Medical Cannabis In The Trade Industry: Know The Facts & Consequences
Hemp, cannabis, products, people and business: A 2 hr dive into the cans and can'ts of customs regulations into the U.S.
Important note: This is NOT a discussion on how to circumvent customs regulations. Cannabis and related products in support of the industry crossing into the U.S. are still very much illegal. This discussion is rather an outlay of the facts, the laws and regulations currently in place.
If you're a produce and plant stock growers shipping goods into the U.S. and you're thinking of or already getting into the cannabis industry - even if just domestically - it's important for you to understand the implications you will face.
Join us in clearing the cannabis air with this 2 hour dive into what you can and cannot do when it comes to cross-border regulations into the United States. Gain access to our panel of carefully selected Immigration, Cross-Border, Finance & Corporate Lawyers, and Licensed Customs Brokers from Miller Thomson and Pacific Customs Brokers. This overview has been designed to help you understand your responsibilities and potential consequences with federal government agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA), Secretary of State and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.
Event Details
- Mar 12, 2020 | 9 AM - 11:30 AM | Sandman Signature Hotel, Langley, BC
Topics Of Discussion
U.S. Import of Goods
- Cross-border regulations
- Supply chain stakeholders
- Farm bill (plants & seeds)
Immigration & Status
- U.S. immigration laws
- Work visa / work permits
- Consequences
Business Structure
For Legally Imported Hemp Product
- The laws and consequences
- How it works, product-wise
- CBD & THC content
Meet The Panel
Breanna Leininger, CCS, LCB | U.S. Operations Manager, Pacific Customs Brokers Inc.
Since 2004, Breanna has dealt with clearances and compliance concerns for a multitude of commodities for all ports of entry and all modes of transportation. She has a Bachelors in Communications, and in Political Science & Government as well as the professional designations of Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist. Breanna speaks at a variety of events including the BC Agriculture Show, Doing Business in the USA, and has been a contributor to Small Business BC publications. She’s been nominated for the NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference Emerging Leaders and Mentors by the NBCBA, and participates in the Northern Border Customs Brokers Association and the NCBFAA annual conferences in Washington, DC. Breanna has a deep passion for politics, global affairs, and how communication shapes policy and international business relationships. She feels very fortunate to work in an industry that allows her to take part in how policy impacts the global economy and domestic businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Cherie Storms, CCS, CTCS, LCB | Canadian Operations Manager, Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd.
Cherie Storms is the Operations Manager with Pacific Customs Brokers, Canada with over 15 years in international trade operations and regulatory experience. Since she joined the company in 2007 she has become an Executive Board Member for the Canadian Customs Brokers Society, BC Region, and was invited to speak at the Women in Transportation Annual General Meeting in 2010 regarding her experience with running the international logistics efforts of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Cherie is also a member of CSCB's National Commercial Operations and eManifest Committee. In September of 2018, Cherie became a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers. Cherie has spoken at many seminars on the importance of trade compliance and is currently enrolled in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Business Management Program with the goal of becoming an international trade lawyer.
Ellen S. Kief | U.S. Counsel, Miller Thomson LLP
Ellen Kief practices U.S. immigration law with a focus on business immigration for corporate clients and businesses across Canada, the United States and worldwide. Based in Vancouver, Ellen’s practice involves U.S. cross-border travel, business visas, investor visas, entertainment, arts and sports, family visas, permanent residence and citizenship. Ellen is a national speaker and educator, and has presented on many topics related to U.S. immigration law, including: cross-border business travel and immigration; inter-company transfers; NAFTA; investment visas; TN, L, O, H-1B visas; entertainment visas; non-immigrant and immigrant visas. As an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) she serves as Chair for New England congressional meetings in Washington DC, U.S. Canada Immigration Liaison, Vancouver U.S. Consulate and Cross Border Protection (CBP) Liaison, and the Global Migration Committee. She also serves on the National and Local Board of American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Vancouver and as Vice President on the Executive Board of New England U.S.-Canada Business Council. She serves on the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Cross-Border Movement Steering Committee, and PNWER Preclearance Committee. Previously, she served as Chair of the Boston Bar Association (BBA) Immigration Section and on the BBA Education Law Practice Committee. Ellen is a dual U.S./Canadian national. She has been admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, and Practitioner of Foreign Law of BC. Ellen holds certifications in mediation and conflict resolution.
Liam Oster | Associate, Miller Thomson LLP
Liam Oster is a real estate and corporate/commercial lawyer with a practical, results-driven approach to legal issues. He represents a wide range of clients, and has particular experience with commercial leasing, hotel and shopping centre management, and cannabis and hemp industry products and regulations. Liam has represented commercial property owners in a wide variety of transactions, including acquisition, sale, financing, leasing and operation of various hotel and shopping-centre properties across Canada. Liam regularly advises private and publicly-traded cannabis industry businesses on regulatory compliance, licensing applications, national and international supply and distribution agreements, leasing, financing, property acquisition and development, manufacturing agreements, employment contracts and internal policies, and intellectual property issues. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Liam worked in Japan as a legal editor assisting with international corporate filings and arbitrations.
