The Business of Cannabis
Join us on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. CT (in-person in Chicago or virtually nationwide) for The Business of Cannabis. Out in Finance is excited to announce a new event series with this debut event.
Since legalizing cannabis in 2020, Illinois has seen over $5 billion in total sales, generating more than $1 billion in tax revenue and supporting over 30,000 jobs across the industry. With annual sales surpassing $1.5 billion, the cannabis market continues to drive economic growth, fund state programs, and create new business opportunities.
This dynamic event examines the economic impacts and business opportunities within the cannabis industry. A distinguished panel of industry experts will provide insights into market trends, regulatory developments, and the future of cannabis as a growing sector. Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, or industry professional, this discussion will offer valuable perspectives on the evolving business landscape. Following the panel, attendees are invited to network over drinks and light refreshments.
Not in Chicago? No problem—this event is open to attendees nationwide via Zoom.
Please RSVP as a virtual-only attendee.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
6-8 p.m. CT
In-Person Location:
Chicago Association Management
400 E. Randolph St. 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Also available online
Building Access: You need an ID to sign in to the lobby at security, as it is a high-rise. The event is on the 7th floor Conference Center and deck. First floor building reception will escort you to the correct elevator banks. Public transportation does go directly to the building via bus and within two blocks via CTA train and multiple buses. Parking available in the building garage or additional parking on the streets nearby.
Panelists
Derek Doeing
Revolution Cannabis
~moderator~
Derek Doeing is the Digital Marketing Strategist at Revolution Cannabis, a vertically integrated cannabis company with five retail locations across the state of Illinois. With an extensive background in B2B technology and sustainability, Derek now leads digital efforts to tell the stories behind the Revolution Cannabis, Tales & Travels Cannabis, and Revolution Dispensary brands. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communication from Iowa State University.
Eric Berlin
Dentons
Eric Berlin leads the US and global Cannabis teams at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. A nationally recognized authority on cannabis and hemp law, he dedicates his practice entirely to clients in or impacted by the legal cannabis and hemp industries. Eric has worked on some of the industry’s largest deals and represents several top cannabis companies. His involvement dates back over a decade, including pro bono work helping draft medical cannabis legislation in Illinois and Ohio.
He has represented a wide range of clients, from public companies and financiers to vaporizer manufacturers, labs, cultivators, and dispensaries. Beyond cannabis, Eric has handled major healthcare and antitrust cases, including a $2.3 billion Sherman Act trial and appeals across multiple federal circuits.
His groundbreaking efforts for businesses and industry organizations have been well recognized. Eric is ranked in Tier 1 for Cannabis Law by Chambers USA, earned “MVP of the Year in Cannabis Law” by Law360 in 2020 and 2022, and was named a “Leading Lawyer in Cannabis” by The Legal 500 US in 2021.
Asya Hill
Illinois Women in Cannabis
Since 2020, Asya has been a driving force in the cannabis industry, starting as a budtender and rising to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager at Curaleaf, where she led community impact initiatives and equity programs. Joining IWC’s board in 2022, Asya played a key role in strengthening industry partnerships, advocating for inclusion and leadership opportunities for women. After two years on the board, she became Executive Director, leading IWC into a new era of growth and impact. With a commitment to equity and innovation, Asya is shaping IWC’s future, ensuring that women remain at the forefront of Illinois’ cannabis industry.
Rebecca Abraham, RN, BSN
Plesio Health
Rebecca Abraham, RN, BSN, is the CEO and Founder of Plesio Health, a telehealth platform that helps patients reduce and resolve symptoms with botanical medicine with nursing guidance. Rebecca holds a certificate in Global Women’s Health Leadership from Rutgers University and is currently attending Northern Illinois University and enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, with a research focus on cannabis nursing and science. Before cannabis nursing, Rebecca worked as a board-certified critical care nurse at academic medical centers and was awarded a continuing education scholarship from National Nurses United. In 2015, she was awarded the Illinois Nurses Association “40 under 40 Leaders in Nursing” Award and was a scholarship winner for the 2012 Nurse in Washington Lobbyist Internship.
Rebecca remains an active member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, National Nurses United (NNU), and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She has testified and lobbied for healthcare, patient safety, nursing, and cannabis policies on the municipal, state, and federal levels.
Plesio Health is one of the few cannabis companies in the nation that is recommended by top doctors and providers at academic medical centers and hospitals throughout the country, with cannabis-related papers and abstracts that have been published and presented at peer-reviewed conferences and journals.