The second annual National Indigenous Industry and Policy Summit convenes Tribal leaders, advocates, and policymakers to discuss cannabis legalization and Indian Country 

Washington DC, Aug. 15, 2023 — The second annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit, hosted by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), will take place Nov. 1-3 in Washington D.C., to bring together Tribal leaders, elected and government officials, businesses, healthcare professionals, veterans groups, and advocacy organizations and to provide solutions to the most pressing cannabis-related challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities. Registration open to the public at indigenouscannabissummit.com. 

The Washington, D.C.-based policy summit highlights the importance of Tribal hemp and cannabis advocacy and is a platform to discuss the complexities of cannabis legalization with an emphasis on defending the sovereign right of Indigenous communities to build sustainable growth in the cannabis and hemp industries. 

“The ICIA is excited to host our second annual National Indigenous Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit this year, to bring together Indigenous communities and discuss the path toward destigmatization and federal deregulation of cannabis and hemp,” says Rob Pero, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and Wisconsin-based hemp company Canndigenous. “We’ll have representation from Tribal and government leaders as well as educational opportunities for our members as we discuss ways to build economic opportunities in cannabis for Indian Country.” 

The National Indigenous Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit takes place in the heart of Washington, D.C., just steps for the National Mall and Monuments. The Summit kicks off with a closed-door roundtable for Tribal leaders and regulators on Nov. 1. Beginning Thursday, Nov. 2, the Summit opens to the public for two days of education and action, providing Tribal nations in attendance with data collection, cannabis advocacy strategies, and tools to become successful in cannabis economic development. The lineup of educational seminars and keynote speakers will address the future of hemp and cannabis for all pillars of the industry, from agricultural and environmental topics to retail, banking, textiles, marketing, and more. View the full agenda online at indigenouscannabissummit.com/agenda. 

The final day of the summit, Friday, Nov. 3, is a day of advocacy and action, culminating the three-day Summit on Capitol Hill with a mission led by ICIA Executive Director Mary Jane Oatman. “The ultimate goal of this policy convening is for Indian Country’s voice to be heard loud and clear,” says Oatman. “We would like to see the federal government recognize and understand the importance of deference to Tribal sovereignty. We also ask them to recognize that addressing Tribal cannabis policy is not a one-size-fits-all approach and consultation with Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations on cannabis reform is imperative.” 

The ICIA exists to build an equitable and sustainable Indigenous cannabis industry through sensible policy, empowerment, and connection. To register for this year’s National Indigenous Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit and learn more about ICIA’s strategic vision and priorities, visit indigenouscannabis.org. 

About Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association 

The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association exists to promote the exploration, development, and advancement of the cannabis industry for the benefit of all Indigenous communities. ICIA is dedicated to the advocacy and empowerment of our Indigenous cannabis businesses, influencers, and aspiring entrepreneurs along with being a conduit of connection and data for Indigenous Nations as we push towards a vision of an equitable, just, and sustainable Indigenous cannabis economy. To learn more about ICIA’s strategic vision and priorities, visit indigenouscannabis.org.