Member Blog: INSIGHTS Matter – The Value of NCIA Lobby Days

This spring, Cannabis NewsHub partnered with the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) to spotlight the voices of cannabis industry leaders in a special series: INSIGHTS Matter – The Value of NCIA Lobby Days. The goal? To explore why attending NCIA Lobby Days is not just important—but impactful for businesses, professionals, and the future of our industry.

Launched in tandem with NCIA’s April 3rd webinar, Committee Insights: The Value of NCIA Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, this campaign asked a simple question:

What are your insights on the value of attending NCIA Lobby Days?

The response was clear—and overwhelming. More than 15 NCIA members, including NCIA Co-Founder & CEO Aaron Smith and Chairman Adam Rosenberg, shared their perspectives on the importance of showing up, speaking out, and being part of the solution. These reflections—ranging from CEOs and researchers to dispensary operators, medical advocates, marketing professionals, and policy experts—paint a vivid picture of how direct advocacy shapes cannabis policy in real time.

“NCIA’s Lobby Days are a powerful example of advocacy in action, where members directly engage with lawmakers to drive meaningful change. Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed how these events not only influence policy but also empower participants to actively contribute to shaping the future of our industry.”

— Aaron Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, NCIA

“NCIA Lobby Days brings value to its members by driving policy change that reduces barriers to doing business, from tax reform to banking access.”

— Adam Rosenberg, Chairman, NCIA

These testimonials—and more—were amplified across Cannabis NewsHub’s social media platforms and website, reinforcing the collective strength of our member-led movement. Read all the posts here.

Why This Matters: A Look Back at Lobby Days 2025

This year’s campaign coincided with NCIA’s 13th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days and the inaugural National Stakeholder Summit in Washington, D.C. Over the course of 36 hours, NCIA members completed more than 100 meetings on Capitol Hill, directly educating lawmakers and staff on the most pressing issues facing cannabis operators today.

From advocating for long-overdue policy reforms—like the SAFE Banking Act, STATES 2.0, and Section 280E relief—to meeting with key congressional committees, NCIA members helped shape the narrative and build momentum for meaningful change.

The event kicked off with the National Stakeholder Summit, which provided attendees with policy briefings, best practices, and strategies for staying engaged after the meetings end. The summit also served as a bridge for non-members to get involved and witness the value of NCIA membership firsthand.

These efforts are already making an impact. In the weeks following the event, several members of Congress who met with NCIA participants have signed on as co-sponsors to priority legislation.

Your Business. Your Voice. Your NCIA.

Joining NCIA isn’t just about access to events or updates. It’s about being part of something bigger—a movement to ensure that cannabis businesses like yours have a seat at the table and a say in the laws that shape our future. Whether you’re advocating for fair banking, equitable taxation, or consistent federal regulations, NCIA equips you with the tools, training, and platform to be heard.

And when we show up—we move the needle.

Thanks to all the members and partners who contributed to the INSIGHTS Matter campaign and helped shine a spotlight on the critical importance of our shared advocacy efforts. We’re grateful for your voices, your time, and your commitment to driving this industry forward.ᐧ