Hemp and Cannabis in the Prairie State

Tuesday, August 8 at 12PM CT

This presentation will provide a general overview of hemp (grain, fiber, and cannabinoids) production and regulation while addressing grower/researcher perspectives and challenges. Participants are welcome to engage in a Q and A with the speaker at the end of the presentation.

About the presenter:

Phillip Alberti is a Research Program Manager for the Ellison lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working to coordinate field and greenhouse research activities. Phillip specializes in emerging crop production research and outreach, serving as the project lead for the Midwestern Hemp Database and Cultivar Check programs. He earned a BS in Molecular Biology and Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a MS degree in Agronomy from South Dakota State University. Prior to his transition to UW-Madison, Phillip served as Commercial Agriculture Educator for the University of Illinois Extension conducting hemp related research and extension efforts.

Part 2: State of Cannabis and Hemp Policy in Illinois and Across the Country

Wednesday, September 20 at 12PM CT

Join this session to learn about the facets of state hemp and cannabis regulation, licenses, and other matters relating to legalization and production, including a discussion of the Illinois model and other state models.  Participants are welcome to engage in a Q and A with the speaker at the end of the presentation.

About the presenter:
David Lakeman  is currently the lead regulator for cannabis and hemp at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The Illinois model spreads regulation for adult use cannabis across several agencies; the Department regulates Cannabis Cultivators, Craft Growers, Infusers, Transporters, Testing Labs, and the Cannabis Community College Vocational Pilot Program, as well as Hemp Growers and Processors licensed under the Illinois Industrial Hemp Program.  He is also the Department representative on the Illinois Social Equity Commission.  An Illinois native, David came to the Department with a great deal of leading cannabis experience from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission in Boston in 2020. There he was the Commission’s first Director of Government Affairs, having worked extensively with the state Legislature to re-work the law after it passed as a ballot initiative in 2016. Lakeman assisted in building the Commission from the ground up, crafting its first regulations, and chairing several working groups on various issues, including the Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence, and the Cannabis Advisory Board. He was appointed to the CCC from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, where he was the lead legislative analyst assigned to cannabis law, as well as zoning and other municipal issues. He has a BA in International Relations, Political Science, and History from the University of Evansville.  He and his wife Amy originally left Illinois state government in Illinois for Boston so that she could pursue her PhD in Political Science at Harvard University in Cambridge. They have two children and reside in Springfield, Illinois.

Part 3: Marijuana Tax Revenues: Estimates for Illinois Counties

Thursday, October 12 at 12PM CT

Counties were allowed to collect taxes on recreational marijuana sales starting July 2020. Join us for a review of county monthly marijuana tax revenue estimates, based on data from their latest Annual Financial Reports filed with the Illinois State Comptroller and data from the National Survey on Drug Use. This presentation will discuss policy implications in regards to marijuana sales tax revenues at the county level, based on use (i.e. medical, recreational), and metro/non-metro trends in Illinois.

About the presenter:

Adee Athiyaman is a professor of marketing at Western Illinois University. His publication record includes more than 250 refereed papers, consultancy reports, and book chapters. His faculty position with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs involves research into issues that affect rural geographies. Previously, he was the director of the Center for Business & Economic Research, James Cook University, Australia. Adee has served as Head of School, School of Marketing & International Business, University of Western Sydney, Australia, and as Head of Management/Marketing Program, James Cook University, Australia.