CHICAGO – The Cannabis Law Institute 2026 (CLI2026) will return to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago June 17–18. Hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA), the conference is devoted to helping attorneys, regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders navigate one of the most complex and rapidly evolving legal landscapes in the United States.
The 2026 program is built around a simple but urgent premise: Cannabis law encompasses both “marijuana” and “hemp,” and the traditional methods of analyzing and serving the two industries need updating.
Over two days of curated programming, CLI2026 will challenge attorneys to move beyond introductory conversations and engage with the real-world complexities defining the space today. From evolving regulatory frameworks to litigation risk, compliance strategy, and emerging business models, every session is designed for practitioners who are done with the basics and ready for what comes next.
Day 1
Day 1 features a full plenary format bringing all attendees into a shared set of conversations. The program opens with a keynote, followed by a focused look at the federal landscape – including rescheduling, hemp redefinition, and the evolving role of medicinal cannabis. That discussion will be complemented by a plenary panel featuring four state regulators, offering on-the-ground insight into how states are responding to hemp-related challenges and navigating shifting federal direction. The afternoon turns to the business and practice of cannabis law, including how the profession is evolving and what can be learned from other highly regulated industries.
Day 2
Day 2 introduces two concurrent tracks of continuing legal education, each reflecting the increasing specialization within cannabis law. One focuses on the practical realities of legal practice – from AI-driven ethical considerations to dispute resolution and corporate governance. The other examines key legal and policy developments, including enforcement, data privacy, real estate, and the rapidly evolving legal battle around adult-use hemp.
Who attends
Spanning keynote discussions, panel sessions, and networking opportunities, the event will draw outside counsel, in-house attorneys, regulators, compliance professionals, and executives from across the cannabis ecosystem. At a time when federal reform remains uncertain and state-by-state frameworks continue to evolve, CLI2026 offers a critical forum for serious practitioners to exchange ideas, pressure-test strategies, and stay ahead of what’s coming next.
CLI2026 is made possible through the support of leading law firms, service providers, and industry partners committed to advancing legal excellence in cannabis.
Early registration is now open. Additional details, including the full agenda and speaker lineup, will be announced in the coming weeks.
