Tribal Leaders Gather In D.C. For 3rd Annual Indigenous Cannabis Summit

The third annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit, hosted by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), will take place from November 13 to 15 in Washington, D.C. This event aims to unite Tribal leaders, government officials, industry professionals, healthcare experts, veterans groups and advocacy organizations. The three-day gathering will focus on addressing key cannabis-related challenges and opportunities for Indigenous communities, providing attendees with actionable strategies to protect and advance their interests in the hemp and cannabis sectors.

Focus on Cannabis Reform In A Pivotal Year

Taking place in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall and Monuments, the summit coincides with an important election year. With the theme "Tribal Cannabis Reform Moving Forward," the event aims to develop a strategic plan for influencing cannabis reform under the upcoming administration.

Rob Pero, founder of the ICIA and the Wisconsin-based hemp company Canndigenous, emphasized the summit's significance, saying, "In our third year of the Summit, and a pivotal election year, we have a unique opportunity to make an impact."

Highlighting Tribal Sovereignty And Economic Opportunities

The summit will provide a platform for discussing the complexities of cannabis legalization, with a particular emphasis on preserving the sovereign rights of Indigenous communities to participate in the hemp and cannabis industries. "We're looking forward to bringing together our Indigenous communities to discuss the path toward destigmatization and the equitable federal deregulation of cannabis and hemp," said Pero. He highlighted the event’s evolution over the past three years, adding, "This year we've included networking and educational opportunities from a trusted network of industry experts as well as representation from Tribal and government leaders."

The diverse agenda includes discussions on building economic opportunities in the cannabis sector for Indian Country. Sessions will address capacity-building for tribes, providing them with the tools needed to navigate the legal landscape and develop sustainable industry practices.

Registration And ICIA’s Mission

The ICIA's mission centers on building a fair and sustainable Indigenous cannabis industry through informed policy, community empowerment, and connection. The event is open to the public. Registration is available at indigenouscannabissummit.com. To learn more about the ICIA's vision and efforts to support Indigenous interests in the cannabis space, visit indigenouscannabis.org.

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.