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The Best Cannabis Events of 2024
Best Cannabis Events in 2024 The cannabis industry has skyrocketed in a big way, and attending cannabis events is the best way to stay updated on the trends in this exciting, ever-evolving industry. Whether you are interested in collaborating on the latest innovations, new product lines, legislations, or just expanding your network, these are the best cannabis events in 2024 that you must visit! Cannabis Events in 2024 January 2024 SUNY Cannabis Conference in Niagara Falls, NY (January 8-9) This 2-day event hosted by Niagara County Community College features the brightest minds in the cannabis industry. The first day will include the first-ever American Culinary Federation culinary cannabis competition, and the second day will give you insights on the latest research, technology, and opportunities in the NYS Cannabis industry. Lift Vancouver in Canada (January 11-13) Lift is the original large-scale cannabis trade show in Canada that showcases leading-edge content and innovative exhibitors. The 3-day event includes a business conference, expo, and an after-party where you can mingle with industry leaders, innovators, and regulators. Virginia Cannabis Conference in Richmond, VA (January 19-22) Hosted by Virginia NORML, this event is the Commonwealth’s premier cannabis industry and policy event. You’ll be able to hear more from national experts, state legislators, and local industry leaders. The event includes discussion sessions and after-hours networking. Cannadelic in Miami, FL (January 26-28) One of the largest cannabis conventions in the world, Cannadelic is a holistic health and consciousness event that includes an expo and trade show, seminars, a consumer marketplace, workshops, and awards. Another unique part of this convention is a special breakout session called the Investor Summit, where accredited investors can look for opportunities. February 2024 Hawaii Cannabis Expo in Honolulu, HI (February 2-4) Established in 2014, the Hawaii Cannabis Expo aims to unite and educate the cannabis community in Hawaii. The event includes seminars, discussions, demonstrations, and an expo. Canapa Mundi in Rome, Italy (February 16-18) This is an international fair that involves companies and visitors from around the world. It’s certified by national authorities and includes conferences, workshops on the latest technologies, and a wide range of attractions. Lift San Francisco, California (February 22-23) A renowned event for cannabis food, beverage, and hospitality that features expert panels and exhibitors from across the cannabis industry. It’s the perfect place for you to mingle and expand your network! Connecticut Cannabis Expo- XpoCanna in Uncasville, CT (February 24-25) The 3rd annual event will feature three activities rolled into one. There is the Connecticut cannabis business convention, consumer expo, and the X Cup, New England’s most rigorously tested and judged cannabis competition. Cannabis Business Asia-Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand (February 29-March 1) A leading event for the Asian medical cannabis and hemp market that features seminars, discussions, and exhibitions. During the seminar, leading innovators will show their latest developments, successes, and failures in a case study presentation. March 2024 Spannabis in Barcelona, Spain (March 15-17) One of the largest premier events in Europe for cannabis culture and business, Spannabis features the World Cannabis Conference, Spannabis Champions Cup, and International Cannabis Business Conference. A large part of the exhibition will be focused on CBD and industrial hemp. NECANN in Boston, MA (March 22-23) NECANN Boston is the second largest B2B cannabis industry event in the world. The 2024 event will feature over 350 exhibitors, five full programming tracks, multiple workshops, and an investor summit. It’s the best place to grow your brand awareness in front of cannabis industry professionals in the Northeast. Other notable events: GreenTech Americas in Mexico, Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA, CannExpo Toronto, Canada, and more. April 2024 The Emerald Conference in San Diego, CA (April 1-3) The Emerald Conference is an interdisciplinary cannabis science and psychedelic event. It serves as a forum for highlighting the latest research, scientific advancements, and practical applications in cannabis cultivation, processing, and product development. CannaCon South in Oklahoma City, OK (April 5-6) Focused on Oklahoma’s legal cannabis business, it’s the nation’s leading cannabis expo and B2B conference. Cannacon will unite leading pioneers and entrepreneurs with investors and experts to discuss the latest industry developments. MjUnpacked in Atlantic City, NJ (April 9-11) This is an exclusive event attended by cannabis retail and brand executives, R&D and licensed lab professionals, and investors. The focus of this event is to collaborate, connect, and access capital. Noco Hemp Expo in Estes Park, CO (April 11-13) The 10th Noco Hemp annual event features exhibitions and discussions on the latest policies, regulations, research, and products. Noco Hemp 2024 will focus 2024 more on hemp-based industrial materials, the environment, food, and nutrition. May 2024 NECANN in Baltimore, MD (May 3-4) NECANN Baltimore is a great opportunity for cannabis professionals in the Maryland area to expand their network. The first-ever cannabis convention in Maryland will give you insights on the latest cannabis trends, new products, and services. Cannabis Science Conference, Kansas City, MO (May 7-9) This is the industry’s premier science event, focusing on analytical science, medical cannabis, and cultivation. You’ll gain insights from expert panels, find new products in the exhibition hall, and network during the mixer. Other notable events: White Label World Expo Las Vegas, NV, Cultiva Hanfexpo Zagreb, Croatia, CannMed24 Marco Island, FL, and more. June 2024 Cannabis Business Europe 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany (June 4-5) This is a significant event in Europe where the cannabis business community can share knowledge on the latest developments, discuss during Q&A sessions, and participate in hands-on workshops. CWCBExpo in New York City, NY (June 5-6) CWCBExpo is a premier cannabis B2B expo for the East Coast. Attendees will enjoy educational sessions, innovative product displays, and elite networking opportunities. Other notable events: Med-Tech Innovation Birmingham, UK, The Flower Expo Greenfield, MA, Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research Haarlem, Netherlands, and more. July 2024 IFT First in Chicago, IL (July 14-17) A food expo with over 1,000 exhibitors sharing the latest in food science intelligence, including cannabis-related content. There’s also a multi-day pitch competition in the Startup Pavilion where you’ll gain access to 100 startups from around the globe. Cannabis Drinks Expo in Chicago, IL (July 30-31) Learn more about cannabis-infused beverages where professionals from all over the US and Canada share their knowledge. There will also be a product showcase pavilion with over 100 cannabis beverages. August 2024 Flower Expo in Allegan, MI (August 7-8) The Flower Expo is the Midwest’s premier cannabis trade show that showcases industry innovations and trends. Attendees will enjoy innovative product exhibitions, socialize with peers, and enjoy delicious food and beverages from local vendors. CannaCon Midwest in St. Paul, MN (August 16-17) A pioneer in St. Paul’s cannabis industry, this is a landmark business expo focusing on industry growth in the Midwest. Entrepreneurs will be able to mingle, seek seed money, find innovative technologies, and get business and legal advice from professionals in the field. Cannabis Business Times Conference in Las Vegas, NV (August 20-22) The Cannabis Business Times Conference is a leading event for plant-growing businesses. It features a day-long cultivation roundtable, networking opportunities, and pre-show workshops for newcomers to the industry. September 2024 NECANN in Atlantic City, NJ (September 6-7) NECANN New Jersey is a growing B2B cannabis industry event. In 2024, the event has a projected turnout of over 200 exhibitors and over 4000 attendees. Montreal Cannabis Expo in Montreal, Quebec (September 18-19) This expo is one of Canada’s leading Cannabis Industry Trade Show meant for professionals who would like to gain insights and expand their network. Attendees will join stage presentations on innovations, product exhibitions, and an industry mixer rooftop party. Grow Up Conference and Expo in Edmonton (September 29 - October 1) This is one of the largest Canada B2B cannabis events focusing on cultivation, cannabis retailers, extractions, and psychedelics. You’ll be able to mingle with world-class speakers and industry professionals in cannabis cultivation and extraction. October 2024 NECANN Connecticut Cannabis & Hemp Convention in Hartford (October 4-5) An event that highlights the emerging cannabis industry in Connecticut. This B2B convention will connect local cannabis companies, entrepreneurs, investors, job seekers, and advocates in the field. World CBD Awards in Lisbon (October 8) The World CBD Awards is a luxury international CBD and hemp event that seeks the best products around the world. You’ll be able to nominate a product on their website by filling in the form. The 3-day event features a meet and greet, conference and networking, and gala and awards. NECANN Syracuse in New York (October 25-26) This event is where you can check out new products and cutting-edge industry trends in the region. It’s the only cannabis expo in New York and it’s focused exclusively on the NY market. December 2024 9th International Weed Science Congress in Jerusalem (December 1-5) This is a global congress on weed science, featuring 3 days of sessions with plenary and parallel halls. Attendees will be able to enjoy case presentations, tours, exhibitions, and professional field trips. MJBizCon in Las Vegas (December 3-6) The largest B2B cannabis conference and expo, MJBizCon is where game changers and disruptors connect. The event features pre-show forums, exhibition pavilions, a 3-day conference, evening receptions, and lively meet-up spots where you can mingle with your peers.
Snoop Dogg Has A New Line Of Glass And It Is Dope AF
Famous Brandz has been bringing our stoner dreams to life by collaborating with the worlds top cannabis culture icons like Cheech & Chong, Trailer Park Boys, and perhaps the patron saint of all things cannabis, Snoop Dogg.
Raj Grower - Hightide CEO won O’Cannabiz Cannabis Person of the Year Award
We’re proud to announce that our CEO, Raj Grover, has officially been named Cannabis Person of the Year at this year’s O’Cannabiz Industry Awards Gala.
Canopy Growth CEO Fired, Did Not Step Down
Recently Bruce Linton, the CEO of Canopy Growth stepped down from his position as CEO and board member of the Canadian cannabis conglomerate. Well, that’s what everyone was told anyway. Linton ended up calling into CNBC early Wednesday morning to say that he did not step down, but was in fact fired. When referring to the verbiage in the company’s press release, Linton said, “ I think ‘stepping down’ might be the wrong phrase. I was terminated.” Linton co-founded Canopy Growth in 2013 along with co-founder and now sole CEO Mark Zekulin. He made the brand famous for brokering deals with moguls and celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. Canopy Growth then went on to become the largest publicly traded cannabis company in the world. Last year the company made headlines when beverage giant Constellation Brands, makers of Corona and Modelo made a significant investment in the brand. Canopy lost huge shares at the end of the fourth quarter of last year, which naturally did not please Constellation, nor Canopy’s board of directors, which now included members of Constellation. “The magnitude of losses for [Canopy] has expanded far more than we had expected, and while we commend Linton for his vision in establishing the world’s leading cannabis company, we believe new leadership will be a welcome change,” a note to investors said. After Linton stepped down/got fired company stock fell 5 percent. Canopy stock has halfway recovered since then. What’s next for the largest cannabis company in the world? Moving forward Zekulin and the board of directors hope to find someone better suited to meet their needs, or probably more accurately Constellation Brands’ needs. Zekulin has said that they hope to find a suitable replacement in the coming year. If I were wagering on this, I would bet that the replacement will end up being someone closely, if not directly associated with Constellation Brands. Source: CNBC Image Source: Rolling Stone What do you think? Was Linton let go justly? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Illinois Becomes 11th State to Legalize Recreational Cannabis
This week Illinois will become the 11th state in the US (not including DC) to legalize cannabis for recreational use for adults 21 and over, ABC news reports. After HB 1438 is signed by governor J.B. Pritzker (D), it will mark the first time recreational cannabis was legalized via legislation. All ten current legal states and DC legalized cannabis via ballot initiative. This bill will also make history as the first legislation passed having to do with cannabis legalization that also involves expunging cannabis charges from the records of Illinois residents in what Pritzker called an “equity centric approach.” What Pritzker means is that this is the first legalization bill that attempts to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs. Pritzker, a billionaire businessman for governor in last year’s midterm elections, on the premise of legalizing cannabis, something that he made the cornerstone of his campaign. His story is similar to that of New Jersey governor Phil Murphy who also campaigned on legalizing weed and also ended up winning handily over his opponent. I’ve said before that legalizing cannabis was a winning strategy, but now I want to scream it from the rooftops. I must say that it is refreshing to see someone acknowledge that legalization should do more than simply legalize weed. As we’ve seen arrests of poor and/or PoC in legal states have stayed pretty much the same, while predominantly white people capitalize on pot’s popularity. Expunging old records has only been tried by large cities up until this point. Maybe now we’ll see some meaningful change in drug policy in the criminal justice system. Or maybe I’m just high. Either way, go Illinois! Source: ABC News Got anything to add? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Coca Cola Heir Arrested with Millions of Dollars in Weed Plants
In one of the more bizarre cannabis related news items/ celebrity gossip stories of 2019, two billionaires including the heir to the Coca Cola company, were arrested last week when 5 thousand cannabis plants totalling millions of dollars were found on his private plane. The plane also happened to contain Tudors actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers and his family who were riding as passengers. Alkiviades David or Alki, is the heir to the third largest Coca Cola bottling plant in the world in Athens, Greece. He and his business partner Chase Ergen were reportedly detained by customs officials when they landed in St. Kitts, an island in the Caribbean known as a playground for the rich and famous. They had in their possession an estimated 1.3 million dollars worth of cannabis plants. Alki and Ergen claimed that they were importing the plants, with which they planned to start a legal cannabis business. Alki later made the claim that the plants were hemp plants and were therefore not illegal. So they were basically smuggling weed into the country? Both were released after 8 hours with Alki having to pay a bail of 30k and turning over all travel documents. He was later arrested again when he tried to leave the country. Even more bizarrely, Ergen was arrested again days later when he was found in possession of Ketamine, aka Special K, which he claimed was medicinal. Ketamine, a horse tranquilizer and popular club drug, can also be used to treat depression, but I highly doubt that this is the case here (pun intentional or unintentional? You decide). Ergen remains locked up, but since he’s wealthy he’ll probably receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist. The Rhys Meyers family had no part in the pair’s smuggling operation, but this did not stop customs officials from subjecting the actor’s wife and mother in law to what I’m sure was a humiliating cavity search. Alki and Ergen will both be just fine because they are rich. They will pay a huge fine and maybe have to do some community service. Ergen might have to do some time for the Special K, but if he does you can guarantee that he will do time in a nice white collar prison for nice rich boys. Meanwhile poor people of color will continue to be arrested for carrying around dime bags. Smell that? That’s the smell of justice and it reeks more than weeks old bong water. Source: Fox News Image Source: Sky News Got anything to add? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Will New Jersey Legalize Cannabis This Week? It's Anyone's Guess
This week New Jersey lawmakers will vote on whether or not to legalize recreational cannabis throughout the state. The vote, which is on Monday, is expected to be extremely tight, will determine whether or not Jersey becomes the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis. It’s a pretty tight race and whether or not it passes is anyone’s guess. What’s in the Proposed Bill? The bill, if passed, would make it legal for adults age 21 and up to possess up to an ounce of dried flower. It also establishes a 5 person regulatory committee to oversee all the rules and regulations required to run the legal market. The bill contains another provision that no state has ever had before: the bill calls for the expungement of all possession charges of up to an ounce. Individual cities such as San Francisco and Seattle have begun the expungement of minor cannabis offenses, but this is the first time this has been tried by an entire state. Though legalization was popular in the state democratic party (it helped them win an election even), some state democrats seem to have lost their enthusiasm for legalization. Even some who supported the bill while it was in committee have not said whether or not they will vote for it. What was once looking promising now looks tenuous at best. Later this week Jersey lawmakers will hopefully vote on the SAFE act, which would permit banks to do business with cannabis companies, so long as they were compliant with state law. The current federal status of cannabis prohibits banks from doing any sort of business with dispensaries, growers, or anyone even remotely involved with the industry. All Eyes are on Jersey Both proponents and opponents of legalization are keeping a close eye on what’s happening in Jersey because New York will likely follow. If the state senate fails to pass the bill, New Jersey will have to put off legalization until the 2020 election, which will of course postpone legalization in New York. If on the other hand, the measure does pass, New York will follow, and eventually the rest of the east coast. Source: ABC News Is this the week New Jersey legalizes cannabis? How will this affect the future of legalization? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
