Wondering what is happening in the local cannabis business scene? Thinking of investing directly or in a supplier to the market? Come get your questions answered by a Wharton+ panel of experts. Sorry – no samples.
Networking: 6:00-6:30 pm
Dinner: 6:30-7:30 pm
Presentation: 7:30-8:30 pm
Moderator: Gary Kokalari
Panelists: Guillermo Artiles, Todd Johnson and Jim Smith

Guillermo Artiles leads the Cannabis Group at McCarter & English, helping industry clients achieve their governmental, media, and business development objectives. Before joining McCarter, he served as Associate Counsel to Governor Murphy, working as front office counsel while the state embarked on expansion of its medical marijuana program. In 2022 he was recognized by the National Law Journal as a “Cannabis Trailblazer.”
Todd Johnson is Executive Director of the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association, the leading association for permitted medical and adult use cannabis operators in New Jersey. Todd is responsible for communicating with and educating state legislators, regulators and the public on policies needed to build the state's legal cannabis market into an equitable and profitable industry. He is also a co-founder of Community Greenhouse. Todd holds a Wharton B.S. degree.
Jim Smith is the CEO and founder of Whole Plants Health, a licensed grower and processor of cannabis in Pennsylvania. Whole Plants grows and extracts products for the medical marijuana market and is currently in the midst of a $40 million facility expansion. Jim has a Wharton B.S. and while at Penn, he was a starting linebacker for the football team, receiving All-Ivy Honors. Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was released after an injury. Prior to founding Whole Plants, Jim was a Merrill Lynch investment banker and managing director. Among the investors in Whole Plants are All-Pro NFL players Ben Roethlisberger, Dave DeCastro and Bud Dupree.
Date: NEW DATE WILL BE POSTED
Location: The Hanover Manor
$55 for Supporting Member and Their Guests
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