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 provide solutions to the most pressing cannabis-related challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities. The event will bring together tribal leaders, elected and government officials, businesses, healthcare professionals, veterans groups and advocacy organizations.
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 summit kicks off with a closed-door roundtable for tribal leaders and regulators on November 1, 2023. On Thursday, November 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 and marketing.
“The ultimate goal of this policy convening is for Indian Country’s voice to be heard loud and clear,” says ICIA Executive Director Mary Jane 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 tibal cannabis policy is not a one-size-fits-all approach and consultation with Indigenous communities and tribal nations on cannabis reform is imperative.”
