Holon on the Ground at IgniteIt’s DC Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit
Contributions by Amber Littlejohn and Jay Kotzker
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on legal and policy developments and should not be construed as legal advice.
IgniteIt (formerly Benzinga) hosted its inaugural DC Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit last week, and Holon Law Partners was on the ground in force. With the federal “hemp ban” looming and rescheduling dominating national headlines, the Summit created a rare moment of alignment among policymakers, regulators, investors, and operators. For Holon, it was both a chance to engage with industry leaders and an opportunity to advance the firm’s ongoing work shaping national cannabis and hemp policy.
Holon Leads From the Front: Policy, People & Practical Insight
The day opened with a Holon-sponsored networking breakfast, drawing federal lawmakers, state and federal regulators, and a strong showing of hemp-industry leaders, alongside the usual IgniteIt mix of operators, service providers, investors, and dealmakers. The conversations were timely: uncertainty around the DEA’s proposed “hemp ban,” renewed calls for federal cannabis rescheduling, and urgent questions about how evolving federal frameworks will impact markets already struggling with uneven state-by-state rules.
Spotlight on Patient Access and Responsible Legalization
Holon Counsel Amber Littlejohn led a high-impact panel examining the implications of federal cannabis rescheduling for medical cannabis—a topic gaining traction as federal agencies advance scientific review under the Controlled Substances Act.
Panelists addressed:
- Opportunities for medical research expansion under a new federal designation
- Potential impacts for veterans, patients, and clinical stakeholders
- Anticipated shifts in federal oversight across FDA, DEA, CMS, and VA
- The need for a cohesive national regulatory approach to avoid widening gaps between medical and adult-use markets
This conversation underscored what Holon has long advocated: any federal reform must center public health, patient safety, and equitable access.
Holon’s Regulated Industries Group Chair Jim Boland and IP Group Chair Nicole Gaither were also on the ground meeting clients, discussing deal flow, and exchanging insights with operators navigating increasingly complex compliance and brand-protection landscapes.
Federal Policy Momentum—and the Challenges Ahead
Lawmakers cycled through the Summit throughout the day, with a standout appearance by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), co-author of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Senator Booker reaffirmed his commitment to full federal legalization while acknowledging that rescheduling is the most immediate and politically viable step forward.
Industry analysts and regulators echoed this sentiment, noting:
- Schedule III would provide tax relief by eliminating 280E burdens
- Federal research pathways would finally expand
- Medical-market infrastructure could grow more predictably
- But: state-level inconsistencies would persist without broader reform
Still, rescheduling—paired with emerging bipartisan interest in banking and research bills—suggests that 2026 may be one of the most consequential policy years for the cannabis sector in over a decade.
Holon’s Regulatory Practice Group: Shaping Policy, Not Just Following It
A central theme of the Summit aligned directly with Holon’s position in the industry: effective policy requires informed, experienced, cross-disciplinary guidance. Holon’s Regulatory Practice Group continues to play an increasingly active role in federal, state, and interagency dialogues shaping the future of cannabis and hemp regulation.
Holon’s contributions include:
- Commenting on federal rulemaking, including DEA and FDA dockets impacting cannabinoids, extracts, research, and interstate commerce
- Advising national trade organizations on regulatory frameworks for intoxicating hemp products and responsible product safety standards
- Supporting congressional offices and state agencies with technical insights on licensing structures, enforcement priorities, equity design, and cross-border commerce issues
- Developing model policies and compliance architectures for operators seeking to align with both current and anticipated federal oversight
- Promoting harmonized national standards in areas such as testing, labeling, patent protection, and data governance
As federal agencies increasingly turn their attention to the hemp and cannabis markets, Holon’s regulatory attorneys are working collaboratively to ensure evidence-based, economically viable, and socially responsible policymaking.
Maryland Sets the Pace on Equity and Market Growth
Maryland regulators, operators, and community leaders were also well represented throughout the day. With one of the fastest-growing cannabis markets in the U.S., Maryland continues to serve as a national case study in equitable market expansion.
Key takeaways included:
- MCA Executive Director Tabitha Robinson’s vision for a maturing market with strong compliance infrastructure
- MCA Chief of Policy Khadijah Tribble’s emphasis on community engagement and long-term equity outcomes
- The Maryland Office of Social Equity’s early data showing promising participation rates among new licensees
Conversations around Maryland’s model highlighted the state’s potential to influence federal policy discussions on equity-centered legalization.
Looking Ahead: National Policy Is Moving—Holon Is Helping Shape What Comes Next
From the ongoing debate over the “hemp ban” to the momentum behind rescheduling, the Summit confirmed what industry leaders have felt for months: federal reform is no longer theoretical—it is underway.
Holon will continue advancing this work through:
- Strategic engagement with policymakers and regulators
- Collaboration with clients, researchers, and impact partners
- Thought leadership on responsible, sustainable market modernization
Holon will remain deeply involved as the national conversation evolves, ensuring our clients—and the broader industry—are prepared for the next chapter.
