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2025
National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium

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Symposium 9/19-21, 2025

University Denver Sturm College of Law 
Denver, Colorado

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Venue

University Of Denver Sturm College 

2255 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 8021

 

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law has a rich history of legal education innovation, including: 

 

Opening in 1892
The college of law was a pioneer in legal education on the American frontier, graduating many of the judges and attorneys who built the legal structure of the Mountain West. 

 

First clinical program
In 1904, the college of law opened the first legal aid dispensary in the nation, creating the first clinical program in the country. 

 

Merging with Westminster Law School
In 1957, the college of law merged with Westminster Law School, which had been providing evening legal education in the Denver area since 1912. 

 

Renaming the law library
The law library was renamed the Westminster Law Library after the merger. 

 

Receiving a $20 million donation
In 2003, Donald L. Sturm, owner of Denver's American National Bank, donated $20 million to the college of law, which was renamed the Sturm College of Law in his honor. 

 

Moving to the Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building
The college of law moved to the Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building in 2003, which became the first certified "green" law building in the country. 

2025 Symposium Program
At-A-GLANCE

Friday, September 19, 2025

Hospitality Room 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.-Open Registration

Symposium Education Award Recipient (Award 7:00 P.M.)

Glenn Davis Highway Safety Manager at Colorado Department of Transportation, Ret.

Light Fare & Libations

ALL REGISTRANTS INVITED

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Breakfast 8-8:30 am Grab & Go (Sit With Your Discipline)

Open Registration

SILENT AUCTION BEGINS

 

8:30-9:15 am  

Indigenous Land Blessing

Welcome & Opening Judge Mary Celeste (ret.)

Facilitator Jenny Leis

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9:00-9:15 Welcome Colorado Governor Jarid Polis (invited)

9:15-10:00 Keynote Professor Chad Kinney, Phd., Director Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University who will dicuss the Institute's current research projects.

 

10:00-12:00 pm Concurrent Panels (2)

Mock Hearing: Admissibility Oral Fluid Testing Results Stephanie Miller, Prosecutor Colorado 11th Judicial District; Dr. Michael Kosnett, Defense Toxicologist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Judge Scott Pearson ABA; Collin McCallin, Defense Attorney, Hebets & McCallin P.C.; Dr. Joe Jones Prosecutors Toxicologist 

Cannabis Trends I: Intoxicating Hemp; Grey Markets & Federal Policies Justin Trouard, Mammoth Farms; Aaron Smith National Cannabis Industry Association; Rachel Ardanuy, RZA Legal, 

Dale Gieringer, NORML,California Coordinator

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12:00-1:00 pm Lunch Grab & Go (Jenny Leis-Facilitated Reports & Discussion) (Sit Where You Like)

 

1:00-2:15 pm Concurrent Panels (3)

Cannabis & Driving: What We Have Learned  Ed Wood, (Moderator) Advocate in traffic safety; Ashley Brooks -Russell, University of Colorado, Researcher; Dr. Michael Kosnett, Toxicologist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Ashley Schluck, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor.

Cannabis Addiction & Prevention Scott Gagnon, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Linda Hurley CEO CODAC Behavioral Healthcare; Bonnie Holladay, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration; Dr. Susan Weiss National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Cannabis Trends II: Markets, Social Equity & Enforcement M Dominique Mendiola (Moderator), Senior Director, Colorado Marijuana & Natural Medicine Divisions; Travis Haley, Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division; Scheril Murray Powell, Globally Acclaimed Speaker& Cannabis Agriculture and Dietary Suppliment Attorney; Garrett O. Graff, Partner Corporate/M&A and Emerging Markets.

 

2:15-3:30 pm Concurrent Panels (3) 

Cannabis & the Military Judge Tara Osborne (Moderator); Judge Mary Kate Huffman; Michael Kravitz Veterans Action Council; Judge Casey Clevenger, Missouri Veterans Treatment Court
Social Equity in Cannabis: Challenges and Opportunities Professor Rob Mejia (Moderator), Sarah Woodson, Colorado Cannabis Co.; Tauhid Chappell is the first Executive Director to lead New Jersey’s Cannabis Academy; Frederika M. Easley, President, Minority Cannabis Business Association (Invited)​

Cannabis & Violence Dr. Libby Stuyt, International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis; Dr. Ken Finn, International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis; Dr. Ellicott C. Matthay, Dept of Pop Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine 

 

3:30-4:30 pm BREAK (Jenny Leis Facilitated Reports & Discussion) (Sit With Your Discipline)

 

5:30-8:30 pm Green Lab (Registrants Only-Requires an Additional Fee) Mark Ashby President LEAD Impairment Training- Colorado SFST/DRE State Coordinator (CO Highway Safety Office) NSC Distracted Driving Instructor

Advanced Cannabis Impairment Detection Workshop This workshop provides an in-depth understanding of cannabis impairment detection, focusing on the challenges brought on by its legalization. Participants will explore modern cannabis types, strengths, and consumption methods, followed by a study of the physical and psychophysical signs of impairment. The session will include hands-on observation with volunteer cannabis consumers, guided by Drug Recognition Experts, to identify key impairment indicators. The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session and discussions on how to implement this training at learner locations.

Sunday, September 21, 2025

8-8:30 am Breakfast Grab & Go

 

8:30-9:15 am Keynote Presentation: The Relationship Between Cannabis & Alcohol Use Disorder

Dr. Joseph Rosado, a leading physician, medical director, educator, and published author, this keynote will provide a deep dive into the interplay between cannabis and alcohol use disorder. As a respected expert in the field, Dr. Rosado will guide attendees through critical distinctions and connections between these two forms of substance use.

 

9:15-11:00 am Concurrent Panels (3)

Law Enforcement Contacts in Impaired Driving Cases Attorney Allison Rosenthal; Colorado Office of Research and Statistics; Rita Rochelle, Colorado DUI Statistical Analyst; Dr. Tom Marcotte, Leading Researcher on the impact of cannabis on driving; Joshua Bauchner, Mandelbaum Barratt, P.C. 

Cannabis & Families: Children and Parents Attorney Laurie Schmidt, 5280 Law Group, P.C.; Attorney Andrea Wolff, Wolff Law, LLC; Judge Laurie Clark, Denver, Colorado Juvenile Court 

Pathways for Aspiring Cannabis Lawyers Jean E. Gonnell, Troutman Pepper Locke, Xavier Jaillet, McDonald Hopkins LLC; Keenan M. Jones, Frantz Ward, LLP

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11:00-12:15 pm Concurrent Panels (3)

Cannabis & the Workplace Trish Zulic (Moderator), H.R. Specialist; David Holland, Partner and a member of Prince Lobel’s Business Litigation and Cannabis practice groups; Lisa Casa, Partner Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP; Laura Broniak, Director and Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts  

Products Liability in the Age of Cannabis Mary Jane Oatman (Moderator), Executive Director Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association;  Jana Simmons; Jeffrey Riester, Colorado Attorney General’s Office; Jean E. Gonnell, Troutman Pepper Locke, Samantha Skenandore, Native Law Group 

Testing Techniques & Evaluations Dr. Tara Lovestead -Nist (Moderator); Yasha Kahn, MCR Labs; Dr. Amy Miles, State Toxicologist at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene; Chuck Marting, President,Colorado Mobile Drug Testing

 

12:15-2:00 pm Lunch Grab & Go (Facilitated Reports & Discussion) (Sit With Other Than Your Discipline)

 

2:00-3:15 pm Concurrent Panels (3)

Psychedelics and Cannabis: Risks & Benefits Professor James Grigsby; Joshua S. Bauchner, Mandelbaum Barratt, P.C.; Sara Gael Beauregard, psychedelic therapist, educator; 

Dr. Duncan Mackie, Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics at MedPharm Holdings

Regulations/Compliance Dominique Mendiola (Moderator), Senior Director, Colorado Marijuana & Natural Medicine Divisions; Brian Vicente, Vicente Law Firm; David Sergi, Sergi & Associates, P.C.; Allison Winnike, Director Western Region, Network for Public Health Law (Invited) 

The Intersection of Probation and Treatment Mark Stodola, Probation Fellow, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Moderator); Judge Kate Huffman, American Bar Association Judicial Fellow; Julie Seitz, Project Director, Impaired Driving Solutions: Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards.

3:15-4:00 pm Closing (Facilitated Reports & Discussion) (Sit With Your Discipline)

SILENT AUCTION ENDS

4:00-5:00 pm Networking Reception-Light Fare 

Book A Courtesy Hotel

Our 2025 Partners

NJC National Judicial College

American Judges Association

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Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors

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