The cannabis industry is growing bigger every year, and there are loads of events where individuals and companies can connect with others who share a stake and interest in this exciting realm.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organizations to either cancel, postpone, or shift their events to the digital sphere, there are still a number of events that are planning to go on with the show.
Here are the top ones we recommend checking out:
CWCBExpo’s mission is to work with the members of the cannabis industry to legalize, educate, strengthen, expand, and help legitimize the business on all levels. Expect to learn all about the business and financial side of the industry from top to bottom.
The wide range of attendees include retail owners, entrepreneurs, extractors, growers, educators, investors, medical professionals, research scientists, and business executives.
Each one will be representing many different areas of the industry - including consulting services, private equity firms, regulatory enforcement agencies, law enforcement, legal services, growing facilities, retail stores and government agencies - and are looking to either purchase or invest in all kinds of products and services.
Dates and Locations
September 16-17 - Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall K - Los Angeles, CA
October 1-3 - Jacob K Javits Convention Center Hall 3A - New York, NY
October 21-22 - Hynes Convention Center Hall A - Boston, MA
Taking place in three separate locations (south, west, and southeast) the CBD Expo is a unique hybrid between B2B and a B2C conference.
This year’s themes include CBD 101, CBD Applications, Medical Advancements, and Industry Trends, with loads of other panel topics, demonstrations, and workshops. They include:
A cooking class by Chef Matt Stockard, sponsored by CBDaily Eats.
A CBD workshop for senior citizens and caretakers by Keiko Beatie.
A DIY Mixology Lab about how to create your own CBD products, hosted by NICE Corp.
Overall, this is a great platform for attendees to share CBD products and knowledge with others in the industry, and anyone - from entrepreneurs and professionals to casual consumers - are welcome to join.
Dates and Locations
July 10-11 - Hilton Houston North - Houston, TX
November 13-14 - Four Seasons Hotel - West Lake Village, CA
December 4-5 - Rosen Shingle Creek - Orlando, FL
3. CANNACON
CannaCon is a nationwide event that brings together over 800 exhibitors and more than 25,000 attendees, making it one of the country’s leading B2B cannabis conferences.
The organization’s mission is to create spaces for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and community partners to showcase industry products, people, innovations, and technology. Together, they seek to break boundaries, create partnerships, instill collective values, and facilitate industry growth not just across the United States, but on a global scale.
Dates and Locations
July 17-18 - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center - Rosemont, IL
August 29-30 - Hynes Convention Center - Boston, MA
September 28-29 - Cox Convention Centre - Oklahoma City, OK
November 13-14 - TCF Center - Detroit, MI
This is a business-to-business cannabis event where industry entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders gather to learn, network, and discover new products and services to help their businesses grow.
It is organized by the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) - the industry’s largest cannabis trade organization. For the past 7 years, this event has been one of the most significant B2B conferences for professionals seeking the latest news, best practices, and trends impacting the industry.
Attendees can expect three days of educational programming, hands-on workshops, and interactive experiences. Topics covered include cultivation, business services, licensing, compliance, retail, distribution, advocacy, and community.
Date and Location
September 29-October 1 - Moscone Center - San Francisco, CA
Hosted by the Beverage Trade Network, the Cannabis Drinks Expo focuses on the expanding legal cannabis market and the opportunities it presents.
Key issues covered include cannabis legalization in other countries, the impacts legal cannabis could have on the traditional alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink markets, and the holistic health benefits of cannabis.
This event is relevant for anyone involved in the development, production, distribution and retailing of cannabis-related products. It also gives networking opportunities for political analysts, medical experts, and anyone involved in bringing legalized cannabis into new markets.
Dates and Locations
July 30 - South San Francisco Conference Center - San Francisco, CA
November 3 - Chicago, IL
Imperious focuses specifically on medical cannabis and industrial hemp, producing regional business-to-business expositions that gather a diverse pool of cannabis experts under one roof.
Co-Founder and CEO Eric Norton was inspired to create the event after a family member was unable to treat their debilitating pain with medical cannabis in Texas. After moving to Colorado and gaining the freedom to acquire the necessary treatment, the discrepancy motivated Norton to promote the legal use of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.
Today, Imperious allows a range of exhibitors, experts, and speakers from across the United States a platform to share their voices and expertise. Together, they offer information essential to the commercial needs of growers and related businesses, from cultivation and sustainability practices to legal and insurance options. It all fits perfectly under the organization’s philosophy, which emphasizes “knowledge, experience, and integrity.”
Dates and Location
September 16-17 - Fort Worth, TX
7. CANNMED 2020
CannMed is a premier showcase for the scientific and medical aspects of the cannabis industry.
This year’s speakers are covering the following 4 Key Focus Areas:
Science - To date, more than 15,000 modern peer-reviewed scientific articles on the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabis and cannabinoids have been published, along with 2,000 articles on the body’s natural cannabinoids. This area will examine the latest developments from worldwide research.
Medicine - Medical physicians will present their latest research regarding the efficacy of using cannabis to treat a range of health conditions. They will share case studies and clinical findings from their personal experiences treating patients with cannabis.
Cultivation - With legal recreational and/or medical cannabis now legal in a number of states, there is an increasing need for growers to cultivate clean crops with specific chemotypes at higher potencies and greater yields. Field experts will explain the science and techniques they are currently using to meet such needs.
Safety - Today, cannabis testing regulations lack standardization and vary greatly from state to state - causing a mistrust in testing labs and inconsistent results. Respected scientists and regulators in the field will offer their views and findings of how to remedy the situation and by implementing better testing and quality control practices.
Date and Location
September 20-22 - Pasadena Convention Center, CA
Lucky Leaf Expo is a deep dive into the world of CBD, hemp and cannabis. This includes science, health and wellness, hemp cultivation, business strategies, new opportunities, legal, branding, start-ups, growth, policy reform and more.
The expo will take place in four different parts of Texas, which legalized the farming, manufacturing, and retail sale of hemp back in spring 2019. It will feature exhibitors, education, speakers, and networking opportunities. Since cannabis is still illegal in the state, this is a great place for supporters to gather and share their ideas and initiatives involving legalization efforts.
Dates and Locations
July 17-18 - Irving Convention Center - Dallas, TX
October 2-3 - Albuquerque Convention Center - Albuquerque, TX
October 9-10 - Austin Convention Center - Austin, TX
November 20-21 - NRG Center, Houston, TX
CannaFarm CON is a place where Cannabis farmers, master growers, and cultivation specialists come together to showcase advanced agrotechnology and on-farm solutions for every grow style. It’s basically a chance to dive headfirst into the farming aspect of the industry.
This year’s keynote speakers include world-renowned hashish master Frenchy Cannoli, industry veteran Harry Resin, and extraction master Dr. John MacKay.
As the cannabis ecosystem evolves each day, more and more challenges continue to arise. An event like this allows experts to address the most important issues at hand while offering plenty of other unique insights and opportunities.
Dates and Location
August 20-22 - Hyatt Regency Orange County - Garden Grove, CA
We'll be updating this page to reflect any future postponements or cancellations, so be sure to revist as the dates come closer. Also, check out our list of the best cannabis podcasts out today. Don't forget to subscribe to the Conquering Cannabis Podcast to stay in tune with all of our exclusive episodes and content.