The Future of Vermont Cannabis: April 19

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Heady Vermont has teamed up with Skinny Pancake to present Heady Times: The Future of Vermont Cannabis on Tuesday, April 19 from 6-8 p.m. The evening will begin with a panel of four speakers who are experts in their respective policy, hemp and business fields, followed by a Q&A opportunity for the audience.

Afterwords, people can send a message to their representatives via our Statehouse Shout Out, and network with others interested in cannabis, while enjoying discounted pints of Lost Nation on draft.

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This event is free to the public.

• 6-6:45 Cannabis Experts Panel
  • Sen. Dave Zuckerman: Policy Present, Past and Future
  • Joel Bedard of Vermont Hemp Company
  • • • Michael Latulippe and Nichole Snow of the Northeast Cannabis Coalition
• 6:45-7 Q&A
• 7-8 Networking & DJ Jah Rah spinning vinyl
  • Statehouse Shout Out: Send a message to your representative
  • Raffle & door prizes

About our Speakers

Dave Zuckerman
In both 2014 and 2015, Sen. Zuckerman introduced bills for regulation and taxation of recreational cannabis. Dave is entering his fourth year (elected in 2012) in the Vermont Senate as a Progressive/Democrat. He is the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Education.

Previously, Dave served for fourteen years (1997-2010) in the Vermont House of Representatives representing the City of Burlington in Chittenden 3-4. He served on the Natural Resources and Energy Committee (6 years), Agriculture Committee (6 years, 4 as Chair) and Ways and Means Committee (2 years). Dave’s leadership spans a number of issues including renewable energy, affordable housing, livable wages, cannabis reform, GMO legislation, universal healthcare, progressive taxation, marriage equality, and end of life choices.

He is also the founder of Full Moon Farm, a NOFA-certified, organic farm and CSA in Hinesburg with a presence at local farmers markets, co-owned with Rachel Nevitt, Dave’s spouse.

Joel Bedard
The Principal of The Vermont Hemp Co, Joel T Bedard is a founding member of the Vermont Hemp Industries Association and an affiliate of the National Hemp Association. Locally, The Vermont Hemp Co and Bedard work in conjunction with the University of Vermont and the State of Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and have drawn international attention. In addition to UVM and the Vermont AOA, The Vermont Hemp Co supports Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, the Senator Leahy ECHO Center and numerous advocates for clean water and sustainable agricultural practices.

A 1990 graduate of the University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with graduate work in Water Resources Management at the University of New Hampshire, Joel has achieved numerous professional certifications in soil and wetland disciplines in his 10 years as a natural sciences professional, followed by fourteen years in the sales and marketing of IT solutions for Fortune 100, 500 and 1000 businesses.

On the rare occasion that Joel is not focused upon hemp and clean water, he can be found enjoying the company of his wife, Barbara and their 2 Tervuren whilst quaffing one of his collaboration hemp ales in their historic Vermont farmhouse.

Michael Latulippe
Hailing from Silicon Valley with an educational background in political science and a professional background in branding, community organizing and web development, Michael founded the Cannabis Society,  a membership based non-profit social club focused on organizing groundbreaking events around marijuana and its medicinal and creative purposes. Michael is the development director at the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, which is the organization that legalized medical marijuana in Massachusetts in 2012. He is also one of the founding board members of the Northeast Cannabis Coalition, a new trade association dedicated to reforming cannabis laws in the northeast corridor of the United States.

Through Michael’s historic efforts with Cannabis Society, the entire Massachusetts cannabis scene has been turned on its head.  What was before hosted at pizza shops and bars has now moved up to hosting events at Microsoft New England Research & Development, Babson College, MCR Labs and upscale hotels and bars throughout the Commonwealth. The content focus at Cannabis Society events has included everything from privacy to genetics to space travel and startups. Michael aims to develop a strong community around cannabis, bringing it into the mainstream while also giving credit to those who came before.

Nichole Snow
Nichole Snow is the executive director of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance. The MPAA works with local and state governmental bodies to ensure the social welfare of medical marijuana patients, doctors, caregivers, medical professionals, advocates, and the general public while developing and implementing laws, policies, and regulations related to medical marijuana and its safe use.

After meeting hundreds of patients across the state of Massachusetts and advocating for their right to safe access, Nichole was invited to take a leadership role in the alliance. Since becoming deputy director, “An Act to protect patients approved by physicians and certified by the department of public health to access medical marijuana.” was crafted, presented, and filed on Beacon Hill to provide protections against discrimination, ease restriction on pediatric access, and to change the caregiver ratio to ensure patients are receiving safe access in the State of Massachusetts.

Beginning her communications career in independent radio, she now champions for patients rights to safe access to medical marijuana as executive director. Nichole has cultivated relationships with well known media outlets and holds a strong tie to the community through independent and social media. After suffering two major car accidents, she retired from her telecommunications career to follow through with her dream in safe access for all.

Heady Vermont is New England’s first dedicated cannabis news and media platform.