Milwaukee, Wis. (February 13, 2024) — The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) will host its second annual “Wisconsin Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit” in Baraboo, Wis., at the Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 29. Hosted with support from Ho-Chunk Nation, this Indigenous-led cannabis summit presents a timely education and advocacy opportunity for the benefit of the public of Wisconsin.
Tribal Nations from across Wisconsin will convene at the summit to discuss the opportunity of plant medicine and how to approach it equitably and responsibility, for the benefit of all communities across the state. All cannabis and hemp industry professionals are invited to attend the curated schedule of seminars, networking and advocacy to learn more about the opportunities of Tribal cannabis and to support the work of the ICIA, including an upcoming public awareness campaign for the state around public health and choice.
With programming on Feb. 29 running from 9 am to 7 pm, the ICIA’s Wisconsin Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit empowers education and collaborative discussion with key cannabis industry figures on topics including:
- The latest legislation impacting cannabis and hemp, including both federal laws and Wisconsin’s proposed medicinal cannabis bill;
- How Tribal Nations’ continued advancement in the cannabis sector through self-governance and sovereignty presents the largest opportunity for emerging cannabis and hemp innovation;
- The ICIA’s goals to educate the public and business community, destigmatize cannabis, and move forward cannabis policy reform and legislation in a responsible, ethical, and inclusive way;
- Opportunities within the industry, including data, resources, partnerships, and innovative technologies in compliance and commerce;
- Financing options, including Native banks and funds that increase accessibility to the industry.
In the midst of an historic state-wide legislative effort to increase accessibility of plant medicine across Wisconsin, the ICIA is uniting cannabis advocates, tribal nations, entrepreneurs, policy experts, and more for a day of education, advocacy, and connection. Through its series of annual state-wide cannabis policy summits, ICIA aims to reshape the cannabis scene for Indigenous communities, offering a stage for progress and cooperation.
ICIA, founded in 2022 by Wisconsin-based cannabis entrepreneur and member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians Rob Pero, creates opportunities for Indigenous people in cannabis and empowers the Indigenous community through policy, programming, and outreach initiatives. Pero is also the founder of Canndigenous, the first independent Indigenous-owned hemp company in Wisconsin.
“The Wisconsin Cannabis Summit is a space for industry leaders to come together and address the most pressing issues facing cannabis policy reform in Wisconsin,” said Pero. “The potential for an Indigenous-led effort to effectively increase Wisconsin’s access to plant medicine and industrial hemp is budding into reality. The ICIA and our members are highly focused on developing strategies for economic opportunity in the state for both the public sector and for Indigenous communities to ensure Tribal sovereignty.”
More than a conference, this event is a step towards a sustainable, inclusive cannabis future. Limited registrations for the Wisconsin Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit are available, as well as sponsorship opportunities for the event. Visit indigenouscannabis.org/policy-summit-2024 to register.