Kimberly Simms | Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms

Kimberly Simms is a distinguished attorney renowned for her expertise in navigating the complex landscape of the California cannabis industry. With over 15 years of legal practice, Kimberly has become a trusted advisor for businesses involved in every aspect of the cannabis sector, from cultivation and distribution to retail and ancillary services.

Specializing in corporate law, transactional negotiations, and regulatory compliance, Kimberly is instrumental in structuring deals, forming strategic partnerships, and ensuring her clients adhere to the evolving legal framework governing cannabis in California. Her commitment to staying abreast of regulatory changes and her deep understanding of the industry dynamics make her an invaluable asset to clients seeking to thrive in this burgeoning market.

Kimberly’s passion for the cannabis industry extends beyond her legal practice. She actively engages in advocacy efforts to shape policy and promote responsible business practices within the industry. Her dedication to fostering a compliant and sustainable cannabis marketplace underscores her holistic approach to legal counsel.

Lauren Mendelsohn | Law Offices of Omar Figueroa

Lauren Mendelsohn is the Junior Partner at the Law Offices of Omar Figueroa, a renowned boutique law firm based in California that focuses on cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics. She is an activist at heart who enjoys problem solving, community organizing, and helping individuals and businesses navigate regulatory regimes and the justice system.

An East Coast native with roots in New York and New Jersey, Lauren was named a Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers® in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and a “Lawyer of Distinction” in the area of Intellectual Property by Sonoma Magazine in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, she had the honor of being named one of the region’s top “Forty Under 40” business and community leaders by the North Bay Business Journal. Additionally, Lauren is considered one of the Top 200 Global Psychedelics Lawyers and Policy Experts.

Lauren advises clients on cannabis and hemp permitting and licensing, regulatory compliance, business transactions, contractual matters, intellectual property, government affairs (including drafting local ordinances and citizen initiatives, lobbying decision-making bodies, and appearing for clients at administrative hearings), dispute resolution (she is a certified mediator), and more. She has spoken at numerous conferences and events, and has also taught several continuing legal education seminars in both live and virtual formats. Lauren is also a certified Ganjier, and served as a judge for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Emerald Cup competitions.

For several years, Lauren has been involved in drug policy reform as well as other social justice efforts. She formerly chaired the Board of Directors of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an international non-profit aimed at ending the counterproductive “War on Drugs.” She also previously served on the Board of the International Cannabis Bar Association and the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. Currently, Lauren sits on the Board of Directors of California NORML, the Sonoma County Cannabis Alliance, the Petaluma People Services Center, and Círculos, Inc. She also volunteers as a chapter leader of the Sonoma County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and is a member of Americans for Safe Access’ California Advisory Committee.

Lauren earned her JD from the University of California, Irvine School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She is licensed to practice law in California, where she has lived since 2013 and is proud to call home. She is an avid hiker and camper, a supporter of the arts, and a roller coaster enthusiast.

Omar C. Figueroa | Law Offices of Omar Figueroa

Omar Figueroa is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Law Offices of Omar Figueroa, a renowned boutique law firm based in California that focuses on cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics. He has more than twenty-six years of experience practicing cannabis law and is recognized as a thought leader in the industry.

Omar is a Director of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts and the Sonoma County Bar Association. He is also an Advisory Board Member of the Cannabis Travel Association International, a Founding Lifetime Member and Director Emeritus of the International Cannabis Bar Association, a former Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, and a Lifetime Member of the NORML Legal Committee.

Omar has been recognized with the Distinguished Counsel’s Award by NORML, and is considered one of the Top 200 Global Psychedelics Lawyers and Policy Experts. He also served a two year-term as a member of the Sonoma County Cannabis Advisory Group after being appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Omar was trained as a litigator by his mentor, legendary San Francisco trial lawyer J. Tony Serra. He has a long record of pro bono service, including decades of successfully defending protesters, animal rights activists, street medics, computer hackers, and forest defenders.

Omar founded a legal publishing company, Lux Law Publishing, and he is the author and publisher of a series of books documenting the evolution of cannabis laws and regulations in California and New York.

Omar frequently appears in media coverage as a legal expert on cannabis. He has spoken at cannabis events around the world, such as Spannabis and The International Cannabis Business Conference in Barcelona, MJBizCon NEXT in New Orleans, The Emerald Cup in Sonoma County, and the State of Cannabis in Long Beach, to name a few.

Omar is a member of the Ganjier Council and helped develop a curriculum to train Ganjiers (cannabis sommeliers) as well as the Systematic Assessment Protocol (SAP) to judge fine cannabis and concentrates. He is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is adept at high-style jiu-jitsu.

Omar is a graduate of Yale College, Stanford Law School, and the Trial Lawyers College.

Whitney Hodges | Sheppard Mullin

Whitney Hodges is a partner at Sheppard Mullin in the Real Estate, Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group in the firm’s San Diego office. Whitney’s practice focuses on the representation of clients involved in all stages of real estate development. She advises and represents major residential, industrial, commercial and mixed-use development projects, as well as Native American Indian tribes and renewable energy developers through all phases of the land use regulatory process and environmental compliance, including litigation. Whitney is the co-lead of Sheppard Mullin’s Cannabis Team and represents cannabis operators navigating the state and local regulatory process. Whitney is also an adjacent professor at the University of San Diego.

Session I – AB 1775 and Cannabis Cafes: A License to Serve | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Legislative background
• Key provisions of AB 1775
• Provisions aligned with California’s cannabis regulations
• Steps for obtaining licenses
• Operational compliance standards
• Navigating local ordinances

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Public Health and Safety Concerns | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

• Health and safety regulations
• Managing consumption on-premises
• Addressing community concerns

Session III – Taxation and Economic Impact | 2:40pm – 3:10pm

• Tax obligations for cannabis cafes
• Economic benefits
• Challenges for business owners and municipalities

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session IV – Legal Risks and Liability Management | 3:20pm – 3:50pm

• Legal risks for cannabis cafe operators
• Insurance considerations
• Risk mitigation strategies

Session V – Future Trends and Opportunities in Cannabis Cafes | 3:50pm – 4:20pm

• Emerging business models
• Innovation in cannabis services
• Potential federal policy shifts