ICBC Berlin 2025 Schedule
Tuesday, 29 April – Wednesday 30, April
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
8:45
ICBC Berlin B2B 2025 Opening Remarks

Alex Rogers
CEO & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ICBC

Ngaio Bealum
CONFERENCE MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Alex Rogers, Executive Producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference, welcomes conference attendees and provides an overview of the conference schedule, including the panels and speakers that will be providing presentations and interviews. Ngaio Bealum will be the Master of Ceremonies.
9:00
Keynote – TBA
- 9:15
Germany’s New Government
Impact on the German and European legislation for cannabis
Germany has been the spearhead of the legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis in Europe. It has a well-developed and still growing medicinal cannabis market and has implemented a partial legalization of recreational cannabis which is in comparison to other European countries one of the most advanced. On February 23, 2025, Germany will elect a new government. The new coalition will earlier or later address the status and the further developments for the legalization of cannabis in the medicinal market and the recreational field. The presentation will focus on statements and initial activities of the new government regarding the legalization process for cannabis in Germany and on the impact on other European countries.

Peter Homberg
9:45
Medical Cannabis In Germany
Why the German medical cannabis industry is the main market driver in Europe

Alex Revich

Torsten Greif
CEO, FOUR 20 PHARMA

Matthias Fischer

Dr. rer. nat. Adrian Fischer
PHYSICIAN AND NATURAL SCIENTIST, CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, DEMECAN
10:25
Germany’s Evolving Cannabis Industry
Adapting to political and regulatory changes in Germany

Dirk Heitepriem
PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN, GERMAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (BvCW)

Lisa Haag
FOUNDER MJ_UNIVERSE

Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte
CO-FOUNDER OF HEMP-IMPACT.COM; CO-FOUNDER & VP, GERMAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (BVCW)

Sita Schubert
EUMCA GENERAL SECRETARY
Germany’s emerging legal cannabis industry does not operate in a static environment. The political and regulatory landscape in which Germany’s most exciting industry operates is in a seemingly constant state of evolution. A panel of leading experts from multiple sectors will participate in a discussion about strategies and approaches for adapting to recent changes in Germany, and what industry members should anticipate in the coming years. The discussion will provide valuable insights to help industry members navigate the future of cannabis in Germany.
11:05
European Cannabis Pilot Projects
Discussing regional adult-use commerce pilot trials in Europe

Kai-Friedrich Niermann
FOUNDER, KFN+ LAW OFFICE

Paul-Lukas Good
PRESIDENT, SWISS CANNABIS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Deepak Anand
PRINCIPAL, ASDA CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Finn A. Hänsel
MANAGING DIRECTOR & A FOUNDER OF SANITY GROUP
11:45
Global Cannabis Industry Horizons
Key investment insights in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry

Jamie Pearson
INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT, NEW HOLLAND GROUP

Raj Grover
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO, HIGH TIDE, INC

Will Muecke
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER; ARTEMIS GROWTH PARTNERS

George Bellow
CO-FOUNDER, SOMAÍ PHARMACEUTICALS

David Hyde
FOUNDER & CEO, HYDE ADVISORY & INVESTMENTS INC

Margaret Brodie
CEO, RUBICON ORGANICS
Significant regulatory developments in Europe, explosive growth in key global markets, and recent M&A/investment transactions are fuelling increased investor interest in global cannabis. As investors enter/re-enter the space, their expectations are increasingly more sophisticated, and competition for investment capital remains intense. In this dynamic session, cannabis businesses/start-ups and investors will gain key insights from expert panelists to help them align with emerging global market opportunities.
12:25
Break
13:20
Cloud Grown
How Tech Is Transforming Cannabis Production

Quinn Shiskin
PRESIDENT, MCINTYRE CREEK CANNABIS INC. (MCCI)

Albert Eppinga
ENTREPRENEUR AND PHILANTHROPIST; FOUNDER BC CANN

Max Majot
TECHNICAL MANAGER AND CULTIVATION EXPERT, ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS

Franz Josef Sima

Rui Soares

Mikhail Sagal
Technological innovation is reshaping cannabis cultivation, from automated systems to AI-driven analytics. This panel will explore how tech solutions can boost yields, improve quality, and reduce costs. Attendees will discover the tools that are driving efficiency in modern cannabis farming.
14:00
Exploring The Latest Trends And Innovations In Cannabis Logistics
Managing and transporting cannabis products at a global level

Yoram Eshel
14:30
German Cannabis Industry Update
A one-year lookback and a five-year look forward

Beau Whitney
15:00
Establishing International Brands
How cannabis brands are successfully expanding globally

Ricardo Baca
FOUNDER & CEO, GRASSLANDS

Benjamin Kraim
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DUMPLING HOUSE MEDIA; FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, WEEDFEED

Jürgen Bickel
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER, STORZ & BICKEL

Lance Lambert
CMO, GROVE BAGS

Barry Laxer
CEO AND FOUNDER, CIELO VERDE
15:40
Forming Strategic Partnerships
Identifying and vetting potential collaboration opportunities

Sonny Moerenhout

Michael Torrey

Scott Olin Schmidt
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EMERALD VILLAGE WEST HOLLYWOOD

Narkis Tessler
CHIEF OF STRATEGY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MEDOCANN GROUP

Andrew Baukham
CEO, LEVEN THERAPEUTICS

John Slaughter
FOUNDER & CEO, HIGH NORTH LABORATORIES
16:20
Bridging Disciplines
A Holistic Approach to Cannabis Research within International Frameworks

Lukáš Hurt
CEO, GREEN PUBLISHING

Andy Mannsfeld, MD
MANAGING DIRECTOR, EUCANNAJOBS

Prof Dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek

TJ Martin
VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, ABSTRAX

Božidar Radišic
PROJECT MANAGER AND FOUNDER, RESEARCH NATURE INSTITUTE
17:00
The Evolving Industrial Hemp Industry
What does the future hold for the global hemp industry?

Johnny Green
MEDIA & CONTENT DIRECTOR, ICBC

Morris Beegle
PRESIDENT, WE ARE FOR BETTER ALTERNATIVES (WAFBA)

Robert T. Hoban
MEMBER, CO-CHAIR OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY GROUP, & MEMBER-IN-CHARGE OF THE CLARK HILL DENVER OFFICE

Daniel Kruse
CEO, SYNBIOTIC SE

Chris Day
CO-FOUNDER, GLOBAL CANNABIS NETWORK COLLECTIVE (GCNC)
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
9:30
Charlie Bachtell – Keynote
CEO and Fouder of Cresco Labs
Charlie Bachtell has served as Cresco Labs’ [CSE:CL] Chief Executive Officer since February 2015 after co-founding the company in 2013. He was named one of Chicago’s most visionary and accomplished business leaders in the Chicago Titan 100 awards and received the Captains of the Industry Award from the American Trade Association for Cannabis Hemp. Through his leadership of Cresco Labs, the company has been recognized as a Best-Led American Company by Inc. magazine. Currently, Mr. Bachtell is the Chairman of the National Cannabis Roundtable and is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, teaching a course on legal and regulatory issues in the cannabis industry.

Charlie Bachtell
9:45
High Standards
How Global Regulation Alignment Could Unlock Billion-Dollar Markets

Benjamin Patock
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, BOVEDA

Alisia Ratliff, PMP, FRSC

Götz Schneider-Rothhaar
PARTNER, SKW SCHWARZ

Jonathan Havens
MANAGING PARTNER BALTIMORE OFFICE AND CO-CHAIR OF BOTH THE CANNABIS LAW PRACTICE AND THE FOOD, BEVERAGE & AGRIBUSINESS PRACTICE; SAUL EWING LLP

Atiyyah Ferouz
FOUNDER & CEO, AG CANN

Frederik Bockslaff
FOUNDER & PARTNER, NIMROD RECHTSANWÄLTE
10:25
The High Cost of Compliance
Navigating Banking and Finance in Cannabis

Daniel Haymann

Gašper Friškovec
CCO, THE TALMAN GROUP

John Fowler

Erin Butler

Ricardo Geada

Sigfried Legeay
CFO & CO-FOUNDER, CANXCHANGE
11:05
Cannabis & Hemp Tourism as an Engine for Growth and Differentiation
Europe Edition

Brian Applegarth
FOUNDING CHAIR, CANNABIS TRAVEL ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (CTAI)

Mara Gordon
CO-FOUNDER AUNT ZELDA’S, OCTOPI WELLNESS, ZELIRA THERAPEUTICS

Jim Zielinski

Cristina Sánchez

Ivan Ross Vrána
MANAGING PARTNER, DIPLOMAT CONSULTING

Teddy Cabugos
PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR, SUNSTONE WINERY
11:55
Cannabis Genetics
Unlocking the hidden potential of the industry

Michael Knodt
FREELANCE JOURNALIST, AUTHOR OF CANNABIS-EXTRAKTION

Alexandre Gauthier
VICE-PRESIDENT R&D, ORIGINE NATURE

Matthew Don-Carolis
VP OF SALES, SEGRA INTERNATIONAL

Dave Auger
12:30
Break
13:30
Blazing Trails
Opportunities in New Global Cannabis Markets

Adi Rozenfeld

Eidan Havas

Natcha Klahan
COO, WORLD PHARMA SOLUTIONS; PARTNER, CANNAGEN

Merlin MacDonald
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CARBON EXTRACTS

Omar Khan
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, HIGH TIDE, INC.
Emerging regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America are becoming key players in the cannabis industry. This panel will explore market entry strategies, local regulations, and the potential for growth. Panelists will also discuss the importance of creating and maintaining positive government relationships in emerging jurisdictions. Learn how businesses can navigate these markets while respecting cultural and regulatory nuances.
14:10
Breaking New Ground
Pioneering compliant cannabinoid importation in Japan’s evolving market

Danielle Bernstein

Mary Szomjassy Brown
FOUNDER, COAST TO COAST CONSULTING
14:50
High Expectations
How Consumer Preferences Are Shaping the Industry

Andrew Freedman
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, CANNABIS TOLLING SOLUTIONS

Chris Sinacori

Christian Blake
CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER, GENETICA

Tanner Stewart

Lorenz Minks
Cannabis consumer preferences are evolving rapidly around the world, from product types to ethical considerations. Consumption delivery methods are expanding and many consumers and patients are seeking products containing lesser-known cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD. Panelists will discuss the latest trends and how businesses can adapt to meet these demands, including how to incorporate AI technology for data collection and analysis. Gain insights into the future of cannabis consumption.
15:30
Cannatech Catalysts
Digital innovation, programmed automation and virtual trends for the cannabis industry and beyond

Timo Bongartz
CEO, CANNAVIGIA

David Sandelman

Eral Osmanoglou
CO-FOUNDER & HEAD OF R&D AT BECANEX GMBH

Charlie Wang
CO-FOUNDER & CEO, CANNVITAL NV LLC

Peter Machalek
CRO (CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER), GREENTANK
16:10
The Science Of Cannabis Extraction
Harnessing the power of science to create cannabis concentrates

Marcus Richardson
CREATOR OF BUBBLEBAGS AND SOLVENTLESS CONSULTANT

Nick Brousianos
CEO, CANNABREEZE

Yogesh Jhamtani

Serge Korovitsyn

Steve Fuhr
DIRECTOR OF SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SCIPHY SYSTEMS
The cannabis extraction sector of the emerging cannabis industry is currently undergoing significant changes from nearly every angle, including regulations, technology, and shifting consumer and patient demands. As the international cannabis import/export market continues to develop, products derived from cannabis extracts will be particularly popular, including solventless extract products and new products involving lesser-known cannabinoids. A panel of leading experts will discuss the current state of the international cannabis extraction sector and where the sector is headed in the coming years.
16:50
The Science Behind GMP Compliance
Discussing how cannabis material and product remediation are used to ensure GMP-compliance

Farida Hussain
INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER EU, PIPP HORTICULTURE

George Terry

Dr. David Surjo

Joseph Edwards
FOUNDER, KIND SELECTIONS; CO-FOUNDER, CANNABIS TOLLING SOLUTIONS

Jim Sanfilippo
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, VIST LABS

Arthur de Cordova
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, ZIEL
The European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standard helps ensure that cannabis products are safe for human consumption. All cannabis products produced domestically or imported to the European Union must be GMP-compliant before being sold in legal markets. Decontamination processes are at the heart of European GMP cannabis compliance. A team of expert panelists will discuss various approaches to cannabis decontamination, regulatory requirements, and the unique GMP compliance hurdles facing the emerging legal cannabis industry.
17:20
High On Packaging
From pre rolls and edibles to point of sale and everything in between

Dean Arbit
CEO, bud.com & WAGNER DIMAS AG TECH

Lucas Jarzem

Jesse Dixon
VP, GPA GLOBAL

Cyrus Hambaz
FOUNDER & CEO, CANADIAN CLINICAL CANNABINOIDS

Luis Pilonieta
DIRECTOR OF SALES, PAXIOM GROUP