Nations United, a newly established 575e tax-exempt organization, celebrated a milestone with the debut of Canna Collide. This groundbreaking networking event, held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas following MJBizCon, marked a significant step toward bridging sovereign Tribal Nations with the expanding cannabis community. It fosters collaboration, resource sharing, and relationship-building in an inclusive environment.

A Visionary Collaboration

Nations United is the brainchild of Lindsey Renner, owner of Native Humboldt Farms, and Heather Smith, owner of Lost Coast Plant Therapy. Both founders are enrolled members of these federally recognized tribes and have dedicated their efforts to promoting economic development, sovereignty, and sustainability within various Tribal communities.

“Canna Collide was created to provide a vital space where Tribal Nations could gather, exchange ideas, and connect with leaders from the greater cannabis industry. This event wasn’t just about networking; it was about fostering unity and creating solutions for shared challenges and opportunities,” said Renner, co-founder of Nations United.  

A Gathering of Tribal Leaders and Industry Advocates

With over 200 registered attendees, including representatives from more than 20 Tribal Nations across the United States and Canada, Canna Collide became a platform that successfully brought together a diverse group of leaders and innovators. Countries included the Six Nations of the Grand River from Canada, Round Valley Indian Tribes, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, the Yurok Tribe, and several others.

“It was a beautiful thing to see Tribal Nations from around the country having such open and robust conversations with one another,” said Smith, co-founder of Nations United. The venue of the event was also bustling with the presence of advocates, attorneys, consultants, artists, and even trade organizations, including the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA).

Cannabis as a Catalyst for Sovereignty

The Canna Collide event shed light on the crucial role of the cannabis industry, which is contributing immensely to the economic development and sovereignty initiatives within different Tribal communities. While some nations have already established fully operational cannabis enterprises, others are either preparing to explore state compacts or are in the early stages of developing sovereign regulations for cannabis communities.

Beyond cannabis, attendees at the event showcased a range of indigenous-led initiatives. From hemp clothing and buffalo restoration projects to food sovereignty programs and climate change advocacy, each initiative was meant to make the world a better place. 

According to Renner, “In the 20+ Tribal Nations in attendance, we saw a dynamic spectrum of progress and innovation. Some Tribes have fully built out vertical cannabis operations, while others are just beginning to establish sovereign regulations or explore compacts with their respective states. Beyond cannabis, attendees showcased Indigenous designers, hemp clothing, hempcrete housing initiatives, buffalo population restoration projects, food sovereignty programs, and native plant revitalization efforts. It is clear that Tribal Nations are not only embracing the opportunities of the cannabis industry but are thriving across diverse initiatives as we round out 2024.”

Broader Challenges and Ambitions

While cannabis remains a central focus, Nations United aims to address a wide array of challenges faced by Tribal Nations. These include sovereignty and jurisdictional complexities, opioid addiction and mental health crises, natural resource management, and even economic diversification.

The success of Canna Collide reflects the growing interest in Tribal cannabis initiatives. It has also unlocked broader opportunities for Tribal Nations to explore industries beyond cannabis. With Nations United at the helm, Canna Collide represented the progress of a movement to unite Tribal sovereignty with impactful advocacy.

Sponsors and Supporters

The success of Canna Collide was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Lost Coast Plant Therapy, Honest Cannabis, AIM Law, and Native Nations Cannabis. Their collaboration ensured the event served as a platform for innovation and partnership, setting the stage for continued progress.

The Road Ahead

As Nations United looks to the future, its leaders remain committed to fostering collaboration, education, and sustainable solutions for Tribal communities. With the success of Canna Collide, the organization has demonstrated its capacity to unite Tribal sovereignty with impactful initiatives, paving the way for broader economic and social advancements.