About this event
Join us for an in-depth look at the markets driving the next wave of growth in the U.S. cannabis industry. Hirsh Jain, Founder of Ananda Strategy, will break down the recent strong performance in emerging markets like New York, Minnesota, Ohio, and Delaware, and explore how these states are shaping up for continued expansion. He’ll also discuss key catalysts to watch in 2026, including developments in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Through data, visuals, and strategic insights, Jain will highlight what makes these markets unique, how operators can position themselves for success, and what trends are likely to define the next phase of U.S. cannabis growth.
Hosted by
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Guest speaker
Alex Halperin Editor in Chief @ WeedWeekG
Alex Halperin is the founder and editor of WeedWeek, which he has been writing since 2015. His reporting on the legal cannabis industry and other business topics have appeared in Fast Company, The Washington Post, Slate, BusinessWeek, Fortune and many other publications. A Los Angeles Times/WeedWeek investigation into pesticide contaminated weed won a 2025 Loeb Award for business reporting. Halperin lives in southern California.
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Guest speaker
Hirsh Jain Founder @ Ananda StrategyG
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a strategy consultancy which advises leading cannabis brands, retailers, and ancillary technology businesses in the United States and Canada. Hirsh has also served as Vice Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, an international trade organization that promotes the interests and supports the growth of legal cannabis businesses. In addition, Hirsh has served on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in California, which for fifty years has been working to reform California's cannabis laws. Prior to working in cannabis, Hirsh was the Global Policy Lead at Airbnb in San Francisco. Before that, he worked as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in New York City. Hirsh has a B.A. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
