Optimistically, the year 2020 was expected to be a great year for the cannabis community, what with the occurrence of an entire month of 4/20, as well as the various projections anticipating an impressive boost in the market value and activity for 2020. However, with the uncertainty posed by a wide variety of circumstances, the cannabis industry is adapting to the political, social, economic, and public health climate in the United States.

Aside from the economic activities of companies under the marijuana sector, marijuana-related events are affected by these unprecedented situations. In fact, 420 celebrations in various places in the country were canceled, while major conferences were postponed and rescheduled. While the pandemic is still persisting, some organizations are optimistic that the situation will ease in the coming months.

Perhaps this is why some organizers have chosen to reschedule their deferred dates in the second half of the year. If you are interested in attending marijuana-related events in Washington, D.C., here are some of the affairs you can check out in late 2020.

DC Weed Events That Will Take Place in the Second Half of 2020

• D.O.P.E. Tribe Presents Puff N Poetry (Multiple Dates)

Cannabis consumers are some of the most lyrical wordsmiths around, which is why the D.O.P.E. Tribe has organized a multiple-date event in which participants can revel in poetry. It has been around since April 2016 to provide a Safe I-71 Compliant Location where attendees can create and share poetry.

You can expect the Original Elevated Open Mic Experience. It is considered the DMV’s premier Infused Open Mic event, which is held every first Sunday of the month. Only ages 21 and above are allowed, and you must bring your own products.

Every date feature guests that may vary depending on the schedule. You can also share your talents by signing up for the Adult Open Mic. You can expect games, prizes, and giveaways, as well as local craft smiths and vendors that offer elevated gifts and live art.

• Avantpay|20 Conference

Business owners might be interested in attending the Avantpay |20 Conference, which is a business-to-business (B2B) focusing on payments, banking, and compliance. With the lack of legalization of the plant on the federal level, businesses are underbanked as traditional banking institutions refuse to engage with the marijuana industry.

Avantpay |20 seeks to build a bridge between the government and the private sector in order for them to work together and create payment and banking solutions for the cannabis industry. It will be held on September 9 to 10, 2020 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in DC.

So far, it has more than 600 attendees with over 250 organizations and 100+ speakers. Its roster of speakers includes executives in the financial sector including North Bay Credit Union CEO Chris Call and the Linda Green Group & Anacostia Organics CEO Linda Greene.

• The Black Experience in Cannabis 2020

Seeking to uplift people of color in the cannabis community, The Black Experience in Cannabis 2020 offers an educational, empowering and supportive networking experience. It taps the expertise of educational leaders in various cannabis markets across the globe to provide opportunities to people of color for business and health. Ultimately, it seeks to equip attendees with the right knowledge and connection to reinvest in the future of their communities and build generational wealth for the youth.

The event will take place from September 17 to 18, 2020. Some of the topics which will be tackled in the conference include making key connections and building relationships, an overview of the cannabis industry, the plant and its medicinal and social significance, policies, event planning and business development.

• Rescheduled Major Events

In the coming months, DC will be the venue for some of the major cannabis events. These have been rescheduled from their original dates due to the virus pandemic. One of them is the 2020 National Cannabis Policy Summit which was supposed to be on April 17 but was moved to September 10 this year. It is known as the premier summit that tackled policies and regulations including legalization and reform, as well as the role of authorities and agencies in creating and implementing such laws.

Another important affair is the National Cannabis Festival, originally set on April 18 but was rescheduled to September 19. This festival is a celebration of the legalization of the plant, which is why it is jam-packed with fun and exciting events. It will feature performances by Method Man & Redman and Young M.A. Moreover, it will highlight food and marijuana concessionaires.

3 Factors that Can Affect DC Weed Events

Now that you know what events you can look forward to in the coming months, you might be worried about possible postponement and cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. Here are three factors that can influence whether the event you seek to attend will push through or not:

• Persistence of the Pandemic

As the pandemic is the primary reason these events were postponed in the first place, the continuance of the pandemic can definitely be the reason it could be moved back once again. Since the outbreak, this public health concern has resulted in stay-at-home orders for extended periods, the prohibition of mass gatherings, and in the case of DC, the allowance of marijuana delivery, curbside pickup and at-the-door-pickup services.

• Changes in the Industry

The economy has taken a severe hit because of the lockdowns, especially with people compelled to stay at home. In fact, some industries have slowed down extensively that they are closing up shop temporarily. The same issue can be observed in some marijuana businesses as some stores closed amidst the pandemic.

In DC, dispensaries remain open because of the emergency rule-making implemented by Mayor Muriel Bowser, which allowed patients and consumers at home to purchase products and have them delivered or picked up without hassle. However, if the marijuana market tanks under the weight of the pandemic, and it affects organizers, some events could be moved back or canceled.

• Other Organizational Circumstances

Aside from the pandemic and its effects in the industry, individual circumstances on the part of organizers could lead to the deferment of the conferences. This can range from lack of availability of the venue to conflicts in schedules.

Alternatives if You Cannot Physically Attend Events

If you find the event you are eyeing canceled or postponed, you can still participate in marijuana-related affairs in a variety of ways. Check out the best ones:

• Check out virtual events

One of the best ways to attend a DC weed event without leaving the comfort of your home is through virtual platforms. Even MJBizCon moved some parts of its summit to online venues. These events include the Hemp Industry Daily Conference and the MJBizConNEXT. These are B2B conferences, which will discuss the supply chain from start to finish. It also delves into the innovation that goes into creating new products.

You can also attend the United States Cannabis Conference + Expo, Medical Cannabiz World 2020, and Cannabis Marketing Summit, all of which tackle different aspects of running a cannabis business including policy-making, regulations, new manufacturing equipment, and promotions.

• Have your cannabis delivered

Say, you were able to attend these conferences and expositions (physically or virtually), and you heard about a couple of new products. You can check in on your dispensary if they carry these new items and have them delivered to your home. Aside from getting newly developed products, you can definitely place orders for your favorite ones to replenish your stash.

Having your products delivered is also a good option if you fail to register or attend these events. You can still celebrate as part of your unity with the community. After all, there is no better time to support your local dispensary and get more supplies than now. Whether you attended these affairs or not, you can give new products a try just by getting in touch with your dispensary.

• See next dates for events with multiple dates

If you were interested in attending a gathering and you failed to do so or it has been canceled, there is no harm in checking if they have multiple dates. Recurring ones usually have a set time and date, like the Puff N Poetry which is held every first Sunday of the month. Those that have been postponed could have been rescheduled, so keep your eyes peeled for the new dates.

Should you fail to find new dates, there is no need to fret because the marijuana industry remains to be a strong one, which means that there will be more events in the future. In the meantime, make it a point to support your local community by ordering cannabis products from nearby dispensaries.

The Bottom Line

DC will always be a great place for cannabis conferences, summits, and expositions, even the minor ones. With these options, you can find the right DC weed event that you can attend. So, keep yourself updated on these events to know about the latest news.