NEW CITY. NEW DATES. SAME MISSION.
INTO THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS
People. Policy. Possibility.
Denver, CO | October 22 – 23, 2026
Champa Arts Center | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Two Days. Open to the Public.
2026 Members Symposium
Explore the Program & Join Us Virtually
The 2026 CRCC Members Symposium brings together leaders in cannabis regulation, public health, policy, and community advocacy for two days of conversations about the future of cannabis.
Explore the full symposium program below. Unable to join us in Denver? Register to participate virtually via Zoom.
October 22–23, 2026 | Denver, Colorado
THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IS BEING SHAPED NOW.
Federal policy is evolving. State markets are maturing. The future of hemp is being reconsidered. Medical cannabis is entering a new federal conversation. Emerging drug therapies are presenting new questions for policymakers and regulators. Across the country and around the world, leaders are confronting fundamental questions about what the next era of cannabis policy should look like and who it should serve.
What kind of future are we building—and for whom?
This October, the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition convenes in Denver for two days of candid conversation about the people, policies, and possibilities shaping what comes next.
THE CONVERSATIONS SHAPING WHAT COMES NEXT
This isn't simply a conversation about where cannabis has been. We're looking forward.
1
FEDERAL POLICY
Rescheduling & the changing federal landscape
4
HEMP
The changing federal and state landscape
2
MARKETS
Interstate commerce & changing market realities
5
EQUITY & COMMUNITY
Communities of color, enforcement & systems that work
3
HEALTH & SCIENCE
Medical cannabis & emerging drug therapies
6
WHAT'S NEXT
Mature markets, emerging frameworks & international perspectives
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Meet some of the leaders and experts joining us from across government, cannabis policy and regulation, public health, advocacy, business, research, and community leadership.
This is a first look at our 2026 speaker lineup. Additional speakers will be announced as the program continues to take shape.
Cat Packer, M.A., J.D.
Chair, CRCC | Director of Drug Markets & Legal Regulation, Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) | Former Executive Director, Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation
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Dominique D. Mendiola
Senior Director, Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division
Tauhid Chappell
Executive Director
New Jersey Department of State Cannabis Training Academy
Tosin Ajayi, MPA
Vice Chair, CRCC
Executive Director, Cannabis NYC | New York City Department of Small Business Services
Drudys Ledbetter, BSN, RN
CEO
Project Destigmatize HealTHCare
Antoine Mordican
CEO
Native Black Cultivation
Chelsea Higgs Wise, MSW
Executive Director, Marijuana Justice
Angela Allbee, MPA
Section Manager, Medical Cannabis & Psilocybin Section
Oregon Health Authority
Eghaghe James
Director, Equal Health and Rights Access Advocacy Initiative - EHRAAI
Dr. Christine Diindiisi McCleave
Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund
Sam Teferi
Founder & CEO, Hash Cab
Ruben Dominguez-Matheis
Outreach Supervisor, Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management
Policy Director, Parabola Center for Law and Policy | Former Chief Equity Officer, NYS Office of Cannabis Management
Dr. Rachel Knox
Co-founder, CHEM | Steering Committee & Spokesperson, Open Materia Project | Former Chair, Oregon Cannabis Commission
Mike Lomuto
Board Chair, Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA)
Ernest Toney
Founder & Principal, BIPOCANN
Additional speakers will be announced as the program continues to take shape.