The cannabis industry is growing year upon year. As more states legalize cannabis for recreational and medical use, the need for events and conferences is growing, too. Whether you’re already in the cannabis industry or just canna-curious, you can learn more about your favorite plant in all its different forms at lively cannabis competitions and conferences led by experts and disruptors in the space across the U.S.

Cannabis events and conferences to check out

Making an appearance at a cannabis event or conference alongside other people from the cannabis community is a great way to learn about the industry, network with like-minded people, and visit fabulous new destinations across the U.S. Here’s our roundup of the top cannabis events & conferences in the U.S. to add to your calendar.

MJBizCon

Location: Las Vegas Convention Center

Dates: December 3-6, 2024

Cost: Expo Only/$199; 3 Day Conference + Expo/ $399; VIP All-Access Pass/ $999

The Marijuana Business Conference, or MJBizCon for short, is one of the most popular cannabis events in the U.S. Founded in 2009 by cannabis news outlet Marijuana Business Daily, this annual cannabis conference attracts 35,000 attendees to mingle with 1,400 exhibitors and listen to the wise words of more than 100 industry speakers over three fun days. Visitors can hear from cannabis industry experts involved in everything from cultivation and manufacturing to retail and inventors. 

Whether you’re canna-curious or an expert in the marijuana field, you’ll have an opportunity to network with start-ups, private equity investors, and more at this buzzing Sin City event. 

The Emerald Cup

Location: Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, Oakland, CA

Dates: August 17-18, 2024

Cost: Weekend/$120-599; Day tickets/$65-325

The Emerald Cup started as a friendly competition between cannabis-growing Mendocino County, CA, farmers to decide who could grow the best marijuana in the region. Now entering its 20th year, the competition has grown into a world cannabis brand with categories ranging from the best flower, pre-roll, edibles, cartridges, tincture, and dispensary to a photo competition and the Willie Nelson Award for lifetime achievement in the cannabis industry. Each category is judged by industry experts with decades of experience in the field. 

While cannabis and the people who put their blood, sweat, and tears into growing the best strains are the real stars of the show at The Emerald Cup, people in attendance can also catch music from acts like the Grouch & Eligh, Los Rakas, and Zuri Marley.

Cannabis Drinks Expo

Location: Morgan Manufacturing Event Space, Chicago, IL

Dates:July 30-31, 2024

Cost: $59/per person

Consuming cannabis as a drink is not a new thing. Bhang, a cannabis-infused drink, has been utilized by Hindus since as far back as 1,000 BC. However, much like hard seltzers are rocking the alcohol world, cannabis-infused drinks are making more hemp headlines than ever before. 

Hop on the CTA and make your way to the Cannabis Drinks Expo in Chi-town to learn all about this new leaf of the industry. 

This two-day annual event welcomes people in the cannabis industry to attend conferences, workshops, and panel discussions on subjects like the history of cannabis drinks and how to expand cannabis-focused businesses into more states. The event also features a product showcase pavilion and hosts two workshops for canna-curious and long-time consumers to learn about cannabis drinks.

New England Cannabis Convention Series

Location: Multiple locations

Dates: Multiple dates 

Cost: $50 (ticket prices vary depending on location)

NECANN, or the New England Cannabis Convention, is the most significant cannabis and hemp convention series in the world. Attendees can network with license holders, medical dispensaries, suppliers, cultivators, investors, entrepreneurs, and ancillary businesses. NECANN is gearing up to host events in New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, and New York at the back end of 2024, as well as Boston, Maryland, Illinois, and Vermont in 2025. Cannabis growers can enter the NECANN Cup, New England’s only multi-state cannabis competition, to win coveted awards on stage at the events.

CannaCon Midwest St. Paul

Location: Saint Paul River Center, St. Paul, MN 

Dates: August 16-17, 2024

Cost: Day Pass/$40; Weekend Pass/$70

Calling all cannabis industry workers and canna-curious people in America's Heartland, CannaCon Midwest St. Paul is your chance to hang out with thousands of like-minded attendees, meet hundreds of exhibitors, and hear from dozens of speakers on topics ranging from running cannabis businesses to what's hot in the industry and much more. Previous Cannacon speakers include the cannabis industry's top bosses and former world leaders. 

Designed for people in the industry and beyond to network with other businesses and grow together, CannaCon is the nation's leading B2B cannabis conference. You can catch CannaCon in Cleveland or Rochester in 2024 if you miss this one. 

Lucky Leaf Expo Albuquerque 

Location:Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM

Dates: September 27-28, 2024

Cost: $35 – $499

Head to the Land of Enchantment to hear from speakers, exhibitors, and other attendees who are just as passionate about this plant as you. Explore the rich history of cannabis with Allison Benedict, learn about the less interesting (but important) stuff like admin, accounting and more from Erin Gandara, and learn how to unlock the “Green Economy” with Matthan Ibidapo. 

If you’re craving more cannabis information or want to move your business forward in the industry, attend the Pre-Show Cannabis Business Crash Course the day before the event. 

Cannabis Research Conference

Location:Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Dates: August 7-9, 2024

Cost: Full Weekend/$150-375/

If you love the science behind cannabis, the Cannabis Research Conference could be the event for you. With more than 100 live presentations, you can see how science is drastically changing the cannabis industry. After listening to experts in the field, wander around the exhibit hall and meet exhibitors, check out the poster hall, and network with scientists, students, and cannabis industry professionals. This three-day conference focuses on cannabis science in the latest medicine, food, and other innovations and how they can be applied.