Highly Capitalized Network to interview cannabis leaders ahead of DEA rescheduling hearing

By AI, Created 10:16 PM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – Highly Capitalized Podcast will record live interviews at IgniteIt Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on June 15–16, 2026, as the industry prepares for a DEA hearing on federal cannabis rescheduling June 29. The interviews will capture how executives, investors and policy leaders are positioning for a possible shift in federal cannabis policy.

Why it matters: - The cannabis industry is heading into one of its most closely watched federal hearings in years. - Live interviews from Chicago are meant to capture how executives, investors and policymakers are thinking about rescheduling before the DEA hearing on June 29. - The conversations could offer a real-time snapshot of where capital, policy expectations and business strategy are heading.

What happened: - Highly Capitalized Podcast, in partnership with the Marijuana Industry Trade Association (MITA USA), will conduct live interviews during IgniteIt Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. - The conference runs June 15–16, 2026, at the Marriott Magnificent Mile. - Highly Capitalized Network will record interviews with local and national industry leaders onsite. - The interviews will focus on preparation for the federal cannabis rescheduling hearing scheduled for June 29.

The details: - Interview topics will include how operators, investors and policymakers are preparing for potential policy shifts. - Featured interviewees are expected to include Demitri Downing, founder of MITA USA. - Other expected guests include Sarah McLaughlin MS RD, co-founder and vice president of Products and R&D at Melt-To-Make. - Caroline Riggs, executive vice president of Retail and Marketing at Copperstate Farms, is also expected to appear. - Mitch Chargo is among the additional thought leaders slated for interviews. - Interviews will be distributed through the Highly Capitalized Network website, the company’s announcement site, and HCN’s newsletter and social channels. - HCN says its newsletter and social following tops 70,000 subscribers and followers. - More information about the conference is available at IgniteIt Cannabis Capital Conference.

Between the lines: - The event is being positioned as both a business conference and an information-gathering moment ahead of a major policy inflection point. - Mark Collins framed the central question for the industry as what comes next, suggesting the hearing may shape near-term investment and operating decisions. - Collins founded Highly Capitalized Network and has been active in cannabis since 2015, a background that gives the interviews industry credibility. - Highly Capitalized and MITA USA are using the conference to extend their reach beyond attendees and into a broader national audience.

What’s next: - HCN will publish the recorded interviews after the conference. - Industry watchers will be looking for signals on how leaders expect the DEA hearing to affect federal cannabis policy, capital flows and market strategy. - The June 29 hearing is the key date to watch for the next policy turn.