Cannabis legalization is spreading rapidly across North America and the world. As of writing this article, all of Canada, 19 states in America, and Washington D.C. have legalized recreational cannabis use. Medical use and CBD are legal in even more states.
This is just the start. In fact, one of the first events on this cannabis event list is in New Mexico, which begins licensing legal dispensaries on April 1st. Connecticut is expected to open licensed dispensaries two months after that in June.
It can be hard to keep track of the rapid changes in legalization. There are many regulatory hurdles, especially relating to the need to maintain your cannabis growers’ or dispensary license.
Cannabis security compliance is another major consideration. From needing to provide a sitemap detailing security, to ensuring the various locations are properly set up for video monitoring, compliance regulations are tedious, evolving quickly and may vary from state-to-state, or county-to-county.
One of the best things you can do to monitor these growing opportunities is attend a cannabis conference in 2022.
We’ve compiled a list of the cannabis events you should attend in 2022.
What is a cannabis conference?
A cannabis conference is an event where people from across the cannabis sector come together to discuss the rapid growth of the legal cannabis market. Exhibitors and attendees include cultivators, dispensaries, and all the companies that service the industry.
What is it like at a cannabis convention?
We polled some of our event marketers and sales staff to hear exactly what it is like at cannabis events. The most common word was “excitement.” That excitement stems from this opportunity to build businesses in a completely new industry.
Here’s how Tyler Spence, the Cannabis Team Lead at Solink, put it:
“There are a lot of young people at cannabis conferences. They see this new industry as a way to use their entrepreneurial skills to start a business and are really excited to learn about this growing market.”
Why should you attend a cannabis expo?
Cultivators and extraction operators looking to sell products and retailers looking for products to market will get a lot out of attending cannabis conferences.
Do cannabis and CBD industries host different events?
Sometimes CBD events and cannabis events are separate, but most events have a mix of the two. It is important to read the descriptions of the conferences. The list below has both CBD expos and cannabis expos. Be sure to explore the events’ websites before committing to attending a convention.
Where are cannabis industry conferences usually held?
Cannabis conventions are held across North America. You can also find more online events as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as hybrid events with an in-person conference and online viewing options. However, there are some clear trends in the choice of locations for cannabis conferences.
First, there are more events found in locations that have historical ties to the fight for legalization (e.g., British Columbia in Canada and California and Colorado in America).
Second, you find a lot of events in the traditional conference cities (Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New York City). These events are usually held at the same venue every year.
Finally, cannabis conferences that tend to move from year to year often choose locations where legalization is about to happen or has just happened. In 2022, that means there are some events in New Mexico.
It’s also worth noting that there are still many online-only events in 2022, and it is beginning to look like virtual/live hybrid events are here to stay. So, if you can’t make it to an event, it is still worth looking into whether there is an online option.
List of cannabis events in 2022
Here is a list of every cannabis event in 2022.
January 2022
Event: CannaCon: Northeast
When and Where: 7-8 January at the Javits Center, NYC, NY
February 2022
Event: Lucky Leaf Expo Albuquerque
When and Where: 25-26 February at the Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM
Event: The Emerald Conference
When and Where: 27 February to 1 March at the Lowes Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA
March 2022
Event: New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 18-20 March at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA
April 2022
Event: CannaCon: South
When and Where: 31 March to 1 April at the OKC Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Event: The Delta 8 Expo in partnership with the CBD Expo
When and Where: 31 March to 1 April at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Downtown, Dallas, TX
Event: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference
When and Where: 20-21 April at the Fountainbleau Miami Beach, Miami, FL
Event: BC Cannabis Summit
When and Where: 20-22 April at Eldorado Resort, Kelowna, BC, Canada
About: This is the first ever BC Cannabis Summit. The BC Craft Farmers Co-op (BCCFC) and the Association of Canadian Cannabis Retailers (ACCRES) are hosting this event in hopes of inspiring all market players.
Event: National Cannabis Festival
When and Where: 23 April on the RFK Festival Grounds, Washington, DC
Event: Oklahoma Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 23-24 April at the Central Park Hall @ Expo Square, Tulsa, OK
May 2022
Event: CannMed
When and Where: 3-5 May at the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
About: CannMed started in 2016. It aims to promote understanding of the complex science and medical benefits of cannabis.
Event: Regenerative Cannabis Live
When and Where: 5 May at the United Nations, Delegates Dining Room, NYC, NY
Event: The 5th Annual Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference
When and Where: 5-6 May at Hudson Yards, NYC, NY
Event: Lift & Co Expo 2022
When and Where: 12-15 May at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
About: Life & Co Expo promises to provide value to all attendees. There are events for industry leaders, investors and those looking for financing, and even consumers.
Event: Southeastern Hemp & Medical Cannabis Convention
When and Where: 13-14 May at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA
Event: MJ Unpacked
When and Where: 18-20 May at the New York Hilton Midtown, NYC, NY
About: MJ Unpacked is bringing licensed retailers and accredited investors together at this event. It promises to pay dividends to those who can find partners.
Event: 2022 Cannabis Science Conference West
When and Where: 18-20 May at Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA
Event: National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium
When and Where: 20-22 May at the California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA
June 2022
Event: O’cannabiz
When and Where: 1-3 June at the International Centre, Hall #5, Toronto, ON, Canada
About: O’cannbiz was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic last year and is aiming to make up for it with a massive event this year. Guests include media, industry, and academic partners.
Event: Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo)
When and Where: 1-3 June at the Javits Center, NYC, NY
Event: 6th Annual Cannabis Law, Business & Accounting Conference and Expo (C LAB)
When and Where: 3-4 June at Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL
About: Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis growing and sales are changing daily. Acquiring banking and other essential services can still be headaches for cannabis growers. C LAB is an educational resource on all cannabis law, business, and accounting matters.
Event: Champs East Coast
When and Where: 7-9 June at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
Event: RCCO Inaugural Annual AGM & Cannabis Conference
When and Where: 10-11 June at Hotel X, Toronto, CA
Event: The Illinois Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 10-11 June at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, Chicago, IL
About: This is a region-specific event. Illinois represents a huge local market for cannabis products, and this event is your introduction to the local scene.
Event: The Summer Show, Cannaone Bizcon Expo
When and Where: 15-17 June, Las Vegas Convention Center, LV, NV
Event: Grow Up Conference & Expo
When and Where: 20-22 June at the Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
Event: The Delta 8 Expo in partnership with the CBD Expo
When and Where: 23-24 June at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa, Concord, NC
Event: Vermont Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 25-26 June at the Champlain Valley Expo, Burlington, VT
July 2022
Event: Kind Cannabis Week
When and Where: 5-8 July at multiple venues, Toronto, CA
Event: Mississippi Cannabis Expo
When and Where: 7-9 July at the Biloxi Gulf Coast Convention Center, Biloxi, MS
Event: NCIA’s 8th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo
When and Where: 20-22 July at Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Event: CannaCon: Midwest
When and Where: 22-23 July at Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Event: Lucky Leaf Expo Richmond
When and Where: 29-30 July at the Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
August 2022
Event: CannaCon: Midwest Chicago
When and Where: 6-7 August at Donald E Stephens, Chicago, IL
About: As a B2B-specific cannabis event, CannaCon helps you find suppliers and buyers of cannabis. You can also find all of the equipment and services you need for your cannabis farm or dispensary.
Event: The Delta 8 Expo in partnership with the CBD Expo
When and Where: 18-19 August at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, an IHG Hotel, St Paul, MN
Event: New York Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 26-27 August at the Albany Capitol Center (55 Eagle St), Albany, NY
Event: Virginia Cannabis Expo
When and Where: 25-27 August at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA
September 2022
Event: Cannabis 4.0
When and Where: 7-9 September, online only
Event: Grow Up Conference & Expo
When and Where: 12-14 September at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Event: Hall of Flowers
When and Where: 13-14 September at the Enercare Centre Hall D, Toronto, ON, Canada
Event: New Jersey Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 9-10 September at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
About: NECANN operates cannabis expos across America. This strong name recognition means these events tend to attract major players in the cannabis space.
Event: Lucky Leaf Expo Oklahoma
When and Where: 22-23 September at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Event: CannaCon Denver
When and Where: 24-25 September at the Denver Convention Center, Denver, CO
About: CannaCon is hosting events in several cities during FY 2022. If you haven’t been to one of their events yet, consider heading to Denver. Colorado has a mature cannabis market and will provide a glimpse into the future of states that have legalized more recently.
Event: Maine Cannabis Convention (NECANN)
When and Where: 24-25 September at the Portland Sports Complex, Portland, ME
October 2022
Event: Hall of Flowers
When and Where: 5-6 October at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA
Event: The Delta 8 Expo in partnership with the CBD Expo
When and Where: 6-7 October at Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL
Event: Lucky Leaf Jackson
When and Where: 7-8 October at the Jackson Complex Convention, Jackson, MI
Event: New Jersey Cannabis Expo | Cannabis Investment Expo
When and Where: 10-12 October at the New Jersey Convention Center, Edison, NJ
Event: Canna Pharma 2022
When and Where: 12-13 October at TBD, San Diego, CA
Event: CannaCon: South
When and Where: 14-15 October at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Event: Real Cannabis Entrepreneur LIVE Conference 2022
When and Where: 21-22 October at the Doubletree Hotel, Newark, NJ Airport
About: More than 20 cannabis entrepreneurs share their blueprints and step-by-step instructions on breaking into the cannabis industry.
November 2022
Event: MJBizCon Vegas
When and Where: 15-18 November at the Convention Center, LV, NV
About: MJBizCon is in its 11th year. It promises to be the same massive hit it has been in previous years, if not bigger thanks to the post-pandemic return to normal in Las Vegas.
December 2022
Event: The CBD Expo
When and Where: 1-2 December at JW Marriott, LA, CA
Event: CannaCosm Health + Beauty Expo
When and Where: 14-16 December at TBD, LV, NV
Summary
Cannabis events are a great place to make strong connections within the cannabis community. We hope to see you at one of the events we’re attending in 2022.