{"id":57141,"date":"2022-09-21T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/09\/21\/benzinga-chicago-cannabis-capital-conference-highlights-women-minorities\/"},"modified":"2022-09-21T19:45:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T03:45:31","slug":"benzinga-chicago-cannabis-capital-conference-highlights-women-minorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/09\/21\/benzinga-chicago-cannabis-capital-conference-highlights-women-minorities\/","title":{"rendered":"Benzinga Chicago Cannabis Capital Conference Highlights Women, Minorities"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Social equity, preferably known as equity empowerment, was the name of the game at the 15th iteration of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference (BCCC), which took place at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on September 13 and 14. \u00a0Adult-use cannabis consumption, possession and sales of cannabis products are legal in the State of Illinois.<\/p>\n

Through the BCCC series, Benzinga \u201cstrives to put a spotlight on the conversation surrounding social equity via panel discussions with organizations that are combating inequality in the cannabis industry, individuals who have been adversely affected by the War on Drugs, and policymakers who are leading the charge on writing legislation to undo the impacts of prohibition,\u201d according to the company event\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u200bKeeping in line with that mission, Benzinga offer\u200bed\u200b discounted conference tickets to owners of marijuana businesses\u200b that\u200b have received state certification for their social equity initiatives.<\/p>\n

Women + Minorities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Additionally, Benzinga offers scholarships for women and minority-owned businesses. To that end, the company partnered with organizations, including WomenGrow, and Minorities for Medical Marijuana, to showcase their associates on Benzinga\u2019s conference stages and in the exhibit hall.<\/p>\n

One of those presenters included Amber Senter of Supernova Women. Despite suffering from Lupus, Senter leads the charge via her 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to empower BIWOC to become self-sufficient shareholders in the cannabis and natural plant medicine space through education, advocacy, and network building.<\/p>\n

\"Benzinga<\/a><\/figure>\n

In the expo hall, female-represented brands were out in full force, including Chicago Norml\u2019s Edi Moore, My Bud Vase\u2019s Doreen Sullivan, MtoM\u2019s Christine Wilson, Illinois Equity Staffing\u2019s Shawnee Williams, HerHighness\u2019 Allison Krongard and Laura Eisman, Budwell\u2019s Sara Hussain, and CannaBellaLux\u2019s Tiffany Woodman, among others.<\/p>\n

Women-led brands who pitched from the stage included House of Puff\u2019s Kristina Lopez Adduci, Black Buddah\u2019s Roz McCarthy and 40Tons\u2019s Loriel Alegrete.<\/p>\n

In The Ring<\/h4>\n

Apart from the strong representation of female brands, Benzinga also welcomed more than 150 speakers from top-performing cannabis companies. Three executives of Tyson 2.0<\/a>, including the legendary heavyweight boxing champion himself, landed on the roster. While retired from the sport, Mike Tyson is now a regular on the cannabis conference tour. During his press conference in the expo hall with former iconic WWE superstar Rick Flair, the latter said, \u201cI love being relevant; and being in marijuana keeps you relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/a><\/figure>\n

Benzinga\u2019s VP of Events, Elliot Lane, is pleased with the level of participation from all avenues.<\/p>\n

\u201cChicago was our 15th iteration of the Cannabis Capital Conference and second this year,\u201d he said. \u201cThe turnout of industry executives, investors and media was overwhelmingly positive, and the response from our attendees has been glowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Envelope Please\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Of special note were the first annual Benzinga Awards. \u201cFinding the best of the best in cannabis is no easy feat, but someone has to do it. So, we assembled a panel of high-level judges to help us determine who are the people and organizations driving the cannabis industry forward,\u201d said Chief Zinger Jason Raznick.<\/p>\n

According to Benzinga, the awards celebrate new, creative, innovative and outstanding people, solutions and companies in the cannabis industry.<\/p>\n

\"Benzinga<\/a><\/figure>\n

The winners of this year\u2019s Benzinga Awards are as follows:<\/p>\n