Two leading cannabis organizations — the Institute for Cannabis Research (ICR) and the National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium (NICS) — are joining forces to launch the most comprehensive interdisciplinary cannabis research conference in the United States, set for October 19-21, 2026, at the Doubletree by Hilton - Mission Valley in San Diego, California.

With the NICS signing on as co-organizer, this collaboration brings together researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, legal experts and judges, industry leaders, educators, and social scientists for a deep dive into cannabis science, policy, and innovation.

“This isn’t just another conference. It’s a convergence of cannabis science and dialogue,” said Dr. Chad Kinney, Director of ICR at Colorado State University Pueblo. “We’re gathering every corner of the cannabis research ecosystem to spark breakthroughs and shape the future.”

The partnership reflects a growing recognition of the need to present the latest findings in agriculture, medicine, law, economics, culture, and beyond for use in fact-based decision-making.

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 “Together, we will build on years of pioneering work in curating inclusive, evidence-based cannabis discourse,” said Judge May Celeste (ret.), Director of NICS. “We are creating a powerful engine for knowledge exchange, equity, and innovation that will shape cannabis scholarship and practice for decades.”

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“As Chair of the 2026 conference, I’m thrilled to help lead this unprecedented collaboration,” said Joanna Zeiger, MS, PhD. “By bringing science, policy, business, and equity together in one space, this conference will be a thought-leader in the field of cannabis.”