NECANN Boston 2024
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
The "northeast" region of the US is loosely defined as the six states that make up New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusettes, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) as well as New York, Pennslyvania, and New Jersey. Every state, save for New Hampshire, has legalized recreational cannabis, making this a region of untold potential for cannabis.
Spannabis 2024: A Whirlwind of Experiences and Reflections
Written By Dr. Grant Mitchell
It was a journey that began with a 5-hour flight from Jalisco, Mexico connecting one day later on a 7-hour red-eye out of New York City. After landing at 8:30 am, and getting through customs and immigration, I Ubered directly to my digs in the Gothic Quarter arriving around 11:00 am. Once quickly showered, I had a rendezvous lunch and intelligence meeting with the legendary Captain Hooter. He promptly updated me with more than one dozen Reports Of Multiple Raids At Cannabis Social Clubs Ahead Of the Annual Spannabis Show In Barcelona, including a few I visited last year like HQ, Choko, and Wizards. Needless to say, a murky cautionary vibe permeated the sunny Barcelona air.
Snowbirdstoner is Barcelona Bound for Spannabis 2024
Written By Grant Mitchell
The excitement is mounting as we count down the days to Spannabis 2024, in less than one week. The streets of Barcelona are buzzing with anticipation. The city is set to welcome thousands of enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious visitors. It's more than just a fair; it's a movement, a statement, a testament to the growing acceptance and recognition of the healing plant worldwide.
A Day of Judging the Emerald Cup
Written By A.C. Moon
We are greeted with smiles, intense coughs, and a thick layer of ganja smoke that proliferates every inch of available air in the room. Assembled teams of cannabis judges line long wooden tables like knights of the round table and with pens in hand, the testing and evaluations commence.
Ego Clash and the Hash Culture
Written By Shelley Peebles
Ego Clash was being held in Hopland, California, about 2 hours from where I was staying. As I was walking to another event, someone mentioned that they were letting women into Ego Clash for free, so I decided I needed to go. This was something I’ve wanted to attend for the last year!
I took a screenshot of the address and mapped it out on my phone. A few people in my group said they wanted to check it out too so we started devising a plan.
Caribbean Cannabis Pride: The St. Vincent’s Grower’s Cup
Written By June Blankin
As the sun began to set, the judges, including Nigel and members of AHOCS, got to work scoring the flower. All entries were from local growers only…The crowd looked on eagerly as the judges worked. There was local food and live music to give this Grower’s Cup a true Caribbean vibe.
BOSTON CANNABIS WEEK: WHERE LEGACY MEETS INNOVATION
Written By Tara Eveland
BCW is a week-long festival that's got something for everyone. Whether you're into the holistic side of cannabis wellness or you're looking to rub elbows with industry leaders, this event has got you covered. Imagine a runway filled with local designers showcasing cannabis-inspired fashion at 'Fashion on Fire,' or art shows that celebrate the plant we all love. It's a one-stop-shop for all things cannabis.
On the Ground at NCF 2023 with Caroline Phillips
Written By LaWann Stribling
It’s now close to 2pm, and I am making my way to the VIP area, finally. After getting my food, I came closer to Caroline, thinking this would be a great time to approach her for a face-to-face interview.
I then noticed the look of concern on her face and overheard that we have to evacuate. I confronted her face-to-face, and asked her for clarification; “Did you say we have to evacuate the park?” She responded with a yes, explaining that a temporary shutdown is in place due to incoming storms.
With food still in hand, I briskly walked back to the other side of the park to our booth. Before I could even reach our tent, the rain drops began!
Keeping in mind the magnitude of this amazing annual festival, I am happy to report that I was able to interview Caroline Phillips, Founder of National Cannabis Festival after all - to finally speak about this year’s NCF.
Fat Nugs & Impeccable Vibes: The 19th Annual Emerald Cup Awards Recap
Written By Isabella DeChard
Just over 19 years ago, nestled up on a hill in the redwood trees, the (then underground) cannabis community of Northern California came together to create a friendly competition around cannabis cultivation.
Hosted at Area 101, a small campground and gathering spot in Laytonville, Mendocino, a group of friends – consisting of passionate cannabis farmers, (now) legacy growers, and stoners – would party together through the night to honor the start of another cultivation season.
This year, it hosted around 3,000 of California’s biggest brands, farmers, advocates, creatives, and “cannaisseurs” in the industry – all joined together for this reputable competition and celebration.
For me, as a new-timer to this renowned cannabis competition, and a rookie industry advocate out of the masses that attended, it was an event and experience that I will never forget and always appreciate.
A Rainy Afternoon at the National Cannabis Festival
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
“It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when the National Cannabis Festival came to Washington DC.
Before 2 pm a thunderstorm rolled in and parked itself over the festival. What was a cool breeze turned into gusts of wind delivering fat raindrops and devolved into utter chaos.
By 2:05 pm, festival organizers issued an evacuation and rushed people out.
I missed all of this excitement as I rode the metro in, and when I arrived, the thunderstorm was still raging.
A wrong turn took me the long way around RFK stadium, where I passed bridge after bridge of people. They sat in camp chairs, chatting and smoking, clearly waiting for the storm to pass. After the third bridge, I began to wonder if there was something I was missing.”
Hasta Luego: From Barcelona With Love -Snowbirdstoner in España for Spannabis 2023
Written By Grant Mitchell
Barcelona as a city, functions as Europe’s beacon for trade shows. Despite weed being completely illegal in Spain, Spannabis shines as the largest European cannabis fair - now running 20 years strong.
Conglomerating 4 events, The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), Spannabis Fair, a symposium titled The World Cannabis Conference: International Cannabis Forum, and The Professional Growers Cup aka “Spannabis Champions Cup” all make up the juggernaut known collectively as SPANNABIS. Events are held in Fira de Cornellà from March 9-12th, with a plethora of afterparties, mixers, and networking gatherings usually in El Centro.
If you are thinking of visiting next year, it is definitely worth the trip. An article such as this, can never fully capture the magnitude of the breadth of the experience. Still, Spain should be on everyone's bucket list! Beyond just the convention, the culture in this part of the old world is magnificent.
NECANN Boston: The Best of Cannabis in the Northeast
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
For years, the west coast has been the domestic mecca of cannabis, a shining paradise of legalization in a sea of prohibition. But it’s not 2012 anymore – over half of Americans now live where cannabis is legal, and the biggest wave of legalization reform has been on the East coast in recent years.
So, when NECANN descended on Boston for 3 days, it was the kind of good time you can only expect in the cannabis industry. This was the first time in 9 years that a majority of states in the NE were legal, and people were ready to celebrate.
I spent two days on the show floor, attending sessions, and afterparties, and talking to people. You don’t need to have visited the city to get the highlights - here’s the best of the best.
My First Harvest Ball
Written by Isabella DeChard
The Emerald Cup hosts the Harvest Ball in Santa Rosa, California each year. Farmers and cannabis brands from all over the Golden State join to celebrate the bountiful crops and cultivars meticulously cultivated this season.
However, among the handful of other cannabis events I’ve gotten to recently experience, this two-day event felt significant among the others. Throughout the entire Harvest Ball weekend, the collective empathy and perseverance I always recognized about this cannabis community was stronger than ever.
Even though this was my first time at the Harvest Ball and an Emerald Cup occasion in general, I had never felt more welcome or comfortable at a major cannabis event.
Women Are Now Networking Over Blunts & Brunch: Next stop - Vegas!
Written By Lindsey Gunter
Would you know if a woman smoked cannabis by looking at her? This is what’s hard for brands and companies to connect with in cannabis when it comes to marketing toward women.
What better way to begin building awareness as well as connection to this vast and unfamiliar assortment of women than a woman-focused event? One with “activations” and more, within which women can explore and converse! Cannabis is still a very male-dominated industry, women sticking together in cannabis will inspire women to stand together more in general - Events are a great way to accomplish this.
When it comes to this niche, Adelia Carrillo (CMO/Co-Founder of “EventHi”) and “The Marijuana Momma” Parisa Mansouri-Rad’s “Blunt Brunch” has grown to become one of the nation’s best places for women in cannabis to network and empower one another. 2022 has been a great year, as Blunt Brunch has successfully put on events in multiple cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and, coming up - Las Vegas!