For more than a decade, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) has brought cannabis business leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and policymakers together in Washington, D.C. for one of the industry’s most important annual advocacy efforts: Cannabis Industry Lobby Days.
Since its launch 14 years ago, Lobby Days has evolved from a grassroots gathering of cannabis pioneers into a major national advocacy event that gives regulated cannabis operators direct access to members of Congress and federal policymakers. What began as an effort to educate lawmakers on the realities of state-legal cannabis markets has become a coordinated campaign to influence federal reform at a pivotal time for the industry.
Today, Lobby Days represents a unified voice for cannabis businesses operating across dozens of regulated markets in the United States. Participants travel to Capitol Hill to discuss banking access, tax reform, interstate commerce, rescheduling, social equity, hemp regulations, and broader federal legalization efforts with congressional offices and federal stakeholders.
“Lobby Days has always been about making sure policymakers hear directly from the people building and sustaining the regulated cannabis industry in their own states and communities,” said Brooke Gilbert, COO of the National Cannabis Industry Association.
“What began more than a decade ago as a small group of advocates coming to Washington has evolved into a coordinated national effort representing a mature industry that employs hundreds of thousands of Americans. While the move toward medical rescheduling marks a major step forward, there is still significant work ahead to create a stable and functional federal framework for cannabis businesses, and that’s why direct engagement with Congress remains so important.”
Building a Unified Industry Voice
NCIA was founded in 2010 to represent the interests of regulated cannabis businesses at the federal level during a time when many operators lacked access to banking services, faced heavy tax burdens under Internal Revenue Code 280E, and operated under the constant threat of federal enforcement.
Lobby Days quickly became one of the organization’s signature events. Each year, cannabis professionals from across the supply chain convene in Washington to educate lawmakers about the economic and social realities of the legal cannabis industry.
Over the years, Lobby Days has helped normalize cannabis policy discussions in Congress. Early participants often faced skepticism from lawmakers unfamiliar with regulated cannabis markets. Today, cannabis reform has become a mainstream federal policy issue, with bipartisan conversations taking place around the industry’s most pressing challenges.
The event has also mirrored the growth of the industry itself. What was once a small coalition of advocates has expanded into a sophisticated national movement representing businesses that collectively generate billions in economic activity and employ hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide.
Looking Ahead: NCIA’s 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days
The upcoming 14th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days will take place May 12–14, 2026, in Washington. Organizers describe this year’s event as arriving at a critical moment for federal cannabis policy, as conversations surrounding rescheduling, cannabinoid oversight, and broader reform continue to evolve.
According to NCIA, attendees can expect:
- Advocacy training and policy briefings
- Coordinated congressional meetings on Capitol Hill
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders and policymakers
- Strategic discussions surrounding federal reform priorities
NCIA says the event will focus on ensuring lawmakers understand the realities of today’s regulated cannabis markets and the challenges businesses continue to face under outdated federal policies.
The 2026 schedule currently includes:
- May 12: Opening networking reception
- May 13: Congressional meetings and evening celebration
- May 14: Additional Capitol Hill meetings
NCIA leadership has described Lobby Days as one of the cannabis industry’s most important opportunities to influence federal policy directly. The organization expects operators from across the country to participate in the effort.
As federal cannabis reform discussions continue gaining momentum, Lobby Days remains a symbol of how far the industry has come and highlights how much work remains ahead. For NCIA and its members, Cannabis Industry Lobby Days is an ongoing effort to ensure the future of cannabis policy is shaped by the businesses and communities most directly impacted by it.
Register for Cannabis Industry Lobby Days here.
Want to Learn More about NCIA?
For years, the National Cannabis Industry Association has played a leading role in shaping policy-focused programming at MJBizCon. NCIA leaders and members have helped educate attendees on critical issues including banking reform, rescheduling, taxation, interstate commerce, hemp regulation, and federal legalization efforts. The organization has consistently offered insights from Washington policy circles while helping operators understand the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Looking ahead, NCIA is expected to continue serving as a key policy voice in future MJBizCon sessions as the conference expands its focus on policy, regulatory affairs and compliance.
Register for MJBizCon 2026 here.