Description

NCIA is heading back to Washington, D.C. May 12–14 for the 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days & National Stakeholder Summit, the industry’s most important opportunity to shape federal policy together. 

Lobby Days arrive at a moment when decisions are actively being formed. Federal agencies are preparing for potential rescheduling. Congressional priorities are in motion. Election-year dynamics are already influencing what moves and what stalls. This is when presence matters. Not commentary from the sidelines, but informed, coordinated engagement inside the halls of Congress.

The National Stakeholder Summit opens Lobby Days by convening operators, advocates, regulators, and policy leaders for a series of panel discussions focused on the forces shaping cannabis policy right now. These conversations are designed to surface real-time insights from across the country, connect federal decision-making to state-level realities, and examine how shifts in regulation, elections, and ballot initiatives are impacting the industry on the ground.

This is not an introduction to the issues. It is a forum for informed dialogue that equips attendees with context, perspective, and alignment ahead of meetings on Capitol Hill—grounded in shared priorities and the lived experience of operating in a regulated market.

Why Attend

Over several days in D.C., participants will:

• • Engage directly with lawmakers and congressional staff while policy is still taking shape
• • Deliver consistent, credible messages rooted in operational experience
• • Strengthen relationships across the industry and with long-term allies
• • Contribute to a unified strategy that reflects the realities of regulated cannabis

National Stakeholder Summit

The Summit is designed to prepare attendees for effective advocacy and collective action. Participants will:

• • Hear from policy experts and industry leaders on federal dynamics shaping the market
• • Explore the implications of rescheduling and federal implementation
• • Align messaging ahead of congressional meetings to ensure industry voices are clear and coordinated

What to Expect

• • Advocacy training and policy briefings that prepare you to lead with confidence
• • Structured teams and scheduled meetings with congressional offices
• • Direct engagement with decision-makers and the staff who influence outcomes
• • Opportunities to connect with peers who understand what is at stake

Member Access

The 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, taking place May 12–14, are open exclusively to NCIA members. Participation ensures direct access to congressional meetings, coordinated advocacy teams, and the tools needed to engage policymakers with confidence.

The National Stakeholder Summit opens the event on May 12 and is open to all, welcoming operators, advocates, and allies to align around federal priorities and prepare for the days ahead. NCIA members receive complimentary access to the Summit.

This is not about a single bill or issue, or even one moment in time. It is about building durable influence, protecting the progress already made, and ensuring the next phase of federal cannabis policy reflects the realities of regulated operators across the country.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring this year’s Lobby Days and Stakeholder Summit? Contact sponsorship@thecannabisindustry.org to be part of the industry’s most consequential advocacy gathering.