Watch ASA Conferences

April 7-11, 2017

Learn more about our speakers or Unity 2017 in our Program Guide.

Unity 2017 Keynote Address Hon. Tom Davis, State Senator, South Carolina Senate

Challenges in Medical Cannabis Research

While prohibition has been a large barrier to research, the legal status is only one of challenges researchers face. This panel will explore other challenges that researchers face including funding, source material, technology for clinical trial design, gap in research tools, and scientific coordination.

• Ethan Russo, MD, Medical Director, Phytecs
• Tomas Zabransky, MD, PhD, Chief Scientist, International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI)
• Cynthia Ludwig, Director of Technical Services, American Oil Chemists’ Society
• Christina Marrongelli  BSPS, PharmD, ECHealthcare and Integrative Pharmacy Solutions

Unity 2017 Exciting Developments in Cannabis Research & Access

Medical cannabis research and the development of research tools is happening everyday.  This panel includes a diverse group of scientists that will share some exciting new developments in their various fields of expertise.

• Jeff Raber, PhD, Founder, The Werc Shop
• Susan Audino, PhD, Course Instructor, American Association for Laboratory Accreditation 
• Mohammed Mustafa, BS, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Ethan Russo, MD, Senior Medical Advisor, GW Pharmaceuticals 
• Stuart W. Titus, PhD, Chief Executive Officer & President Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Unity 2017 State of Medical Cannabis in the U.S.

Today 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam all have medical cannabis laws. Each of these programs are in conflict with federal law and each have their unique challenges.

• John Hudak PhD, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
• Eric Steenstra, President, Vote Hemp
• Patrick Seifert, President & Founder, Twenty22Many
• Gail Rand, Patient Advocate, ForwardGro
• Christine Stenquist, President, Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE)
• Julie Prom, Director & Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Illinois Women in Cannabis
• Carla Rossotti Vázquez, MD

Unity 2017 ASA Action: Connecting ASA Tools to Advocacy

There are a number of resources available from ASA to not only help pass, improve, and adopt laws and regulations in your state, but also to educate medical professionals, patients, and family members.

• Steph Sherer, Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access
• Jahan Marcu, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Auditor, Americans for Safe Access
• Beth Collins, Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs, Americans for Safe Access
• Pavel Kubu, Chief Executive Officer, International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI)
• Don Duncan, Board Member, Americans for Safe Access

Unity 2017 Changing Hearts and Minds: Looking at the Path to Safe and Open Access to Medicine

A panel on the work that is required to create a normal pathway to life-saving drugs from others who’ve dealt with the process.

• Beth Collins, Director of Government Relations & External Affairs, Americans for Safe Access
• Eben Britton, Member, Gridiron Cannabis Coalition
• Ellen Lenox Smith, Board Member, U.S. Pain Foundation
• John Wylam, Government Relations Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Jenna Mathis, Government Relations Manager, Epilepsy Foundation
• Michael Krawitz, Executive Director, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access

Unity 2017 Global Medical Cannabis Policy & Lessons Learned

Learn about the latest efforts globally to access Medical Cannabis from leading experts.

• Steph Sherer, Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access
• Dion Markgraaff, President, HempMeds Mexico
• María de los Angeles Lobos, Director, Dianova Chile
• Pavel Kubu, MD, Chief Executive Officer, International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI)
• Tomas Zabransky, MD, PhD, Board Member, International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI)
• Vicki Hanson, Director of Special Projects/Corporate Planner, Cannabis Licensing Authority of Jamaica
• Hana Gabrielová, Project Manager, International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI)

Unity 2017 State of Medical Cannabis Regulation

Regulations are an integral part of every commercial good and service. For the last 4 years, cannabis standards have been adopted in several states based on regulatory tools such as Patient Focused Certification (PFC), ISO17025, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Recommendations for Regulators, and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) Cannabis monograph.

• Jahan Marcu, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Auditor, Americans for Safe Access
• Paul Hyland, Program Administrator, Delaware Office of Medical Marijuana
• Nic Easley, Chief Executive Officer, 3C: Comprehensive Cannabis Consulting
• Todd Dalotto, Horticultural Scientist / Consultant, CAN! Consulting, Albany, Oregon
• Trish Flaster, Executive Director, Botanical Liaisons
• Christina Marrongelli BSPS, PharmD, ECHealthcare and Integrative Pharmacy Solutions