The inaugural CORE Summit brought together cannabis business owners, social equity operators, advocates, regulators and community members earlier this month at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.
Hosted by the City’s Office of Cannabis Management, the two-day event provided Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) Program participants and other attendees with information, resources and networking opportunities within California’s cannabis industry.
“This summit created opportunities for participants to connect with industry professionals, hear directly from regulators and learn more about resources available through the CORE Program,” said Al Romero-Gibu, manager of the Office of Cannabis Management. “We hope attendees walked away with valuable connections, practical information and a stronger understanding of the resources available to help them navigate the cannabis industry. We also appreciated the strong participation and engagement throughout the event.”
Programming included discussions on licensing and compliance, funding and business growth strategies, marketing and branding, and the legal landscape surrounding cannabis.
Attendees also heard regulatory updates from the California Department of Cannabis Control and participated in networking opportunities with industry professionals and support organizations.
Additional sessions highlighted women leaders in the cannabis industry and featured discussions on municipal equity programs in Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The summit concluded with a keynote address from Stephanie Shepard, executive director of the Last Prisoner Project, who spoke about the ongoing impacts of cannabis criminalization and the importance of restorative justice and equity efforts within the industry.
“Speaking at the 2026 CORE Summit was deeply meaningful to me,” Shepard said. “Being in community with so many social equity leaders and advocates was a powerful reminder that this work is bigger than any one of us. It’s about creating real pathways to repair, opportunity and justice.”
The discussions reflected the summit’s broader focus on equity and opportunity, aligning with the City’s ongoing efforts through its CORE Program to reduce barriers to entry and support individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis enforcement.
To learn more about local cannabis laws and regulations, visit the City’s cannabis webpage, contact the City’s Office of Cannabis Management at cannabis@cityofsacramento.org or call (916) 808-8955.
