Miami’s Cannadelic Convention: Where Cannabis & Psychedelics Collide
Art By Rebekah Jenks
Earlier in February, the 2nd annual Cannadelic Conference took place in Miami. Last year, it became the first-ever hybrid cannabis and psychedelic conference and expo. Not only was this year my first Cannadelic, but my first time (openly) experiencing, honoring, and celebrating the value and importance of both cannabis and psychedelics in a professional setting. It was a welcoming, friendly space that was inviting for all to learn, educate, advocate, and connect for the weekend.
With over 8,000 attending the 2022 conference at the Miami Airport Convention Center, I wouldn’t be surprised if that number spiked higher this year. Throughout the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Cannadelic, I felt the crowd grow larger and larger with energy. While the event may have not had the trippy or captivating decor you’d imagine a psychedelic and cannabis convention space to have, I feel pretty hopeful for the immense potential and growth this specific industry event has in store!
The first day of the convention was specifically for B2B industry leaders and workers, I was meeting everyone from brand managers, influencers, venture capitalists, and simply passionate psychedelic stoners throughout the entire event weekend.
But no matter who you were, this cannabis and psychedelics convention was sure to be a thought-provoking and exciting experience for all. With a Main Stage, Secondary Stage, Zen Lounge, Experience Room, and Outdoor Smoke Lounge – every attendee swirled around the convention center making connections and learning something new.
Thought-Provoking Panels & Passionate Speakers
Throughout the three days of this cannabis and psychedelics convention, the Main Stage of the convention hall was jam-packed with a schedule full of industry leaders and business professionals in both industries. Personally, this was my favorite part of the convention – not only were there numerous bits of insightful information shared by each panelist, but the conversations and topics presented in these speaker sessions reminded me of what’s in store for both cannabis and psychedelics.
In Thursday’s Cannabis and Psychedelics Marketing Strategies panel, speakers from various public relations firms and branding agencies shared tips and tricks that have helped accelerate their clients into the industry.
“It’s time for us to start thinking more outside the box of what demographics you can target with your brand or product,” Duree Ross, CEO Duree & Co spoke on some tips around leveraging consumer demographics for marketing strategies.
For instance, she shared how there has been a rising percentage of pilots that are struggling with pain or muscle spasms, but cannot use certain heavy pharmaceuticals for relief when they’re flying. Cannabis products like topicals or patches could be a solution, alleviating their symptoms without the risk of drowsiness. She pointed out how this is one of the many demographic groups that often get overlooked for how they can use such products.
The next panel for the day, What's the Media's Role in Cannabis and Psychedelics further echoed how some of these hurdles in cannabis and psychedelic marketing could be overcome. Not only is media censorship a dire challenge for the industry, but so is the lack of verified resources and information.
Josiah Hesse, journalist for The Guardian and Joe Moore of Psychedelics Today urged on the importance of education in these newfound industries and how this drive for accurate, accessible information and journalism is what will help to further legitimize these growing communities and the underlying messages they serve. Fat Nugs Magazine agrees and this is part of the reason I am so glad to be contributing in this publication.
Almost all panelists, including the ones in this session, compared the regulations, policies, and potential legalization of both cannabis and psychedelics. Even though both forms of plant medicine have been around for thousands of years, many speakers pointed out how more immediate clinical research around psychedelics has helped many to ease into the idea of its medicinal value and widespread use. This is compared to the cannabis industry, which despite more than half of the country currently legalized, still has a sort of lingering negative or off-putting stoner stigma.
Friday’s Pro Sports, Cannabis & Psychedelics highlighted the perspective larger corporations and teams have about consumption and professional sports. Former NFL players Ian Beckles and Boo Williams attended as panelists and shared their personal experience with cannabis and psychedelic use in sports. Former NFL Player and panelist Wes Saunders pointed out while not every player will necessarily consume before a big game, allowing yourself to experience cannabis and psychedelics is used for mental relief to “expand our blind spots.”
Additionally, Wes was one of the many vendors showcasing their alternative wellness and plant enhancement products in the convention’s expo hall.
An Exciting Expo Hall & Immersive Experiences
The expo hall was filled with booths, tables, and bars that offered medical and wellness cannabis products and even THC-infused coffee or mocktails. Functional mushrooms in the form of gummies, capsules, or chocolates were offered by brands that educated us on the health benefits of these mushroom blends.
Above the Main Stage at the convention center, there was a series of rooms filled with even more educational seminars, mindful meditations, and interactive workshops.
Northern California farmer Marty Clein from Martyjuana hosted a Cannabis Homegrow Workshop, and JJ & Jay Michaels from NorCal Seeds & Genetics spoke on advancements in cannabis genetics.
Psychedelic workshops like, How to Get Your Start as a Psychedelic-Informed Practitioner with Kyle Buller, Psychedelic Clinical Educational Trainer, informed attendees how to intersect the boundaries between psychedelics and clinical practices.
Even deeper than the many educational workshops offered – guided meditations, sound baths, chakra alignments, and even a “ganjasana” kept attendees buzzing with energy and excitement throughout the convention.
Cannadelic Miami
It’s no doubt that each experiential seminar, speaker panel, and hands-on workshop agreed to have one message in common: the power of education.
Whether it was through a group meditated healing circle or an insightful speaker seminar on the future of global cannabis and psychedelics, each mini-event within the Cannadelic convention proved that education will continue to be the leading factor that drives success to these flourishing industries.
Plus, it proves that there is always something new to learn in the world of cannabis and psychedelics. And as community leaders, inventors, medical patients, wellness practitioners, industry executives, and conscious consumers – its our duty to pass it forward. When we know better, we must do better.
