International Cannabis Conference | Austria Center Vienna | May 2nd-4th 2018

Hon. Dr. Prof. Raphael Mechoulam – ISRAEL

„The father of cannabis research“

Dr. Prof. Raphael Mechoulam is an Israeli organic chemist and professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. Dr. Prof. Mechoulam is best known for his work (together with Y. Gaoni) in the isolation, structure elucidation and total synthesis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol the main active principle of cannabis and for the isolation and the identification of the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide from the brain and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) from peripheral organs together with his students, postdocs and collaborators.

Alan Dronkers – NETHERLANDS

Ben Dronkers’ eldest son, Alan is a highly skilled and knowledgeable breeder and an integral part of Sensi Seeds breeding programs which took place at the now-legendary Cannabis Castle. Alan possesses an enormous wealth of information about medicinal and industrial cannabis genetics. He also takes a keen interest in the history and use of cannabis around the world as well as in the laws pertaining to the plant.

Catherine Jacobson Ph.D. – CANADA

Catherine Jacobson is the Director of Global Clinical Research at Tilray, a federally licensed Canadian medical cannabis provider. Dr. Jacobson obtained a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Oregon Health & Science University, and completed post-doctoral fellowships at UCSF and Stanford. In 2013, Dr. Jacobson published the first account of treatment of pediatric epilepsy patients with medical cannabis preparations in the peer-reviewed journal Epilepsy & Behavior. This work led her back to UCSF, where she set up the first compassionate access program for pharmaceutical-grade CBD for children with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy. Her work now focuses on tackling some of the largest practical and scientific challenges facing medical cannabis clinical use and research, with the goal of generating a strong evidence base to inform the use of medical cannabis preparations for specific diseases and symptoms.

Brendan Kennedy – USA

Brendan Kennedy is co-founder and CEO of Privateer Holdings, the first private equity firm to invest exclusively in legal cannabis. Since 2010, Privateer has raised more than $150 million to launch, develop, and grow a portfolio of global cannabis brands, including Leafly (the world’s cannabis information resource), Tilray (a global leader in medical cannabis research and production), and Marley Natural (the official Bob Marley cannabis brand). Today Privateer Holdings and its portfolio companies employ more than 350 professionals on-the-ground in 7 U.S. states and 7 countries who are passionate about ending cannabis prohibition and the social harms it causes.

Linn Baumgardt – USA

Linn Baumgardt is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Privateer Holdings, overseeing the expansion of their diverse brand portfolio into the world’s most promising cannabis markets. Linn’s creativity, strategic mindset, and willingness to push boundaries have been invaluable in establishing Leafly as the fastest-growing privately-held company in the Pacific Northwest. In her previous role as Director of Marketing for Leafly, Linn helped to elevate the cannabis industry by breaking down barriers and partnering with mainstream companies like Pandora and Twitter.

Prof. Roger Pertwee – UK

Professor Roger Pertwee has degrees in biochemistry (MA), pharmacology (D.Phil) and physiological sciences (D.Sc) from Oxford University. He is co-chairman of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Subcommittee on Cannabinoid Receptors, has served as President (1997-1998 and 2007-2008) and International Secretary (1992-2018) of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) He received the 2002 Mechoulam Award “for his outstanding contributions to cannabinoid research”.

Joost Heeroma Ph.D – Netherlands

Joost Heeroma is a biomedical researcher with a PhD in Functional Genomics. Joost studies how our individual genetic passports determine how we behave, which diseases we are likely to get and how these diseases are best treated. Central to his studies is homeostasis; a collection of biological feedback mechanisms that keep the body in balance and free from disease. Joost currently studies the greatest group of all feedback regulators: cannabinoids. Joost is Director of Science at GH Medical.

Chris Walsh – USA

Chris has been quoted as one of America’s foremost cannabusiness experts by Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNBC, the New York Times and many other media outlets. He served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily dur ing the company’s launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to cover the cannabis industry on a full-time basis. He now leads the entire editorial and research team at the company.

Aaron Smith – USA

is co-founder and executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. Aaron’s opinion pieces have appeared in major newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times, and he has been a frequent commentator on national television news networks. Originally from California, Aaron is currently based in Denver.

Cristina Sánchez, Ph.D. – SPAIN

Cristina Sánchez graduated in Biology at Madrid Complutense University in 1994. Once graduated, she moved to Dr. Guzmán’s laboratory (School of Biology, Complutense University), where she studied the effect of cannabinoids on lipid and carbohydrate intermediate metabolism first and on cancer cell proliferation later. In particular, the goal of her research is to understand and exploit cannabinoids as potential antitumoral agents in breast cancer.

Mark Reinders – Netherlands

Mark Reinders, CEO of HempFlax Group of companies. He is one of the most creative, practical and experienced professionals in the field of European hemp. Mark tirelessly researches, implements and promotes both environmentally responsible and sustainable manufacturing processes, and new uses for hemp. As CEO, he continues to strive for the highest possible standards. His dedication to innovation in every stage of the hemp process, from seed to finished product, has made HempFlax a world leader in the industry. Mark is currently the president of the European Industrial Hemp Association, a post he is very proud to hold, but his love of hemp encompasses both the public and personal spheres.

DAVID DINENBERG – USA

David Dinenberg is the Founder and CEO of KIND Financial. Partner of Microsoft. David is an active member of the cannabis community acting as a mentor to Greenhouse Ventures, a business accelerator program specific for ancillary startups in the cannabis industry. He has also been a featured speaker at several cannabis conferences including the NCIA Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, the Marijuana Business Conference & Expo and others.

Steve DeAngelo – USA

Steve DeAngelo is a national cannabis leader who has inspired millions throughout his four decade career as a cannabis activist, advocate, entrepreneur and educator. Driven by his compassion for others, Steve has founded many successful socially responsible ventures including Harborside Health Center, the largest medical marijuana dispensary in the world.

Prof. Rudolf Brenneisen – Switzerland

Prof. em. Dr. pharm. Rudolf Brenneisen; PhD in Pharmaceutical Biology, Univ. of Bern; secretary general Swiss Acad Pharm. Sci.; head Swiss Taskforce for Cannabinoids in Medicine, STCM; member expert group MedCann, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health; main research interests: cannabinoids in medicine.

Dr. med. univ. Kurt Blaas AUSTRIA

Dr. med. univ. Kurt Blaas is founder of the Austrian Medical Cannabis Association CAM and co-founder of the International Medical Cannabis Association ICAM. With no doubt Dr. Blaas is the Austrian pioneer when it comes to medical cannabis. Actually Dr. Blaas is serving over 1500 patients per year.

Dr. Pavel Kubů, MD – Czech R.

Dr. Pavel Kubů is an expert in the fields of medical informatics and addictology. In 2014 he became a cofounding member of Konomed, a company that focuses on research and development in the field of medical cannabis that was transformed to ICCI – International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute in 2016.

Holger Rönitz – Germany

Holger Rönitz | THC-Pharm

more info to be announced soon!

Jorge Cervantes – USA

American horticulturist, medical cannabis grower and patient, publisher, and world-renowned author/writer specializing in indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cultivation of Medical Cannabis. In 2010, Jorge Cervantes was presented with the Dr. Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the cannabis industry

Ralf Dumler – Switzerland

Ralf Dumler is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of NovionX GmbH. He holds a M.Sc. degree in chemistry from the University of Vienna, followed by a doctoral program in analytical chemistry at the University of Basel, Switzerland. The ultimate challenge of NovionX GmbH is the development of cold plasma based mass spectrometry methods without sample preparation of e.g. contaminated raw material. Analysis of plant material and terpene screening & profiling is just one part of the wide spectrum of the NovionX R&D program.

Hana Gabrielová – Czech R.

Hana Gabrielová graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in 1999 with thesis on the topic: Options cultivation and use of hemp in the Czech Republic. Since her studies she continued on work with hemp. In 2013 was the cofounder of KOPAC – the czech patient association for cannabis treatment. In 2016 started work on standards for cannabis growing (Patient focus certification) under International cannabis and cannabinoids institute (ICCI) and later 2016 also for International center for cannabis therapy (ICCT) in Prague.

Makoto Matsumaru – JAPAN

Makoto Matsumaru is one of known hemp industrial business maker in Japan who carry hemp related products such as foods, plastic and supplement and cosmetics from 2013 after 10 years of hemp related retail and wholesale business in Australia. Currently working with hemp historians, hemp farmers, economic and consulting for hemp related business investment. Hempfoods Japan www.hempfoods.jp Elixinol Japan www.elixinol.jp

Rachel Invernizzi – Italy

Rachel Invernizzi, CEO South Hemp Techno srl, Crispiano (Italy). Vice-president Federcanapa (Italian Hemp Federation). Agriculture, First transformation, Raw materials, Machinery.

Sebastien Beguerie – France

Sebastien Beguerie, Founder and CEO of AlphaCAT Lab (www.alpha-cat.org) based in Prague, Czech Republic. He holds a master’s degree in Plant Science with a major in plant physiology and medical Cannabis. He is a medical cannabis scientist expert and activist with 10 years of experience in cannabis production optimisation, quality control and education. In 2011 he founded is company Alpha-CAT Lab in Europe specialized in making and providing cannabinoid test kit worldwide from Latin America, Canada, Jamaica, Australia, up to Japan.

Rohit Sharma – INDIA

Rohit is working for over 5 years in the field of Industrial hemp-based Economy development in India and across borders. This includes CBD Isolate, Industrial Hemp Fiber, Nutrients, Oil, Medicines, biomass feedstock, Insulation, Eco- Construction material, bio-based plastics and composites. Ltd. /Mr. Sharma is also the 1st to launch massive extraction unit of CBD isolate in India and is member of the Technical Committee of “Applied Botanical Science (USA) for Hemp products“ (since 2014).

Amy Diiullo – USA

Amy Diiullo is the Vice President of Business Development and Sales at Willie’s Reserve. As an entrepreneur and cannabis industry veteran, she is focused on structuring business development strategy, sales distribution and revenue growth, channel marketing programming, and aligning consumer segmentation with new product development in and outside the cannabis space. Sharing a keen interest in cannabis market as a whole, she is constantly developing and open to new market opportunities to stay ahead of the competitive curve of the ever growing industry.