The Best Cannabis Events in 2023, From Expos to Parties
Did you find this round up of 2023 cannabis conferences, trade shows conventions and other networking opportunities like The Grasslands Party helpful for planning your event marketing, thought leadership and lead generation for the year? Don't miss our 2024 cannabis conferences and trade shows blog with a list of this year's industry events!
Doesn’t it feel like the MJBizCon Grasslands Party was yesterday? It sure does to us. Yet here we are thinking about the next big move as we admittedly still bask in the highs of our flagship MJBiz Party just months ago.
Cannabis entrepreneurs, executives and marketers know well the fast-paced, and some might even say strenuous, nature of cannabis and psychedelic events. To put it simply: It’s nonstop—and getting busier each year.
In fact, you’ve likely missed a couple already.
We’re in a new year and a fast-growing sector. From Canada to Arizona, and California to NYC, if you’re in the industry, there’s a show or two like Cannabis Conference you must attend, and a few that you probably want to. But as close observers and insiders know, the cannabis industry is strapped for cash, and companies will be making tough decisions in 2023 about which shows to attend.
Why is it important to attend cannabis trade shows and expos?
Showing up is half the battle. If you want to get your brand, product and hard work out there, you have to network. Advertising is difficult in cannabis, and often working the room is the best way to spread the word.
But beyond that, and even better, thought leadership is an important piece of integrated cannabis marketing and public relations campaigns. Speaking at conferences and participating in panels can be a great way to build your brand profile and potentially generate earned media through a newsworthy story.
Grasslands is here for you. Our journalism-minded approach to our work makes education a critical part of our mission.
So we took a close look at more than 150 expos, conventions, parties and other functions. And then we made an attempt to organize them in a way that will be more helpful to you, our friends and clients.
We’ve put together this essential list of can’t miss cannabis trade shows and conferences for 2023. And don’t think we’re leaving out our psychedelic sisters and brothers—we have plenty of 2023 plant-medicine trade shows you won’t want to miss out on too.
Because we’re experts at landing our clients prime cannabis speaking slots and other thought-leadership opportunities that are the best fit for them, we thought we’d give you a little inside look at the process.
If you see an event that looks and feels like the right fit for your brand or company—whether that’s plant-touching or ancillary—don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re stoked to talk to you about your goals, and how our expertise (and track record) can help you find the perfect match, and hopefully even get you on the inside track to elevate your thought leadership and brand recognition.
And if you’re looking for exclusive insights into what trends and potential pitfalls 2023 may hold for the cannabis industry, check out Grasslands Founder and CEO Ricardo Baca’s predictions right here.
2023 Cannabis conventions, expos and other events, by category and region.
The Best Conferences for Cannabis Networking:
See and be seen at these events put on by trade groups and other organizations. Many of them are truly friendly efforts to build or maintain a community, while others are all business. Either way, take advantage of one near you.
California and Desert/Mountain West:
Jan. 26: Arizona’s Cannabis Industry Trade Association Arizona Cannabis Business Networking Event, Phoenix
Jan. 31: NCIA Northern California Industry Social, San Francisco
Feb. 7: NCIA Southern California Industry Social, Los Angeles
Feb. 27: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Arizona, Phoenix
March 10-19: SXSW, Austin, Texas
March 13: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Southern California, Coto De Caza, California
April 26: Lemonhaze golf Classic Nevada, Las Vegas
May 3-4: Hall of Flowers, Santa Rosa, California
May 8: LemonHaze Golf Classic New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 5: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
June 19-23: Psychedelic Science 2023, Denver
September tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Las Vegas
Sept. 19-20: The State of Cannabis 7th Annual Conference, Los Angeles
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 29: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
Pacific Northwest:
March 8: NCIA Washington Industry Social, Seattle
April 19: Canna Boot Camp Spring, Portland, Oregon
April 20: Cannabis Science Conference Spring, Portland, Oregon
April 19: NCIA Oregon Industry Social, Portland, Oregon
Midwest:
May 3-4: Michigan CannaTech Expo, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
May 4: NCIA Illinois Industry Social, Chicago
Jan. 25: NCIA Missouri Industry Social, St. Louis
June tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Chicago
June 2-3: Imperious Cannabis Business Expo, Oklahoma City
Aug. 28: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Missouri, Saint Charles, MO
Sept. 18 Lemonhaze Golf Classic Michigan, Dearborn, MI
Oct. 10-12: MJ Unpacked Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit, MI
Oct. 26: Mo Kansas CannaTech, Kansas City, Missouri
East Coast:
March 25-26: XpoCanna Connecticut Cannabis Expo, Uncasville, Connecticut
March 30: NCIA Massachusetts Industry Social, Boston
April tbd: 2023 Clio Awards, New York City
April 22: National Cannabis Festival, Washington D.C.
April 25: NCIA New York Industry Social, New York City
April 26-28: MJ Unpacked, New York City
May 18-19: LMCC (Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference), New York City
May 20: NY Cannabis Insider, Albany, NY
June 1-3: CWCBExpo, New York City, NY
June 26: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Pennsylvania, Gibsonia, PA
August 2-4: Lift Expo, San Francisco
Aug. 7: Lemonhaze Golf Classic New Jersey, Galloway, NJ
Aug. 21: Lemonhaze Golf Classic Massachusetts, Ipswich, MA
September 8: TeeHC Open, Grafton, MA
South:
Nov. 3-5: Black Cannabiz Expo, New Orleans
Florida:
April 10: Lemonhaze Golf Class Florida, Coral Springs, Florida
April 11-12th: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Miami Beach, Florida
April 12: NCIA Florida Industry Social, Miami
Territories:
July 26: Puerto Rico CannaTech Expo, San Juan
The Best B2B Cannabis Trade Shows
Sometimes you just need to make that face-to-face connection for a deal to happen. Make the most of these B2B-focused events and you’ll definitely make some important contacts along the way.
California/Desert and Mountain West:
Feb. 22-24: TPE23, Las Vegas
March 1-3: The Emerald Conference, San Diego
March 29-31: NoCo Hemp Expo, Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 3-4: Hall of Flowers, Santa Rosa, California
May 10-12th: CG Global Metals & Mining Conference, Palm Desert, CA
May 19-20: CannaCon West, Albuquerque, New Mexico
July 27: Cannabis Drinks Expo, San Francisco
August 2-4: Lift Expo, San Francisco
Aug. 4-5: CannaCon West, Long Beach, California
August 15-17: Cannabis Conference, Las Vegas
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 30ish: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
Pacific Northwest
March 1-2: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
May 23-24: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
Nov. 7-8: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
June 2-3: Imperious Cannabis Business Expo, Oklahoma City
Oct. 6-7: CannaCon Midwest, Detroit
East Coast:
March 3-5: Alternative Products Expo, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
March 10-12: NECANN New England Cannabis Convention, Boston
April 26-28: MJ Unpacked, New York City
May 6-7: NECANN Vermont Cannabis & Hemp Convention, Burlington, Vermont
May 18-19: LMCC (Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference), New York City
May 20-21: NECANN Connecticut Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Hartford, Connecticut
June 1-3: CWCBExpo, New York City, NY
Aug. 12-13: NECANN 2023 Maine Cannabis Convention, Augusta, Maine
Sept. 8-9: NECANN New Jersey Cannabis Convention, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Sept. 29-30: NECANN New York Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Albany Capital Center
South:
Feb. 24-25: CannaCon South, Biloxi, Mississippi
March 31 to April 1: CannaCon South, Oklahoma City
July 13-15: Alternative Products Expo, Dallas
Nov. 3-5: Black Cannabiz Expo and Conference, New Orleans
Hawaii:
Feb. 4-5: Hawaii Cannabis Expo, Honolulu
The Best Cannabis Conferences for Thought Leadership
Anybody with any profile can get a speaking gig somewhere. But only the best and most knowledgeable speak at these professional and curated events. The folks on the Grasslands team are experts at getting the speaking engagements that fit them best. See something here? Let’s talk about it.
California/Desert and Mountain West:
Feb. 22-24: TPE23, Las Vegas
March 10-19: SXSW, Austin, Texas
March 29-31: NoCo Hemp Expo, Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 19-20: CannaCon West, Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 19-23: Psychedelic Science 2023, Denver
Aug. 4-5: CannaCon West, Long Beach, California
Aug. 17-19: Southern Hemp Expo, Nashville, Tennessee
Sept. 22-23: Lucky Leaf Expo, Albuquerque, New Mexico
September tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Las Vegas
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 30ish: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
March 24-25: Lucky Leaf Expo, Kansas City, Missouri
June tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Chicago
June 2-3: Imperious Cannabis Business Expo, Oklahoma City,
Oct. 6-7: CannaCon Midwest, Detroit
Oct. 6-7: Lucky Leaf Expo, St. Louis, Missouri
East Coast:
April 14-15: Lucky Leaf Expo, Albany, New York
April 22: National Cannabis Policy Summit, Washington, D.C.
April 26-28: MJ Unpacked, New York City
May 20: NY Cannabis Insider, Albany, NY
June 1-3: CWCBExpo, New York City, NY
June 8-9: Lucky Leaf Expo, Edison, New Jersey
July 21-22: Lucky Leaf Expo, Baltimore
South:
Feb. 24-25: CannaCon South, Biloxi, Mississippi
March 10-19: SXSW, Austin, Texas
March 31 to April 1: CannaCon South, Oklahoma City
May 5-6: Lucky Leaf Expo, Jackson, Mississippi
Aug. 17-19: Southern Hemp Expo, Nashville, Tennessee
Nov. 3-5: Black Cannabiz Expo and Conference, New Orleans
Florida:
April 11-12th: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Miami Beach, Florida
May 15-17: CannMed23, Marco Island, FL
Hawaii:
Feb. 4-5: Hawaii Cannabis Expo, Honolulu
Virtual:
Feb. 12: HighTimes Hemp Cup, virtual
The Best Conferences for Cannabis Ancillary Companies
So you don’t touch the plant—so what? Check out these conventions, conferences and expos to get the word out about the product the modern cannabis cultivator or consumer can’t live without.
California/Desert and Mountain West:
Feb. 22-24: TPE23, Las Vegas
March 29-31: NoCo Hemp Expo, Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 3-4: White Label World Expo, Las Vegas
May 19-20: CannaCon West, Albuquerque, New Mexico
August 2-4: Lift Expo, San Francisco
Aug. 4-5: CannaCon West, Long Beach, California
August 15-17: Cannabis Conference, Las Vegas
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 30ish: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
Pacific Northwest:
March 1-2: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
May 23-24: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
Nov. 7-8: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
East Coast:
March 10-12: NECANN New England Cannabis Convention, Boston
May 6-7: NECANN Vermont Cannabis & Hemp Convention, Burlington, Vermont
May 20-21: NECANN Connecticut Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Hartford, Connecticut
June 1-3: CWCBExpo, New York City, NY
Aug. 12-13: NECANN 2023 Maine Cannabis Convention, Augusta, Maine
Sept. 8-9: NECANN New Jersey Cannabis Convention, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Sept. 29-30: NECANN New York Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Albany Capital Center
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
May 3-4: Michigan CannaTech Expo, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Sept. 27-28: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Chicago
Oct. 6-7: CannaCon Midwest, Detroit
South:
Feb. 24-25: CannaCon South, Biloxi, Mississippi
March 31 to April 1: CannaCon South, Oklahoma City
July 13-15: Alternative Products Expo, Dallas
Aug. 17-19: Southern Hemp Expo, Nashville, Tennessee
Florida: March 3-5: Alternative Products Expo, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hawaii:
Feb. 4-5: Hawaii Cannabis Expo, Honolulu
The Top Psychedelic Conferences In 2023
The Grasslands team believes in the power of plant medicine and the true, healing change found in psychedelics that is only now seriously being explored in mainstream science. We represent companies in the space, and, frankly, we geek out on this stuff. That’s why we picked out the events this year we think will feature the most honest, sincere and engaging conversations.
California and the Mountain/Desert West:
June 19-23: Psychedelic Science 2023, Denver
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 30ish: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
South:
March 10-19: SXSW, Austin, Texas
Florida:
February 2-4th: Cannadelic Miami Miami, FL
The Best ‘Mainstream’ Conventions for Cannabis Brands and Companies
Expanding your footprint is one of the critical components of growing any business. And that means that a lot of CPG companies (especially in the hemp space) are looking beyond the traditional cannabis industry. Here are several options for those of you looking to walk the straighter line, respectfully.
California and Desert/Mountain West:
Feb. 22-24: TPE23, Las Vegas
March 7-11: Natural Products Expo, West Anaheim, California
March 10-19: SXSW, Austin, Texas
May 3-4: White Label World Expo, Las Vegas
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
East Coast:
September 20-23: Natural Products Expo East, Philadelphia
Florida:
March 3-5: Alternative Products Expo, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The Best Trade Shows for Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers
Show off your stuff at these events custom designed for plant-touching companies.
California/Desert and Mountain West:
May 19-20: CannaCon West, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Aug. 4-5: CannaCon West, Long Beach, California
May 3-4: Hall of Flowers, Santa Rosa, California
July 27: Cannabis Drinks Expo, San Francisco
August 2-4: Lift Expo, San Francisco
August 15-17: Cannabis Conference, Las Vegas
Sept. 22-23: Lucky Leaf Expo, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
November 30ish: The Grasslands Party 2023 (after party)
Pacific Northwest:
March 1-2: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
March 15-16: Interchange Oregon, Portland, Oregon
April 19: Canna Boot Camp Spring, Portland, Oregon
April 20: Cannabis Science Conference Spring, Portland, Oregon
May 23-24: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
Sept. 20-21: Interchange Oregon, Portland, Oregon
Nov. 7-8: Interchange Washington, Renton, Washington
Midwest:
March 24-25: Lucky Leaf Expo, Kansas City, Missouri
May 17-18: Interchange Michigan, Bath, Michigan
Oct. 6-7: CannaCon Midwest, Detroit
Oct. 6-7: Lucky Leaf Expo, St. Louis, Missouri
Oct. 18-19: Interchange Michigan, Bath, Michigan
East Coast:
March 10-12: NECANN New England Cannabis Convention, Boston
April 14-15: Lucky Leaf Expo, Albany, New York
May 6-7: NECANN Vermont Cannabis & Hemp Convention, Burlington, Vermont
May 20-21: NECANN Connecticut Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Hartford, Connecticut
July 21-22: Lucky Leaf Expo, Baltimore
Aug. 12-13: NECANN 2023 Maine Cannabis Convention, Augusta, Maine
Sept. 8-9: NECANN New Jersey Cannabis Convention, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Sept. 29-30: NECANN New York Cannabis and Hemp Convention, Albany Capital Center
May 3-4: Michigan CannaTech Expo, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
June 1-3: CWCBExpo, New York City, NY
Aug. 22: WebTech Marketing Conference, Las Vegas
Oct. 26: Mo Kansas CannaTech, Kansas City, Missouri
Midwest:
March 24-25: Lucky Leaf Expo, Kansas City, Missouri
May 17-18: Interchange Michigan, Bath, Michigan
Oct. 6-7: CannaCon Midwest, Detroit
Oct. 6-7: Lucky Leaf Expo, St. Louis, Missouri
Oct. 18-19: Interchange Michigan, Bath, Michigan
South:
Feb. 24-25: CannaCon South, Biloxi, Mississippi
March 31 to April 1: CannaCon South, Oklahoma City
May 5-6: Lucky Leaf Expo, Jackson, Mississippi
Aug. 17-19: Southern Hemp Expo, Nashville, Tennessee
Florida:
May 15-17: CannMed23, Marco Island, FL
Territories:
July 26: Puerto Rico CannaTech Expo, San Juan
Virtual:
Feb. 12: HighTimes Hemp Cup, virtual
The Best Cannabis Events for Women Leaders
It’s no secret that the cannabis space is dominated by men, so it’s no surprise that the number of women-focused cannabis events is dismally low. But they’re out there — and we have all of the currently available details right here for you!
California and Mountain/Desert West:
Feb. 20: Lemonhaze Executive Women’s Golf Classic, Indian Wells, California
June tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Chicago
September tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Las Vegas
East Coast:
March 23: Green Market Report Women's Summit, New York, NY
The Top Cannabis Events for Meeting Investors
It’s a tough environment, so you better have your business plan buttoned up before walking into one of these shark tanks.
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
East Coast:
April 26-28: MJ Unpacked, New York City
Florida:
April 11-12th: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Miami Beach, Florida
The Best Cannabis Awards Programs
These awards mean something in the industry.
Virtual:
Feb. 12: High Times Hemp Awards Show, virtual
April 16: High Times Cannabis Cup Awards Show, virtual
California and the desert/mountain west:
Aug. 15-17: Cannabis Conference, Las Vegas
Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: MjBizCon, Las Vegas
East Coast:
April tbd: 2023 Clio Awards, New York City
April 22: National Cannabis Festival, Washington D.C.
Florida:
April 11-12: Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Miami Beach, Florida
TBD:
Cannabis Business Awards East and West/CBA Globes/The Hemp Business Awards/International Cannabis Awards
The Best Cannabis Events to Network and Influence Policy
Wanna rub shoulders with major players and maybe even throw some ideas out there? Try out these functions.
Some events are great for networking, period. Others allow you to mingle with some of the biggest decision-makers and lobbyists in the industry. These are the latter.
California/Desert and Mountain West:
February 15th: NCIA Colorado Cannabis Caucus, Denver
Sept. 19-20: The State of Cannabis 7th Annual Conference, Los Angeles
Midwest:
Feb. 16: Bisnow Cannabis Summit in Chicago: investment, Policy, Development and Retail in Cannabis and How it Affects the CRE Community, Chicago
East Coast:
April 22: National Cannabis Policy Summit, Washington, D.C.
The Top Social Equity Programs
We’re sure this will come as no surprise, but if anything illustrates the cannabis industry’s problems with diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s this dismal list of national events aimed at social equity or minorities.
California and Mountain/Desert West:
September tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Las Vegas
Midwest:
June tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Chicago
East Coast
May 20: NY Cannabis Insider, Albany, New York
August 22-27: AMVETS National Convention, Pittsburgh (See: AMVETS’ “Heal” program)
June tbd: Women In Cannabis Expo, Chicago
South:
Nov. 3-5: Black Cannabiz Expo and Conference, New Orleans
The best international cannabis events
February 28th- March 1st: Cannabis Business Asia-Pacific Bangkok, Thailand
March 1-3rd: 5th HortEX Vietnam
March 9th: ICBC (International Cannabis Business Conference) Barcelona, Spain
March 10-12th: Spannabis Fira De Cornella, Barcelona
May 2-3rd: Cannabis Europa London, England
May 28-30th: Grow Up Conference & Expo Edmonton, Alberta
May 31 to June 1: Hall of Flowers, Toronto
March 2-3rd: Puerto Rico CannaTech Expo San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 20-21st: BizCann Expo Medellin, Colombia
June 1-3th: Lift Expo Toronto, ON
June 14-16th: CannabiSalud Cancun, Mexico
June 27th: ICBC (International Cannabis Business Conference) Global Investment Forum Berlin, Germany
June 29-30th: ICBC (International Cannabis Business Conference) Berlin, Germany
September 13-14th: Montreal Cannabis Expo Montreal, Quebec
We’re always ready to talk through your brand’s unique needs and pain points to find a custom solution. But if you aren’t ready to start that conversation yet, check out our cannabis public relations services and cannabis marketing services to learn more about how we transform brands like yours with our proven process.