Blank Rome LLP, a national Am Law 100 law firm, will host its ninth annual State of the Cannabis Industry conference on October 27 in Boston, bringing together executives, regulators, and financial leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the multibillion-dollar marijuana market.
The event, running from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and also available via livestream, will feature panels on federal rescheduling, market consolidation, regulatory shifts, and new growth sectors like THC- and hemp-based beverages.
Frank A. Segall, partner and co-chair of Blank Rome’s Boston office and cannabis practice, said the conference is recognized as “the premier forum and networking platform for leading cannabis professionals to exchange ideas and drive the industry forward.” His co-chair, Scott H. Moskol, noted that while businesses continue to face challenges such as capital shortages, high taxes, and competition from the illicit market, “consumer demand remains robust” and innovation is fueling optimism.
A keynote session will feature Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien and Commissioner Kimberly Roy, who will provide firsthand insights into the agency’s approach to regulation and industry oversight. Panels will also cover capital strategies, mergers and acquisitions, employee ownership models, and regulatory updates.
One highlight, “The View from the Top: Cannabis CEOs on 2025’s Critical Challenges & Opportunities,” will bring together executives from CULTA, Standard Wellness, Firelands Scientific, and Statehouse Holdings to discuss federal rescheduling, M&A activity, consumer shifts, and how companies are adapting to a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Attendees will include multi-state operators, retailers, cultivators, manufacturers, and delivery companies, alongside investment bankers, venture capital firms, consultants, and regulatory experts. Sponsors include Needham Bank, OPUS Consulting, and a range of financial and industry service providers.
Blank Rome’s cannabis practice, founded more than a decade ago by Segall and Moskol, was one of the first in the nation dedicated to providing corporate, tax, regulatory, finance, and litigation counsel to marijuana businesses. The practice continues to advise clients navigating complex laws as the industry faces both obstacles and new opportunities.
