[PRESS RELEASE] Cambridge, Wis., Jan. 22, 2024 — The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association continued to create opportunities and advocate for equity in the cannabis and hemp industries for Indigenous people and Tribal Nations in 2024. By welcoming new members, participating in national and international speaking engagements and bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers in the industry, ICIA made a bigger impact this year than ever before.
“In our third year, we gained traction by making strong connections across Indigenous communities and continuing to create platforms for the voices of Indigenous people to be heard,” said ICIA founder Rob Pero. “Increased access to safe and effective plant medicine is something that can safely benefit everyone, particularly Indigenous communities who are disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis. Now is the time to work together for change.”
In 2024, 12 tribal government members joined ICIA in support of their mission to increase access to plant medicine and empower Indigenous people in the cannabis industry, while gaining access to their national network of cannabis industry leaders and resources.
The group made a resounding impact by bringing their voice to the global stage for the first time this year, at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin, Germany, where founder Rob Pero spoke on a panel of global cannabis leaders discussing emerging cannabis markets. Later in the year, The ICIA leadership team, including Pero and Executive Director Mary Jane Oatman, attended the inaugural Andean Hemp & Cannabis Trade Forum in Peru. Presented by the Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC), this history-making trade event brought together industry leaders to explore the legal framework of cannabis in South America as well as forward-thinking opportunities for launching hemp and medical cannabis brands in the region.
ICIA is a growing force for bringing together key players in the industry and highlighting Indigenous voices, through gatherings like their annual Summit events. Their third annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit, hosted in Washington, D.C. in November, highlighted the importance of Tribal hemp and cannabis advocacy. The annual Summit is a platform to discuss the complexities of cannabis legalization with an emphasis on defending the sovereign right of Indigenous communities to build sustainable growth in the cannabis and hemp industries.
The advocacy group also worked regionally in 2024 to make headway on cannabis reform in Wisconsin. National hemp and cannabis industry leaders convened with Tribal Nations from across Wisconsin at ICIA’s second annual Wisconsin Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit at the Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel. The Wisconsin-focused cannabis summit provided industry education, advocacy and resources with the goal of increasing accessibility of plant medicine to communities across Wisconsin. The ICIA’s network of Indigenous cannabis operators in Wisconsin helped launch the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis in 2024.
In partnership with the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis and ICIA’s Tribal Government members, ICIA also launched the Wisconsin Wellness campaign in October, a state-wide public awareness campaign encouraging Wisconsin voters to choose healing over harm, hope over fear, and wellness for all by joining the fight to legalize medical cannabis in Wisconsin.
At the federal level, ICIA helped to amplify Indigenous voices in cannabis policy by participating in the DEA’s public comment period ahead of its 2025 rescheduling hearing and encouraging its Indigenous members to submit comments.
Looking forward, ICIA will continue to lead the fight for opportunity and equity for Indigenous communities in the cannabis space in 2025 and beyond. The group will continue to cultivate their established leadership platforms through summit gatherings and speaking engagements, while developing new opportunities for engagement, advocacy and the inclusion of Indigenous voices in shaping the future of cannabis.
About Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association
The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association exists to promote the exploration, development, and advancement of the cannabis industry for the benefit of all Indigenous communities. ICIA is dedicated to the advocacy and empowerment of our Indigenous cannabis businesses, influencers, and aspiring entrepreneurs along with being a conduit of connection and data for Indigenous Nations as we push towards a vision of an equitable, just, and sustainable Indigenous cannabis economy. To learn more about ICIA’s strategic vision and priorities, visit indigenouscannabis.org.
