This conference will educate participants on the dangers and effects of cannabis use among young adults, while creating a community of care to better address this growing issue. The conference will also provide an opportunity to build partnerships with other university and community members.

Thank you for your interest in attending Cultivating Cannabis Awareness: An Educational Symposium.
The conference will take place on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM at Roger Williams University.
This conference is free of charge for all attendees.

Schedule

8:30 AM – Registration begins

9:00 AM – Welcome with:

    • Dr. John King, Vice President of Student Life with Roger Williams University
    • Steven Contente, Town manger of Bristol
    • Steven Eiland, Director of Mental Health Awareness with the East Bay Regional Coalition

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Madison Rivard, MPH (Public Health Epidemiologist)

and 

Bryan Lucier (Senior Public Health Promotion Specialist) from the Rhode Island Department of Health

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM 
Jordan Davidson
Smart Approaches to Marijuana Government Affairs Manager

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Round Table

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM Complimentary Lunch Provided

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM 
Chief Anthony Silva Ret. 
Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, Coordinator/Facilitator of the Impaired Driving Engagement Council
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher,  PhD, FSAHM

Professor in Pediatrics II, Stanford University

President, Society for Adolescent Health and medicine

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM Transition to Round Table

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM Round Table

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Town Gown Conversation

“Cultivating Cannabis Awareness: An Educational Symposium,” one of the newest conferences in the public health world, will take place on January 14th, 2025, at Roger Williams University. The event promises to be a transformative experience for professionals, academics, and industry leaders of all kinds with exciting keynote speakers, breakout discussions, invaluable networking opportunities, and the opportunity to participate in a “Town Gown” discussion dedicated to all university staff members. 

 This year’s conference will focus on educating participants on the dangers and effects of cannabis use among young adults while creating a community of care to better address this growing issue. Participants will gain access to a wealth of knowledge and strategies to implement in their business, work, or research. 

Some key highlights of the “Cultivating Cannabis Awareness: An Educational Symposium” include:

Keynote Speakers:

  • Madison Rivard (Public Health Epidemiologist)
  • Bryan Lucier (Senior Public Health Promotion Specialist),
  • Jordan Davidson (Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Government Affairs Manager)
  • Chief Anthony J. Silva, Ret. (Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, Coordinator/Facilitator of the Impaired Driving Engagement Council)
  • Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, FSAHM (Developmental Psychologist), whose research has focused on understanding and reducing health risk behaviors such as tobacco use, alcohol, and marijuana use.

Round Table:

A diverse range of sessions covering specific topics aimed at promoting insightful conversation about ongoing cannabis issues.

Town Gown Discussion:

An end-of-conference discussion with the goal of addressing particular challenges related to substance misuse and mental health on Rhode Island campuses. 

Registration for the conference is now open. Space is limited, so please register before the December 20th, 2024, deadline to secure your spot!

FAQ:

Is this conference free?

Yes, the conference is free for anyone that has registered.

Is conference space limited?

Yes, space is very limited, therefore, we recommend registering by Friday December 20th.

Will lunch be provided?

Yes, lunch will be provided. The following dietary needs will be met; vegan, vegetarian, diary-free, and gluten free. You are also more than welcome to bring your own lunch.

Will I receive a certificate of attendance?

Yes, we will email out a certificate to all attendees within a week of the conference.

Will slides from the presentation be available to me after the conference?

Yes, we will email the slides and post them on this page after the event.

Are students allowed to register for the conference?

Unfortunately, students are not a part of our target audience for this conference. Our target audience includes college staff, community partners, agencies, and substance abuse prevention professionals.