[PRESS RELEASE] Las Vegas, NV – December 2024 – Nations United, a newly formed 575e tax-exempt entity, celebrated a monumental milestone with the successful launch of Canna Collide, a networking event hosted at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas following MJBizCon. The event aimed to bridge the growing sovereign Tribal Nations network with the broader cannabis industry, fostering collaboration, resource sharing, and relationship-building in a dynamic and inclusive environment. Nations United is a joint collaboration between Lindsey Renner, owner of Native Humboldt Farms, and Heather Smith, owner of Lost Coast Plant Therapy, both of which are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes.
Lindsey Renner (left) with Ira Vandever, Diné Nation owner/operator, Turquoise Indigo Fibers, advocate for The Indigenous Standards, Hempster. Vandever shawl is of Hemp, Cashmere and Navajo Churro Wool. Hand spun, naturally dyed with red clay.Photo courtesy Lindsey Renner
Canna Collide welcomed over 200 registered guests and representatives from more than 20 Tribal Nations across the United States and Canada, including Six Nations of the Grand River from Canada, and Tribal leaders and members from the Round Valley Indian Tribes, Pit River Tribe, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Yurok Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Prairie Island Indian Community, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, White Earth Nation, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Seneca Nation of Indians, and Mohawk Nation. “It was a beautiful thing to see Tribal Nations from around the country having such open and robust conversations with one another,” said Smith.
Attendees included Tribal leaders, advocates, attorneys, consultants, artists, designers, and trade organizations such as (ICIA) Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association.
“Indian Country made its presence felt at MJBizCon this year,” said Renner, who is also co-founder of Nations United. “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.”
The event highlighted the pivotal role cannabis plays as a catalyst for economic development and sovereignty initiatives in Tribal communities. However, as Renner emphasized, the mission of Nations United extends beyond cannabis, aiming to address the broader challenges faced by Tribal Nations including sovereignty and jurisdictional complexities, natural resource management and lithium mining, food sovereignty, opioid addiction and the mental health crisis, Native American veterans services for reintegration into civilian life, economic diversification and opportunity, climate change and environmental justice.
The success of Canna Collide is a testament to the growing interest in Tribal cannabis initiatives and the broader opportunities for Tribal Nations to lead in industries beyond cannabis. With Nations United at the helm, the event represents the progression of a movement to unite Tribal sovereignty with impactful advocacy and innovation.
In conclusion Renner added that, “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 exploring 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”.
Mary Jane Oatman, COO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (right), and Savelle the Native, an indigenous hip hop artist, at the Canna Collide event.Photo courtesy Lindsey Renner
The success of Canna Collide was made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors and allies, including Lost Coast Plant Therapy, Honest Cannabis, AIM Law, Kastle Security, Cannatrol, Terphogz, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Native Nations Cannabis, Prairie Island Indian Community, Table Toke Podcast, and Island Pezi Cannabis Brand and Retail. Their dedication and collaboration helped create a groundbreaking event that united Tribal Nations and the broader cannabis community, setting the stage for continued innovation, partnership, and progress.
For more information about Nations United and future initiatives, contact Renner at [email protected].
About Nations United
Nations United is a 575e tax-exempt organization dedicated to bridging Tribal Nations with broader industries, focusing on cannabis as a catalyst while addressing a wide array of economic, social, and environmental challenges. Founded by Lindsey Renner of Native Humboldt Farms and Heather Smith of Lost Coast Plant Therapy, Nations United is committed to fostering collaboration, education, and sustainable solutions for Tribal communities and beyond.
About Native Humboldt and Lindsey Renner
Native Humboldt Farms is a self-funded, legacy cannabis farm and brand founded by Lindsey Renner, an enrolled member of a federally recognized Tribal Nation, Round Valley Indian Tribes. Rooted in Humboldt County, California, at the heart of the cannabis movement. Native Humboldt represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and cultural preservation. Renner has been a cultivator and advocate for the plant since the legacy market days, making her one of the few Tribal entrepreneurs to hold California cannabis licenses.
Renner's journey is one of resilience and innovation, as she bridges the gap between traditional Tribal values and modern cannabis commerce. Her work extends beyond cultivation; as a consultant, she empowers other Tribal Nations to navigate the cannabis industry while advocating for sovereignty, sustainability, and cultural integrity. Renner's passion for storytelling and her dedication to making a positive impact define both her personal and professional endeavors. Through Native Humboldt, she continues to lead by example, showcasing the power of cannabis as a catalyst for Tribal and community-driven progress.
About Lost Coast Plant Therapy
From left: Cher Old Elk, General Counsel, Fort Belknap and Fort Peck; Isaiah Kicknosway, Six Nations; and Heather Smith, owner of Lost Coast Plant Therapy and confounder of Nations United, gathering at Canna Collide in Las Vegas.Photo courtesy Lindsey Renner
Lost Coast Plant Therapy is a leading pest management company based in Humboldt County, California, dedicated to providing safe, effective, and eco-friendly solutions for plant health. Founded with the mission to support cultivators in achieving healthy, thriving crops, Lost Coast Plant Therapy offers a non-toxic, biodegradable formula that is gentle on plants while tough on pests.
The company’s innovative approach reflects its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, helping growers maintain their operations in harmony with nature. Recognized and trusted within the cannabis industry and beyond, Lost Coast Plant Therapy continues to set the standard for responsible pest management, empowering cultivators of all scales to achieve success without compromising their values.
