Resources / Washington, DC
Cannabis policy conferences in Washington, DC
Updated October 2026 · IgniteIt produces the Capital & Policy Summit
The biggest open questions in cannabis are federal: rescheduling, banking and taxes. Washington is where the people working on them can be reached in one day.
Capital & Policy Summit – DC 2026
| Date | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 (one day) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
| Best for | Operators, investors and advisors tracking federal reform |
| Licensed operators | Discounted registration; email events@igniteit.com |
Where federal cannabis policy stands (October 2026)
Rescheduling: partly done
An executive order in December 2025 directed the government to speed up moving marijuana to Schedule III. On April 22, 2026, the DEA issued a final order moving two categories to Schedule III: FDA-approved marijuana products and state-licensed medical marijuana. Adult-use marijuana remains in Schedule I.
A hearing on rescheduling all marijuana ran from June 29 to July 15, 2026. The chief administrative law judge's recommended decision is still pending. What happens next, and on what timeline, is a central topic for this year's summit.
Taxes: 280E relief for medical
Because state-licensed medical businesses are now in Schedule III, they are no longer subject to Section 280E, which barred normal business deductions. Adult-use businesses still are, which leaves a big gap between medical and adult-use economics.
Banking: back in Congress
The SAFE Banking Act was reintroduced in both chambers in June 2026 with bipartisan support. It would protect banks that serve state-legal cannabis businesses. It has not yet had committee action.
About the Capital & Policy Summit
The first Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit, in November 2025, drew more than 300 executives from across the industry and investor community, along with a Democratic US Senator and two Republican members of Congress. It is one day in one room, built for networking and frank discussion of where federal policy goes next.
Expect sessions on rescheduling scenarios and timelines, the gap between medical and adult-use businesses, banking access, and what federal change means for capital and valuations.
Other cannabis policy events in DC
NCIA Lobby Days
The National Cannabis Industry Association brings members to Capitol Hill each spring for meetings with congressional offices. The 2026 edition ran May 12–14. It's the right pick if your goal is advocacy meetings with lawmakers' staff.
For events in other cities, see our roundup of the best cannabis conferences.
FAQ
Has marijuana been rescheduled?
Partly. Since April 2026, FDA-approved marijuana products and state-licensed medical marijuana are in Schedule III. All other marijuana, including adult-use, remains in Schedule I while the DEA decides on broader rescheduling.
When is the cannabis policy summit in DC?
The Capital & Policy Summit is Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Washington.
Who attends?
Cannabis operators and executives, investors, lawyers and policy advisors, and elected officials and their staff.
Sources: Taft Law on the April 2026 DEA order · Morgan Lewis, Sept 2026 · National Law Review, June 2026 · NCIA. Policy status as of October 2, 2026.