After a complete wipeout in 2020 due to Covid-19, cannabis-industry conferences and festivals have been making a comeback in 2021.
When the first in-person events began happening in March and as more Americans were vaccinated, a plethora of events were and continue to be announced. The events listed below are subject to change.
Below is a list of scheduled events and events that have already occurred in 2021.
For a list of 2022 events, go here.
2021 Events
The Stone Age - New York 10/1-12/31
According to the website, this immersive event is a "multi-faceted, sensorial journey... exploring the unique connections between plant medicine, creativity, awareness, arousal and more." Read our review here.
Completed 2021 Events
SXSW - online 3/16-20
In 2019, 280,000 people attended South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual music, film and interaactive industry event that takes over Austin every March. SXSW started as a music conference/festival in 1986. Over the last few years, many panel discussions have focused on cannabis. SXSW Online '21 took place on March 16-20.
NOCO Hemp Expo - Denver 3/25-27
Concerned about the health and safety of 400 vendors and 20,000 potential attendees, the 2020 event was postponed twice and rescheduled to March at the National Western Complex in Denver.
Georgia World Cannabis Conference - Atlanta 3/27
This first-time event took place on March 27 at Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta.
Hash Bash - Ann Arbor, MI/hybrid 4/3
Since 1971, marijuana advocates have protested on the Diag at the University of Michigan on the first Saturday in April. The rally as well the Monroe Street Fair that follows Hash Bash was canceled and replaced by an online event in 2020. The 2021 in-person event took place April 3 on the Diag.
In addition, an online Hash Bash happened later on Twitch and featured Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Debbie Dingell, State Sen. Jeff Irwin, former Detroit Red Wing Darren McCarty, former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson, U.S. and activist John Sinclair.
Rock the ROC: Charlotte Figi Memorial & Benefit Concert - online 4/7
One year after 13-year-old Charlotte Figi passed away, the cannabis community came together to remember the brave girl featured by CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta as the face of CBD. Presented by Realm of Caring, the Rock the Roc line-up included Jason Mraz, Michael Franti, Avett Brothers, Graham Nash, Sarah Jarosz and more.
Cannabis Real Estate Summit - online 4/8
The same folks who brought you the Cannabis Media Summit turned their attention to real estate in April.
The Great American Sesh In - San Francisco/hybrid 4/20
This 4/20 benefit for Last Prisoner Project (LPP) took place at The Midway in San Francisco and also online. The event featured DJ sets by Dr. Shortcut and Rob Garza.
Even Higher Together - online 4/20
Weedmaps was back with their annual 4/20 livestream. This year the host was none other than Snoop Dogg. The lineup included Wiz Khalifa, Berner, Talib Kweli, A$AP Rocky, Eric Rachmany, Jaleel White, Corvain Cooper and more. It was also a benefit for LPP.
More 4/20 Events here.
Hempdemic - Atlanta 4/23-24
This first-time event took place at the Hapeville Maker Space in Atlanta in April.
National Cannabis Unity Conference - online 4/29-30
Produced by Americans for Safe Access, the 2021 online event that caters to medical-marijuana patients, doctors, scientists and activists took place in April.
SSDP Policy Conference - online 4/29-5/2
The student activist organization's annual conference took place online at the end of April and start of May.
NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally - New York 5/1
Since 1973, New York marijuana activists have gathered in a park on the first Saturday in May. What was originally called the Smoke-In is now known as the NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally. The 2021 event took place despite strict Covid-19 regulations. After the traditional parade, people assembled in Union Square Park for a rally featuring Sen. Chuck Schumer and other public officials.
Delic: A Psychedelic Wellness Summit - Los Angeles 5/1-2
This first-time Los Angeles event took place in May.
Natural Products Expo West - online 5/24-27
Many CBD and hemp companies exhibit at this event, which took place online in May.
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference - online 6/3-4; online 10/13-14
An extensive two-day line-up of keynotes, panels and pitches featuring leaders of the cannabis industry.
NORML Legal Seminar - Aspen, CO 6/3-5
Every year, NORML's attorneys meet in Aspen, Colorado to swap drug-war stories at the Gant Hotel and Hunter Thompson's Owl Ranch.
OK Cannapalooza - Oklahoma City 6/3-6
Dubbed Oklahoma's "premiere cannabis music festival," this camping event featured bands, vendors, swimming and more. The band lineup has yet to be announced.
Flower of Power Festival - Austin 6/12
Presented by KM420RADIO at The Music Ranch, this Texas event featured live music, speakers and vendors. The entry fee was $4.20.
Chi Cannabis Expo - Chicago 6/24-25
Advertised as a "Business of Cannabis No-Smoking Event," this B2B took place at Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois.
Cannabis Extraction Conference - online 6/29
This event offered a deep dive into cannabis and hemp extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction, post-processing, risk management, hazards and controls, optimization, closed loop hydrocarbon extraction, machine learning algorithms and more.
Kushstock - Adelanto, CA 7/3
Kushstock returned to Adelanto Stadium & Events Center in SoCal with an expo featuring vendors, glass blowing, skating, wrestling and live music.
