Kai is characterized by his outstanding expertise and diverse practice in the cannabis industry. With a broad range of expertise in cannabis and business law, he provides comprehensive legal support to companies and individuals.
From contract drafting and company formation to day-to-day legal support, he assists cannabis companies with customized solutions in all legal matters, including white collar criminal law where necessary.
Kai is also the author of the blog canna-biz.legal, where he positions himself as an expert in the thriving cannabis business. Canna-biz.legal not only provides insights into the legal status of cannabis in Germany and Europe today, but also current developments and offers resources for businesses and interested parties.
His work spans all aspects of the cannabis industry, from advising companies on cultivation licenses and production regulations to assisting with regulatory issues in product development. His deep understanding of the complex legal framework in this sector makes him a sought-after contact.
Kai and his law firm KFN+ advise large CBD and medical cannabis companies, as well as companies and associations interested in the emerging recreational cannabis market. He is also advisor to the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), which has submitted a joint application to the EU Commission for authorization as a novel food for various CBD products.
With an international perspective, Kai operates not only nationally, but also across borders. His network in the industry enables him to support companies in their global activities and adapt to the challenges of an ever-changing legal landscape.
Kai regularly speaks at international cannabis conferences on topics related to the German and European legal framework for cannabis, and publishes articles at Krautinvest, BusinessCann and in law journals.
Born in Löhne/Westf. in 1972, studied law at the Universities of Marburg, Adelaide (Australia), Cologne, legal assistant at the press center of the German Bundestag (2000-2002), worked for the Berlin District Court, for the Director of Public Prosecution in Berlin, for the Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Hong Kong Consulate General.

Daniel Cook is a seasoned growth company leader with a track record of scaling businesses from early-stage to over $250 Million in enterprise value. He specializes in building high impact companies in emerging markets and
breakthrough categories.

Daniel is currently CEO of True Companies (Trueco), a specialized flavor house with deep domain expertise in
terpenes—the molecular building blocks behind more than $8 Billion in annual consumer product formulations across cannabis, beer, and CPG. Under his leadership, Trueco has grown EBITDA 10X and sales 4X in less than five years. [2020-Present]

Prior to Trueco, Daniel helped build Endeavor’s Global Entrepreneur Support Program. This program worked with the top high growth entrepreneurs in emerging markets across a variety of industries to help them refine their strategy, raise capital, forge partnerships and recruit talent. During his tenure, Endeavor helped to catalyze over $1.5 Billion in exits for founders in emerging markets. Today, Endeavor backs over 37 unicorns outside of China, making it the most active investor in billion-dollar scaleups in those regions. [1999-2002]

Daniel spent over six years in South America leading growth initiatives in the wine industry—first as a Fulbright Scholar in Chile, and later running commercial operations for Moët Hennessy’s Argentina portfolio, including Terrazas de los Andes (>200,000 cases sold/year) and Cheval des Andes, a joint venture with storied Premier Grand Cru Classe A – Chateau Cheval Blanc, both LVMH “Rising Star Brands.” [2004-2008]

Daniel has served as a founder, advisor, and board member to high-growth companies across cannabis, clean energy, regenerative agriculture, and natural products. He built Keen-Wah(+) Foods® a portfolio of consumer natural foods products that have been tested and approved by an avid community of 250,000 healthy living supporters and rolled out to thousands of points of sale (acq. by Nestlé Americas as a part of a multi-brand rollup). He also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Califia Farms, a pioneer in the plant-based dairy product category (almond) and innovator in plant-based milks, creamers, juices, and dairy-free probiotic yogurts, where he and helped bring to market natural products generating hundreds of millions in revenue. [2008-2020]

Daniel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he received the Social Enterprise Scholarship for his work on venture capital in underserved communities, and was nominated for the Dean’s Award after leading the first private clean energy installation at Harvard. [2002-2004]

He earned a BA in Literature from Fairfield University, was awarded a Fulbright to Chile, and served as an Eisenhower Ambassador to the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. [1992-1996].

Rachel Wright, CPA, MST is a hands-on business leader, strategic thinker, and trusted financial partner with over a decade of experience in the cannabis industry — and another 10 years before that in real estate development and manufacturing. She founded Verdant Strategies in 2024, building on the legacy of 420CPA and AB FinWright LLP, which she co-founded in 2020.
Rachel’s work is rooted in one goal: helping cannabis operators grow stronger, more resilient businesses. From day one, she’s brought deep tax expertise and operational insight to an industry where the rules are constantly evolving. Whether guiding clients through cross-border compliance, navigating M&A, or building internal financial systems from the ground up, Rachel leads with clarity, precision, and a fierce commitment to her clients’ success.

She’s also been called in when the stakes are high. Rachel has supported operators through complex financial disputes, providing litigation support and expert witness testimony where transparency and sound accounting are critical. She served on the board of a public cannabis company in Canada, including as audit committee chair, bringing governance and financial oversight during a key phase of expansion.

Rachel works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, supporting operators in both established and emerging cannabis markets. Her perspective has been featured in Bloomberg Tax, MJBizDaily, The Cannabis Industry Journal, Marijuana Venture, and the LA Daily Journal. She has contributed her time and voice to industry organizations including the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA), the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, and the Tri-State Cannabis Networking Group, and has spoken at events hosted by Benzinga, the Cannabis Quality Conference, INCBA, and NBI.

She holds a Master’s in Taxation and a Graduate Degree in International Taxation from Golden Gate University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Will Muecke is a co-founding managing member of Artemis Growth Partners, an ESG and impact-oriented private equity platform dedicated to investing 100% in the cannabis industry on a worldwide basis.

Artemis Growth Partners oversees US $400 million in mission-driven discretionary assets under management (AUM) invested in the global cannabis value chain, including branded products, distributors, value-added service providers, ancillary operators, and science-driven research and development platforms.

Will was co-founding managing partner of CoreCo Private Equity, a 2017 GIIRS-rated “Best for the World” ESG-focused impact fund backed by investors including the IFC/World Bank, and the multilateral/development banks of Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, the IADB, and UHNW individuals and European family offices (CoreCo was fully deployed as of July 2017).

Will was formerly the global co-head of the healthcare services sector in the healthcare investment banking group at Goldman, Sachs & Co. (New York).

Will maintains extensive personal and professional networks in Europe, US, and Latin America.

Will resides in London and is the Chief Investment Officer for Artemis Growth Partners.

Artemis Growth Partners website: www.artemisgrowth.com

Linkedin profile: www.linkedin.com/in/wmuecke/

Jamie Pearson has been a highly respected leader in the cannabis industry for over a decade. Her “in the trenches” operational success and deep, global relationships led her to be coined “Wonder Woman” in the 2023 Women of Influence issue of Cannabis Now Magazine. Fluent in German, Jamie spent decades in the global real estate investment and finance world on three continents. She currently sits on the advisory boards of Dope Drinks, Marley One, Cellotex Dev Ltd, Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC), Lift & Co, and Alpen Group AG.
Jamie founded and leads The New Holland Group, a global consulting firm serving clients with international business development & strategy, seed to sale operations, branding & marketing, effective capital raising, executive coaching, cross border IP licensing, celebrity partnerships, buy & sell side M&A, and financial turnarounds. Client referrals have been New Holland Group’s only source of business and business is booming!
Before New Holland Group, Jamie spent seven years, including three as the President & CEO, of Bhang Inc. [CSE:BHNG] one of the world’s most-awarded and recognized cannabis edible brands, famous for its infused chocolate bars. She led the company’s diverse executive team, managed the “expansion through licensing” plan, ran the capital markets division, and was the face of the brand – catapulting Bhang from a California favorite to a multi-state and multi-national phenomenon. When Jamie exited Bhang the brand had been distributed in 7 US states and 10 countries through licensing deals with the likes of Trulieve, [CSE:TRUL], Indiva [TSX:NDVA] and Origin House [CSE:OH] (now Cresco). Jamie served four years as the Vice Chairman of Bhang’s Board and served on the Board’s audit committee.
Jamie is a popular speaker with competence in the areas of global expansion, ESG, IP & brand licensing, real estate acquisition, creative deal structuring, celebrity partnerships, business development, and leadership. Jamie can be reached at jamie@new-holland.group.

Chief Inspiration Officer – Sullivan Adventures LLC
Partner: New Holland Group
Keynote Speaker – Advisor – Investor

Jeanne M. Sullivan is a passionate about delivering ideas – information – and inspiration to entrepreneurs – Sullivan has been early to various sectors – investing in tech infrastructure, the internet wave, cloud-based computing, data aggregation and early in the cannabis sector. She is thrilled to leverage years in this industry and support entrepreneurs seeking European-based cannabis opportunities.
She co-founded an early-stage cannabis fund and is a frequent speaker on the conference circuit. Sullivan has been part of the Arcview Group and Arcview Ventures since 2015.

Jeanne co-founded StarVest Partners, a venture capital firm in NYC raising $400 million to invest in tech-enabled business services companies. Prior to her venture experience with StarVest and Olivetti Ventures, Jeanne gained her operating experience with AT&T and Bell Labs while serving in product and industry marketing roles.

Ms. Sullivan has served on the board of multiple technology and cannabis companies and has extensive experience creating “go to market” plans for growth and expansion stage companies. Her expertise also includes strategy, an understanding of the tech and cannabis landscape and industry trends. Sullivan lives in New York City.

Connect: Linkedin.com/in/jeannemsullivan

Barry Laxer is the founder and President of Cielo Verde, one of Canada’s leading cannabis producers. With a visionary approach and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Barry has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth to position it as a global player in the international cannabis industry.

Under his leadership, Cielo Verde has expanded its operations beyond the Canadian market, successfully establishing export channels to international markets. This strategic expansion has not only diversified the company’s revenue streams but also solidified its reputation as a trusted supplier of high-quality cannabis products worldwide.

Barry Laxer brings over 35 years of experience in manufacturing, 8 years of cannabis experience and deep industry knowledge with a passion for innovation and sustainability.

Barry continues to champion advancements in cannabis cultivation and product development, ensuring his company stands at the forefront of the industry.

Alex began his career in the medical cannabis industry in 2013 with MedReleaf. He was involved in the early formation of the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association (CMCIA), where he served as both committee chair and interim Executive Director. Throughout his career, Alex has engaged directly with thousands of patients, supporting individuals with conditions such as PTSD and chronic pain. He has also collaborated with Veterans Affairs Canada to support coverage for medical cannabis and vaporizers, advocating for non-smoking methods of ingestion.In early 2017, Alex transitioned from MedReleaf to focus on cannabis education. He co-developed Cannabis IQ, an educational program created in partnership with MD Briefcase and a faculty of five healthcare professionals. Following this, he co-founded licensed producer Flowr in Kelowna, British Columbia. After leaving Flowr, he became a partner at Loosh Brands, a leading edibles manufacturer with over 150 SKUs in the market for 30+ brands. Alex also plays a key role in the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), which he helped launch in Berlin in 2017. and he continues to focus on supporting companies with their international cannabis strategies.

George Bellow is a visionary entrepreneur and strategic leader with over 16 years of experience in sales, business development, and startup growth across industries like pharmaceuticals, virtual reality, and fintech. As Co-Founder of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, George successfully raised €30 million, playing a pivotal role in establishing the company’s sales and distribution networks across Europe. His work secured partnerships in key markets such as Germany, the UK, Switzerland, and Poland, positioning SOMAÍ as a leading name in the European medical cannabis sector.
Before SOMAÍ, George founded Belka VR, a trailblazing virtual reality company that gained global recognition. He also spearheaded international sales growth for UNICUM, expanding its reach to over 24 countries. In Russia, George co-founded Mili, a fintech pioneer in microloans, scaling it to become the largest provider in the country with over $13 million in revenue before a successful exit. His strategic foresight helped raise €5 million for Mili, fueling its rapid growth and market leadership.
With executive education from MIT Sloan and an MBA from Moscow School of Management Skolkovo, George brings unmatched expertise in strategic planning, capital raising, and business scaling, driving impactful results and innovation in every venture he leads.

Margaret Brodie is the CEO and a Director of Rubicon Organics (TSX.V: ROMJ.V). Ms. Brodie has been with Rubicon Organics since inception in 2015 as CFO and in 2023 she was promoted to CEO. In 2024 she was shortlisted for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. Rubicon Organics is Canada’s award winning and leading premium cannabis house of brands including Simply Bare OrganicTM, 1964 Supply CoTM and WildflowerTM. Ms Brodie is currently Vice-Chair of the Cannabis Cultivators of BC and previously sat on the board of the Cannabis Council of Canada. Ms. Brodie has over 20 years of experience in finance and executive leadership and has been CFO for several publicly traded companies. She holds the CPA, CA designation and ICD.D designation and graduated from UBC (B.Comm (Deans Honour Roll).

Pablo Zuanic is a well-known and highly rated equity analyst following the cannabis and psychedelics sector. Over the past seven years he launched coverage of over 40 companies in the US, Canada, and overseas (MSOs, LPs, CBD, ancillary, psychedelics), kept close track of sectoral trends, and followed the reform process in the US and elsewhere. His firm Zuanic & Associates publishes equity research on the cannabis and psychedelics sectors, both from a macro/sectoral level in a thematic manner, as well as specific reports on listed stocks. The research service is aimed at institutional investors and corporations. The firm is also available for short-term consulting and research advisory projects. At various points in his career, Pablo was II ranked and called as expert witness in industry investigations. He has a deep global background having covered stocks over the past 20 years in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, across consumer sub sectors. Prior employers include JP Morgan, Barings, and Cantor Fitzgerald. An MBA graduate of Harvard Business School, he started his career as a management consultant, which brings a strategic mindset to his approach to equity research. Pablo Zuanic can be contacted via the company’s portal https://zuanicassociates.com/; via email pablo.zuanic@zuanicgroup.com; or via X @420Odysseus.

A seasoned sales and business development specialist, Mike channeled his multi-sector experience into the cannabis industry in 2018.

Following the completion of Kwantlen Universities “Plant Production and Facility Management” and Business for Cannabis courses, the decision was made to jump headlong into the cannabis industry. A voracious researcher with an insatiable desire to continue learning, Mike brings a passion for cannabis that translates into the work he diligently presides over. As a medical cannabis patient, certified cannabis chef, consumer and advocate, he is on a mission to chip away at the prevailing stigma & normalize the plant.

Working alongside David Hyde at HAI’s inception has provided an incredibly unique perspective, and allowed first-hand experience with industry participants from across the value chain. From cultivators, processors, retailers, investors and everything in-between, being able to see and experience the good, bad & ugly through multiple lenses has proven to be invaluable and enlightening for both the Canadian and burgeoning global markets.

Following the mantra “it’s a marathon, not a sprint”, the long-term goal is continuing to help sculpt a mature, sustainable and equitable global cannabis industry.

“I consider myself both lucky and privileged to work with David and the Hyde team, and will continue my efforts to shepherd the culture and industry forward without forgetting who it is for, and how we got here in the first place”.

Jürgen Bickel is the Managing Director and co-founder of STORZ & BICKEL, a manufacturer of high-quality medical vaporizers based in Tuttlingen, Germany. The brand’s most famous device, the VOLCANO, was the first medically certified cannabis vaporizer worldwide and remains the gold standard among physicians, researchers, and consumers.

Jürgen Bickel trained as a carpenter and holds a degree in civil engineering. He has established STORZ & BICKEL as a successful, globally operating brand and is now part of the executive leadership team at Canopy Growth.

Today, the company looks back on more than 25 years in the industry, remaining a pioneer and world market leader in the sector thanks to the visionary thinking of the founders.

Find out more about Jürgen Bickel on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Andrew Freedman is a Canadian cannabis founder, operator, and industry force driving the next generation of extraction, product innovation, and regulatory strategy. As CEO and co-founder of Cannabis Tolling Solutions (CTS), he has built one of the country’s leading hydrocarbon extraction platforms, delivering multi-million dollar revenue growth and processing over 8 tonnes of biomass in 2025 alone. Known as “The Cannabis Sommelier,” Andrew is one of the pre-eminent authors in terpene science and a silver medal recipient at the International Impact Book Awards (Living Now Awards), recognized for advancing cannabis education on a global stage.

From pioneering rosin and hash production at his previous start up Hash Labs to helping shape early retail through Original Goods dispensaries, Andrew’s career spans the full evolution of the legal cannabis market, from legacy craftsmanship to pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing. He is a recognized Canadian thought leader engaged in regulatory advisory and policy development, influencing how cannabis is produced, standardized, and positioned across both consumer and medical markets. Under his leadership, CTS and its partners have secured Best New Product and Best Vape at the KIND Awards in 2024 and 2025, reinforcing a reputation built on performance, not hype.

Andrew is actively expanding Canadian cannabis expertise into global medical markets, working with international partners to raise the standard for extract quality and compliance worldwide. Direct, unapologetic, and results-driven, he operates at the intersection of craftsmanship, compliance, and scale. He doesn’t follow the industry, he helps define it.

James Yamanaka is Chief Executive Officer of Organigram Global Inc. and an experienced business leader with more than 20 years in senior roles across Europe and Asia in highly regulated consumer industries. He brings 11 years of P&L leadership and delivery, including responsibility for businesses of ~C$500 million in annual revenue. Most recently, he served as Global Head of Strategy at British American Tobacco, where he helped shape group strategy and supported transformation initiatives across markets and product categories.

Finn Age Hänsel is a pioneering entrepreneur and one of the leading voices in the European cannabis industry. As Founder and Managing Director of Sanity Group, he leads one of Europe’s most influential cannabis companies and a key player in the German medical market. Finn advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies and is helping shape the future of cannabis in Europe. With a headline valuation of EUR 250 million, Sanity Group recently entered into a strategic transaction with its long-standing partner Organigram Global – one of the largest transactions of its kind within the European cannabis industry, underscoring the company’s growth ambitions and international expansion across the European cannabis market.