Intersection of Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies in the Cannabis Industry

Shai Perednik | Kalman’s Forge

Shai Perednik is a seasoned Principal Architect and former Global Technology Leader at AWS, bringing over 28 years of progressive experience. With expertise in IT Infrastructure Architecture, Cloud, Product Development, Strategic Partnerships, and Global Community Leadership, Shai has revolutionized industries through cutting-edge technology. His visionary leadership in Blockchain and Web3 includes spearheading AWS’s Web3 initiatives, establishing strategic partnerships, and fostering a passionate community. At AWS, Shai drove strategic initiatives in blockchain, cloud, and migrations, aligning innovative solutions with business goals. He is also committed to community empowerment and technological education, evident through his philanthropic efforts and the establishment of PPE4PA, delivering 35k face shields across PA in 2020.

Andrew P. Cooper | Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP

Andrew leads FRB’s Healthcare and Cannabis & Psychedelics Practice Groups and contributes to the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. He has dedicated his career to delivering exceptional legal services and to handling high-stakes litigation for a diverse clientele.

With over 30 years of experience in the area, Andrew’s healthcare practice includes representing various cross-sections of healthcare providers including physician groups, hospitals, physician/hospital organizations, independent practice associations, diagnostic and treatment centers, office-based and ambulatory surgery centers, effectively acting as general counsel in all aspects of business operations including transactions, employment, human resources, and litigation matters.

Andrew’s cannabis practice includes a full range of legal and consultative services in all areas of cannabis law. These include licensure preparation, applications, and strategy, business planning, industry segmentation, establishing partnerships and joint ventures, branding and intellectual property, real estate, regulatory compliance matters, and industry advocacy. He works with health care professionals, canna-business entrepreneurs, municipalities, caregivers, patients, and others in handling all aspects of the emerging cannabis industry. Andrew has assisted clients in obtaining licenses in numerous states in both competitive and non-competitive licensure processes.

Andrew was the Business Administrator of the Hofstra Law Review and did a Federal Clerkship with the Honorable Thomas J. McAvoy, District Judge, Northern District of New York. Andrew is also an Adjunct Professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University where he teaches a class entitled Foundational Lawyering.

Moish E. Peltz | Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP

Moish chairs FRB’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and co-chairs FRB’s Digital Assets Practice Group. Moish advises numerous companies on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3 and NFT matters, with a focus on the intersection of IP and cryptocurrency. Moish has been advising cryptocurrency ventures since 2014, and combines his knowledge of the blockchain with a decade of IP and business law experience where he helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses and brands.

Moish has been quoted in numerous publications on NFT- and blockchain-related matters, including: The Washington Post, NPR’s All Things Considered, Time, CoinDesk, ABA Journal, LA Magazine, TheStreet, and Law360. He has also presented at numerous conferences and webinars on related topics.

Moish’s practice encompasses both transactional and business litigation matters. His practice also focuses on U.S. and worldwide trademark prosecution and enforcement, including litigation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). His previous experience includes working at a premier IP law firm where he acted as trial counsel in numerous contested IP matters before U.S. District Courts and Courts of Appeal.

Moish has worked across numerous industries, including technology, energy and renewable energy, entertainment, media, and advertising, real estate, hospitality, education, cryptocurrency and NFTs, artificial intelligence (AI), legal cannabis (including hemp and CBD), and medical/health care. He has assisted entrepreneurs, artists, and non-profits with their various legal needs.

Kyle M. Lawrence | Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP

Kyle is a Partner with FRB’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group, and with the Emerging Technologies Practice Group. Kyle’s practice is focused on corporate and private securities matters, serving clients as lead counsel on all types of corporate transactions including private placements, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, planning and strategies, licensing, manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements. He provides dedicated hands-on personal support to clients from negotiation to closing and beyond.

Kyle regularly represents clients in a wide range of industries including telecommunications, food and nutraceutical manufacturing and distribution, restaurants, emerging technologies, retail, light manufacturing, commercial and private lending, architecture, and software development. He also regularly advises private issuers and principals with respect to operations and compliance matters in his active private equity practice.

In mergers and acquisitions transactions, Kyle has regularly represented both buyers and sellers of businesses. Over the past 15 years, he has successfully closed numerous deals with business owners selling their businesses to strategic buyers, private equity funds, and private equity-backed strategic buyers both domestically and internationally. With respect to securities offering and financing transactions, Kyle has significant experience representing both issuers and founders on the one hand, and investors on the other hand, giving him years of experience related to private securities offerings, venture capital, and similar startup financings, and FINRA and SEC regulatory issues.

As part of the firm’s Emerging Technologies Practice Group, Kyle’s practice has expanded to include advising companies on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and NFT matters, with a focus on how the corporate and securities matters affect these types of projects.

Session I – The Intersection of Blockchain Technology and the Medical Cannabis Industry | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

• Blockchain’s Role in Trust and Transparency
• Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) in Cannabis
• Loyalty Rewards and Customer Engagement
• Privacy and Security Enhancements

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

Session II – The Intersection of Blockchain Technology and the Cannabis Industry | 1:10pm – 3:20pm

• Blockchain discussion generally
• The regulatory landscape that impacts the use of cryptocurrencies

Break | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

• The regulatory landscape of cannabis, specifically in light of the possibility that cannabis might get re-scheduled
• How cryptocurrencies can potentially be used for payments to dispensaries