FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) to Convene Industry Leaders in Washington for Annual Lobby Days, Bringing Together a Unified Voice for Federal Cannabis Reform

 Washington, D.C. — April 22, 2026 — The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the nation’s leading cannabis trade association, today announced its upcoming 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, which will bring operators, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to Capitol Hill to meet directly with lawmakers and staff on the most pressing federal cannabis policy priorities. 

 At a time when the cannabis industry is larger and more complex than ever, Lobby Days serves as a critical moment to bring together voices from across the ecosystem – ensuring that policymakers hear a more complete and unified perspective. 

 Scheduled for May 12-14,  the NCIA Lobby Days come at a pivotal moment for federal cannabis policy, as conversations around rescheduling, regulation for all cannabis and cannabinoid products, and broader reform continue to evolve in Washington, D.C. NCIA members from across the country are expected to participate, representing a wide cross-section of the regulated cannabis economy, from small independent operators to multi-state businesses and service providers. 

 “State-regulated cannabis businesses are operating in nearly every corner of the country, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and meeting clear consumer demand with highly regulated and tested products,” said Brooke Gilbert, COO of NCIA. “But outdated federal policies continue to hold this industry back. Lobby Days is about bringing our industry together, across markets, segments, and perspectives, to ensure that policymakers hear not just individual voices, but the collective voice of a regulated, responsible cannabis community.” 

 Participants will meet with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for a comprehensive set of reforms in the 119th Congress and beyond, while also supporting near-term, bipartisan solutions that can provide immediate relief to regulated operators and consumers. 

 Key Policy Priorities 

 During Lobby Days, NCIA will highlight a set of shared priorities that reflect the needs of a diverse and rapidly evolving industry: 

• Comprehensive Federal Reform: NCIA continues to call on Congress to end federal prohibition and establish a rational regulatory framework that respects state programs, ensures product safety, and addresses the long-term harms of prohibition. 
• Protecting State-Legal Markets: In the absence of comprehensive reform, NCIA is urging Congress to protect state-regulated cannabis programs from federal interference and expand existing appropriations safeguards to include adult-use markets.  
• Advancing Rescheduling: NCIA supports the ongoing administrative process to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III and opposes any legislative efforts to delay or undermine that progress.  
• Expanding Financial Access and Tax Fairness: NCIA is advocating for legislation that ensures cannabis businesses have access to banking, lending, insurance, payment processing, and fair tax treatment, tools that are available to virtually every other highly regulated, legal industry.  
• Veterans Access to Medical Cannabis: NCIA supports efforts to ensure that veterans can access medical cannabis through the Department of Veterans Affairs in accordance with state laws.
• Regulatory Clarity for Cannabinoids: With cannabinoid products widely available nationwide, NCIA is calling on Congress to establish clear federal standards for testing, labeling, and youth protections. 

“For operators on the ground, the current federal framework is more than a policy issue, it is a direct business constraint,” said Ben Larson, NCIA Board Member. “This industry doesn’t always speak with one voice and that’s exactly why moments like Lobby Days matter. It’s an opportunity to come together, align where we can, and show policymakers the full picture of what a regulated cannabis market looks like. Whether it’s access to financial services, fair taxation, or regulatory clarity, these are solvable problems, but they require Congress to engage with the reality of today’s cannabis market, not the politics of the past.” 

NCIA’s Annual Lobby Days is one of the cannabis industry’s largest coordinated federal advocacy efforts, bringing together businesses from across the country to engage directly with policymakers. As the industry continues to grow and diversify, NCIA plays a unique role in connecting stakeholders, elevating shared priorities, and creating space for collaboration across segments that don’t always naturally align. 

“As conversations around rescheduling, cannabinoid regulation, and broader reform continue to evolve, it’s critical that policymakers are hearing from the regulated industry,” Gilbert added. “Our role is to ensure those voices are not fragmented, but part of a broader, more unified conversation about the future of cannabis in the United States.” 

Media interested in covering NCIA Lobby Days or scheduling interviews with participating members can contact the NCIA media representative below. 

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Contact:
Jordan Isenstadt
516-991-3842
Jisenstadt@marinopr.com 

About the National Cannabis Industry Association:
The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is the oldest, largest, and most inclusive trade association representing the legal cannabis industry in the United States. Founded in 2010, NCIA advances the interests of the cannabis industry at large through advocacy, education, and engagement with policymakers at the federal level. Its membership spans the full cannabis ecosystem, including cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, and ancillary service providers, all working to build a safe, responsible, and sustainable industry. 

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