Cannabis Meets Tech at Upcoming Vermont Tech Jam

BURLINGTON, Vt. — For the first time, this year’s Vermont Tech Jam will include a panel of three local Vermont cannabis entrepreneurs who will discuss the intersections between technology and cannabis at a session titled, “What’s Next for Cannabiz and Tech in Vermont?” on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m.

The Vermont Tech Jam is an annual career fair/tech expo that kicks off its 11th installment on Friday, October 20 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. 

Over the course of two days, Tech Jam unfolds with three unique programming tracks for pros and job-seekers, hackerspaces, interactive panels, an awards show, and a Friday evening party featuring craft beers, a VR demo, and live tunes.

On the morning of Saturday, October 21, at 11:00am the cannabis panel, titled, “What’s Next for Cannabiz and Tech in Vermont?”, will take place in Upstairs Room A at the Champlain Valley Exposition Center.

When asked about the decision to include cannabis as a topic in this year’s Tech Jam, organizer Cathy Resmer — who is also the Associate Publisher of Seven Days, which supports the Tech Jam — responded that it was the convergence of timing, opportunity, and curiosity:

We put together this panel because we can see that there are entrepreneurial opportunities emerging with legal cannabis. We thought this would be a good forum to talk about how tech and cannabiz might intersect. There seems to be some synergy there. I’m curious about what’s going on now in that space, and what will be possible in the future.

The cannabis panel starts at 11:00am on Saturday, October 21 and the entire Vermont Tech Jam is free to attend with general admission tickets available on the Tech Jam website. The panel will feature three speakers — including Monica Donovan, Publisher and Managing Editor of Heady Vermont — with Vermont cannabis entrepreneurship experience. The Tech Jam website and marketing materials include a full description of the event:

As Vermont debates legalizing marijuana, activists, scientists and entrepreneurs are exploring the local opportunities that a regulated cannabis industry would create. In this conversation, moderated by Seven Days staff writer Ken Picard, panelists discuss what’s legal — and what’s possible.

Panelists include:

• Monica Donovan, managing partner & publisher, Heady Vermont
• Timothy Fair, attorney with Blodgett, Watts & Volk; Vermont Cannabis Solutions
• Tripp Murray, Director of Sales and Business Development, Champlain Valley Dispensary

Following Tech Jam, watch Vermont cannabis businesses grow in person at the upcoming ‘Shark Tank’ – style, Vermont Cannabiz Pitch Competition, on November 14 at Main Street Theater in Burlington, where Heady Vermont and presenting sponsors will award a $1000 prize to a Vermont startup or entrepreneur.