Cannabis cover: current needs and future opportunities

PANEL

Lars Rittmann, Commercial Lines, Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers

A proponent of cannabis since he presented a Grade 13 Geography class in 1989 called “How Hemp Can Save The Planet”, Lars Rittman has enjoyed a varied career on his way to becoming a Commercial Insurance Broker. He has worked as a truck driver, fabrication welder and business owner of a metal fabricating shop. He now works at Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers. As a hockey enthusiast and amateur football referee, his spare time is equally busy. He is married with two children and lives in Kitchener.

Michael Nashat, PharmD, President & Chief Executive Officer, TerrAscend

Based in Mississauga, ON, TerrAscend is a vertically-integrated Canadian cannabis company that strives to create and deliver quality products and services that meet the evolving needs of the cannabis market. TerrAscend operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Solace Health Inc., an ACMPR licensed producer, and THN is health navigation and support program that assists medical professionals and patients seeking cannabis treatment, education and/or coverage.

Holly Nurmi, Deputy Underwriter, O2 Insurance Services Inc.

Holly joined O2 Insurance Services Inc. in June 2017, with 10 years of retail brokerage and underwriting experience. Specifically, her expertise is in product and program development, risk management underwriting, and business development for specialty and under serviced business segments such as high-risk adventure tourism, hard to place homeowner’s risks, high valued homes and specialty liability risks. An approved underwriter on Lloyds facilities, Holly brings a unique and comprehensive skill set to support the development and implementation of O2’s Evolve, Cannabis Insurance Solutions.

Matt Boudreau, Account Director, H+K Strategies

Matt is an experienced public affairs professional who brings end-to-end knowledge of the political and policy-making process and a deep understanding of engagement strategy. He currently provides strategic public affairs advice to a number of clients at H+K, with a focus on the cannabis industry and healthcare. At H+K, Matt has worked with close to a dozen cannabis sector stakeholders, including a number of licensed producers, providing advice and analysis on a range of policy and political issues at the provincial and federal levels. Matt came to H+K from the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres, where he provided communications and public affairs advice to senior executives during a time of sector transformation.

MODERATOR

Cailey Greenberg, Legal Counsel at Canopy Growth Corporation

Cailey Greenberg is legal counsel for Canopy Growth Corporation, one of the world’s largest medical cannabis companies. Cailey has been with Canopy for over three years and works on a diverse range of legal matters, with an emphasis on regulatory compliance. She enjoys working in the cannabis industry and is excited to see what the future holds, starting with the upcoming legalization of cannabis in Canada.