Medical Cannabis Licensing, Business, & Employment Seminar
June 22nd and 23rd 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia
Meet industry leaders. Find out what you need to know. Make new friends.
Event Info and Agenda
Join us in celebrating the successful launch of the medical cannabis industry in the state of Georgia.
We will be hosting events in Atlanta – Saturday (6/22/19) at the Atlanta Airport Marriott, and Sunday (6/23/19) at the Atlanta-Buckhead Marriott. (Identical seminar, multiple locations)
This event will help educate attendees on the state’s new medical cannabis program, discuss applying for a medical cannabis license, present opportunities for minority businesses, employment, to forge new industry relationships and help to provide medical cannabis access to individuals who need it most.
Reserve Now Click Here for Tickets
Overview of Medical Cannabis and Georgia Medical Cannabis Law
Georgia Medical Cannabis Law (Part 2)
Applying for a Georgia Processor License
Security
Advocating for Change
Expert Industry Panel Discussion
The Georgia Medical Cannabis Licensing Seminar is a prime opportunity for you to make your presence known in Georgia’s cannabis industry.
Sponsoring the Georgia Medical Cannabis Licensing Seminar will enable you to:
- Gain access to the Georgia market.
- Explore opportunities to work with potential applicants.
- Deliver your message. Build your brand.
For more information on how you and your business can be part of the event, please contact Johnny at jjmcfadden@pamcs.org or 304-887-8899.
Sponsorships are limited.
Contact Johnny @ 304-887-8899
Don't miss out on first and largest cannabis licensing seminar in the state!
Expert Speakers

Mike employs methodologies learned in a 21-year career as an agent for the United States Secret Service protecting the President, First Lady, and other heads of state and large-scale events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl to identify vulnerabilities and implement proper risk management techniques to offer the appropriate level of protection—without adversely affecting your culture.
Throughout his career, Mike has gained unique perspectives on how to work with law enforcement, first responders, and private sector partners to evaluate physical, technical, procedural, and personnel security and conduct comprehensive needs assessments to determine what you’re doing well and where you’re exposed to risk—resulting in a best-in-class security program.
Let’s schedule a time to discuss the situation that’s exposing your people, property, assets, and investment to risk. If Mike doesn’t have the specific expertise to solve your problem, he probably knows someone who can—and he’ll connect you to his extensive network of former Secret Service agents, law enforcement professionals, and systems integrators.
With decades of experience in the security industry, Mike offers you insight from providing protective security for the private sector, such as Fortune 500 corporations, retail, high net worth, financial, healthcare, hotels, industrial, medical marijuana cultivation centers and dispensaries, casinos, and gaming and the public sector, such as government agencies, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and hospitals.
He’s also assessed emergency preparedness and event security for venues and stadiums in professional golf, football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and horse racing.
As a Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Hillard Heintze, Mike was in charge of the Strategic Security Services for the firm, directed the security services, and provided strategic thought leadership, trusted counsel, and end-to-end services to public and private corporations as well as government agencies and major public service organizations.
In his capacity as Senior Director of Security for the NBA, Mike managed and coordinated global security, as well as designed and implemented site security measures, emergency evacuation programs, and contingency procedures. He was responsible for monitoring all NBA criminal investigations and security-related incidents throughout the league. He also implemented and supervised security for the NBA All-Star Game, NBA Finals, and the FIBA World Championships.
Mike was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service for 21 years and finished his career as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Dignitary Protective Division at USSS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This assignment allowed him to be an event coordinator for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and a security adviser to the 2003 and 2004 Super Bowls. Other assignments in Washington, D.C. were to the Presidential Protective Division responsible for protecting the President, First Lady, and other heads of state and the Counter Assault Team. His major event experience provides an institutional knowledge in securing and protecting facilities and people on a large scale. Additionally, he assisted with creating security plans for the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Breeders’ Cup, and the Women’s Soccer World Cup.
Mike was born in Tipperary, Ireland, grew up in Chicago, and graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Law Enforcement Administration. He began his professional career with the Skokie, Illinois Police Department and then became a Secret Service agent starting his career in the Chicago Field Office. He also earned an M.S. in Criminology from Indiana State University.
By leveraging established liaisons with high-level law enforcement and international counterparts in both the public and private sector, Mike Verden and The Lake Forest Group offer you a security protection strategy to keep you safe, secure, and compliant.


Michael is a subject matter expert in the Global Cannabis Industry with Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG.it) and Guidepoint. He has spoken at numerous conferences including the 2019 UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference in Boston, FBI National Academy convention in Orlando, and CBD East Convention 2018 in Orlando.
Upcoming speaking engagements include ONE Senior Place in April 2019, June 6, 2019 at the Cannabis Banking Summit in Pittsburgh, PA, June 22,23 in Atlanta, GA at the US Cannabis-Medical Cannabis Society sponsored Georgia Medical Cannabis Licensure and Education Seminar, and July 12-13 at Europe CBD Expo in London, England.
Mr. Patterson is an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Medical Cannabis (AJMC), medical cannabis contributing writer for the Orlando Medical News Magazine and Florida MD Magazine, member of the Board of Directors for the Tourette Syndrome Awareness Foundation, and licensed Occupational Therapist and Nursing Home Administrator in 4 states.

In 2015, Russ founded the nonprofit organization, the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society (PAMCS), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s largest organization for professionals, educators, and leaders in the industry. Since its inception, PAMCS has been involved in over 45 educational events throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PAMCS and Cersosimo’s advocacy efforts were instrumental in 2016’s successful legalization campaign.
Today, Cersosimo is committed to forging partnerships that improve the capture and analysis of medical cannabis data. Russ sits on the ASTM D37 committee for writing cannabis industry standards and is passionate about developing solutions that will shape the industry. In addition, in 2018, the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society converted to a national model and launched the Medical Cannabis Society with the mission to educate, lead, and further medical cannabis research throughout the United States.
A serial entrepreneur as far back as his days studying Psychology at West Virginia University, Cersosimo founded Webbula, a data-centric technology company. As its CEO, Cersosimo generated high-profile clientele including Google, Yahoo, T-Mobile, Neustar, and Epsilon. Mr. Cersosimo also serves as CEO for marketing firm Optimal Reach Media. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Tourettes Syndrome Awareness Foundation.

Abigail is a strong promoter of medicinal marijuana, and her years of advocacy for cannabis legalization have allied her with global connections in both the political and business sphere.

Mr. Visher has been involved in every aspect of dispensary startup and operation, including operational planning, POS development, security procedures, corporate structure and the coordination of tax payments. His knowledge of cannabis genetics, cloning and growing contributed to several first-place awards for best sativa and indica strains developed at both Tender Healing Care and Green Man Cannabis, and his entrepreneurial expertise helped propel Green Man to gross revenues of $6 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015 and a projected $8 million-plus in 2016.

Tom is an expert in competitive application development. Previously working in the design and construction industry with a focus on Operations Management for the Department of Defense and Federal Programs for STEVENS Engineers & Constructors, Tom was responsible for ensuring they were in position to deliver the design and construction of projects to public sector clients on time and under budget.