ROANOKE, Va. — The cannabis industry is entering a new chapter across the Southeast, and Root & Rise 2026 aims to place that conversation center stage.
The three-day symposium will take place July 23-25 at Roanoke College in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The event brings together policymakers, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and industry professionals to explore the future of legal cannabis and hemp markets.
As Virginia prepares to launch adult-use cannabis sales in 2027, industry leaders say the timing could not be more important.
Root & Rise 2026 will focus on policy, licensing, regulation, research, cultivation, education and market development while creating opportunities for meaningful networking and collaboration.
Event features two educational tracks
Attendees can choose between two primary conference tracks.
The Industry & Policy track will examine regulatory developments, business growth opportunities and emerging market trends. Meanwhile, the Research & Education track will focus on scientific discoveries, academic programs and advancements in cannabis studies.
In addition, participants will have access to workshops, networking events, keynote presentations and an industry expo.
The symposium begins on July 23 with field workshops and activities, followed by the Root & Rise Welcome Block Party.
The main conference sessions take place on July 24, while the event concludes on July 25 with a closing keynote and final expo activities.
National experts headline speaker lineup
Root & Rise 2026 features a diverse group of experts from government, academia and industry.
Among the featured speakers is Jamie Patten, acting head and chief administrative officer of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.
Other notable presenters include Allyn Howlett, Ph.D., professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Andrew DeAngelo, co-founder of the Last Prisoner Project; and Hemant Kumar Bid, Ph.D., program director of the Medical Cannabis Therapeutics Program at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Attendees will hear from cultivation specialists, laboratory experts, geneticists, educators and policy advocates who are helping shape the future of cannabis across the United States.
As a result, participants will gain insight into both the business and scientific sides of the industry.
Virginia’s evolving cannabis landscape
Virginia’s upcoming adult-use cannabis market remains one of the most anticipated developments in the region.
At the same time, lawmakers throughout the Southeast continue to debate hemp regulations and cannabis policy reform.
Root & Rise 2026 offers a timely platform for discussing opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Organizers say the event is designed to encourage productive conversations between regulators, business leaders and researchers while supporting responsible industry growth.
Roanoke College provides unique setting
Roanoke College serves as an ideal host for the symposium.
The institution has become a leader in cannabis education through its innovative cannabis studies program. Furthermore, the college continues to prepare students for careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
Located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the campus offers attendees a welcoming environment for learning, networking and collaboration.
Organizers believe the combination of academic leadership and industry expertise will make Root & Rise 2026 one of the region’s most important cannabis conferences.
Event Information
Root & Rise 2026 Symposium
📅 July 23-25, 2026
📍 Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia
🌐 https://www.rootandriseevents.com
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