Where Knowledge
Meets Culture
At Louisiana Cann Festival 2026, education isn’t an add-on, it’s the foundation. Our sessions are designed to inform, empower, and connect our community through real conversations, expert insight, and lived experience.
Education sessions will take place throughout the day across dedicated learning spaces inside the festival.
MEET OUR EDUCATORS
Brittnee Castille
Brittnee offers a slow, somatic flow experience designed to support deep presence, embodiment, and inner connection. Participation in cannabis use is optional and guided with intention, offered as a potential support for enhancing mindfulness and body awareness.
Through gentle movement, breathwork, and mindful facilitation, Brittale creates a grounded space where participants are invited to slow down, soften, and fully arrive in themselves. The experience integrates education on the historical relationship between plant medicine and contemplative practices, highlighting its traditional role in supporting meditation and embodied awareness.
Her intention is to hold a safe, supportive environment where people can reconnect with their bodies, regulate the nervous system, and explore presence in a calm, conscious, and intentional way.
Dr. Joszi aldridge
Dr. Joszi C. Aldridge is an emergency medicine physician based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with over a decade of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and has spent 11–20 years in practice.
Specializing in emergency care, she is trained to rapidly assess and treat life-threatening conditions, including heart attacks, severe injuries, shock, burns, and overdoses.
DR. GREGORY WARD
Dr. Gregory Ward is a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Management (Cannabis & Hemp Continuing Education Symposium), licensed in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida. He is the founder of the Louisiana Institute of Physical Medicine and has been practicing in Baton Rouge since 1990.
He currently serves as Medical Director at multiple rehabilitation and healthcare facilities across Louisiana. Dr. Ward specializes in functional rehabilitation and comprehensive pain management, including advanced minimally invasive procedures, regenerative medicine, and treatment of complex conditions such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and orthopedic trauma.
A highly trained physician with a Ph.D. in Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis, Dr. Ward completed his medical training at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and his residency at Rush University Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident.
BREA DARBY
Brea Darby presents a thought-provoking perspective on cannabis, exploring its role in expanding consciousness and deepening the connection between mind and spirit.
Her work educates audiences on the primitive and metaphysical roots of cannabis use, highlighting how it interacts with the subconscious to support introspection, awareness, and personal enlightenment.
FRANCIS JORDAN
Francis Jordan is a quality assurance and analytical chemistry leader specializing in cannabis testing, compliance, and product quality systems. With 15+ years of experience across lab and manufacturing environments, he has led QC teams, managed CAPA/SOP programs, and supported audit-ready operations using frameworks such as ISO/IEC 17025, cGMP, and ISO 9001. His technical background spans cannabinoid and terpene analysis, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contamination translating complex lab data into practical, consumer-friendly guidance.
Francis is also the founder of Blu Leaf, where he supports product development with an emphasis on consistency, safety, and intentional cannabinoid use. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 100 Black Men of Baton Rouge, and American Chemical Society.
HAZEL ROWE
Hashy Hazel is a cannabis professional originally from Louisiana who spent four years in Denver earning an Associate’s Degree in Cannabis Science and Operations. Her expertise is centered on solventless extractions, a focus driven by her personal health journey and the significant benefits she experienced using rosin and hash. During her time in Denver, Hashy gained extensive hands-on experience across the industry, including event coordination, solventless extraction, packaging, cultivation, and retail.
She is passionate about bringing this knowledge back to her home state to support and educate local patients.
KEVIN CALDWELL
Kevin joined MPP in December 2021. As the Southeast Legislative Manager, Kevin leads MPP’s lobbying efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Kansas. Kevin founded CommonSenseNOLA, a grassroots cannabis reform organization, in 2012 and was the President until 2021. He served as a board member of Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana from 2014-2020.He is currently Vice President of the Cannabis Council of Louisiana. Kevin has advocated and lobbied on the municipal and statewide levels for medical cannabis, removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession, and legalization tax and regulate bills, in addition to other criminal justice reforms.
Kevin worked at the City of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and was a board member/Vice President of the Broadmoor Improvement Association from 2006-2012. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of New Orleans. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia but has made Louisiana home since 1992.
Dr. CHontel parker
Dr. Chontel J. Parker, Ph.D., ABS, affectionately known as Doc Phoenix, is a free spirited nudist, certified sexologist, kink educator, and liberation guide devoted to helping people reclaim pleasure, power, and personal truth. She is the creator of Passport to Phreedom, her signature interactive and stampable experience designed to guide individuals through embodied exploration, erotic self discovery, and liberation in action.
Through her podcast Pleasure Prescriptions: Doc Phoenix’s Sensual Sessions, along with immersive workshops, play parties, and upscale kink events, Doc Phoenix blends science, spirituality, sexuality, and self expression into transformative spaces where healing and pleasure coexist. Her work centers on authentic connection, erotic education, and the belief that pleasure is a pathway to wholeness.
She will be talking about Take Phlight into Phreedom: How Cannabis Helps Us Pheel, Heal, and Come Alive
Frank johnson
The Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Courtesy Grows, a New Orleans native, veteran, and agricultural advocate, will lead a discussion on The Evolution of Cannabis: From Seed to Effect.
With a strong focus on small farmer education and workforce development within Louisiana’s hemp industry, he brings real-world insight into cultivation, science, and industry growth. This talk explores the full journey of cannabis from seed to its final effects bridging agriculture, innovation, and community impact.
James grayer
James is a Processing Supervisor at Ilera Holistic with four years of experience, specializing in MDI and 510 cartridge production. As a department ambassador, he brings deep expertise as an aromachologist and terpenologist, with a strong focus on flavor, formulation, and the science behind cannabis extracts.
Uncle tee (Cannabis educator expert)
Uncle Tee is a leading authority in cannabis horticulture, the science and art of cultivating high value garden crops in an urban environment. With over 20 years of experience blending plant science, and modern approaches to intensive plant production.
As a consultant and educator, he advises his students in urban agriculture, rare heirloom variety and water-efficient irrigation.
Uncle, Tee is passionate about bridging science to urban horticulture, he believes horticulture isn’t just about growing plants, it is a love, passion and therapy that nourish both people and the planet.
EDUCATION SESSIONS SCHEDULE
Topic: The Endocannabinoid System: The Missing Link in Modern Medicine
Speaker: Dr. Gregory Ward
Topic: Cannabis, Culture & Community in the South
Speakers: Frank Johnson, Kumi
Topic: Gatekeepers, Loopholes & Power Plays
Speakers: Kevin + Louisiana Industry Leaders
Topic: Smart Cannabis: Dose Better. Choose Better. Feel Better
Speaker: Robyn (Master’s Candidate in Cannabinoid Medicine)
Topic: Pleasure, Presence & Power
Speaker: Doc Phoenix
Topic: From Hustle to Holdings: Building Real Wealth in Cannabis Without a License
Speakers: Kevin + Frank Johnson
Topic: From Opioids to Options
Speaker: Dr. Aldridge
Topic: Cannabis Career Paths — No BS
Speakers: Jared, Kevin, Frank Johnson
BEFORE
YOU GO....
This isn’t just another festival. It’s a space where culture, conversation, and community all come together in one place.
LCFEST 2026 is built for the people who care about where things are going and want to be part of shaping it. From music to education to real dialogue, this is where it all connects.
We’d love to see you there.