2026 Indigenous Cannabis Industry & Policy Summit
About this Event
2026 Indigenous Cannabis Industry & Policy Summit
"Indigenous Plant Medicine: Leading the Conversation"
Join us in Washington, DC, for the 5th annual Indigenous Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit.
Connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates across three full days of programs to discuss the future of cannabis in Indigenous communities and what we want Congress and The White House to hear.
National Summit Themes & Continuity
Federal Policy & Tribal Sovereignty: Builds on state-level conversations but framed nationally — highlighting Farm Bill, DEA licensing, and interstate commerce.
Industry Growth & Global Reach: From intertribal trade to international market opportunities for Indigenous brands.
Finance & Infrastructure: Expanding on regional finance talks into national capital access, banking reform, and insurance solutions for Native enterprises.
Wellness & Public Health: Continuing the patient advocacy and health dialogue with national data-driven approaches to wellness.
Innovation & Standards: Elevating track-and-trace, compliance, and safety into national regulatory standards discussions.
Collaboration & Capacity Building: Showcasing how tribes can lead nationally in building cannabis and hemp supply chains.
*Agenda is subject to change. Call for sessions is still open!
Day 1
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration & Welcome Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Keynote Address: Behind the Lens: Indigenous Voices Blazing Trails
Host: Gary Farmer
Info: An inspiring conversation with acclaimed actor and Indigenous advocate Gary Farmer about the power of Indigenous storytelling, representation, and leadership. Drawing on his career and experience, Farmer will explore the importance of reclaiming Indigenous narratives, challenging stereotypes, and creating space for Indigenous voices to shape the national conversation.
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Tribal Leadership Roundtable: Sovereignty in Action
Info: Tribal leaders from across Indian Country will share firsthand experiences building cannabis and hemp programs grounded in Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic development. The conversation will explore the opportunities and challenges of developing Tribal regulatory frameworks, engaging Tribal communities, building successful enterprises, navigating intertribal commerce, and creating sustainable economic opportunities. Panelists will offer practical lessons from their own experiences and discuss what it takes to turn sovereignty into action.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Networking Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Building Sustainable Tribal Cannabis Economies
Info: What does it take to build a Tribal cannabis economy that can thrive for generations? This practical discussion will examine the foundational elements of successful Tribal cannabis enterprises from legal and regulatory infrastructure to agriculture, workforce development, financing, and investment. Panelists will share lessons learned and strategies for building businesses that create jobs, generate Tribal revenue, strengthen communities, and support long-term economic self-determination.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Research & Indigenous Medicine
Info: Indigenous communities have long understood the importance of plant-based medicine and traditional healing practices. This session will explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, cannabis research, and modern medicine, examining opportunities to advance research while respecting Tribal sovereignty, intellectual property, cultural knowledge, and community priorities. Panelists will consider how Tribes can play a leading role in shaping the future of cannabis research and Indigenous medicine.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Networking Break
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
Lightning Talks: From Seed to Success
Info: Hear directly from the Tribal entrepreneurs and operators building the cannabis and hemp industry from the ground up. In a series of fast-paced presentations, operators will share real-world stories from cultivation, manufacturing, retail, hemp production, distribution, and other areas of the supply chain. Each speaker will offer practical lessons, hard-earned insights, and strategies for turning Tribal cannabis businesses from vision into sustainable enterprises.
🕑: 04:15 PM - 05:00 PM
Fireside Chat: The Next Five Years of Tribal Cannabis
Info: Where is Tribal cannabis headed and what does it take to build the industry Tribes want to see? This forward-looking conversation examines the next five years of Tribal cannabis, including federal policy, market expansion, intertribal commerce, investment, technology, research, and evolving regulatory frameworks. The discussion will explore both the opportunities ahead and the challenges Tribes must address to ensure that cannabis development strengthens sovereignty and delivers lasting benefits to communities.
Day 2
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:40 AM
Welcome
Host: Mary Jane Oatman
🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Morning Keynote: Cannabis as Indigenous Medicine
Host: Steph Sherer
Info: A conversation about cannabis, healing, and the growing recognition of its therapeutic potential. Steph Sherer will explore the evolution of cannabis as medicine, the role of patient advocacy and research, and the opportunities for Indigenous communities to shape the future of cannabis-based healthcare while honoring traditional knowledge and Tribal sovereignty.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Federal Tribal Cannabis Policy Update
Info: The federal landscape for Tribal cannabis and hemp is evolving rapidly. This timely policy discussion will examine the latest developments in Congress, DEA scheduling, USDA Tribal hemp programs, FDA oversight, Indian Health Service considerations, Treasury guidance, cannabis banking, tax reform, and other federal policies affecting Tribal Nations. Panelists will translate these developments into practical implications for Tribal governments and enterprises and identify opportunities for Tribes to engage directly with federal agencies and policymakers.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Building National Coalitions & Capitol Hill Advocacy Workshop
Info: Effective advocacy requires more than a strong policy position—it requires relationships, coordination, and a clear strategy. This interactive workshop will provide Tribal leaders and advocates with practical tools for building national coalitions, developing shared policy priorities, engaging congressional offices, and communicating effectively with policymakers. Participants will leave with strategies they can use to strengthen Tribal voices in Washington and build broader support for Tribal priorities.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Capitol Hill Strategy Session
Info: A hands-on strategy session focused on turning Tribal priorities into federal action. Participants will examine how to prepare for congressional meetings, identify key decision-makers, develop effective talking points, coordinate with Tribal and industry partners, and build momentum beyond a single Hill visit. The session will focus on practical strategies for maximizing Tribal influence and advancing legislative and regulatory priorities.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Networking Lunch
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Intertribal Trade & Economic Partnerships
Info: The future of Tribal cannabis may depend not only on individual Tribal enterprises, but on the strength of the relationships between them. This session will explore opportunities for intertribal trade, shared infrastructure, strategic partnerships, regional supply chains, joint ventures, and other models for Tribal-to-Tribal economic collaboration. Panelists will discuss how Tribes can work together to build stronger markets, retain economic value within Indian Country, and create opportunities that individual enterprises may not be able to achieve alone.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Tribal Regulatory Innovation
Info: Tribes have an opportunity to build regulatory systems that reflect their unique governmental authority, community priorities, and economic goals. This session will showcase innovative approaches to Tribal cannabis regulation, including licensing, compliance, public safety, testing, taxation, enforcement, and market development. Panelists will share lessons from Tribal regulatory programs and explore how Tribes can create effective frameworks that support both responsible industry growth and Tribal sovereignty.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Summit Closing Session
🕑: 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Awards Reception
Day 3
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lobby Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Veteran's Day Bunch & Capitol Hill Briefing
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Travel to Capitol HIll, destination TBD
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Capitol Hill Press Briefing
🕑: 01:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Congressional Meetings
🕑: 04:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Advocacy Debrief
Where is it happening?
USD 534.31
