The Big List of Cannabis Expos You Shouldn’t Miss in the Second Half of 2017

You still have time. Depending where you live and smoke, there’s a marijuana expo coming up near you.

• Portland, OR wants you to enjoy its rich green fall. The go-to city for the younger crowd, Portland is hosting the Indo Expo on August 5th and 6th. Events on the 5th are close to the industry, but the 6th is open to the public.

Industry Pros pay $199 for a 2-day pass ($148 if they order early), and the public pays $60 for its invitation. Public seminars cover topics like Plant Nutrition, Cultivation, Microbiology, Lighting, and Hydroponics.

Portland’s Expo Center will host The Industrial Hemp Pavilion described as a platform within the main halls of INDO EXPO to highlight USA Hemp made products and services by a select group of hemp vendors. This accelerator program supports young, startup hemp businesses in Oregon.

• Later in the month, Portland hosts the Cannabis Conference Center opens August 28th through 30th at the Portland Convention Center. There are early bird discounts, special programs for nurses, and a Canna Boot Camp.

TV Host Montel Williams is the keynote speaker on a list of top professional presenters from medical, research, and industry backgrounds. With 60k square feet of exhibit hall space and 50k square feet of meeting space for presentations, the conference attracts industry experts, instrument manufacturers, medical practitioners, policy makers, research scientists, testing labs, and more.

There’s so much going on that the expo has organized parallel programs, one track on Analytical Science and the other on Medical Science. It’s created by jCanna, a non-profit “committed to the advancement of medicinal cannabis information, education, cannabis quality control testing, cannabis science and cannabis research through education and training of practitioners, laboratory scientists, industrial scientists, and health care professionals involved in research and patient care.”

• September sees MJAC2017, Investorshub International Cannabis Conference hits the J.W. Marriott LIVE in Los Angeles on September 1st and 2nd. One day passes list at $125. It’s a chance to pitch business ideas to the best minds in the cannabis market.  

You can meet and mix with 2,500 investors, network with venture capitalists, and attend information speaking panels and presentations.

• LA will also host the 4th Annual Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo. It runs September 13th an 14th at LA Convention Center. Registration runs as high as $499, but there are several lower cost options.

The Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions run three times a year across the country. They present themselves as “the leading forums for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast-growing industry.”

Speakers head seminars on energy use, digital sales, security and licensing, big ag techniques, and lighting mechanics. Add-on workshops cover opening a canna business and programs run by the Trichome Institute.

The event moves to Boston’s John B.  Hynes Convention Center for October 4th and 6th.

• A week later the California Cannabis Business Conference opens for September 21-22 in Anaheim, Ca with an agenda dedicated to Navigating the Largest Adult-Use Market. The Anaheim Marriott offers 20,000 square feet to 70 high-profile speakers.

Lori Ajax, Chief of California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control will lead the agenda. The 2-days feature three tracks of presentations on topics like distribution, cultivation, manufacturing, processing, quality control, and more.

• Niagara Falls, Ontario invites you to cross the Canadian border for the GrowUp Cannabis Conference & Expo at the ScotiaBank Convention Centre on October 6th and 7th. Ontario is excited to host this first such event in Canada.

Two-day passes are ready at $30/each. They’ll admit you to grower’s lounges, cocktail hours, exhibits, and networking sessions. At this early date, speaker and exhibition opportunities are still available.

• Things move to Phoenix, AZ with the Southwest Cannabis Conference & Expo with headliner, Vincente Fox, former President of Mexico, and keynote speaker Bruce Barcott. They expect over 300 exhibitors in the Phoenix Convention Center/South Building.

An $85 pass admits you to the events on two days of the show running October 12, 13, and 14. Exhibitors will demonstrate accounting services, payment processing, containers and packaging, displays and fixtures. Grow lights, paraphernalia, and extensive networking opportunities.

• The CannaTech Global will take you to The Old Truman Brewery in London for October 25th and 26th. They promise, “strong, sharp TED-style presentations. Our stage is graced by world-renowned speakers known for their significant and groundbreaking contributions to the cannabis industry.”

The first day’s investor symposium runs £300, and the second day’s CannaTech Global runs £100 on pre-registration. Speakers cover topics like the Basics of the Cannabis Plant, an Overview of the Endocarbinoid System, and the Full Story of CBD Medicine.

• If Hawaii in the fall sounds better to you, check into Grand Hyatt Kuai for the Cannabis Retreat on December 1, 2, and 3. Lori Ajax join U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and iconic advocate Tommy Chong. Early bird registration runs $399, but you can add golf packages and more.

The Retreat moves to San Francisco in February 2018 and Berlin in April. Events focus on bringing new products to market. But, it is a retreat after all, so consider cost of adding the VIP status, After-Party, or Golf Tournament at this exceptional resort.

One last piece of advice!

As legalization and decriminalization of grow, sale, and possession has spread, these expos have become more “serious” in tone. Speakers are committed to advocacy, medical science, and marketing strategies.

They are reluctant to rock the boat by encouraging smoking and use on premises. These expos are long on information and short on festival activities. So, explore their information carefully as to what is permitted and regulated.

Having said that, your attendance at such expos serves to improve the industry, understanding, and future of cannabis solutions.