Virginia Cannabis Conference for Policy, Research, Business and Emerging Markets
Root & Rise Symposium, hosted at Roanoke College, brings together leaders across policy, research and business to explore the future of legal cannabis. Spanning three days in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the event blends structured programming with intentional networking, covering policy, market development, licensing, regulation and the evolving role of hemp across Virginia, North Carolina and other emerging markets.
With Virginia now approved to launch adult-use cannabis sales in 2027 and hemp policy under intense scrutiny across the Southeast, Root & Rise arrives at a pivotal moment for the region.
WELCOME BLOCK PARTY
SYMPOSIUM
JULY 26-28, 2027
SAVE THE DATES
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jamie Patten
Acting Head & Chief Administrative Officer, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Allyn Howlett, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Nyomi Barrick-Wommack
State Regulator and
University Professor
Tony Gallo
Founder & Managing Partner, Sapphire Risk Advisory Group & Sapphire Blue Sky Ventures
Hemant Kumar Bid, Ph.D.
Program Director, Medical Cannabis Therapeutics program at Morehouse School of Medicine
Luca Boldrini
Cannabis Cultivation Consultant; Author, Greater Than 100 Grams per Square Foot
LaTonya Warren
Founder & CEO, Armintia; Laboratory Director, Green Alliance Labs
Andrew DeAngelo
Strategic Advisor, Andrew DeAngelo Advisors; Co-Founder, Last Prisoner Project
Michael Krawitz
Executive Director, Veterans For Medical Cannabis Access; Appointee, Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council
Justin Esquivel
CEO and Geneticist of Green Luster Phenos™
Rob Mejia
Adjunct Professor, Stockton University; President, Our Community Harvest
Tamara Netzel
Secretary, Virginia NORML; Founder, Cruel Consequences
Russ Hudson
Cannabis Phytochemistry Researcher & Author, The Big Book of Terps
DorothyBelle (DB) Poli, Ph.D.
Director of Cannabis Studies and Professor of Biology, Roanoke College
Shelby Poole
Founder, Betty Bloom; Former Marketing Director, Happy Days Cannabis Dispensary
Chris O'Ferrell
Senior Director of Cultivation, Deep Roots Harvest; Founder, Co-Lab Cannabis Consulting
Peter Hilleary
Co-Owner
HomeGrown Va
Munir Haque
President
Cure8
Brett Puffenbarger
Managing Partner, Good Highdeas; CEO, Old Dominion Cannabis
Lucas McCann, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, CannDelta
Stella Morrison
Founder & CEO
CannaContent
Lonnie Hayes III
Virginia State Director, Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM); Founder, SAFE™
Ellie Siegel
Founder & CEO
Longview Strategic, LLC; Founder; Accelerate Cannabis
Rob Pero
Founder & CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association; Founder & CEO, Canndigenous
Thomas Malone
General Counsel
Pure Shenandoah
Laura Leonard
Employee Wellness Coordinator Roanoke College; Owner, Uttara Yoga Studio
Mikhail Sagal
Co-Founder & CEO
TSRgrow
Mary Lynn Mathre
President & Co-Founder
Patients Out of Time
Renée Turk
Mayor
City of Salem
JM Pedini
Cannabis Policy Advocate & National Development Director, NORML
Harrison Jordan
Co-Founder & CEO
TSRgrow
Marc Tavares
Founder
Rooting VA
Advancing Cannabis Education
Roanoke College is at the forefront of emerging fields, exemplified by its cutting-edge cannabis studies program, designed to prepare students for leadership roles in one of the fastest-growing global industries.
Nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Roanoke College offers a distinctive blend of rigorous academics, innovative programming and a deeply personalized student experience that sets it apart among liberal arts institutions.
With a long-standing tradition of fostering intellectual curiosity, leadership and real-world readiness within a vibrant, close-knit campus community, Roanoke provides an ideal setting for meaningful dialogue, making it a fitting and inspiring host for a conference exploring the future of the cannabis market.
Get in Touch
Kelly Riddle, Founder
Executive Producer
Eric Welch, Founder
Head of Partnerships & Sales
DB Poli, Strategic Partner
Professor of Biology and Cannabis Studies at Roanoke College