This article is an adapted version of the Cannabis Confidential newsletter. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
The IgniteIt (né Benzinga) Cannabis Capital & Policy Summit was held in Washington, D.C. on Monday, November 17th, 2025. The timing couldn’t have been better, given the recent intoxicating hemp ban and the subsequent price action in the market.
I suppose you can’t blame people for being confused after the mainstream media ran stories about the THC ban, in addition to the read-through on what that congressional action might mean for the administrative rescheduling process and/or Prohibition 3.0.
I was keen to connect with the relationships that have been forged through the years, kindred spirits who’ve endured this treacherous journey with an eye on the other side, but this trip was a fact-finding mission more than a ‘misery loves company’ junket.
After a quick Sunday night sushi sesh with FLUENT CEO Dave Vautrin, who was just as popular in D.C. as he was in New York, and several hotel lobby handshakes, I scooped myself some chocolate milk and a Toblerone and was in bed by 8 PM.
Monday Marathon
Scott Greiper of Viridian started the day with a chart showing how depressed industry valuations are as a function of tepid top-line growth. Math doesn’t lie and facts aren’t insults, but it was interesting to note that there was no mention of intoxicating hemp, its recent ban, or the implications for forward growth once THC is treated as THC.
The next panel was about Virginia, which would be the biggest state to flip to adult-use since Ohio.
Among some of the observations: hemp demonstrated THC demand, Dems picked up the Gov + 13 seats in the House (all moderates), Virginia is a microcosm for the …
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Author: Todd Harrison / High Times
