Megan Mbengue, MSMCT, BSN, RN – Founder & CEO is the revolutionary force behind Trusted Canna Nurse. As a Rhinelander native and UW-Madison graduate (class of ‘07), Megan set out to bridge the divide between patients and the world of cannabis and CBD in 2022. With over 10 years of nursing experience in diverse fields like oncology, labor delivery, and hospice care, she brings a unique perspective to her practice.

Megan holds national certifications in three nursing specialties and a Master of Science degree in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics and has helped hundreds of patients find relief with natural plant medicine.

Megan has done some incredible work with Trusted Canna Nurse. Earlier this year, she partnered with former Green Bay Packer, Gilbert Brown, on a product targeted for people with head injuries. She has also completed a research study on CBD suppositories for women’s health and lobbied to help keep full spectrum CBD legal in California.

Megan is excited to be back on her stomping grounds of Madison to bring her knowledge and expertise to The Great Midwest Hemp Fest and show how amazing this beautiful plant can be.

Lynn Wachtler RN, MSN, BC-FNP CMCC is a nationally certified nurse practitioner, certified medical cannabis consultant and subject matter expert in Vibrational Medicine, sub specializing in the field of cannabis. Post graduate, she received a certificate in Cannabis Science and Medicine from the University of Vermont, Robert Larner College of Medicine and is currently pursuing advanced certification in the art of Healing Touch.

She is founder and owner of Ceres Medical, a medically oriented, boutique style cannabis brand whose mission is to enhance wellbeing with safe, easy to use, clinician formulated cannabis products. She is a long time patient and employee advocate, guide, researcher, writer, and speaker in the areas of cannabis medicine, and nurse well-being.

Hear from Dr. Anna McConville.  “As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified cannabis consultant, and pain specialist, I focus on helping people find targeted cannabis solutions for chronic pain and complex health issues. With over 20 years in integrative mind-body care, I blend evidence-based practices with compassionate, individualized treatment. My work incorporates cannabis, somatic movement, and the latest in pain neuroscience, providing holistic strategies for pain relief and well-being. 

Whether it’s through microdosing, finding the right strain, or using topicals, cannabis can be a powerful tool in managing pain when used thoughtfully. I’m here to guide you on how to incorporate it into a larger toolkit for health.” 

Certifications: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Cannabis Consultant, Pain Neuroscience Specialist

Rachel A. Parmelee, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC, is a Michigan native currently developing courses for the Master of Science in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis program for the BioMolecular Sciences Department at the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy. Rachel is the Immediate Past President and Board Director of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, a Certified Nurse Educator, and an Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified. She is also completing her Ph.D. dissertation related to medical cannabis and has published research in the Journal of Nursing Regulation. Rachel co-authored two chapters, Pharmacology and Research Trends, for Wolter’s Kluwer publication, Clark’s Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses. Rachel became a nurse in 2008 and began educating about cannabinoid therapeutics in 2015 after a family member became interested in medical cannabis at the end of life.

Jen Randolph Reise [pronounced rye-zuh] is a transactional business attorney and entrepreneur. She is Head of Business and Cannabis Law at North Star Law Group in St. Paul, Minnesota (NorthStarLaw.com), where she advises business owners on formation, equity arrangements, regulatory compliance, and other corporate issues.

She has quickly become one of the go-to lawyers for Minnesota cannabis businesses after Minnesota’s legalization of adult-use cannabis in May 2023. In particular, Jen represents many social equity applicants and entrepreneurs seeking to launch craft cannabis businesses. She has been profiled in the Star Tribune, Minneapolis St.-Paul Business Journal, and Racket.MN (which dubbed her the “weed lady lawyer”), and frequently speaks on podcasts, CLEs, and panels on cannabis law and policy.

A securities attorney by training, she is passionate about helping founders manage risk proactively and maintain control while raising the capital they need.

Bob “Bobby Beans” Hickey Jr. is the visionary founder of Let’s Legalize Wisconsin, a grassroots movement that has rapidly united over 40,000 (and growing) advocates for cannabis reform online. A dedicated lobbyist, Bob actively engages with state policymakers, providing crucial education on the benefits of cannabis. He also hosts “The Potcast with Bobby Beans,” a weekly show that delivers the latest news and updates on cannabis. Through his dynamic approach—blending policy advocacy with informative broadcasting—Bob is committed to advancing legalization efforts and driving innovation within the cannabis industry.

15% Off all Let’s Legalize Wisconsin Merch with Promo Code: HEMPFEST (code active until 10/15/24 at 11:59PM) Redeem at http://linktree.com/LetsLegalizeWI

Anthony Alegrete (COO & Co-Founder of 40 Tons Brand) is one of three dynamic forces behind the success of 40 Tons, a pioneering brand in the cannabis industry with a profound commitment to social impact. As the Chief Operations Officer, Anthony brings over two decades of entrepreneurial experience to the table, coupled with an unwavering dedication to advocacy and change. His journey, marked by personal struggles and triumphs, fuels his passion for championing the cause of cannabis prisoners and their families, shaping the very ethos of 40 Tons. Anthony’s leadership is defined by his self-motivation and entrepreneurial spirit, driving him to immerse himself fully in every project and tirelessly push boundaries until the mission is accomplished. His infectious energy and relentless pursuit of growth transform obstacles into opportunities, inspiring his team to strive for excellence and realize the vision of a more equitable cannabis industry.

Andrew Hysell is the Democratic nominee for assembly for Wisconsin’s 48th district which includes Sun Prairie and parts of east Madison. He works as an attorney at LawtonCates, S.C. and has been active in the legalization movement here in Wisconsin. Working with Melissa Agard, he has advocated with both the Governor and legislature to support full legalization and decriminalization. In 2018, he helped orchestrate county-level advisory ballot initiatives for legalization across the state.

Leili Fatehi, Partner & Principal at Blunt Strategies is one of the chief architects of Minnesota’s cannabis legalization policy. Leili Fatehi’s multidisciplinary background has established her as a leading innovative and effective strategist at the nexus of politics, policy and industry development. Her adept understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks, combined with her relationship-building and negotiating skills, were at the helm of the MN is Ready campaign that culminated in the 2023 legislative approval of adult-use cannabis in Minnesota. She continues to be an instrumental force in guiding Minnesota’s emerging cannabis industry at Blunt Strategies, Minnesota’s first and only cannabis-specific strategic consulting firm. Her resourcefulness and ability to forge powerful alliances have made her one of the best connected figures in the Minnesota cannabis landscape, bridging the gap between industry and government.

Rachel A. Parmelee, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC, is a Michigan native currently developing courses for the Master of Science in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis program for the BioMolecular Sciences Department at the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy. Rachel is the Immediate Past President and Board Director of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, a Certified Nurse Educator, and an Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified. She is also completing her Ph.D. dissertation related to medical cannabis and has published research in the Journal of Nursing Regulation. Rachel co-authored two chapters, Pharmacology and Research Trends, for Wolter’s Kluwer publication, Clark’s Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses. Rachel became a nurse in 2008 and began educating about cannabinoid therapeutics in 2015 after a family member became interested in medical cannabis at the end of life.

Dr. Shelby Ellison, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She received a B.S. in Genetics at UW-Madison, a Ph.D. in Genetics at UC-Davis and was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at UW-Madison. Her research interests include preserving, characterizing, and utilizing genetic diversity to develop new alternative crops that meet the needs of farmers while considering environmental implications. Dr. Ellison is leading a nationwide effort to collect feral cannabis germplasm to help rebuild the US seedbank. She is also a member of the Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative, which trials high cannabinoid, grain and fiber hemp cultivars for regional adaptation.

Meet Angelique Zerillo. As a former NCAA D1 athlete who struggled with pain management and a female who flailed through Western Medicine’s recommendations for breast health monitoring, Angelique is keen on flipping the script on cannabis and psychedelic consumption, addressing stigmas, expanding education and mindsets, increasing equitable access, and most importantly, protecting consumer and patient rights as they turn to plant-based inputs to manage their well-being. She is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The North Bloom, a new cannabis health and lifestyle print magazine in the Twin Cities, a Co-Founder of Sinter Group, Inc., and a Certified Ganjier. She lives in Chicago with her best boyfriend of 30 years, 3 gentlemen and scholars, and an adopted, Velcro supermutt named Suka.

Introducing Dana Thompson. A direct descendant of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and Mdewakanton Dakota tribes and lifetime Minnesota native, Dana has worked for over a decade within the food sovereignty movement. She has engaged extensively throughout tribal communities, promoting critical ways to improve food access and implementing strategies to do the most possible good as a social entrepreneur.

As former co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of The Sioux Chef, she managed all business development strategies for the company. In July 2021, Dana co-founded Owamni by The Sioux Chef, Minnesota’s first full-service Indigenous restaurant. Owamni received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the U.S. in June 2022. Their team was able to name Owamni Restaurant based on the location, thanks to a book that was published called Where the Waters Gather and the Rivers Meet, by Paul Durand. This book was dedicated to Clem Felix, Dana’s grandfather. He was the Dakota speaker who helped with the creation of this document to preserve the authentic native names of the Dakota Territory. 

Dana also co-founded the nonprofit NĀTIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems). Through NĀTIFS, she developed health and wellness initiatives focused on addressing and treating ancestral trauma through decolonized perspectives of honoring and leveraging Indigenous wisdom. Dana stepped away from NāTIFS in 2023 to pursue other passions within the food, wellness, and entrepreneurial social impact space.

In 2024, Dana launched the beverage brand Heti which is designed to transport you to a place in nature, honoring our plant relatives. Heti is also using a percentage of revenue to develop sustainable housing for Indigenous community members. 

Also in 2024, The Modern Indigenous was born, a company dedicated to creating decolonized meals in order to educate about the health and wealth of culinary knowledge within Indian Country. 

Dana served as a founding member on the leadership committee of the James Beard Foundation Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, and currently sits as Vice Chair on the board of directors of the nonprofit Owámniyomni Okhódayapi.