ASTM International, a global organization that develops and publishes standards for various industries, has announced an invitation to present at its upcoming conference on empowering diversity in global cannabis industries. The conference, titled Overcoming Barriers to Entry in Cannabis Industries: Views from Around the World, will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from January 27 to January 28, 2025.
The Aim of the Conference
The conference is sponsored and organized by ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis, which was founded in 2017 and consists of over 700 members from different sectors and regions. The committee’s mission is to create and maintain standards that promote the health and safety of various participants in the international cannabis industry, including industrial hemp.
The conference aims to provide a platform for discussion, learning, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the cannabis industry, especially those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised from the global market. The conference will feature speakers and videos from legacy, indigenous, women, and other underrepresented groups who have been impacted by prohibition and face barriers to entry into the cannabis industry. The conference will also explore philosophies, actions, and tools that can help overcome these barriers and foster inclusion and fairness.
How to Participate in the Conference?
ASTM International has opened an abstract submission portal for those who are interested in becoming speakers or submitting videos for the conference. The abstracts should be related to the conference theme and objectives and submitted by March 31, 2024. The conference’s language will be English.
The video submissions should explain the positive impacts of cannabis on the lives of the speakers or their communities and should be submitted by June 30, 2024. The videos should be no longer than 10 minutes and should be in English or have English subtitles.
The conference also offers sponsorship opportunities for those who want to support the event and gain exposure to a global audience of cannabis industry professionals and enthusiasts. The sponsorship packages include various benefits, such as logo placement, complimentary registrations, and recognition in conference materials.
More Details on the Conference
The conference will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, a world-class venue that hosts various events and exhibitions. The conference will also coincide with the 125th anniversary of ASTM International, which was founded in 1898 as the American Society for Testing and Materials.
The conference will have a tentative schedule as follows:
- Day 1: Listen to the stories and challenges of the marginalized and disenfranchised groups in the cannabis industry and reflect on how to empower them to overcome barriers to entry.
- Day 2: Identify the specific barriers to entry that affect these groups and learn about the philosophies, actions, and tools that can help them access the global cannabis market.
The conference is expected to attract hundreds of attendees from various backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and genders who share a common interest in the cannabis industry and its social and economic impacts. The conference will also provide networking opportunities and cultural activities for the participants.