Every cannabis market is unique. As states legalize, local markets work to come online and mature. All the while, distinct challenges and success stories emerge. IgniteIt, the plant-facing media and events platform formerly known as Benzinga Cannabis, is relaunching its Market Spotlight series this fall with three events designed to unite and empower cannabis communities.
RELATED: Where cannabis meets community: MJ Unpacked comes to the Show-Me State
The team at IgniteIt strives to curate programming and guest lists that provide attendees with actionable insights. Elliot Lane, president and chief revenue officer at IgniteIt, told GreenState the organization aims to connect operators with people who can move the needle forward for their businesses.
“We are an education-forward event focused on delivering content, financial strategies, and connections that can improve your overall health as a company,” Lane said.
He added that could mean anything from getting in front of investors, connecting with potential partners for expansion or M&A, or even resources to navigate receivership.
California, Ohio, and D.C. on the IgniteIt docket
The first stop for IgniteIt’s fall tour is California. As one of the more mature (and volatile) marijuana markets in the country, operators have no shortage of things to discuss. While the industry in the Golden State has faced many roadblocks, it continues to set trends as it leads the nation in sales.
Topics at this Market Spotlight include maximizing the benefits of California’s recent cannabis tax reset, multi-state expansion, and developing consumer-led brands. The event takes place on October 8th at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Anaheim.
RELATED: 3 pot stocks to watch as cannabis rescheduling looms
Less than a month after the California event wraps, the IgniteIt team will head to Ohio for the state’s first Market Spotlight. The Buckeye State has seen steady sales since adult-use sales began in August 2024, but strict regulations and competition from intoxicating hemp threaten operator success.
At the Ohio Market Spotlight, attendees will learn about attracting investment, overcoming advertising restrictions, the value of human capital, and other key topics. Ohio operators and those interested in expansion to the region should plan to join on November 3rd at the Westin Cincinnati Downtown.
Rounding out this year’s IgniteIt event series is the Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. This conference will bring together lobbyists, executives, and advocacy organizations working toward national reform and regional market success.
The agenda for the summit is still being finalized, but Lane said the goal is to facilitate meaningful dialogue and foster collaboration toward a greater good.
“When it comes to Washington, Wall Street, and cannabis, there is no one room that combines them all,” Lane noted. “We want everybody who has a stake in moving this industry forward to be in this room, have a discussion, and come together on how we can unify.”
RELATED: Building an ecosystem: Maryland Marketplace unites cannabis community
Set for November 17th at the Hilton Washington D.C. National Mall The Wharf, the Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit will be especially timely as the Trump administration mulls federal reform. Many predict the president will move on rescheduling any day now, which could impact the agenda in a big way.
Cannabis conferences range in size and scope, but IgniteIt’s Market Spotlight series positions itself as a forum for purposeful connection. By bringing stakeholders together at both state and national levels, the events aim to highlight the challenges facing cannabis markets while also identifying opportunities for growth. The series underscores the evolving nature of the cannabis economy and the importance of collaboration in shaping its future.
