CCIM: Looking at your impressive A-list of speakers and panelists … are they available after sessions for Q&A with those in attendance?
O'Cannabiz: Absolutely! At the end of every workshop or panel there will be time to take questions from the audience. You’ll also find many of the panelists on the Expo room floor at their company booths over the course of the weekend. The women that we are featuring this year will also be especially available, with many of them holding court in The Green Tent, where they will be very accessible to speak with.
CCIM: How is O’Cannabiz different from Grow-Up that will be held September 7 – 8 this year in Niagara Falls, Ontario? That is to say … what is the overlap and where do they diverge?
O'Cannabiz: O’Cannabiz is different in the sense that is includes a variety of industry sectors, with a specific focus on the business behind cannabis and lifestyle integration, whereas Grow Up is more targeted toward the world of growing and cultivation. That said, this year the exhibitors at O’Cannabiz are more diverse and include many vendors from the growing side of the industry including nutrients and fertilizers, lighting, hydroponics, etc.
CCIM: As the end to prohibition approaches, the fact is the current proposed framework excludes some of those that paved the way to this point. I see that, for example Jodie Emery, is on a panel. As a sci-fi nut, I coined the term Ecoforming for this industry and it is analogous to Terraforming made popular in science fiction. Basically it is the transformation of an environment to the point that when done it no longer resembles what was previously there. What future do you think these prohibition era advocates will have in the post-prohibition world?
O'Cannabiz: There is a lot more that needs to be done before legalization comes into effect in Canada and around the world. The post-prohibition world looks to be on the horizon but is not here quite yet. The unfinished battle of marijuana prohibition is being actively pursued by prohibition era advocates – advocates who are defenders of oppressive laws and will continue to fight for what they believe in. Even when
Louis Kyron: CCIM
Danya Dixon:
O’Cannabiz
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