2025 Indigenous Cannabis Industry & Policy Summit
4th Annual ICIA Event
Breaking Down Barriers, Beyond Borders:
Indigenous Rising in Plant Medicine
At one of the most critical times in our shared history, Indigenous leaders, innovators, and knowledge keepers are uniting to advance the cannabis and hemp industries through sovereignty, equity, and sustainability. This summit is a call to action: to dismantle systemic barriers, transcend borders, and uplift Indigenous voices at the forefront of plant medicine.
Guided by a holistic vision, we approach this plant as more than medicine - recognizing its potential as a commodity that is industrial, medicinal, and economic. Together, we reclaim ancestral wisdom while building modern frameworks that ensure cannabis and hemp serve our communities with balance, prosperity, and purpose. This gathering strengthens pathways for future generations, rooted in cultural values and grounded in innovation.
2025 AGENDA
Venue: Matchbox - Capitol Hill, 521 8th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003
3:00 PMWELCOME NETWORKING, PRE-REGISTRATION & FEDERAL LOBBYING OVERVIEW
Kick off the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association’s Policy Summit with an afternoon of connection, conversation, and community!
5:00 PMStarting at 5 PM, join fellow attendees, speakers, and industry leaders for a relaxed Welcome Networking & Happy Hour designed to set the tone for an inspiring summit experience. Enjoy refreshments, light bites, and good company as you meet tribal leaders, policymakers, and advocates from across the country working to shape the future of Indigenous cannabis.
Venue: The 507, 507 8th Street Southeast Washington, DC 20003
8:30 AMCOFFEE, BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
REGISTRATION OPEN
10:00 AMWELCOME PRAYER & OPENING TOBACCO CEREMONY
Sebi Medina-Tayac
SUMMIT WELCOME & AGENDA OVERVIEWRob Pero, Co-Founder and CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
ICIA BOARD WELCOME
10:30 AMFEDERAL & TRIBAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Hear the latest federal and tribal legislative developments shaping the cannabis industry. Experts will unpack evolving laws, pending federal actions, and how tribes are asserting sovereignty in cannabis governance across Indian Country.
Moderated by:
Samantha Skenandore, Founding Partner, Skenandore Wilson & Board Member, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Amanda Eastling, Director, Human Resources, Prairie Island Pezi
Jason Tarasek, Attorney, Vicente LLP
Keith Anderson, Partner, AIM Law
Scheril Murray Powell, Esq., President, The Ethiopian World Incorporated
11:30 AMFIRESIDE CHAT: DATA IS CHIEF
This Fireside Chat explores how tribes can use data to inform policy, ensure regulatory compliance, measure community impact, and attract investment.
Moderated by:
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Andrew Livingston, Economist, Vicente LLP
Beau Whitney, Founder and Principal, Whitney Economics
12:15 PMLUNCH by Matchbox Pizza
Grab some gourmet slices, salad and refreshments between panel discussions.
1:15 PMBRIDGING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES HERE AND ABROAD
Join Indigenous leaders and global advocates for a discussion on connecting Native communities worldwide through shared economic, cultural, and policy frameworks around cannabis, sustainability, and traditional plant medicine.
Alicia Fall, Founder, Her Many Voices Foundation
1:45 PMNATIONAL TRIBAL HEMP & CANNABIS UPDATES: Task Forces, Working Groups and Cooperatives in Indian Country
Hear directly from members of the National Tribal Cannabis Task Force as they share progress on key initiatives, policy advocacy, and collaboration with federal partners aimed at advancing tribal cannabis sovereignty and safety.
Moderated by:
Rob Pero, Co-Founder and CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Michael Decorah, Governmental Affairs, St. Croix Tribe & Board Member, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Dione Holmquist, Director, Makoce Agricultural Development
Hunter Buffington, Director, Ag Policy Solutions
2:35 PMFROM SURVIVING TO SUSTAINING TO SOVEREIGNITY
Scheril Murray Powell, Esq., President, The Ethiopian World Incorporated
2:55 PMTRIBAL CANNABIS REGULATORS: INSIGHTS FROM WEST TO EAST COAST
Regulators from tribes across the country offer insights into the diverse approaches to licensing, compliance, and community oversight. Learn how regional differences influence regulatory structures and what best practices are emerging nationwide.
Moderated by:
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Gillian Schauer Executive Director, CANNRA
Dawn Houle Founder, Indigenous Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Cannabis
William Evans, Tax Commission, Prairie Band Ag LLC
3:45 PMDEA LICENSING: A CASE STUDY BY FED GROW AND ICU LAW
AJ Moreno, CEO, Fed Grow
Dr Daniela Vergara, Plant and Genomic Marking Scientist &
Emerging Crop Specialist, Cornell UniversityShaun Land, President, Irvine Labs Inc
4:20 PMPROS & CONS OF THE TRIBAL CANNABIS COMPACT: FEDERAL, STATE, AND DEA LICENSING PERSPECTIVES
This panel examines the complex landscape of tribal cannabis compacts, evaluating their benefits and challenges from federal, state, and enforcement perspectives. Panelists will discuss how compacts impact sovereignty, access, and economic growth.
Moderated by:
Mitchel Chargo, Attorney, Hinshaw Law & Board Member, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Ben Halley, Director of Tribal Operations, Honest Cannabis
Zack Wilson, CEO, Waabigwan Mishkiki
Ty Padilla, CEO, Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprises
5:00 PMCLOSING REMARKS
Rob Pero, Co-Founder and CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
When the conference concludes, enjoy dinner nearby at one of the many restaurants on Barracks Row, and then come back and join us for dessert and drinks at the ICIA Awards Reception!
7:00 PMICIA AWARDS RECEPTION
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating excellence, leadership, and innovation in Indigenous cannabis! The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association Awards Reception honors outstanding contributions to the growth and sustainability of the Indigenous cannabis movement across Indian Country and beyond.
Enjoy an unforgettable night filled with music, delicious refreshments, and a decadent dessert bar, as we recognize trailblazers shaping the future of this dynamic industry.
Venue: The 507, 507 8th Street Southeast Washington, DC 20003
8:30 AMCOFFEE, BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
REGISTRATION OPEN
10:00 AMUPDATES ON HIGH PROFILE INDIAN COUNTRY CANNABIS LITIGATION
Legal experts will review major court cases and rulings that are redefining cannabis policy in Indian Country. The discussion will highlight how litigation outcomes are influencing tribal sovereignty and shaping future industry frameworks.
Moderated by:
Jana Simmons, Attorney, Ropers Majeski PC
Panelists:
Concette Tsosie-Desario, Attorney, Skenandore Wilson
Additional speakers to be announced.
10:45 AMTRIBAL LEADERSHIP AND THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota tribal leaders share perspectives on how legalization and regulation are unfolding across the state’s tribal nations. Learn how tribes are navigating policy development, partnership opportunities, and community priorities in a new legal market.
Moderated by:
Jason Tarasek, Attorney, Vicente LLP
Panelists:
Yolanda Clark, Vicente LLP
Mitchel Chargo, Attorney, Hinshaw Law & Board Member, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Zach Wilson, CEO, Waabigwan Miskiki- owned by the White Earth Nation
Additional speakers to be announced.
11:45 PMPRESENTATION: INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION
Details to be announced.
12:00 PMLUNCH by DC Central Kitchen
Enjoy sandwiches, sides and a sweet treat provided by DC Central Kitchen, a local non-profit with the. mission to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities.
1:00 PMGROWING NATIVE BRANDS: INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & GLOBAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRIBAL COMPANIES
Explore how Native-owned cannabis brands can expand into international markets. Panelists will discuss export potential, trade agreements, and the role of Indigenous values in building globally competitive, culturally rooted enterprises.
Moderated by:
Rob Pero, Co-Founder and CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Joseph Lanzarin, Founder, Mellow Vibes
Rodney Holcomb, Vice President, Public Policy, LeafLinks
Blake Johnson, Senior Government Relations Specialist, Prairie Island Indian Community
John Shute, CEO, PufCreativ
2:00 PMFIRESIDE CHAT: NATIVE BANKING, FINANCE, INSURANCE & INVESTMENT CAPITAL
This session dives into the financial infrastructure needed to support sustainable tribal cannabis ventures. Experts will discuss access to capital, insurance solutions, and how tribes are creating their own pathways to financial independence.
Moderated by:
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Ross Sloan, Senior Vice President & Cannabis Banking Officer, Dart Bank
Erica Sloan, Franchise Owner, Dope CFO
More speakers to be announced.
2:45 PMTRIBAL COMMUNITY WELLNESS: A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH
Explore how data is being used to measure and improve wellness outcomes in tribal communities. From mental health to substance use prevention, panelists will highlight evidence-based strategies that align traditional healing with modern analytics.
Moderated by:
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
Panelists:
Ty Padilla, CEO, Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprises & Puyallup Tribal Housing & Opioid Treatment Center Project
Dr. Joseph Rosado, Medical Cannabis Certifying Physician, DocMJ & Board Member, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
3:45 PMCLOSING MESSAGE & NETWORKING
Mary Jane Oatman, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
After the conference concludes, stay for a while to enjoy some exclusive networking and then join us for the closing reception at 5:00pm.
5:00 PMCLOSING RECEPTION - JUSTIN FOR US
Join us after the conference for drinks and snacks at a reception in support of Friends of Justin Strekal. Admission is free for ICIA Summit attendees, but if you feel so inclined, you can make a donation here.
Location, Hotel, and Directions
Conference Location:
The 507 - 507 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Located 3 blocks South of the Eastern Market Metro Station (Orange/Blue/Silver Lines)
Conference Hotels:
Courtyard Marriott Capitol Hill
140 L Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-479-0027
$189/night while rooms remain available. Use this link to book in the ICIA Room Block ASAP!
Reside by Wyndham
818 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003
908-223-8082
Group Name: “ICIA Group”
$135/night while rooms remain available. Use this link to book in the ICIA Room Block ASAP!
Explore D.C.:
Washington, D.C., is surrounded by just over a dozen tribal nations that thrive along the Anacostia and Potomac River watersheds, Chesapeake Bay area, and the states of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. The Nation’s Capitol sits on the ancestral lands of the Anacostans (also documented as Nacotchtank), and over time neighboring the Piscataway and Pamunkey peoples.
D.C. is an epicenter of global politics. It’s also a destination for art, activism, entrepreneurship and public service. While you’re in the city, we have a few suggestions:
-
Book a moonlight tour of the monuments or an afternoon visit to DC’s dispensaries provided by Lucky Chuckie
-
Dive in and fill up on diverse international fare at restaurants across the city
-
Visit a DC music venue like 9:30 Club or The Anthem
-
Listen to jazz where the legends played at Blues Alley
-
Visit the Smithsonian Museums
-
And so much more
Nearby Restaurants:
Barrack’s Row in Eastern Market is home to some of DC’s best and most convenient places to grab a delicious lunch or dinner. Learn more about the neighborhood and delicious food and entertainment options here.
Getting to The Summit
The 507 is located at 507 8th Street SE - Just South of the Eastern Market Metro.
From Dulles Airport:
Take the Silver Line to Eastern Market. Exit the metro and walk South down 8th Street. The 507 is located on the west (Right) side of the road.
From Reagan National Airport:
Take the Blue Line to Eastern Market. Exit the metro and walk South down 8th Street. The 507 is located on the west (Right) side of the road.
From Union Station:
You can either take a short Uber or Lyft Ride (about $10) directly to the venue or you can go by Metro:
Take the Red Line from Union Station to Metro Center. Change trains at Metro Center to Orange towards New Carrollton. Get off the train at Eastern Market. Exit the metro and walk South down 8th Street. The 507 is located on the west (Right) side of the road.
Registration is OPEN!
Summit & speaker info, registration, and hotel accomodation info here: