America’s ‘Godfather of Legal Cannabis’, Steve D’Angelo (pictured here) will be one of the keynote speakers at the International Cannabis Symposium (ICS) 2026 which is to be held at UCT at the end of June.
He will be rubbing shoulders with the DTIC’s chief policy architect John Jeffrey as lawmakers from around the world gather to discuss reality-based cannabis policies.
The ICS is the brainchild of Jakarta-based Sean Hocking, known for his critical online periodical, Cannabis Law Report, and the local partner is Fields of Green for All (FGFA). Hocking tells Cannabiz Africa that Cape Town has been chosen as the venue for the event as it has become the consumer capital of African cannabis.
For this reason ICS 2026 offers a number of post-conference cannabis-orientated excursions, including Cheeba’s Mpondoland Cannabis Adventure.
Hocking is encouraging the general public to attend the sessions, which run from Wednesday, 25 June to Saturday, 27 June 2026. He says tickets have been deliberately priced cheaply to ensure the international cannabis networking opportunity is accessible as possible.
Keynote speaker D’Angelo will share his experiences over five decades at the forefront of legalizing cannabis in the United States. He launched the One Plant Alliance (OPA) in November 2025 in Oakland, California, to unify America’s fragmented cannabis sectors — from legacy operators and equity licensees to multi-state operators and advocacy groups.
Other speakers will be John Jeffrey from the DTIC who is one of the main legal architects of South Africa’s new cannabis laws which will regulate adult-use consumption. Global cannabis strategist Tom Hoban is another keynote speaker – read his piece on Greenwashing in the cannabis industry here.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF SPEAKERS HERE
The theme of ICS 2026 is Back to Basics: Creating Foundational Policy & Law for Equitable Global Cannabis and Hemp. It’s objectives are:
1. Establish Evidence-Based Policy Frameworks: Develop comprehensive policy recommendations based on the latest research in cannabis regulation, public health, and social equity.
2. Foster International Collaboration: Build networks between academics, policymakers, and practitioners from different jurisdictions to share best practices and lessons learned.
3. Address Social Justice Concerns:Prioritize discussions on how cannabis policy can address historical injustices and promote social equity in emerging markets.
4. Advance Hemp Policy Development: Explore the unique regulatory challenges and opportunities presented by industrial hemp and its diverse applications.
The ICS in its own words:
The International Cannabis Symposium 2026 represents a pivotal moment in the global conversation surrounding cannabis and hemp policy.
As jurisdictions worldwide grapple with the complexities of cannabis legalization and regulation, there is an urgent need to establish foundational principles that prioritize equity, justice, and evidence-based decision-making.
Our symposium brings together the world’s leading academics, policymakers, legal experts, and industry professionals to address these critical challenges. Through rigorous academic discourse, we aim to develop comprehensive frameworks that can guide equitable cannabis policy development across diverse global contexts.
Hosted at the prestigious University of Cape Town, this symposium leverages South Africa’s unique position as a leader in progressive cannabis policy reform on the African continent, while drawing on international expertise to create truly global solutions.
Back to Basics: Creating Foundational Policy & Law for Equitable Global Cannabis and Hemp
UCT, Cape Town, 25 – 27 June 2026.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE
Click Below for Early Bird Tickets – offer ends 1 May 2026
https://forms.gle/UwFBqb35p8Jwj2V88
Everything you need to know is on the event website & looking forward to seeing you in Cape Town in June!
