Emerging Markets: New Pathways Under the FDA

Scott Rudder Related Seminars and Products

Chief Strategy Officer

American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine

Scott Rudder, Chief Strategy Officer of AJEM, is a former New Jersey State Legislator and mayor with Fortune 100 corporate experience. Prior to joining AJEM, Scott founded the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, New Jersey’s first and largest cannabis industry group, serving as its president for four years. Under Scott’s leadership, NJCBA led cannabis reform efforts to increase patient access to cannabis as a medicine as well as promotions to end outdated stigmas and stereotypes associated with cannabis prohibition. In addition, Scott helped lead efforts to pass New Jersey’s cannabis reform efforts via referendum in 2020. His leadership helped put an end to cannabis prohibition and create a path for expungement for those who were previously arrested for simple cannabis possession.

In addition to his 16 years in elected office, which included serving as a member of New Jersey’s General Assembly, Scott worked in senior staff positions in multiple government organizations including a Member of Congress, Governor of New Jersey, Speaker of the General Assembly and served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for New Jersey Transit. Rudder, who is a veteran of the New Jersey Army National Guard, also spent 13 years as a Business Development executive with Lockheed Martin, the nation’s largest defense contractor. At Lockheed Martin, Scott led domestic and international business development campaigns that included missile defense, Special Forces technologies and energy programs.

Mara Gordon Related Seminars and Products

Aunt Zeldas

Mara Gordon is a cannabis advocate, entrepreneur, and researcher. She has harnessed her background as a process engineer to create therapeutic dosing regimens for thousands of patients around the world, drastically improving their health, quality of life and longevity. Mara openly shares her knowledge about the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant – whether consulting with medical teams, through TEDx Talks or calling out hyperbole in the industry she cares so deeply about.

Mara rose to prominence through the company she co-founded, Aunt Zelda’s. Back in 2011, Aunt Zelda’s operated as a collective, bringing bespoke cannabis formulations to patients. As additional regulations were introduced in California, Mara standardized her most popular therapeutic oil blends, making them commercially available to patients through the respected Aunt Zelda’s brand.

With science as her North Star, Mara has pursued data-driven, plant-based medicine for numerous maladies. Seeking to engage a larger medical and patient community as well as to place the practice of medicine back into the hands of qualified medical practitioners, Mara launched Calla Spring Wellness, a telemedicine platform and clinical service utilized by physicians and nurses to guide them on incorporating cannabinoid-based medicines into their standard treatment plans. Calla Spring Wellnessis fueled by her careful data collection through Aunt Zelda’s, along with years of research and development in consultation with knowledgeable physicians and world-renowned researchers.

Unlike other pharmaceutical drugs with recommended dosage protocols, formal clinical research on cannabis has been unavailable in the U.S. because of its classification as a Schedule I drug, resulting in more anecdotal than factual information. Unwilling to be stymied by federal laws, Mara co-founded Zelda Therapeutics in Australia. The company brings together some of the world’s leading researchers and clinicians active in the study and use of medicinal cannabis to treat a variety of ailments. Presently, Zelda is engaged in pre-clinical research for multiple forms of cancer and diabetes-related cognitive decline, as well as clinical trials for autism, chronic pain and insomnia.

As interest in cannabis spreads, Mara continues to be an outspoken leader in the medical cannabis space. She has appeared on stage in front of audiences nationally and internationally and was featured in the films The Medicine in Marijuana, Mary Janes: Women of Weed, and the award-winning documentary Weed the People.

Tami Wahl Related Seminars and Products

Government Affairs | Public Policy

Tami L. Wahl, Modern Advocates

A true advocate, my talent translates to creating and delivering the message that advances your agenda.

With over twenty years of legal and legislative experience, I am proud to represent forward-thinking clients from a diverse business landscape.

I work with industry stakeholders, trade groups, committee staff, federal agencies, and Congressional members on both sides of the aisle to drive sound policy solutions and ultimately, create balanced pathways to market for innovative products.

My legal career started in private practice as criminal defense counsel in Austin, Texas, and for the past 10 years, I have worked as legislative and regulatory counsel, General Counsel, and In-House Counsel for entrepreneurs, and small-to-medium size companies. I have expertise in working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and a solid network of colleagues to amplify the Client’s presence if need be.

I have spoken nationally on issues germane to my work and am committed to realizing the successful intersection of consumer safety, appropriate agency oversight and unencumbered innovation.