Capital & Policy Summit Event 2026 | Washington, DC Nov 18

This exclusive event, centered on strategic networking, provides an opportunity to forge lasting business connections...all in a single day.
Hear directly from leading industry professionals through high-impact education to help navigate the intricacies and obstacles of Colorado.
Acquire Insider insights on the impact Federal Rescheduling will have on the D.C. market.
Leave empowered with a actionable roadmap to grow your business, fueled by the knowledge and connections you’ve made.

"IgniteIt events are the most valuable networking experiences I’ve encountered in cannabis. I’ve engaged in a number of strategic partnerships as a result of the connections I’ve made, and the educational discussions provide actionable insights from other operators." - Lauren Carpenter, CEO, Embarc

"It’s not a finance show, it's a community. A room full of people who’ve been through it, sharing what they know. And that’s what makes this event matter." - Dee Sidhu, CMO, Humboldt Family Farms

"The relationships that I formed at the conference have led to valuable partnerships with people I may not otherwise have met. The combination of a decision-maker–rich audience and high-quality content makes this an essential event." - Wes Hein, Co-Founder, Mammoth Distribution

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:25 AM	REGISTRATION + NETWORKING
7:35 AM - 8:25 AM	NETWORKING BREAKFAST
8:15 AM - 8:20 AM	Opening Remarks
8:20 AM - 8:30 AM	Data Presentation
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM	An Exclusive Look at the DMV, Presented by Headset
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	The Virginia Opportunity: Getting the Next Cannabis Market Right Every emerging market gets one chance to build its foundation. This panel examines how Virginia can create a competitive, consumer-focused adult-use cannabis industry by learning from neighboring states and giving operators the tools to grow alongside the market.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	In the Wake of Uplisting: What It Takes to Unlock Institutional Capital An uplisting is a milestone, not the finish line. As U.S. cannabis companies gain access to major public exchanges, what will it take for institutional capital to truly enter the space? This panel explores the remaining barriers—from federal policy and investment mandates to liquidity, governance and market maturity—and what operators and investors should expect as cannabis capital markets enter their next chapter.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM	What Comes After Rescheduling? Congressional Priorities and the Impact of the 2026 Election on Reform Momentum
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	The Two-Market Future: Medical, Adult Use, and What's Next Federal reform is reshaping the relationship between medical and adult-use cannabis. As reimbursement, physician involvement, product standards and consumer expectations evolve, operators will need to rethink where they invest and how they grow. This panel explores what the industry's two-market future could look like—and how businesses can prepare for it.
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM	Where Does the Next Dollar Come From? The Growth Playbook for Cannabis Federal reform may change the rules, but sustainable growth won't come automatically. As the industry matures, operators must find new ways to increase revenue, improve customer value and build stronger businesses. This panel explores where the next wave of growth will come from—from retail strategy and marketing to partnerships, capital allocation and operational discipline.
12:10 PM - 12:55 PM	Networking Lunch	Voice into Influence: How Decisions Are Made in Washington
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM	The New Rules of Cannabis M&A The next phase of cannabis consolidation won't look like the last. As operators rethink growth, capital remains selective and federal reform reshapes the landscape, the rules of M&A are changing. This conversation examines how deals are being structured, what buyers are looking for, and how companies can position themselves for acquisition, investment or long-term independence.
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM	Debt Isn't What It Used to Be The cannabis debt market is evolving. Operators now have access to a broader range of financing options, while lenders are looking for stronger fundamentals and clearer paths to profitability. This discussion examines what's changed, how debt is being deployed today, and what businesses should know before raising their next dollar of capital.
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM	What's Your Strategy When the Rules Keep Changing? In cannabis, regulatory change isn't an occasional disruption; it's a constant business variable. The challenge is not simply reacting when the rules change, but understanding where they may be headed and making smart decisions before they do. This panel brings together operators, legal and compliance experts to explore how regulatory intelligence becomes business strategy, and how companies can anticipate change, adapt quickly and make better decisions even when the next set of rules isn't yet written.
3:10 PM - 3:30 PM	The Future of Reimbursement for Medical Cannabis
3:30 PM - 3:50 PM	The Beverage Reset: Is There a Viable Dispensary Model? Cannabis beverages have proven they can attract consumers, but making the category work inside regulated cannabis retail is a different challenge. With limited shelf space, different purchasing habits and a distribution system built largely around other formats, is there a viable dispensary model for drinks? This conversation explores what the economics need to look like, where the category can compete and what it will take for beverages to reach meaningful scale within the regulated cannabis market.
3:50 PM - 4:10 PM	The Politics of the Hemp Loophole
4:10 PM - 4:30 PM	The Veterans Case: What Congress, Federal Agencies, and the VA Still Need to Do to Make Cannabis Access Real
4:50 PM - 5:20 PM	Trust Is the Product: Safety, Transparency, and the Next Consumer Standard Compliance may get products onto shelves, but trust keeps consumers coming back. As expectations around safety, transparency and product quality continue to rise, operators have an opportunity to differentiate themselves while strengthening the industry's credibility. This conversation explores the technologies, standards and business practices that can improve both consumer confidence and long-term market growth.
5:30 PM - 5:35 PM	Closing Remarks
5:35 PM - 6:35 PM	Cocktail Reception

Escape to extraordinary elegance at Grand Hyatt Washington. Centrally located in downtown CityCenter DC - with convenient in-lobby Metro Center access - this Washington DC hotel is an ideal spot to explore the Nation's Capitol. Enjoy newly renovated guest rooms with indulgent amenities. Just a short walk from the White House, historical monuments, Smithsonian Museums, Capital One Arena, National Mall, Washington Convention Center, and more. Utilize our 24-hour fitness center, full-service business center, and 32 outstanding meeting rooms.

Address: 1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001