Cannabis Events to Look Out for in 2021

The cannabis community has always been a colorful bunch. Just take a look at the marijuana consumers in the 60s and the 70s. The community remains to be thriving today, especially with the series of wins it has over the years. With different states legalizing the plant, more and more people have access to cannabis, while also stimulating the industry with different products, discoveries, and events.

Events, in particular, are some of the most refreshing aspects of the community. It offers a venue for people to showcase strains they cultivated, their business acumen, and the different research and breakthroughs regarding cannabis. It also provides a space to celebrate what the plant has to offer.

However, the current public health situation derailed even some of the biggest weed events across the country. Instead, they were rescheduled, even cancelled, to minimize risks of exposure. In the capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser implemented various orders to mitigate the spread of the virus, including stay-at-home orders, thus affecting cannabis events.

As we enter the second year of the pandemic, the situation is changing with vaccine rollouts nationwide. More and more events are being scheduled not only in DC but also in other parts of the United States. People interested to join such affairs can start by knowing how the situation in DC looks. Read on to know more.

The Current Landscape in DC

The district is currently in its Phase Two of addressing the public health concern. As per Mayor’s Orders, a gathering limit is currently in place, along with a holiday pause on various activities. This year the Mayor issued another order extending the pause on the activities, which ended on January 22, 2021, and the clarification on the public emergency and public emergency duration, which was extended until March 17, 2021.

With the most recent order, more and more members of the cannabis community are starting to schedule events to gather in one way or another to celebrate cannabis. Various events are coming up in DC including Entering Cannabis: The Global Landscape to start on March 13, 2021 online. This virtual event seeks to explore the trends and developments being made in the industry.

The conference is open to almost everyone such as aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, small business owners, physicians and health professionals, enterprises, investors, professionals, and consumers. It will feature successful personalities, trailblazers, and experts in the industry. The good news is it is a series, which will tackle a different area in the industry every week.

For those with creative streaks, the Twerk Werks group launched id holding the Puff Glow and Paint Party, which gives attendees a chance to show off their artistic spirit. The event will be held on March 27, 2021, complete with all art materials and complimentary champagne. Attendees can also purchase food, drinks, and rolls in the venue, but they can also bring their own. The organizers will be enforcing protocols including capacity limits and masks.

Aside from DC, nearby states are also holding cannabis events. Another member of the DMV, Maryland, is seeing more and more of these events being scheduled. An example of this is the 2nd Annual 420 Edition Sip, Puff, and Paint by Its Bammtastic on April 17 to 18, 2021. It will feature art, music, and cannabis products.

Meanwhile, the 14th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics will be held on May 20 to 22, 2021. Organized by Patients Out of Time, this event seeks to ignite discussions about the use of cannabis as a medicinal plant. It focuses on healthcare professionals and gives them the information they could use to use the potential of the plant for compassionate patient care.

Important Weed Events Scheduled this Year

As the DMV sees a revitalization of the cannabis community in terms of marijuana events, other states are also showing signs of rejuvenation. New Jersey has already launched a major cannabis event featuring NBA veteran Al Harrington through the NJ Cannabis Insider Live conference. You can bet that there are lots more to come this year. Here are some of the most significant events to look forward to in 2021:

·         Georgia World Cannabis Conference – March 27, 2021

Treehab’s event seeks to elevate the conversation surrounding cannabis through education. It wants to connect professional audiences to showcase the different industry-leading tech, solutions, and services existing in the industry. Some of its target viewers are those in the production line, hemp and CBD professionals, business leaders and founders, investors, scientists and researchers, newcomers, and international professionals.

·         People’s Choice: The High Times Hemp Cup – May 9, 2021

High Times is known to hold the Cannabis Cups, an event where cannabis cultivators submit products they developed to compete with one another. This time, the organization will be holding the 2021 Hemp Cup to encourage hemp cultivators to submit their products and see which one is the best across different categories. This competition is only for hemp-derived CBD and must contain under 0.3% THC.

·         People’s Choice: The High Times Cannabis Cup – June 20, 2021

Like the Hemp Cup, the 2021 Cannabis Cup will be held to see which cannabis-derived products are the best. This year, the organization opens its first-ever competition open to Michigan and Arizona residents. For the Hemp and Cannabis Cups, individuals are encouraged to join as a competitor or as a judge. They just need to submit their applications within the sign-up periods.

·         The Cannabis Conference 2021 - August 24 to 26, 2021

One of the biggest events in the US is the Cannabis Conference. Over the past years, it is considered a significant forum many people attend to learn more about marijuana discoveries, companies, innovations, and products. Attendees also take this conference as an opportunity to expand their network. This year, the conference features different exhibitors and speakers to educate the audience about new developments in the marijuana industry.

·         Midwest Cannabis Business Conference - September 22 – 23, 2021

Tackling the Midwest cannabis market, this conference will be addressing entrepreneurs in the area who want to enter the market. It seeks to share insights about the plant, the market, and the best practices that can help in entering and succeeding in this industry. This conference also targets existing business owners who want to succeed in the sector they have chosen to join.

·         Cannabis Business Summit & Expo - December 15 – 17, 2021

Lastly, the Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo will once again be held to gather entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders in one place. This event allows them to share their knowledge and experience in the industry providing attendees with the right tools for working in the industry. It will feature networking opportunities, over 400 exhibitors, and the brightest minds in the sector.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

When thinking of attending these events, you want to make sure that you can make the most out of the experience while observing protocols. The following reminders can help you do so and more:

·         Some Events Can Be Moved or Cancelled

The first thing you should remember is that these events may be scheduled for specific dates but they can change depending on the situation. In fact, there are events that have been cancelled or rescheduled in light of the current public health emergency such as the 14th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics mentioned above, which was delayed from the original date to the current one.

While reschedules are more favorable as it implies that the event will still push through but at a later time, there are instances where the events will be cancelled altogether. This may come as a disappointment but keep in mind that the matter is about health and safety, as well as compliance with policies and protocols.

·         Observe System Requirements for Virtual Events

The most convenient and viable way to attend events right not is through virtual means. The pandemic compelled different industries to adapt to the situation and this means that a lot of things can now be done online. Virtual events were favored by organizers to minimize risks of exposure while still offering a satisfying learning experience.

Virtual events may need certain system specifications such as the capability to run the organizer’s preferred software, the capacity to stream videos seamlessly, and a stable Internet connection.

For events where products are showcased such as Cannabis Cups, participants should be ready to receive packages containing kits and samples.

·         For Physical Events, Observe Protocols

Most states implement a capacity restriction to implement social distancing. People are also required to wear masks and sanitize their hands regularly to minimize the risks of spreading or contracting the virus. These protocols are in place to help mitigate the situation. So, those who are attending in-person cannabis events should make sure to follow these policies for the protection of those around them, as well as their own.

The Bottom Line

The cannabis community continues to thrive. With legalizations being considered by many states, as well as the strengthening industry, consumers and patients can expect a whole lot of developments this year

Biggest VR Cannabis Event Headlined by Snoop Dogg Held

Considered as the world’s biggest virtual reality marijuana-related event, Cannabis & Tech Today’s Emerge conference was held on December 15 to 17, said PR Newswire. It featured different happenings intended to promote the industry, its consumers, and businesses. It was attended by key figures in the community such as Snoop Dogg, Jim Belushi, and Steve DeAngelo.

The conference emphasized the Clio Cannabis Awards, the USA CBD Expo, educational seminars, and talks by different keynote speakers. This event was made possible by the quarterly publication in collaboration with industry leaders such as the National Cannabis Industry Association, National Association of Cannabis Businesses, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Clio Cannabis Awards, and The USA CBD Expo.

Regarding the significance of the event to the cannabis community, Cannabis & Tech Today editor-in-chief and CEO Charles Warner said, “Leveraging our connections in the technology sector, we wanted to create a next-level but also addresses the need to focus on networking and getting back to business during this time of crisis.”

Emerge, which is what the conference is called, featured three subject tracks with more than 40 sessions. It was participated by more than 80 exhibitors and thousands of attendees.

To launch the forum in compliance with existing protocols in light of the health crisis, Emerge used the Hyperfair virtual platform which simulates interaction and networking among attendees. This platform provided a 3D immersive experience complete with VR-powered venues.

Highlights of the event included rapper and cannabis entrepreneur Snoop Dogg receiving the Clio Cannabis Lifetime Achievement Award. David Crosby, Julian Marley, and Former Congressional Representative Dan Rohrabacher were also there as keynote speakers for the event. Moreover, attendees will enjoy a 90-day post-event access to sponsor brands, events, content, breakouts, perks, and networking opportunities.

Regarding Clio’s involvement in the conference, Clio Cannabis director Michael Kauffman said, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to join the community at Winter Emerge in order to recognize top marketing in the industry. Our goal remains to celebrate creativity and to show our appreciation to each of you who are helping to bring this miracle plant to hearts, minds, and endocannabinoid systems around the planet.”

Emerge conference co-founder and Advisor Andre Bourque has always been optimistic about this event. In the press release of the forum, Bourque expressed his vision of the event. He said, “When Charles and I developed the concept for Emerge, we wanted it to consistently evolve, ‘re-emerge,’ if you will.” He added, “The industry is constantly changing, so establishing ourselves as the go-to, year-round virtual environment for cannabis content allows us to spotlight new voices, ideas, innovations, companies, and people each session.”

Ushering in a New Era of Weed Events

Emergence is just one of the firsts when it comes to virtual conferences. With the pandemic still at its height, combined with advisories from health experts even with vaccines, it is highly possible that online forums will be part of the new normal. It is the safest way to attend an event while social distancing. If you want to participate in such conferences in the near future, here’s what you can expect:

• More Virtual Conferences

The most apparent thing in the new normal when it comes to attending events is that they will be held online. This allows organizers to hold events with many people as they can or prefer to accommodate. As mentioned, it is a great way to comply with protocol as it requires attendees to participate while at home or in a place where they have access to the internet.

Another great thing about this development is that it helps attract technology entities to cannabis events. This gives participants the opportunity to network with tech companies, investors, and other personalities in the technology field.

• Online Toolkits

When attending events, participants are given access to various kits that will help them maximize their experience. For online conferences, you will also be sent such kits but in a digital format. You may receive PDFs, audio and video files, and other similar documents from the organizers. These may be used as a reference, additional information, or perform other valuable functions.

• At-Home Press Kits

Members of the press usually receive press kits to give them more information about the event, its guests, the activities it offers, and almost every important thing about the conference itself and its organizers. Online events strive to be as close to the real thing and more, so members of the press can expect to receive press kits at home.

This can be in the form of digital files such as PDFs, video and audio files, images, and other similar items. If needed, these items can be sent to your home. However, see to it that you receive the items in a safe manner that adheres to protocols. This includes contactless deliveries.

• High-Tech Solutions

These events are considered big in the cannabis community, so organizers need to step up their game to make their virtual conferences as close to the real thing as possible. In the case of Emergence, it used an advanced virtual reality platform to simulate the venue. So, you can expect the application of much more advanced technologies for other virtual events in the future.

Such solutions may be used not only to share the event to participants but also to allow them to interact within the digital environment. This can be in the form of virtual stalls, auditoriums, and rooms that can allow speakers and hosts, as well as attendees to network and exchange information more efficiently.

How to Join Virtual Cannabis Events

Now that you know what to expect from future weed events, you may be intent on participating in one. If this is your first time, here’s what you should do:

• Be on the lookout

Cannabis conferences may be scheduled at any time, so you want to make sure that you are always on the lookout for them. This may be difficult if you are not in the loop with cannabis publications, social media pages, websites, and personalities. So, if you think you will have a hard time finding an event to attend, you should start getting these media sources into your feed.

The thing about marijuana forums is they happen all year long. Every month, there is sure to be a conference near you. As long as you follow the right pages and people, you will have an idea about the when, what, where, and how an upcoming conference.

• Be ready to register

Many organizers choose to limit their audience, especially in the more conventional venues, or in-person events. With virtual programs, they may or may not choose to place similar limitations. Regardless, you should be ready to commit to the schedule you are interested in. This will help you secure a ticket to the event.

One thing you should be prepared to pay for your admission. Just like in-person conferences, their digital counterparts may charge a fee for the opportunity to participate. If you are hesitant about shelling out some money for this, you should keep in mind that these usually afford you valuable privileges and perks.

You get to interact with personalities in the cannabis community, especially successful entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners. Moreover, toolkits can provide important information about the industry. Plus, you may be given samples from participating exhibits and more!

• Maximize your experience

When you decide to pay for your admission fee, you just need to wait for the event to draw near. See to it that you make the most out of the experience you have seized and is being provided to you.

This is important, especially if you are an aspiring marijuana entrepreneur looking to participate in the industry in the future. If it is a multi-day event, plan out your day and check the schedule and list of presenters.

This will help you see which forums you are interested in, which booths you want to check out, or simply given some time for networking. Remember that attending these conferences are always a learning opportunity, as well as a chance to expand your network.

Usually, these events offer freebies such as product samples, service demos, and other similar offerings, so make sure to grab the chance to check out what exhibitors have to offer.

• Make sure your device can handle it

Lastly, before the event, you should see to it that your device will be able to handle the demands of the virtual reality tech. As organizers may choose to implement advanced solutions, these technologies may be more efficiently handled by capable computers. So, to make sure that you can take advantage of what the event has to offer, verify that your device’s specification is up to par with system requirements for the platform.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis events like Emergence may transform in light of the new normal. If you are planning to join one in the future, this guide can help you prepare for the experience and make the most out of a digital conference.