ASTM International invites speakers and sponsors to join its conference on empowering marginalized groups in the cannabis market.
What is the Conference About?
The conference, titled Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis Industries: Views from Around the World, aims to provide a forum for listening and learning from diverse representatives of the global cannabis industry, including industrial hemp. The conference is sponsored and organized by ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis, a technical committee that develops and maintains standards for promoting the health and safety of various participants in international cannabis industries. The conference will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from January 27 to January 28, 2025. The language of the conference will be English.
Why is the Conference Important?
The conference recognizes that the global cannabis industry is diverse, represented by several stakeholder groups, but also acknowledges that some groups have been and continue to be marginalized and disenfranchised from the international cannabis market. These groups include legacy, indigenous, women, and other underrepresented groups that have been impacted by prohibition and other barriers to entry. The conference seeks to build a bridge between traditional knowledge, science, and commercialization of the many uses of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, its parts, and associated products, so that all stakeholders have an equal opportunity to succeed in the international cannabis marketplace.
How to Participate in the Conference?
The conference invites speakers to submit abstracts of 200 words or less in the ASTM Abstract Submission Portal no later than March 31, 2024. The abstracts should address one or more of the following topics:
- The impact of prohibition on marginalized groups in the cannabis industry
- The challenges and opportunities for overcoming barriers to entry in the cannabis industry
- The philosophies and actions that can foster inclusion and fairness in the cannabis industry
- The tools and resources that are available or needed to assist with overcoming barriers to entry in the cannabis industry
The conference also welcomes video submissions of up to 10 minutes explaining the positive impacts of cannabis on marginalized groups. The videos should be submitted no later than June 30, 2024.
The conference also offers sponsorship opportunities for organizations that want to support the conference and its goals. The sponsors will receive various benefits, such as recognition in conference materials, complimentary registrations, and exhibition space. The sponsorship information can be found here.
Where to Find More Information?
For more information on the conference, visit the conference website. For more information on ASTM International and its cannabis committee, visit the ASTM website.
