FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When and where was the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit held?  
The 2019 Summit was held January 28 – 30, 2019, at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California. 

Who hosted the 2019 North American Cannabis Summit?
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. partnered with the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, the California Department of Public Health, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Did the 2019 Summit take a position on cannabis legalization?

The 2019 Summit did not take a position but rather offered a forum for all stakeholders to share policy, science, and best practices. The Summit received no cannabis industry funding and intentionally minimized commercial influence by not hosting an exhibit hall.

Who attended the 2019 Summit?  
Those in attendance included public policymakers, elected officials, legislators, healthcare providers, addiction treatment and recovery specialists, researchers, public health officials, risk reduction professionals, state and municipal licensing and regulatory entities, law enforcement officials, and youth-serving organizations from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other countries. 

How many people attended?  
More than 600 people attended the 2019 Summit, coming from multiple states, provinces, and municipalities across North American, along with attendees from more than five countries. There was representation from the diverse array of communities responding to the changes in policy and practices at the local level. We also saw increased attendance from tribal and minority community members.

Who spoke at the 2019 Summit? 

Speakers represented a wide range of cannabis-related fields, such as public health officials at the federal and state levels; state and municipal leadership managing prevention, public safety, and regulatory implementation; congressional leaders; leading researchers and academics; and medical experts. There were two keynote adresses each day, along with more than 70 session by 150+ speakers on the scientific, clinical, and political shifting landscape surrounding the decriminalization and state legislation of medical and recreational marijuana across North America.

The inaugural event in 2017 was referred to as the National Cannabis Summit. What prompted the change to the 2019 North America Cannabis Summit?  
We expanded the planning partnership to include a broader North American perspective. Input from both Canada and Mexico allowed us to incorporate research and lessons learned from across the continent. 

Can I access the presentations or a summary of the 2019 Summit?  
A summary of the proceedings from the 2019 Summit will be published in the Spring. The 2017 National Cannabis Summit: Science, Policy, and Best Practices Summary of Proceedings is available for download.

What attracted the 2019 Summit planners to California?  
As the first state in the nation to legalize the medical use of marijuana, California has long been at the forefront of policy change. Our California partners were eager to share how policymakers are implementing and responding to the reality of medical and recreational cannabis legalization; what health providers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders need to know; and why it’s important to coordinate research and information-sharing across states and the borders of North America. 

How can I contribute to the 2019 Summit?  

Please join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #NACannabisConvo. We used this hashtag before, during, and after the conference to continue the conversation about cannabis. You can also join us on Facebook  for ongoing discussions. Ideas for the conference? Suggestions of other ways you could contribute? We would love to hear from you! Please email your ideas to us at [email protected].