20+ Cannabis Events That Are Shaping A New Industry
Discover must-attend cannabis events that are shaping a fast-developing industry. The 20+ conferences, seminars, and festivals listed below will help keep you informed and up to date on the all the latest trends, news, and laws.
Thanks to increasing legalization of recreational marijuana use in many parts of the world, an entirely new category of events is fast emerging. Event marketers of cannabis events are undeterred by regional restrictions. In fact, they are anticipating a brave new world that is more tolerant of marijuana as a recreational drug or a medical treatment.
As the website landing page for CannaTech, Israel’s annual International Summit for Accelerating Cannabis Innovation, boldly states:
“The cannabis economy is the fastest growing global industry, with an outstanding track record of research and development and a significant contribution to the world of medical treatment. We are standing on the brink of a medical technology revolution that will change the lives of millions of around the world.”
In addition to CannaTech, there are lots of other cannabis events scattered across Europe and North America that will be of interest for those curious about this fast-developing industry. And as more and more states and countries decriminalize marijuana use and production (in the US it’s legal for recreational use in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and California), the list of yearly cannabis events is poised to grow.
In the meantime, here are some the key Cannabis Events by top event professionals happening soon.
Notable Cannabis Events in 2020
1. Lift & Co. Vancouver
Source: Lift & Co.
Start Date: January 9th, 2020
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Description: This 3 day festival celebrates all aspects of the industry, from businesses to consumers. The conference/expo/consumer showcase hybrid promises a lot opportunity for both education and fun.
Why You Should Attend: The audience at this event runs the gamut from medical professionals to recreational users to top tier investors, so it’s a great place to network. Also, the information shared here is extremely comprehensive. So whether you attend just one day or all three, you’ll walk away with a solid understanding of where the cannabis industry is and where it will go this year (and beyond).
2. ICBC International
Source: ICBC
Start Date: February 6th, 2020
Location: San Francisco, California
Description: As far as B2B cannabis events go, ICBC International is a must have on your list this year. As the longest running cannabis event in California, ICBC offers something for business owner, medical professionals, investors, and technicians.
Why You Should Attend: As a public policy leader for the industry, California is one of the best places to experience an event like this one. Not only have ICBC speakers and participants helped shape our country’s legislature, they’ve also made great strides towards shaping our cultural relationship to cannabis as well.
3. MOCANN BIZCON+EXPO
Source: Midwestcannaexpos
Start Date: March 2nd, 2020
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Description: MoCann BizCon+EXPO is the annual B2B event offering unique opportunities for 3500+ industry participants to connect with operators building the midwest cannabis industry.
Why You Should Attend: Join the MoCann BizCon+EXPO to learn from high caliber cannabis experts presenting the latest in cannabis and technology. Choose from four educational tracks designed to answer all your questions about the cannabis industry. For the second year, Midwest CannaExpos is packing St. Louis’ iconic Union Station with 100+ industry leading vendors, demonstrations, networking events, and thousands of industry professionals to ensure the Midwest is informed, educated, and connected during a rapidly growing time of cannabis reform.
4. The Hemp & Cannabis Fair: Bend-Richmond
Source: THC Fair
Start Date: March 28th, 2020
Location: Bend-Redmond, Oregon
Description: THC Fair brings everything related to hemp & marijuana under one roof! This celebration of cannabis prohibition being lifted is open to everyone 21 or older. Take in sessions about growing, harvesting, medicinal uses, legislation and more.
Why You Should Attend: As the name implies, the atmosphere at this cannabis event will be fun and a bit more carefree than some of the other ones on this list. Enjoy plenty of live music, cannabis treats, and cool experiences in addition to educational lectures.
5. CannaGrow Expo
Source: CannaGrow Expo
Start Date: April 17th, 2020
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Description: A truly world-class event, CannaGrow Expo is designed to educate those interested in learning the art and science of growing cannabis. The event will take place in Portland, Oregon and is open to all (18+).
Why You Should Attend: In addition to speakers who are experts in growing cannabis, the CannaGrow Expo will also have an expo hall featuring outstanding cannabis businesses.
6. MardiGrass
Source: MardiGrass
Start Date: May 1st, 2020
Location: Nimbin, Australia
Description: This protest rally and parade (“Our mission is to bring about change by the most entertaining means possible.”) is held on the first weekend in May in Nimbin, Australia.
Why You Should Attend: It’s a crowning event for a weekend-long roster of cannabis-friendly activities such as the Hemp Olympix (competitions in joint rolling, bong throwing and Iron-person) as well as the Nimbin Cannabis Cup, live music and dance parties.
7. CannaFarmCon
Source: CannaFarmCon
Start Date: May 15th, 2020
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Description: Over the course of two days, attendees of CannaFarmCon will enjoy expert speakers specializing in hemp. Growers, specialists, and scientists offer serious industry insight in between fun activities like Zumba breaks and agrotechnology demonstrations.
Why You Should Attend: This hemp-focused event takes a deep dive into the farm side of the cannabis industry. If you’re interested in learning more about pre- and post-harvest techniques, quality assurance, and cultivation secrets from the pros then this is the cannabis event for you.
8. The Hemp & Cannabis Fair: Medford
Vendors are HERE! We can’t wait to #celebrate with Southern Oregon this weekend! Escape the smoke and enjoy free admission to THC Fair https://t.co/UHvxME8tIm pic.twitter.com/129qZISd78
— THCfair (@thcfair) September 7, 2018
Source: Twitter
Start Date: May 23rd, 2020
Location: Medford, Oregon
Description: THC Fair brings everything related to hemp & marijuana under one roof! This celebration of cannabis prohibition being lifted is open to everyone 21 or older. Take in sessions about growing, harvesting, medicinal uses, legislation and more.
Why You Should Attend: The details for the Medford edition of this event series is still TBD. However, you can look forward to plenty of great sponsors, speakers, and networking events!
9. Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo: New York City
Source: Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo
Start Date: May 28th, 2020
Location: New York City, New York
Description: It’s estimated that the cannabis industry will total $35 billion this coming year and this event promises to prepare those in the cannabis business world to take advantage of this anticipated growth by providing attendees access to informative sessions covering topics like growing best-practices, legal protection and finding investment.
Why You Should Attend: You’ll learn about the business and financial side of the industry from A to Z. Because cannabis is still a hotly debated political and social issue, the strategies discussed at this expo will help prepare business owners for navigating some of the thorniest obstacles and get all the latest legal information.
10. CannaCon South
Source: CannaCon South
Start Date: May 29th, 2020
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Description: Entrepreneurs, investors, and partners will come together at this cannabis event to talk shop and trade industry secrets. Products, experts, and cutting edge trends await those lucky enough to attend.
Why You Should Attend: This cannabis event has a global focus, meaning their core mission is to continue building the cannabis community now and into the future on a grand scale. Expect lots of opportunities to form long-lasting partnerships and collaborations.
11. The Hemp & Cannabis Fair: San Luis Obispo
Start Date: June 6th, 2020
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Description: THC Fair is coming back to California for more educational entertainment around cannabis for spiritual healing, medical usage, and recreational products.
Why You Should Attend: Not only is this a great West Coast option for those who can’t attend the Oregon or Virginia installments, the San Luis Obispo event will also have local growers, brands, and startups you can experience in one of the most cutting edge cannabis towns in the U.S.
12. Cannabis Business Summit
Source: Cannabis Business Summit
Start Date: June 15th, 2020
Location: San Francisco, California
Description: This San Francisco, California event bills itself as “the only event where senators, congressional representatives and policy influencers converge with industry leaders and entrepreneurs to shape the cannabis economy.” Their agenda includes presentations on law and policy reform, cultivation and processing, and tips for getting a new cannabis enterprise off the ground. An exposition of goods and services runs concurrently over three days.
Why You Should Attend: Given the location, it should come as no surprise that this event will also have a tech twist with Silicon Valley brands and investors in attendance. Production for both medical and recreational consumption will be a hot topic as well.
13. CBD Expo Midwest
Source: CBD Expo
Start Date: June 26th, 2020
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Description: This cannabis event is all about CBD products and community. Their agenda includes things like panel discussions, speakers, and plenty of exhibitors to choose from.
Why You Should Attend: In addition to learning about CBD trends, attendees will get to enjoy some creative experiences like cooking, mixing drinks, and even DIY projects using cannabis as a base. Dispensaries and name brand CBD companies will also be in attendance, offering free samples as well as giveaways and special event discounts, so now’s the time to stock up!
14. Cannabis Drinks Expo
Source: Instagram
Start Date: August 3rd, 2020
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Description: Interested in enjoying your cannabis and CBD in drink form? Then this cannabis event is for you. The Expo will feature both alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions as well as lectures regarding the future of legalization, holistic health benefits, and much more.
Why You Should Attend: If you work in the Food & Beverage industry in any capacity, you’ll have a lot to gain from attending the Cannabis Drinks Expo. Not only will you get to view sneak peeks of brand new products and companies, you’ll also rub elbows with the industry’s top medical practitioners and political analysts.
15. Seattle Hempfest
by the #2013 #cannabis was #legal in both #Washington & #colorado Together we can #endprohibition nationally #freespeech #nodrugwar #nofederalschedule #Hempfest #Seattle #legalcannabis #bethankful https://t.co/2RDyR5ZzVW
— Seattle Hempfest (@seattlehempfest) December 11, 2019
Source: Twitter
Start Date: August 14th, 2020
Location: Seattle, Washington
Description: Hempfest in Seattle is a “protestival” and one of the largest annual gatherings rallying support for reform of cannabis legislation in the States. It’s free and features speakers, bands and business-oriented mixers and presentations.
Why You Should Attend: If you like your cannabis with a side of influential political movements, you’ll feel right at home at this event. The news-worthy event is responsible for bringing more awareness, education, and actionable change to the industry.
16. Cannabis Business Expo
Start Date: September 16th, 2020
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Description: The 2020 Cannabis Business Expo, hosted by Imperious Expo + Directory, focus on developing business for medical and industrial cannabis while not excluding recreational trade.
Why You Should Attend: Although recreational users are more than welcome to attend and participate, this event’s concentration (business) makes it a must-attend for anyone who has a vested interest in the financial future of the industry.
17. Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo: Los Angeles
Start Date: September 16th, 2020
Location: Los Angeles, California
Description: The LA version of this event promises to tackle California-centric questions about the latest and greatest in cannabis. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy great speakers, workshops, and networking events.
Why You Should Attend: There’s something for everyone at this event! The agenda items listed for this stop of the conference include strategic planning for investors, marketing ideas for brands, and a deeper look at the local and national cannabis landscape as well as how they affect each other.
18. CannMed 2020
Source: CannMed
Start Date: September 21st, 2020
Location: Pasadena, California
Description: The scientific considerations of cannabis are featured here at CannMed 2020. With plenty of networking events, expert presentations, and exhibits to choose from, attendees will be fully in-the-know about the industry’s latest discoveries.
Why You Should Attend: The event will cover topics such as medicine, safety, and cultivation, so it’s a great option for anyone interested in the practical benefits of these substances as well as what possibilities cannabis holds for the future of disease control and recovery.
19. Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo: Boston
Start Date: October 21st, 2020
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Description: The Boston installment has some great keynotes planned but they’re also brining 3 days worth of exhibitors that represent the best brand in the country.
Why You Should Attend: Networking, trying new products, and getting familiar with competing brands is the name of the game here at Boston. More showcase than learning opportunity (although there’s some of that too!), this CWCB Expo will help you keep up to date on the latest ways cannabis is being used and consumed.
20. CBD Expo West
Source: CBD Expo
Start Date: November 13th, 2020
Location: Westlake Village, California
Description: Come ready to discuss all things CBD at this cannabis event. With experts ranging from blending, isolation, and flavonoids, you’ll have a lot of exposure to some of the most important practices in the industry.
Why You Should Attend: This CBD Industry Association event offers a guaranteed level of professionalism as well as plenty of valuable networking opportunities. They also offer certifications courses!
21. CBD Expo East
Source: CBD Expo
Start Date: December 4th, 2020
Location: Orlando, Florida
Description: This hybrid B2B and B2C event is meant to include casual consumers and industry experts alike. Everything from laws to product creation to health benefits will be discussed.
Why You Should Attend: By far one of the most comprehensive offerings on this list, their 2020 event is set to include agenda items on topics such as technology, holistic medicine, and even culinary science.
That’s it for this list of cannabis events in 2020. You might also be interested in checking out these other comprehensive event directories:
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 30, 2015 and has since been updated.
