FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We want to make your experience of the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit as pleasant and productive as possible. Here are answers to some common questions.

When and where is the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit?  
The Summit will be held January 28-30, 2019, at the Westin Bonaventure, located at 404 South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles, California, 90071. 

How do I submit a proposal to present at the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit?  

The call for proposals closed on September 14, 2018. Please check back in the next few weeks for program details. 

Who is hosting the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit?
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. is partnering with the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, the California Department of Public Health, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Does the 2019 Summit take a position on cannabis legalization?

The 2019 Summit does not take a position but rather offers a forum for all stakeholders to share policy, science, and best practices. There is no exhibition hall and no ties to the industry.

Who will attend the 2019 Summit?  
Public policymakers, elected officials, legislators, healthcare providers, addiction treatment and recovery specialists, prevention professionals, state and municipal licensing and regulatory entities, and youth-serving organizations worldwide are encouraged to attend. 

How many attendees are expected?  
This year we expect to expand attendance to include up to 1,000 attendees from 50 states/provinces, 30 municipalities, and at least 3 countries, with representation from the diverse array of communities responding to the changes in policy and practices at the local level. We also aim to increase attendance of tribal and minority community members.

Why should I attend? 
The 2019 Summit will bring together the “best of the best” minds for an objective national platform forum that facilitates frank discussion of public health, policies and regulatory approaches, emerging research, public safety, and prevention and treatment. Be a part of this groundbreaking and exciting conversation! You can bring a public health voice to cannabis policymaking. 

Join us as we dig deep into the science of cannabis, as well as into associated health equity and social justice issues. You will return to your community with a better understanding of key challenges; emerging promising practices; and policies that promote public health, well-being, and safety. 

What if my state, territory, or province hasn’t legalized cannabis?  
In the two decades since the first U.S. state legalized medical use of marijuana, 30 more states have followed suit. Public support for legalizing cannabis has grown from 12% in 1969 to nearly 65% today. Given how quickly cannabis laws and use patterns have evolved, we must be prepared with scientific and objective responses. Stakeholders across the nation, even in states that have not legalized cannabis, must understand the impact that policy changes—perhaps of neighboring states—may have on individuals and communities. Learn how to safeguard public health in the age of cannabis legalization. 

When should I register? 
As soon as possible! We offer an early bird registration fee of $775 (by September 30, 2018). The registration fee October 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, is $850; thereafter, the fee is $950.  

What does the registration cover?

• Three full days of conference workshops
• Networking opportunities
• More than 40 speakers
  
• Informative and engaging keynotes
  
• Workshops targeting specific issues
  
• Online access to all session handouts
• Complimentary lunch and coffee breaks

Are scholarships available to reduce the registration fee?

If you are a resident of California affiliated with a CA-based NGO, community group, service provision organization, non-profit research organization (non-academic), advocacy organization, or government organization, or if you are a CA-based student or trainee, you may be eligible for a reduced conference registration fee through a diversity scholarship. To apply, take the survey. Check back for updates on scholarship opportunities that may become available for people in other geographies.

Who will speak at the 2019 Summit? 

Public health officials at the federal and state levels; state and municipal leadership managing prevention, public safety, and regulatory implementation; congressional leaders; leading researchers and academics; and medical experts will speak in plenary sessions on the scientific, clinical, and political shifting landscape surrounding the decriminalization and state legislation of medical and recreational marijuana across North America.

Will there be breakout sessions in addition to the plenary sessions? 
Yes. Breakout sessions will be organized along six tracks:  

1. Public safety 
2. Prevention and education  
3. Emerging research and epidemiological data 
4. Governance, federal law, and emerging policy   
5. Health effects
6. Regulatory issues  

Can my company/organization exhibit at the 2019 Summit?  
There will be no exhibition hall or vendor space at the 2019 Summit to ensure balanced and objective science-based perspectives. 

The inaugural event in 2017 was referred to as the National Cannabis Summit. What prompted the change to the 2019 North America Cannabis Summit?  
We expanded the planning partnership to include a broader North American perspective. Input from both Canada and Mexico allows us to incorporate research and lessons learned from across the continent. 

What attracted the 2019 Summit planners to California?  
As the first state in the union to legalize the medical use of marijuana, California has long been at the forefront of policy change. Our California partners are eager to share how policymakers are implementing and responding to the recreational cannabis reality legalization; what health providers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders need to know; and why it’s important to coordinate research and information-sharing across states and the borders of North America. 

What are my transportation options for getting to the 2019 Summit?  
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) are within 20 miles of the venue. For information on ground transportation between the hotel and various airports, please see the Westin Bonaventure’s Transportation Options.  

The Los Angeles passenger terminal for Amtrak and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit (Metro) are both located at Union Station, which is two miles from the hotel.  

Can you recommend things to do in LA? 
With its central downtown location, the venue offers easy access to a variety of attractions. To whet your appetite, visit the hotel’s suggestions for things to do.  

How can I otherwise contribute to the 2019 Summit?  

Please join the conversation on social media with conference hashtag #NACannabisConvo. We’ll be using this hashtag before, during, and after the conference to extend the conversation about cannabis. You can also share the Facebook event for the conference with your colleagues. Ideas for the conference? Suggestions of other ways you could contribute? We would love to hear from you! Please email your ideas to us at NACS@ahpnet.com.  

Can I cancel my registration or send an alternate as a substitute?

Yes, before Friday, December 14, 2018, you can cancel your registration or request a substitute attendee in your place. Fill out the form for cancellation or for substitution, and send it to the contact information indicated.