The Lifecycle of a Deal
 
 
 
11:05 AM - 11:35 AM
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?

How to stock your shelves with the hottest products and who drives these decisions. Do your picks truly impact customer demand or will people buy whatever you have?

Ben Burstein, LeafLink
Shane Fairbrother, HARA Supply
Jacqueline Ferraro, Cannability
Bran Noonan, OGeez!
Michael Piermont, iAnthus
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?
 
 
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
 
David Fettner, Grow America
Jesce Horton, Grand National
Brett Finkelstein, Skyvest Partners
Kate Juliano, Green Thumb Industries
Nick Richards, Greenspoon Marder LLP
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
 
12:05 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
 
 
Lunch
 
 
 
 
 
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success

Set your business up for success from day one. This panel will explore how to implement winning strategies to drive immediate revenue, position your retail operation competitively, and adapt to the fast-changing cannabis market in New Jersey.

Kris Ciccarelli, Flowhub
Jill Cohen, Elevated by CannaBossLady
Tahir Johnson, Simply Pure Trenton
Jenny Lamboy, Hybrid Marketing
Gabriella Wilday, Molly Ann Farms
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
 
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
New Jersey Regulatory Panel

Stay updated on New Jersey’s cannabis regulations, including $1 billion in 2024 sales, new consumption area endorsements, and evolving legal changes. Learn how these developments impact your business and what’s next.

Dianna Houenou, NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Susanna Puntel, American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp
Christopher Riggs, NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
New Jersey Regulatory Panel
New Jersey Regulatory Panel
 
 
 
 
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market

What it takes to become an attractive M&A target in today’s market—are your profitability, EBITDA, and cash flow where they need to be, and what steps can you take to get there?

Marc Claybon, Crowe
Leah Heise, Wolf Meyer
Joshua Horn, Fox Rothschild LLP
Donny Moskovic, Katz & Associates
Jeanne Sullivan, Arcview Ventures
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
 
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
In A Lender's Shoes: How Are Financiers Valuing Your Assets?

Understand how financiers evaluate assets like real estate, brand value, sales, and profits. Gain insights into what matters most and how to maximize your business’s appeal.

Samantha Gleit, Feuerstein Kulick LLP
Joseph Lustberg, Upwise Capital
Meilad Rafiei, WeCann
In A Lender's Shoes: How Are Financiers Valuing Your Assets?
In A Lender's Shoes: How Are Financiers Valuing Your Assets?
In A Lender's Shoes: How Are Financiers Valuing Your Assets?
 
 
 
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?

As East Coast cannabis markets mature, can your products match the quality and reputation of the West Coast's legendary cannabis? Does achieving this standard require local expertise, or is bringing in West Coast talent the key to standing out? Join the discussion on elevating product quality and winning consumer trust.

Will Bowden, Grasshopper Farms
Joshua Krane, Garden Greens
Randy Lanier, Freedom Grow
Stella Morrison, CannaContent
Dan Saita, North Lake Supply
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
 
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn't, and Why?
 
Kelly Heinichen, iAnthus
Amy Larson, Rx Green Technologies
Ritesh Shah, NJ Leaf
Sarah Trent, Valley Wellness
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn't, and Why?
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn't, and Why?
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn't, and Why?
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn't, and Why?
 
 
3:40 PM - 4:20 PM
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?

Explore the symbiotic relationship between brands and dispensaries. Can a strong brand drive dispensary sales, and how can dispensaries help amplify brand success? Strategies to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that boosts revenue and builds loyalty.

Brian Adams, Nimbus Cannabis Co.
Jon Lowen, Surfside
Laurie Parfitt, LKP Impact Consulting
Carl Tirella Jr., Budr Cannabis
Ricky Williams, Highsman
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
 
4:20 PM - 4:25 PM
Closing Remarks
 
Elliot Lane, Benzinga
Patrick Lane, Benzinga
Jason Quinn, Best in Grass
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks
 
 
 
 
4:25 PM - 5:25 PM
COCKTAILS & NETWORKING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Venue

DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT

110 Davidson Avenue Somerset, NJ 08873

NBPAC features two state-of-the-art theatrical venues in the Elizabeth Ross Johnson and Arthur Laurents Theaters, dedicated studios, collaborative work spaces for arts organizations across the region, as well as 207 residential apartments and public parking.

Book Your stay
Directions

The Room Block cut off date is Monday, February 17th

Bronze
Clark Hill
Preferred Insurance Partner
Associated
Sponsors
C3 Industries
Cannaboss Lady
Canna Content
Crowe
Dope SEO
FK
Fox Rothschild
Grasshopper Farms
Green Analytics
Green Spoon Marder LLP
Grow America
HARA Supply
Horticulture Lighting Group
iAnthus
Leaf Link
Magazzu Law Firm
Magic Garden Botanicals
Melt to Make
National Secure Transport
Nimbus
Ogeez
Plant Life Co
RX Green Technologies
Surfside
Talaria
Upwise Capital
Valley Wellness
Verdant Strategies
Visual elements
Wecann
Trusted Partner
ANJA
Beard Bros Pharms
Best In Grass
Beverage Testing Institue
Bipocann
Budsfeed
California Cannabis Operators Association
California NORML
Canna Bella Lux
Cannabis Distributors Association
CannabisNow
Cannabiz Media
Canna Mgt
Cash Color Cannabis
CBS
HeadyNJ
Highly Objective
KAI
Latinas in Cannabis
MCBA
MITA
NAP
NCMC
New Jersey Cannibis
Next Titan Capital
Origins Council
Plan Fidility Solutions
Real Cannabis PC
Seed Talents
Smoke & Flowers
The cannabis chember of commerce
The Canna Boss Babes
The dime
The Girls
Women Grow
Supporter
AFC
Arcview Ventures
ATACH
AYR Wellness
Benzinga
BUDR Cannabis
cannabis Tech Today
Cannitelligence
Chicago Atlantic
Flowhub
Freedom Grow
Garden Green
Green Market Report
Green Thumb
Highlands Venture Partners
Highsman
Hybrid Marketing
Ispire
Katz & Associates
Lkp Impact
Macba
Molly Ann
Network Of Applied Pharmacognosy
New Jersey cannabis RC
NJ Leaf
North Lake Supply
Poseidon
Realm caring
Simply Pure T
Skyvest Capital
Verano Tm
Wolf Meyer
Women's Cannabis

Interested in sponsoring or participating?

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Still curious about what to expect at a Benzinga regional event?

Click here to see photos from our California event in February.

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Please consider joining us at the Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago in June!

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