Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is set to become the first ever sitting senator to give a keynote speech for a cannabis industry conference later in September, The Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.

The conference, put on by the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), is scheduled for Sept. 21 in New York City and will attract hundreds of cannabis professionals from all over the United States. Discussions and workshops will address issues like marijuana policy reform, patient care and navigating business practices in a legal environment where the drug is still classified under Schedule I, making it illegal as far as the federal government is concerned.

“It’s time to update our outdated federal laws that prevent patients in need from receiving care, restrict research on medical marijuana and its potential to treat illnesses, and limit the responsible growth of the medical marijuana industry,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “This summit is an opportunity to learn about the progress we’ve made in the movement to reform our federal laws and support modern medical marijuana policies.”

Gillibrand recently took center stage in the marijuana policy reform debate when she signed her name as an original cosponsor of the CARERS Act, which proposes to switch marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. It would also allow veterans access to the drug and prevent the federal government from conducting raids on dispensaries in states that have legalized marijuana. (RELATED: Senators Unveil Bill To Legalize Federal Medical Marijuana)

“Senator Gillibrand is a powerful advocate for patients whose lives can be changed dramatically by legal access to medical cannabis,” said NCIA Executive Director Aaron Smith in a statement. “By championing much-needed reforms to federal marijuana laws, she’s shown herself to be a leader with vision and compassion. We’re proud to host her at NCIA’s Fall Summit.”

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Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.