Boston will host the 10th annual State of the Cannabis Industry Conference on October 26

The 10th Annual Conference on the State of the Cannabis Industry will be held on October 26, 2026, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. It will bring together leading executives, investors, regulators, and legal experts from the cannabis industry to discuss the future of the U.S. cannabis market.

Organized by the law firm Blank Rome, the conference will address some of the industry's most pressing issues, including the reclassification of cannabis at the federal level, access to capital, mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and new growth opportunities.

This year's event will also mark the launch of the very first «Cannabis Industry Hall of Fame» of the conference, which will honor three influential figures in the U.S. cannabis industry: Boris Jordan, CEO of Curaleaf, George Archos, CEO of Verano, and Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs.

These three executives will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Frank Segall, a partner at Blank Rome, during which they will discuss how the industry has evolved over the past decade, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Regulation, Funding, and Consolidation of the Sector

The conference program will include several panel discussions focused on changes in the cannabis business environment.

A roundtable discussion on federal reclassification will examine the potential implications of moving cannabis to Schedule III, including regulatory requirements and the consequences for operators, investors, and researchers.

Financial challenges will also be a central focus of the discussions: representatives from Needham Bank, Chicago Atlantic, Altmore Capital, and other institutions will discuss credit terms, refinancing, and investment strategies.

Another session will explore mergers and acquisitions in challenging circumstances, as well as restructuring and consolidation, as companies in the cannabis industry navigate an increasingly competitive market.

The event will also feature Christopher Harding, Chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. This timely discussion will allow participants to be at the heart of the action and gain firsthand insight into the Commission’s priorities and its approach to the challenges facing the cannabis industry in Massachusetts. This is a must-attend session for anyone operating in the Massachusetts market or considering entering it.

Other panel discussions will focus on innovation in cannabis payments, point-of-sale technologies, and data analytics.

Co-chaired by Frank Segall and Scott Moskol, partners at Blank Rome, this conference is celebrating its 10th anniversary by bringing together key players in the U.S. cannabis industry.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and can be attended in person or watched live online.

Registration and full program: 10th Annual «State of the Cannabis Industry» Conference».