Back with a fresh new look, NCIA’s popular Cannabis Caucus Series are meaningful networking events that pop up in five of the most burgeoning cannabis markets every three months. We launched this event series three years ago as an exclusive opportunity for NCIA members and their guests to connect with each other, learn about regional issues from influential guest speakers and get the latest news about NCIA’s federal policy work
One of the many benefits of NCIA membership is complimentary access to all of our 15 Cannabis Caucus events a year. Even better, depending on your membership level, you get complimentary tickets for up to to five of your colleagues! This is equivalent to $250 worth of tickets! If you’re an NCIA member and you aren’t taking the opportunity to attend these events, you’re leaving money on the table.
This year, we’re offering limited complimentary tickets to a select group of non-members who are passionate about advocacy and want to join the movement to protect our industry. If this is you, please fill out this form and we will follow up shortly.
Of course, if you’re not yet an NCIA member, you should consider joining to receive unlimited access to these events and more! Contact Membership@TheCannabisIndustry.org for more information!
2. You’ll make meaningful connections with industry leaders
During last year’s Cannabis Caucus events, more than 1,000 attendees turned out for our 32 events nationwide. This means that although these events are growing increasingly popular, they are still small enough to make meaningful connections with other industry leaders in your region. Instead of just making small talk with someone in passing, you’ll get to to have real conversations with some of the most influential leaders in the industry. Year after year, we hear about people striking business partnerships, friendships and impactful connections at these events because they offer the time, space and opportunity to do so.
3. NCIA convenes industry influencers
As the largest national trade association in the U.S. and the only organization representing nearly 2,000 cannabis-related businesses at the national level, we have pretty deep connections. We know that 70 percent of the individuals who attend Cannabis Caucus events have executive level decision-making authority and 30 percent have heavy decision-making influence. All of this is to say that the caliber of the meaningful connections you will make have the potential to benefit your business in very real ways and quickly. We also know that these boutique events are frequently attended by industry pioneers and dedicated policy reform advocates, the movers and shakers of the industry, who have helped support the movement for decades.
4. Simplified, accurate federal and regional policy updates
For many people, federal policy developments can seem a bit dry and/or overly complex. However, in our industry, understanding and staying current on the changing tides of policies can make or break your business. At Cannabis Caucuses, we’ll break down all of the recent federal policy issues you need to know in order to protect your business. Better yet, our intel is coming straight from our Government Relations team on the Hill. Consider this your opportunity for simplified, accurate federal policy insights to inform your business strategy.
At every event, we also recruit influential policy makers, government officials, or industry executives as guest speakers to shed light on important regional issues. Take the opportunity to meet the guest speakers afterwards to ask questions during the nearly two hours worth of networking. When else would you get this opportunity?
5. They’re fun!
This might not be one your boss cares so much about, but we do. Your registration includes hors d’oeuvres, plus enjoy drinks from a cash bar in a relaxed, sophisticated setting. Repeatedly, we hear from guests that Cannabis Caucus events are their favorite because of the quality of the event, the caliber of the attendees and the sense of community and camaraderie they foster.
Wrapping Up 2018 Cannabis Caucus Events, Introducing New 2019 Events!
October marked the last NCIA events of the year with Cannabis Caucus events in eight regions nationwide and an outstanding 2nd Annual California Cannabis Business Conference in Anaheim, California. As this year’s events comes to a close, we have so much to reflect on and exciting new events to announce!
During this quarter’s Cannabis Caucus events, more than 400 NCIA members, representing 250 member companies, totaling in more than 750 attendees turned out for our eight events nationwide. This means that although these events are growing increasingly popular, they are still small enough to make meaningful connections with other industry leaders in your region. Instead of just making small talk with someone in passing, you’ll get to to have real conversations with some of the most influential leaders in the industry. Year after year, we hear about people striking business partnerships, friendships and impactful connections at these events because they offer the time, space and opportunity to do so.
In the industry’s largest markets, Northern California, Southern California, and Colorado, more than 100 industry professionals turned out at each event. But, perhaps most impressive was the 75 plus attendance in the Midwest, maybe a harbinger of the positive momentum garnered by statewide reform initiatives in this year’s midterm elections!
Cannabis Caucus Highlights
A the Northeast event, attendees heard the latest news surrounding medical cannabis in Maine from State Sen. Eric Brakey (R-District 20), as well as Maine’s adult-use cannabis laws from David Boyer, Maine Political Director at Marijuana Policy Project.
The event in Northern California featured special guest speaker Heidi Mattos, a payroll tax specialist from the State of California Employment & Development Department, who shared critical insights into state payroll tax regulations. In Southern California, we heard a special presentation on “Understanding California Agricultural Labor Laws As It Relates to Cannabis Cultivators” from guest speaker Eduardo Blanco, Special legal Advisor from the CA Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
The Southwest event featured Ryan Black, Campaign Co-Chair for Anita Malik, Candidate for Arizona’s Congressional District 6, discussing federal cannabis reform. Lastly, in the Pacific Northwest, Lara Kaminsky, Executive Director of The Cannabis Alliance (an NCIA Allied Association), spoke about the latest developments in Washington state’s cannabis industry, including the current status of the edibles product ban.
As the largest national trade association in the U.S. and the only organization representing more than 1,700 cannabis-related businesses at the national level, we have pretty deep connections. We know that 70 percent of the individuals who attend our regional events have executive level decision-making authority and 30 percent have heavy decision-making influence. All of this is to say that the caliber of the meaningful connections you will make have the potential to benefit your business in very real ways and quickly.
We also know that these boutique events are frequently attended by industry pioneers and dedicated policy reform advocates, the movers and shakers of the industry, who have helped support the movement for decades. Repeatedly, we hear from event attendees that these events are their favorite because of the quality of the event, the attendees and the sense of community and camaraderie they foster.
What’s Next? NCIA’s New 2019 Regional Event Series Announced
NCIA’s Industry Socialsare about cultivating regional communities of industry professionals, so that they can connect and learn from each other. Cultivating community is the most effective way to strengthen our industry and your business. Touring five cities in the West Coast, East Coast and Heartland regions, NCIA’s Industry Socials are the premier opportunity for cannabis professionals to harness NCIA’s extensive national network by creating meaningful connections with each other and with NCIA staff in a relaxed cocktail setting. Join us to expand your network and cultivate our community! Tickets to Industry Socials are complimentary to NCIA members and only $25 to non-members. Registration opens for the West Coast Tour on November 27!
NCIA’s Harvest Celebrations will be hosted in five cities in October to honor the cannabis harvesting season and celebrate the continued growth of our industry! Proceeds from NCIA’s inaugural Harvest Celebration events will foster support for NCIA’s federal lobbying work on behalf of businesses serving the industry and the industry at-large.
In light of these new 2019 NCIA events, we also have exciting new sponsorship opportunities to offer! Download the 2019 Event Sponsorship Deck or contact us for more information. Consider this your opportunity to get your brand in front of thousands of new businesses in diverse regions nationwide.
NCIA’s Q3 Summer #CannabisCaucus Series Re-cap
The month of July offered not only NCIA’s 5th Annual Cannabis Business Summit in San Jose, but also in the days leading up, we visited with YOU — our members — in 8 regions across the country for our Q3 Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series.
Across 8 cities, we connected with nearly 1,000 attendees from coast to coast. Northern and Southern California events, as well as Colorado, saw more than 150 attendees at each!
In Northern California, attendees heard from guest speaker Eduardo Blanco, Special legal Advisor, CA Agricultural Labor Relations Board, as he spoke on “Understanding California Agricultural Labor Laws As It Relates to Cannabis Cultivators.” This informative talk provided vital insight into how organized labor regulations impact the cannabis industry.
In New York City at our Northeast regional event, we heard an update on what’s happening in the New York Legislature from Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (D – 75th District).
In Southern California, we were pleased to welcome Jessica McElfresh, Board Member of the Association of Cannabis Professionals, as our guest speaker in San Diego. Jessica provided a comprehensive overview of San Diego regulations and the slow but steady fight she has helped lead to progress the cannabis industry in Southern California over the years along with the local AAP group, the Association of Cannabis Professionals.
We returned to Portland, Oregon for our Pacific Northwest Caucus to hear from Matt Maletis, Commissioner for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, where attendees dove into a Q & A session with the Commissioner on issues like analytical testing inconsistencies, METRC reporting, as well as the topic of “oversupply.”
At our Midwest Caucus in Cleveland, guest speaker Erin C. Reed, Senior Legal Counsel, from the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy offered a regulatory update in Ohio, including how licenses are being distributed and how THC levels are broken down for various tiers of medical conditions. Additionally, we hosted a pre-event mixer for newly awarded licensee holders in Ohio, hosted by our Gold Sponsor Frantz Ward LLP, in the Vu Room of Bar 32.
In the Southwest, we gathered in lively Las Vegas, Nevada and heard from NCIA Member Scot Rutledge of Argentum Partners, with an update on Nevada’s social consumption campaign efforts.
We also returned to Miami, Florida to connect with current NCIA members as well as many newcomers to the industry.
In Denver, Colorado, we enjoyed a lively turnout of more than 150 attendees on the top floor of the History Colorado Center located in the heart of Denver featuring wrap around glass walls and an outdoor covered terrace with stunning views of the Front Range and downtown skyline. Guests
Thanks to our sponsors for their participation and support of yet another successful quarter of NCIA’s Cannabis Caucuses.
Want to get even more involved in NCIA? Want more information about your membership benefits, NCIA’s programming, or content? Please take a moment to fill out this Engagement Form to tell us what you’d like to learn more about. Whether you’d like to submit a guest blog topic for our website, be a guest on our weekly podcast, learn more about our Political Action Committee, or sponsor an upcoming event, just click the box next to your interests, and an NCIA staff member will get back to you.
Top 5 Reasons to Attend NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses
by Rachelle Lynn Gordon, NCIA Editorial Staff
NCIA is proud to announce the return of our Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series this July. These informative and engaging networking events bring together industry professionals, thought leaders, and policymakers with the goal of keeping the community informed about cannabis reform developments across the country from both a political and business viewpoint. Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in each quarter in the eight most active legal markets, the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series is a great way to stay up-to-date in this fastly emerging space.
“People attending a Caucus can expect to meet and network with professionals from all parts of the industry including license holders, law firms, insurance providers and other ancillary businesses, all while gaining some key insights into the future of federal and local cannabis policy,” explains Thomas Rosenberger, Executive Director of NCIA’s Ohio affiliate, the National Cannabis Industry Association of Ohio.
What are the top five reasons why you should attend an NCIA Quarterly Cannabis Caucus?
Policy is Changing at a Rapid Rate
Cannabis legalization isn’t happening overnight, but lawmakers across the country at both the local and federal levels are working around the clock on a variety of bills aimed at easing restrictions and promoting business growth. It’s critical for business leaders in the community to stay informed on the latest developments both in their home states and nationwide.
“The cannabis industry is the most highly regulated industry in the country, and faces challenges at the federal level that no other industry does,” Rosenberger adds. “Getting involved with events like the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series is key to advancing the policy reforms necessary to expand the industry and grow your business.”
Legislators Want to Hear From You
NCIA is committed to strengthening dialogue between industry professionals and legislators across the board in order to promote impactful reform. Cannabis Caucus events offer attendees the chance to voice concerns with their local lawmakers and interact with candidates who may affect future legislation.
“I’ve been going to the NCIA Quarterly Caucuses for the past few years, and I find them totally invaluable, not only for networking but also to get engaged with what is happening on a policy level,” says Shawna McGregor of Grasslands: a Journalism-Minded Agency. “I have been able to hear from local politicians about where they stand on the industry and have appreciated that insight and exposure.”
Regional Events Offer Curated Look at Local Markets
As those in the cannabis space know, each state – and sometimes even municipalities and counties within those states – that has decided to legalize the plant for medical and/or adult-use has widely varying rules and regulations. It is the intention of the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus events to offer a glimpse at both local and national developments with a keen focus on what’s happening within the regions represented.
“Because NCIA holds Caucuses in every region, they are a great place to connect with members across the country who care about getting a nascent industry legalized and regulated on a state and federal level,” adds McGregor.
“I do business in multiple states so it’s nice that I can have my team members attend their regional Caucus and then report back to me on what’s happening in their area,” states Brett Johnson, Founder of SpectrumGro. “It helps me stay ahead of the game.”
Wide-Ranging Networking Opportunities
Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses bring together professionals from every vertical within the space, from cultivators and dispensary owners to accountants and attorneys in order to impact both policy and profits. Attendees have the chance to develop business relationships with other movers and shakers within their communities.
“NCIA offers a tremendous venue for meeting with a very professional and curated group of cannabis business people,” says Scott Jordan of Vertical Companies. “I try never to miss an event if possible.”
They’re Fun!
NCIA members work hard to advance the cannabis industry every day, and Cannabis Caucus events offer the chance to have an impact while also having a good time. Caucuses are held in a relaxed yet engaging setting, and light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar are provided, plus tickets are free for NCIA members.
Register now for July’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series!
Top Highlights from NCIA’s April Quarterly Cannabis Caucus Events
So far, this year has been pivotal for cannabis federal policy. From the rescinding of the Cole Memo, to the inclusion of medical cannabis protections through September and most recently, Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-CO) commendable work defending states’ rights. Between the quantity of information about cannabis policy changes and managing your day-to-day business operations, staying up to date with accurate news on both the national and local level can be challenging. That’s why NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses are so important for our industry to convene, connect, and stay current on issues impacting the industry.
Thanks to our Government Relations team based in Washington, D.C., participating in our Cannabis Caucus events means that you can get accurate insights into cannabis policy straight from the Hill, as well as local guest speakers offering regional updates from the ground. You can also take advantage of a meaningful networking experience with cannabis executives in your region in a relaxed, professional setting. Cannabis Caucuses are your best chance to get even more engaged with NCIA’s policy work and industry leaders nationwide.
This April, the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus events were held in eight regions nationwide and 1000+ cannabis industry professionals participated!
Highlights from Northern California, the Northeast, and Southern California
In San Jose, Josh Drayton, the deputy director of CCIA, provided an update on CCIA’s state-wide activities representing the industry.
In Boston, we were joined by guest speaker Shanel Lindsay from the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board to share the latest on the social equity program as well as state legislative updates.
In Los Angeles, we saw a huge turnout of more than 350 attendees at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt, and welcomed special guest speaker, Jennifer Hawkins, a business tax specialist at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Jennifer offered an overview on California cannabis excise tax for cultivation and was joined by Alexis d’Angelo, the Southern California Membership and Outreach Liaison for CCIA.
Highlights from the Midwest, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest
In Tampa, guest speaker Sally Kent Peebles from Vicente SederbergLLC gave an update on the Florida medical marijuana program, detailing the licensing process.
At our first event in 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona, we welcomed nearly 100 attendees to network with their regional colleagues and learn about the recent rescission of the Cole Memo. Attendees also heard from Arizona State Rep. Mark Cardenas (D-Phoenix), who introduced legislation this year that would put a adult-use measure on Arizona’s November ballot.
In Boulder, Colorado, Sen. Tim Neville (R-16th District) joined us to share a motivational talk about the future of the industry to attendees, and an update on what’s happening in the Colorado Legislature.
Upcoming July Cannabis Caucus Events
Get your tickets now!
Early bird tickets are 50% off additional member tickets and non-member tickets now through June 11!
We’re excited to announce that registration for our July Cannabis Caucus Events is now open! Join us in new regions and cities for meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals, policymakers and government officials.
Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses: “The Strongest We’ve Been, When We Need it the Most”
by Brian Gilbert, Events Manager
The turn of the new year brought with it new challenges and opportunities for the cannabis industry. We were shocked by the rescission of the Cole Memo, but optimistic about our industry’s continued growth and progress over the past few years. Knowing that now – more than ever – the industry needed an opportunity to take unified action at the federal level, NCIA enthusiastically hosted the third year of it’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series and the turn-out was nothing short of inspiring. In the eight nationwide events in January, more than 1,200 cannabis industry professionals took unified action to reform federal cannabis policies by attending Cannabis Caucus events.
In fact, throughout the rest of the Quarter, we smashed attendance records and saw our network mobilize around a national campaign to support the Leahy Amendment in the Senate.
Highlights in Northern California, Southern California, and Pennsylvania
Returning to Oakland, our guest speaker Lindsay Robinson, Executive Director of California Cannabis Industry Association, provided an in-depth update on the recent launch of adult-use sales across the state plus pending rules and regulations.
In Newport Beach, Congressman Lou Correa (D – CA, 46th District) addressed our highest attended Quarterly Cannabis Caucus to date, encouraging industry leaders to keep up the pressure and engage with their elected officials in light of rescinding of the Cole Memo.
We hosted our first-ever event in Pennsylvania with nearly 100 people in attendance.
Highlights in the Midwest, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest
NCIA returned to Columbus, Ohio, following our inaugural event in July 2017 where our second state affiliate, NCIAO was launched.
After discontinuing our events in Florida in 2017, we hosted our first event of 2018 in West Palm Beach and saw an incredible turnout of nearly 100 cannabis industry professionals.
Our newly combined “Pacific Northwest” region returned to the Portland area with guest speaker, Casey Houlihan, the Executive Director of Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association.
Highlights in the Southwest and Colorado
Our return to the Southwest region saw a record turnout in Las Vegas where we were honored to be joined by Sen. Tick Segerblom (D – NV, District 3) and nearly 100 attendees.
We concluded the Q1 series with a blowout event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, Colorado, where we saw the largest demonstration of support for our community-building efforts yet with nearly 300 in attendance! In addition to Chuck Smith of Colorado Leads & COO of Dixie Brands, we were joined by Borahm Lee of Break Science, who provided entertainment throughout the event.
NCIA’s Q1 Call to Action
Throughout the month of January we encouraged attendees to participate in an online Call to Action which allowed them to contact their Senators and urge support for the Leahy Amendment, which would ensure that vital medical cannabis protections are included in the appropriations bill. More than 30% of our attendees (378 to be exact) took action to support the Leahy Amendment by using our online advocacy platform. In 2017, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) sponsored the amendment in the Senate, which passed through committee, but we still need your help to get it in the final version of the bill!
The Upcoming Q2 Cannabis Caucus Event Series
We’re excited to announce that registration for our Q2 Cannabis Caucus Events is now open! Join us in new regions and cities for meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals, policymakers and government officials.
VIDEO: 2018 Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series returns to a city near you
NCIA’s popular Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series returns to a city near you in January! Watch this video to learn more about the event series and to hear from NCIA members why you should attend. This event is free for NCIA members, and just $50 for non-members.
Continuing the Momentum – Q3 #CannabisCaucus Events Unite NCIA Members During Successful Summer
by Brian Gilbert, NCIA Events Manager
NCIA and our dedicated members have been keeping busy during the Summer months, and July was no exception as our acclaimed Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series returned with numerous editions held across the country in both new and familiar locations.
We took these opportunities to further connect with and update our network on the incredible positive energy exhibited by our members and supporters throughout the summer including:
• The 4th Annual Cannabis Business Summit, our most highly attended & well publicized event to date. Read and watch more highlights from the #CannaBizSummit here.
• The 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, our most impactful advocacy-focused event. This Summer, following our trip to D.C., we have seen a substantial increase in the number of co-sponsors on cannabis-related legislation we focused on in May.
Huge thanks to our nearly 900 individual supporters, 400 member businesses, 8 sponsors, 5 guest speakers, and 2 state affiliates that joined us throughout July for our Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series. Continue on to review event highlights from our Q3 events with photo coverage from our Colorado and Midwest events, and view the full album on Facebook here.
In our first week, NCIA’s hosted our first event in Maine, and it was a smashing success! Attendees were caught up to speed on how the landscape has been developing with implementation of the adult use initiative passed last November by David Boyer, the Maine Political Director of Marijuana Policy Project.
In addition, our Washington members and supporters were joined by guest speaker Rep. Roger Goodman (D- 45th District) who provided attendees with a Washington Legislative Update.
At the end of the week, we had yet another record setting event in Colorado! Just over 200 cannabusiness professionals joined us for an inspiring evening of networking and information sharing. The event was extra special as we were joined by newly elected members of our Board of Directors; Christie Lunsford of Pro MAX Grow and Endocannabinoidology, Sean McAllister of McAllister Garfiled P.C., and Shannon Fender of Native Roots Colorado.
In our second week, we hosted our Tri-State event in Brooklyn, NY where special guest Dylan Schwartz, Candidate for New York City Council in the 51st District of Staten Island provided a New York Legislative Update and explained the history and importance surrounding his cannabis friendly candidacy. In Oregon, we returned to Portland where we hosted Jesse Sweet, Administrative Policy & Process Director of Oregon Liquor Control Commission at ecotrust once again.
In our final week, we were excited to hold our first-ever event in San Jose, CA, at our Northern California Caucus, as well as officially welcome the new Executive Director of the California Cannabis Industry Association, Lindsay Robinson! In Southern California, we moved our caucus to San Diego and Josh Drayton, Deputy Director of the California Cannabis Industry Association provided attendees with an in depth update on the current status of MAUCURSA. We concluded our Q3 #CannabisCaucus series in the Midwest with an inaugural event in Columbus, Ohio where we also officially launched our newest state affiliate, the National Cannabis Industry Association of Ohio. In addition to an optional, pre-caucus tour of member business Apeks Supercritical, attendees were also treated to hearing from State Senator Kenny Yuko (D-25th), a lead proponent of the recently passed medical cannabis legislation.
We hope you join us for our final Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses of 2017 in October! As a show of appreciation for the continued support of these community building efforts, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll be offering an exclusive early bird rate for all those who register in the next week! Secure your spot before August 24th to receive 50% off admission, this includes non-member tickets and additional tickets outside of those allotted to current NCIA members businesses. See below for a full list of dates, locations & venues:
Washington – Georgetown Ballroom – Seattle, WA – Tuesday, October 10 – REGISTER NOW
Northeast – Providence Biltmore – Providence, RI – Tuesday, October 10 – REGISTER NOW
Colorado – The Riverside – Boulder, CO – Thursday, October 12 – REGISTER NOW
Oregon – The Kennedy School – Portland, OR – Tuesday, October 17 – REGISTER NOW
Tri-State – [Venue TBD] – New York City, NY – Tuesday, October 17 – REGISTER NOW
So. California – [Venue TBD] – Los Angeles, CA – Thursday, October 19 – REGISTER NOW
No. California – Hyatt Vineyard Creek – Santa Rosa, CA – Tuesday, October 24 – REGISTER NOW
Midwest – The Robey Hotel – Chicago, IL – Thursday, October 26 – REGISTER NOW
As always a huge thanks goes out to all our sponsors, media partners, and event hosts that continue to support the growth of this thriving community and which made Q3 another success! Follow the links below to learn more about each of these amazing businesses or groups then reach out to see how they might be able to help you with your cannabis industry needs.
NCIA’S Quarterly #CannabisCaucus Event Series Continues!
by Brian Gilbert, Events Manager
NCIA started the year off with the continuation of our Q1 Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series, this time seeing us return to the 8 strongest regions visited throughout 2016. Thank you to the nearly 600 cannabis business professionals which joined us across the month in Seattle, Cambridge, Denver, New York City, Portland, Santa Monica, Oakland and Chicago. Weren’t able to make it to one of our caucuses in January? Download the resources provided at the event on our Cannabis Caucus Resources page.
As the cannabis industry navigates the potential challenges of new leadership in Washington, D.C., there’s never been a more important time to connect with your fellow industry peers and arm yourself with information about possible changes to federal policy. In order to better prepare our members for the uncertain times ahead and provide them the tools needed to help continue the positive momentum seen for our issues on the federal level, we’re pleased to announce the dates & locations for the Q2 editions of our recurring networking and educational event series.
NCIA’s Cannabis Caucus events are the best place to network, hear from industry thought leaders and elected officials, and engage with our advocacy work on the national level! The Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the first month of each new quarter. Read on to learn about specific speaker and location updates regarding our Q2 events. Then, mark your calendar, register today and join us at a Caucus near you next month!
Massachusetts champion Rep. Dave Rogers (D – 24th Middlesex District) will be addressing attendees in Cambridge, MA for our final Northeast event before heading to Portland, ME in July.
City Attorney Pete Holmes will be in joining us in Seattle, WA in order to educate attendees of recent developments and upcoming challenges for this Spring.
Colorado State Senator Tim Neville (R – 16th District) will be addressing attendees in Boulder, CO at The Riverside as we continue our back and forth between the two cannabis industry epicenters in Colorado. Senator Neville will be discussing the 2017 Colorado Legislature’s approach to cannabis and his efforts to protect Colorado’s cannabis industry from a possible Federal crackdown.
The Tri-State event is moving to Jersey City for NCIA’s first event west of the Hudson at the captivating Maritime Parc event complex featuring stunning views of the NYC skyline from their Atrium Room.
To avoid conflicts with the 4/20 holiday, we’ve rescheduled the Southern California event to take place on 4/27 and we’ll be joined by Pamela Epstein of Green Wise Consulting & Hoban Law Group as guest speaker.
We’ll also be bringing the Midwest NCIA community together in Michigan as we head outside of Chicago for our return to Ann Arbor. We’ll be hosting the event at Om of Medicine and joined by their owner & proprietor Mark Passerini to provide a regional policy update.
Cannabis Caucuses are FREE for current NCIA members and just $50 for non-members. In addition to intimate networking opportunities with leaders in the industry, you’ll get a detailed update on the latest federal policy developments, meet local policy-makers, and receive a packet filled with legislative analysis and information on how to get the most from your NCIA membership.
Northeast – Cambridge, MA – Tuesday, April 11 – REGISTER NOW Washington – Seattle, WA – Tuesday, April 11 – REGISTER NOW Colorado –Boulder, CO – Thursday, April 13 – REGISTER NOW Oregon – Portland, OR – Tuesday, April 18 – REGISTER NOW Tri-State – Jersey City, NJ – Tuesday, April 18 –REGISTER NOW No. California – San Francisco, CA – Tuesday, April 25 –REGISTER NOW So. California – West Hollywood, CA – Thursday, April 27 –REGISTER NOW Midwest – Ann Arbor, MI – Thursday, April 27 –REGISTER NOW
Not yet a member of NCIA? Join online prior to the event in order to access your free tickets or pay up front then have your admission fees applied toward membership once you join at or immediately following the event.
Finally, huge thanks as always to our sponsors, media partners and event hosts that made Q1 such a success and will be joining us again in April! We hope you’ll join us in showing them some appreciation for the enormous support. Please follow the links below to learn more about each of these amazing businesses or groups then reach out to see how they might be able to help you.
Wondering how your company can engage with the cannabis industry’s top decision-makers? Contact us at sponsorship@thecannabisindustry.org to learn more about supporting your industry’s political voice and highlighting your brand at NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses and NCIA’s 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in May!
Registration Now Open for NCIA’s 2017 Quarterly #CannabisCaucus event series!
Following the successful first year of NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucus event series, we are excited to announce our 2017 schedule starting in January. Thank you to the 3000+ people across the country that attended throughout 2016 to network, hear from industry thought leaders and elected officials, and to engage with our advocacy work on the national level!
The Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses will continue to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the first month of each new quarter in the cannabis industry’s 8 most established regions. You can view the full list of dates and locations for Q1 hereand we will then follow the same schedule in April, July and October. Please join us next month in a region near you!
Northeast – Cambridge, MA – Tuesday, January 10 – REGISTER NOW Washington – Seattle, WA – Tuesday, January 10 – REGISTER NOW Colorado – Denver, CO – Thursday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW Oregon – Portland, OR – Tuesday, January 17 – REGISTER NOW Tri-State – New York, NY – Tuesday, January 17 – REGISTER NOW Southern California – Santa Monica, CA – Thursday January 19 – REGISTER NOW Northern California – San Francisco, CA – Tuesday, January 24 – REGISTER NOW Midwest – Chicago, IL – Thursday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
an organizational update so you can keep up to date with what NCIA is doing for you
the opportunity to network with the leaders in the cannabis industry
In-person opportunities to learn about exciting new products and services showcased by our member businesses
So what are you waiting for?! Sign up today and join us in January to learn from the experts on what to expect and how to contribute moving into 2017.
Don’t see your region on the list? Don’t worry! There will be plenty of ways for you to engage with NCIA in 2017 and if you’re interested in learning more about ways to help grow the NCIA community near you please contact Jeremy DePasquale at membership@thecannabisindustry.org today.
We couldn’t be more thankful to all our sponsors, media partners and event hosts that made 2016 such a success and hope you’ll join us in showing them some appreciation for the enormous support! Please follow the links below to learn more about each of these amazing businesses or groups then reach out to see how they might be able to help you.
Interested in sponsoring an upcoming Cannabis Caucus in your area or a series of events across the country? Contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org to inquire on availability and pricing.
See you at the next #CannabisCaucus in 2017!
July Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses Are Coming!
By Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events & Education
Registration is now open for the third quarter of our Quarterly Cannabis Caucus events series! Join more than 600 cannabis industry professionals this July in networking and sharing best business practices, as well as the latest national and local policy updates.
Tuesday, July 12 – Portland, OR – Opal 28 – Register!
Tuesday, July 12 – Washington, D.C. – The National Press Club – Register!
Thursday, July 14 – Boston, MA – Hyatt Regency Cambridge – Register!
Thursday, July 14 – Miami, FL – Biltmore Hotel – Register!
Tuesday, July 19 – Chicago, IL – The Chop Shop – Register!
Tuesday, July 19 – New York, NY – LMHQ – Register!
Thursday, July 21 – Denver, CO – Jane HQ – Register!
Thursday, July 21 – Phoenix, AZ – mod – Register!
Tuesday, July 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Place on 7th – Register!
Tuesday, July 26 – Santa Monica, CA – Real Office Centers – Register!
Thursday, July 28 – San Francisco, CA – Gateway Cannabis Accelerator – Register!
Thursday, July 28 – Seattle, WA – Sole Repair Shop – Register!
The second round of NCIA’s new quarterly educational and networking series took place this April and they were a success by every measure. Thank you to the 235 member companies and 650+ supporters who joined us over the course of three weeks in 12 different states around the country.
Haven’t been to one of NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses before? Check out these photo highlights from the second quarter:
NCIA’s Colorado Quarterly Cannabis Caucus with Dana Rohrabacher
We could not have held these events without the support of our sponsoring member businesses and hosts so huge thanks to all those listed below!
Want to download the information we provided during the second quarter of our Cannabis Caucuses? Check out our Cannabis Caucus Resources page.
Have any feedback from a Caucus you attended in April? Fill out our short attendee survey to provide us with valuable feedback we’ll use to improve future events.
Interested in sponsoring an upcoming Cannabis Caucus in your area or a series of events across the country? Check out our Cannabis Caucus sponsorship guide which outlines pricing and benefits.
See you at the next Caucus!
Announcing NCIA’s January – June 2016 Events Calendar
Do you have questions regarding any upcoming events in your area or others across the country? Reach out to events@thecannabisindustry.org any time with your questions, comments, or concerns.
Interested in sponsoring one or a series of events in a particular region throughout the year in order to gain valuable exposure for your company to our nationwide network of established business owners? Please contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on series rates and associated discounts for packages.
Interested in speaking at the upcoming Cannabis Business Summit? Please contact brooke@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on remaining opportunities.
Announcing the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus Event Series
Wow, where does the time go? The end of 2015 is in sight and 2016 is fast approaching! As per usual, these past 12 months made for another landmark year for our industry where we saw enormous growth across all sectors, as well as witnessed notable legislative victories in the House and the historic first-time introduction of cannabis-specific legislation in the Senate. We continue to see increased activity and support for our issues in D.C., due in no small part to our increasingly prominent voice within the halls of Congress, spearheaded by the work NCIA is doing with your support.
Now, we are excited to announce that starting in January, we’ll be debuting a new nationwide event series! NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses will be held in the cannabis industry’s 12 most active regions, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the first month of each new quarter. The exact date will vary depending on your region, and you can view the full list of dates and locations here. The schedule for the first quarter will be:
Oregon Cannabis Caucus – Portland, OR – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Mid-Atlantic Cannabis Caucus – Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Northeast Cannabis Caucus – Boston, MA – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
FloridaCannabis Caucus – Orlando, FL – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
MidwestCannabis Caucus – Chicago, IL – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
Tri-StateCannabis Caucus – New York, NY – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
ColoradoCannabis Caucus – Denver, CO – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
SouthwestCannabis Caucus – Phoenix, AZ – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
NevadaCannabis Caucus – Las Vegas, NV – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
So. California CannabisCaucus – Los Angeles, CA – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
No. CaliforniaCannabis Caucus – San Francisco, CA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
WashingtonCannabis Caucus – Seattle, WA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
As NCIA heads into our sixth year of operation, we’re committed to growing and evolving our work to provide increased value to our members and reflect our unique position with the industry. The Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses have been designed to provide the quality and consistent programming you’ve come to expect from NCIA events, while also preparing you and your business to contribute to our legislative efforts on the national level.
You and your team will leave each Cannabis Caucus equipped with the tools to affect positive change on cannabis issues while making meaningful connections with vested industry players. Each Caucus will be free of charge for current NCIA members and include an in-depth federal policy update from senior NCIA staff or staff from a district congressional office, a comprehensive state and local policy update from a local elected official or a member of NCIA, an informational packet filled with detailed legislative analysis and recent federal policy developments, and an organizational update so you can keep up to date with what NCIA is doing for you. All of this will be offered as well as the opportunity to network with the leaders in the cannabis industry.
The Caucus also serves as an opportunity for our members to share their ideas and concerns with NCIA, which is committed to serving the industry in the best way possible
As the only national trade association representing cannabis business owners on Capitol Hill, we are your voice within the halls of Congress on a daily basis. We take this responsibilityseriously and by holding these quarterly member meetings, we hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to make your own voice heard within our ranks as well.
Every day it seems a new event is popping up, vying for your time, money, and focus. We here at NCIA know that our members’ time is one of their most valued assets, so we’ve created this event series to pack maximum information, value, and member benefit into a regular quarterly meet-up.
Do you have questions regarding the upcoming Quarterly Cannabis Caucus in your area or others across the country? Reach out to events@thecannabisindustry.org any time with your questions, comments, or concerns.
Interested in sponsoring one or a series of events in a particular region throughout the year in order to gain valuable exposure for your company to our nationwide network of established business owners? Please contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on series rates and associated discounts for packages including NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit 2016, taking place in Oakland, CA, June 20-22.
Back with a fresh new look, NCIA’s popular Cannabis Caucus Series are meaningful networking events that pop up in five of the most burgeoning cannabis markets every three months. We launched this event series three years ago as an exclusive opportunity for NCIA members and their guests to connect with each other, learn about regional issues from influential guest speakers and get the latest news about NCIA’s federal policy work 
During last year’s Cannabis Caucus events, more than 1,000 attendees turned out for our 32 events nationwide. This means that although these events are growing increasingly popular, they are still small enough to make meaningful connections with other industry leaders in your region. Instead of just making small talk with someone in passing, you’ll get to to have real conversations with some of the most influential leaders in the industry. Year after year, we hear about people striking business partnerships, friendships and impactful connections at these events because they offer the time, space and opportunity to do so. 
5. They’re fun!
In the industry’s largest markets, Northern California, Southern California, and Colorado, more than 100 industry professionals turned out at each event. But, perhaps most impressive was the 75 plus attendance in the Midwest, maybe a harbinger of the positive momentum garnered by 
The Southwest event featured Ryan Black, Campaign Co-Chair for Anita Malik, Candidate for Arizona’s Congressional District 6, discussing federal cannabis reform. Lastly, in the Pacific Northwest, Lara Kaminsky, Executive Director of The Cannabis Alliance (an 
“Because NCIA holds Caucuses in every region, they are a great place to connect with members across the country who care about getting a nascent industry legalized and regulated on a state and federal level,” adds McGregor.
In Los Angeles, we saw a huge turnout of more than 350 attendees at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt, and welcomed special guest speaker, Jennifer Hawkins, a business tax specialist at the 
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