As someone who has been a cannabis lobbyist for more than a decade, I’m pretty willing to bet that you’ve said at least one of these things aloud (or to yourself!) at some point:

• I can’t believe Congress didn’t pass SAFE Banking!
• What’s wrong with those people in D.C.? Why don’t they understand topic/issue/concept?
• What’s taking policymakers so long?!
  

If that sounds familiar and you’re ready to take your expertise to the halls of Congress, keep reading about how you can do just that.

NCIA’s 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days | May 12-14, 2026

NCIA is heading back to Washington, D.C. May 12-14 for the 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, kicking off with the National Stakeholder Summit. This year’s program arrives at a pivotal moment for our industry, and for federal cannabis policy writ large.

It’s a midterm election year, cannabis rescheduling is on the horizon, and control of Congress could potentially shift, so the stakes could not be higher.

Midterm elections fundamentally shape the legislative landscape. Committee leadership, party control, and legislative priorities can all change in a matter of months. For the cannabis industry, this uncertainty underscores the importance of engaging policymakers now – before election pressures intensify and policy windows close. 

Lobby days attendees will receive talking points, pre-event training, be placed on a team, and be provided with a pre-set meeting schedule. Lobby days also provides NCIA members with the unique opportunity to meet directly with congressional staff (and maybe even lawmakers themselves!) while decisions are still being formed, not after the fact.

At the same time, the industry stands on the brink of historic change. Indeed, rescheduling has the potential to reshape tax policy, research barriers, medical access, and business operations across the country, but rescheduling alone will not solve all of the industry’s challenges. Policymakers need to understand what comes next: how federal agencies should implement changes, where Congress must act to provide clarity, and how to avoid unintended consequences for state-legal operators, patients, and consumers.

Advocacy is especially critical at this moment because decisions are not being made in a vacuum. Opponents of reform are actively lobbying to slow progress, attach harmful provisions to must-pass legislation, and frame cannabis through outdated and inaccurate narratives. If industry voices are absent, those perspectives risk filling the void.

Showing up in Washington sends a clear message: the cannabis industry is organized, informed, and committed to responsible federal policy. It highlights our collective power: yes, individual meetings matter, but coordinated advocacy that’s grounded in shared priorities and consistent messaging is what drives lasting change. By coming together under the NCIA banner, members amplify their impact and reinforce the association’s role as the leading voice for the regulated cannabis industry. Lawmakers take note when they hear aligned messages from businesses, operators, and advocates across the country.

National Stakeholder Summit | May 12, 2026

The National Stakeholder Summit opens the week on May 12, grounding our advocacy before we head to Capitol Hill. Through a series of panel conversations, operators, regulators, and policy leaders will dig into the forces shaping cannabis policy right now.

These discussions are designed to connect what’s happening on the ground with what’s unfolding in Washington. From the implications of rescheduling to national trends emerging across state markets, the Summit creates shared context before we head to Capitol Hill.

By the end of the Summit, participants are prepared to advocate with clarity, consistency, and confidence, grounded in real-world experience and shared priorities.

The National Stakeholder Summit is open to all. NCIA members receive complimentary access.

Make Plans to Join Us

Right now is one of those unique moments where showing up really matters. I want to personally encourage you to register for Lobby Days, start thinking through travel plans (those flights are only going to go up in cost!), and carve out the time to join your fellow members in D.C. Being in the room, telling your personal story, and advocating together makes a real, tangible difference. More details are coming soon, including meeting logistics and preparation tips to help you make the most of your time in Washington. I’ll see you in D.C. in May!