IgniteIt Spotlight 2026: Regional Events, National Policy, and More Support for Women Entrepreneurs

IgniteIt — formerly known as Benzinga Cannabis — is expanding its Spotlight series in 2026 with a national lineup designed to bring industry leaders, operators, investors, advocates, and founders together for powerful conversations shaping the future of cannabis business.

As an official Media and Promotional Sponsor, The Canna Boss Babes are proud to amplify these events — helping ensure the voices driving change in cannabis are both seen and heard. While we can’t attend every stop in person, trusted community representatives will share key takeaways and insights with our audience.

What IgniteIt Is Building (and Why It Matters)

IgniteIt is building more than a series of events — it’s creating a platform for connection, collaboration, and strategic growth across regional cannabis markets. Through curated networking, educational programming, and high‑impact content, attendees gain access to the conversations that truly move the industry forward.

In reporting last year from Global Cannabis Times, IgniteIt is described as offering “exclusive access to top cannabis industry executives and investors, providing unmatched networking and partnership opportunities for business growth.” (Global Cannabis Times)

This expanded 2026 calendar elevates local market insight while highlighting national policy developments and industry trends that impact operators everywhere.

Elevating Diverse Voices & Representation

A major focus for IgniteIt in 2026 is broadening participation across panels and programming to include more women founders, independent operators, and community leaders. This effort reflects a commitment to diversity and meaningful representation — because real progress happens when those closest to the challenges are in the room helping shape the solutions.

That matters because these events don’t exist in a vacuum.

Many of the attendees participating in regional discussions are working with lobbyists, regulators, investors, and policy groups whose influence reaches far beyond a single state. In many markets, the voices most consistently heard in these rooms have historically leaned toward larger operators and MSOs, that's changing this year.

IgniteIt Spotlight creates an opportunity to broaden the table—to ensure that women, independent operators, community leaders, and emerging founders are present in the conversations where market direction is shaped.

This isn’t about optics. It’s about outcomes.

The industry doesn’t move forward when only one set of perspectives is driving the narrative. It moves forward when the people closest to the challenges—and closest to the communities—are part of building the solutions.

IgniteHer 2026 Is Creating More Visibility for Women Entrepreneurs

One of the most important additions to IgniteIt’s 2026 programming is IgniteHer, a new initiative in partnership with The Mycelia Group created to elevate women founders and entrepreneurs through increased visibility, stronger community connection, and access to industry decision-makers.

For women building in cannabis, hemp, wellness, or adjacent industries, IgniteHer offers a real opportunity to be seen, supported, and positioned for growth—while competing for resources designed to help accelerate the next phase of business development.

If you’re a woman building a brand, a service, a platform, or a product—and you know you’re ready to scale—apply. The visibility alone is valuable. The network access is even more powerful. And the winner receives meaningful resources designed to support real business growth.

Apply for IgniteHer 2026: https://themyceliagroup.my.canva.site/igniteher-2026

Why These Conversations Matter Right Now

The 2026 event calendar is arriving at a moment of major national uncertainty and potential change. Two topics in particular are already shaping how operators, brands, and investors are planning the next 12–24 months:

1) Federal Rescheduling (Schedule III)

The ongoing push toward moving cannabis to Schedule III is one of the most consequential federal developments in years. While rescheduling would not automatically legalize cannabis nationwide, it will change the operational reality for many businesses—especially around taxation, research, and long-term planning.

2) Hemp Regulation and the Looming Federal Deadline

The hemp-derived cannabinoid market continues to face growing scrutiny and instability, with new restrictions and deadlines impacting products, retail strategy, and enforcement decisions across multiple states. The uncertainty around how these policies will be implemented—and whether timelines will shift—has created an environment where many operators are waiting for clarity while still needing to make real business decisions.

These issues are national. But the strategy conversations often happen locally—inside rooms like IgniteIt Spotlight—where decision-makers can compare notes, build relationships, and coordinate next steps.

IgniteIt Spotlight 2026: Upcoming Events We’re Supporting

The Canna Boss Babes will be supporting and promoting IgniteIt’s 2026 events throughout the year, starting with these confirmed dates:

IgniteIt Spotlight: New Jersey

February 10, 2026 — Jersey City, NJA key gathering for Northeast operators, founders, and industry leaders. This is the first event of the year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what priorities emerge in the New Jersey market and beyond.

Event details: https://www.cannabismarketspotlight.com/new-jersey-2026/home

If you’re planning to attend, you can use our sponsor code: CANNABOSSBABES20

IgniteIt Spotlight: Ohio Valley

April 30, 2026 — Cincinnati, OHThis event creates a valuable midpoint between regional operators and national momentum—especially as Midwest markets continue to evolve rapidly.

Event details: https://www.cannabismarketspotlight.com/ohiovalley

If you’re planning to attend, you can use our sponsor code: CANNABOSSBABES20

Cannabis Capital Conference

June 14–16, 2026 — Chicago, ILA multi-day conference designed for deeper discussion around capital, growth strategy, and national market direction.

Event details: https://events.igniteit.com/cannabis-capital-2026

If you’re planning to attend, you can use our sponsor code: CANNABOSSBABES20

Final Note

We believe the cannabis industry thrives through genuine connection, real conversations, and collaboration at every level. IgniteIt Spotlight creates the space for these interactions — bringing communities together to learn, align, and lead. We’re excited to support this series in 2026 and bring back insights that empower our community and spotlight voices that deserve to be heard.