Lending to cannabis businesses is proving to be the topic of the year! While many FI's are dipping their toes in the cannabis lending space, many others are still on the side-lines despite businesses pleading for more traditional funding from financial institutions and providers. Hear from Dotan Y. Melech (CTrust), Stacy Litke (Green Check) and Chris Van Dyck (Cogent Law) on how to build a smart and compliant cannabis lending program, while managing and mitigating the risks.

Chris Van Dyck, Partner - Cogent Law

Stacy Litke, VP Banking and Financial Services - Green Check

Dotan Melech, CEO/Founder - CTrust

MODERATOR: Erin O'Donnell, Founding Partner - ACB

As the cannabis industry matures, financial distress, litigation, and operational mismanagement are becoming increasingly common. This presentation will explore the legal foundation of cannabis receiverships, the unique challenges they pose—such as licensing, asset management, and navigating state regulations—and the practical strategies for managing operations under court supervision.

Andy Shelley, Founder/Court Appointed Receiver - CannXperts

What does the future of cannabis look like? Erika Hartwick Brown, co-founder of Carver Family Farm—the first integrated microbusiness in Albuquerque—shares how their living-soil cultivation, closed-loop production, and commitment to craft quality are redefining what it means to be a cannabis brand. Erika will explore how microbusinesses can lead with transparency, build strong consumer trust, and create scalable models without losing authenticity. From genetic diversity to regenerative practices and in-house retail, this session offers a glimpse into a future where cannabis is not just a product, but a movement.

Erika Hartwick Brown, Chief Operations Relations Officer - Carver Family Farm (NM)

Michael Beird, Co-Founder and Author - Association for Cannabis Banking

Promoting your cannabis banking services can attract CRBs—but also draw regulatory scrutiny. This session examines some of the best practices associated with promoting your program based on the level of exposure desired. This session reviews what messaging works, what to avoid, and how to target your marketing to match your risk appetite.

Lisa Beck Schuck, Founder - Sync'd Strategies

Effective cannabis banking starts with sound risk assessment. Gain tools and expert insights to evaluate your institution’s risk posture and implement mitigation strategies aligned with regulatory expectations.

Alex Hearding, Founder/President - Red Wolf Risk

Jenny Germano, Founder - ICS Consulting

What makes a successful relationship between a bank and a cannabis-focused payment processor? A CEO from the front lines of fintech innovation offers a transparent perspective on how financial institutions and processors can serve high-risk industries compliantly—and profitably. Attendees will gain a grounded, insider view of how to evaluate and engage with processors, and how to build partnerships that stand up to regulatory scrutiny and market demands.

Michael Andrud, CEO - Lüt

In this session, presenters will demystify the evolving world of cannabis insurance and explores why traditional models fall short in this high-risk sector. Attendees will learn how specialized coverage, real-time risk modeling, and operational data can reduce loss ratios and improve underwriting outcomes. The presenters will also introduce innovative frameworks that bridge the insurance gap for cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers facing rising premiums and limited options.

Alex Hearding, President/Founder - Red Wolf Risk

While rescheduling cannabis may ease some barriers, it doesn’t solve federal-state conflicts or banking compliance gaps. Learn what rescheduling really means for financial institutions, CRBs, and BSA requirements.

Abby Kaufmann, Comm'l Director - CRB Monitor

Closing remarks and Q&A

All Speakers