Sue Rouchet

The Highs - and Lows - of the Cannabis Economy

Mike Zaplin, Todd Denkin, Craig Ellens, Sue Rouchet, Michael Kraft, Doug Praw, Deepak Chopra, Peter Janssen, Tommy Lasorda, Chief Justice Roberts, Greg

A panel of industry leaders and public health advocates argues that the cannabis sector is transitioning from an unregulated "pirate" economy to "Cannabis 2.0," a professionalized model led by scientific innovation and standardized regulation. Speakers including Mike Zaplin, Craig Ellens, and Todd Denkin emphasize the urgent need for sterile cultivation technologies, comprehensive lab testing, and trade schools to replace the current 98% THC-only testing landscape, while public health expert Sue Rouchet warns of severe risks regarding adolescent brain development and future addiction costs. As federal enforcement priorities clarify banking access and international markets like Canada offer uniform frameworks, the consensus calls for a "medicine-first" approach to prevent legal liabilities and ensure the industry evolves into a compliant, brand-centric pharmaceutical standard.