2024 Slovenia
Science & Technology Conference Schedule
Science & Technology Conference Schedule
13 September 2024
Friday, 13 September 2024
9:45
Conference Introduction
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.
Alex Rogers
Ngaio Bealum
10:00
Conference Greetings from the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia
Dr. Metka Paragi welcomes International CBC Slovenia conference attendees
Leading international microbiologist Dr. Metka Paragi welcomes attendees of the International Cannabis Business Conference in Slovenia. Dr. Paragi currently serves as the State Secretary for Public Healthcare and Public Health in the office of the Prime Minister where she advises the Prime Minister and liaisons between Slovenia’s Parliament and the Prime Minister’s office. Dr. Metka Paragi will provide a brief overview of the state of cannabis in Slovenia and discuss the level of support for policy modernization efforts in the region.
Dr. Metka Paragi
10:15
Continental and International Cannabis Policy
Challenges and future predictions for emerging cannabis policy models
In his keynote address, Jindřich Vobořil will explore the relationship between international, European Union, and national laws, focusing on the ongoing dynamic between the European Union and its member states regarding cannabis policies and regulations. Good and bad practices in regulatory frameworks will be analyzed to understand better what the cannabis community, policymakers, and regulators can learn from regulating legal substances.
Jindřich Vobořil
10:35
Research And Development Efforts In Slovenia
Slovenia continues to work toward establishing an international R&D hub
Demand for hemp and cannabis-derived products and research is increasing around the globe every day, particularly in the medical cannabis sector. Slovenia is home to world-class universities, research facilities, and scientists making it well-positioned to become the leading international cannabis industry R&D hub on the planet. Plant breeding expert, Andreja Čerenak, will discuss the latest updates from Slovenia, including policy modernization efforts that seek to boost the nation’s cannabis R&D efforts.
Assist Prof. Andreja Čerenak, PhD
11:00
Unlocking The Medical Benefits Of Cannabis
Creating science-driven medications for evolving patient needs
Prof Dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek
BIOCHEMIST, RESEARCHER, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY, LJUBLJANA
Prof. Dr. Borut Štrukelj
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT FOR PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY AT THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY, LJUBLJANA
Prof. Dr. David Neubauer
PAEDIATRICIAN AND CHILD NEUROLOGIST.
International cannabis researchers are currently working to further unlock the cannabis plant’s wellness capabilities at a rate never seen before in human history. The cannabis plant and the dozens of cannabinoids that it contains hold a tremendous amount of wellness benefits, much of which still needs to be properly researched and understood. Investigative research efforts are, in turn, providing valuable insight for scientists and engineers to incorporate into their science-driven medical cannabis product development strategies. We will discuss emerging medical cannabis research, product concepts and trends, and how the evolving needs of suffering patients are helping drive niche product development.
11:40
Analyzing Germany’s Recent Cannabis Policy Changes
Breaking down the major components of Germany’s CanG law
Lawmakers in Germany have adopted a multi-faceted measure that overhauled the nation’s cannabis policies and regulations. The first phase of Germany’s new CanG law removed criminal penalties for personal adult possession, consumption, and cultivation. Permitting member-based social cannabis clubs is also part of the first phase of German legalization. Eventually, Germany will also launch regional adult-use commerce pilot programs. Attorney Kai Niermann will provide an in-depth analysis of Germany’s legalization model, including its impact on the nation’s medical cannabis industry.
Kai-Friedrich Niermann
12:10
Modernizing Slovenia’s Cannabis Policies
Slovenia’s current cannabis policy modernization efforts
Voters in Slovenia passed two separate cannabis referendum measures in June, one focused on medical cannabis policy modernization and the other focused on decriminalization for adults. Leading expert Gašper Friškovec will discuss the impact of the referendum votes in Slovenia, as well as what current strategies advocates are pursuing in Slovenia to overhaul the nation’s cannabis policies and regulations. Mr. Friškovec will also examine the impact that cannabis reform victories in other European jurisdictions have had on Slovenia’s cannabis movement.
Gašper Friškovec
12:40
Lunch
13:50
Medical Cannabis in Germany
After the legalization of Recreational Cannabis on April 1, 2024
Since 1 April 2024, the partial legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany has come into force with the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, “CanG”). With the Medical Cannabis Act (Medizinisches Cannabisgesetz, “MedCanG”), the CanG has now also created its own set of regulations for medical cannabis. In regulatory terms, this essentially means adopting the provisions of the Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, “BtMG”), although it also contains important changes: Among other things, the BtM prescription and other bureaucratic requirements are no longer required. The MedCanG also contains significant changes for companies that will cultivate medicinal cannabis in Germany in the future. The new legal situation has also already had a significant economic impact, which is reflected in a strong upturn in the medical cannabis market. The presentation will focus on these and other developments as well as potential further effects in the Medical Cannabis Market in Germany and Europe.
Peter Homberg
14:20
Bridging The Gap Between Public And Private Sectors
Increasing collaboration between public and private sector entities
Alex Rogers
CEO & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ICBC
Dr. Draško Veselinovič
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, SLOVENIAN BUSINESS & RESEARCH ASSOCIATION, BRUSSELS, EU
Assist. Prof. Boštjan Ferk, PhD
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, SLOVENIA
Boštjan Čeh
CO-FOUNDER OF LABENA VENTURES; CO-FOUNDER OF SLOVENIA BIOTECH HILLS
The public and private sectors both play vital roles in moving the emerging legal cannabis industry forward. For the emerging cannabis industry to reach its full potential and for humans to maximize the industry’s benefits for society, public and private entities in health, agriculture, industry, and sustainability must collaborate effectively, especially on larger projects. A team of panelists will discuss the needs, benefits, and strategies of forming public-private partnerships to boost societal outcomes.
15:00
Looking Toward The Future Of Cannabis Research
What does the future hold for cannabis-focused research efforts?
Justin Tombe
COO, THE TALMAN GROUP
Rui Soares
FOUNDER AND CEO, PARALAB GREEN
Božidar Radišič
PROJECT MANAGER AND FOUNDER, RESEARCH NATURE INSTITUTE
The cannabis research sector is set to experience significant change in the coming years due to governments reforming laws, rules, and regulations that affect cannabinoid-based research. Hurdles and barriers that prevented or hindered cannabis research in past decades are being removed in many jurisdictions. Additionally, demand for cannabis research is greater than ever, thanks in large part to the exponential growth of the emerging cannabis industry. Panelists will provide updates regarding current cannabis research and explore what research concepts may be coming in the future.
15:30
Break
15:45
Emerging Opportunities In Europe’s Bio-Tech And Pharmaceutical Industries
Creating modern medical cannabis products for evolving patient demands
Lisa Haag
FOUNDER MJ_UNIVERSE
Danielle Bernstein
PRESIDENT, LAURELCREST
Sabina Suljaković
CHIEF QUALITY AND COMMERCIAL OFFICER, ARGENT BIOPHARMA
Dr Marjeta Česen
CHIEF REGULATORY AFFAIRS OFFICER at PHARMAHEMP
Demand for cannabinoid-based therapeutics is greater now than ever before, and with more countries modernizing their cannabis policies to permit the research, development, and application of such products, the future is very bright for the cannabinoid biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. This panel is dedicated to examining the emerging opportunities within the cannabinoid-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
16:30
Innovations In Hemp Technologies
Infusing technology into the emerging hemp industry
Michael Knodt
FREELANCE JOURNALIST, AUTHOR OF CANNABIS-EXTRAKTION
Petra Marinko
FOUNDER AND OWNER, PHARMA G, NABIE
Bogdan Mak
DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER, POSESTVO SONČNI RAJ
The industrial hemp industry has become more sophisticated in recent years as the emerging industry has spread to nearly every corner of the globe. International demand for hemp-derived products, from fiber to floral products, is greater now than at any other time in modern history. Innovators are revolutionizing what is possible for the hemp plant and the products derived from it. Panelists will discuss the latest and most exciting technology being harnessed by the rising hemp industry.
20:00
After Party at the Grand Hotel Toplice