Toronto’s First CannExpo is a Groundbreaking Consumer and Retail Spectacle

Toronto, Ontario, March 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The first-ever CannExpo, a cannabis consumer and retail show, taking place at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto from March 24-26, 2023, promises to educate, entertain, and stir up more passion for legal cannabis consumption.

Cannabis has been legal in Canada for four years, yet, there is still stigma and myths associated with it. CannExpo intends to change that, bringing cannabis consumption into the mainstream through this innovative and groundbreaking, three-day-long spectacle. 

An almost endless compilation of activations await, including daily cooking-with-cannabis competitions featuring celeb chefs; educational sessions on how to speak to your kids about cannabis; live multicultural entertainment and cultural experiences such as pow-wows; high profile speakers and main stage guests like Cody VanGogh – a joint-rolling expert whose world-class creations have been enjoyed by the likes of Snoop Dogg and Machine Gun Kelly; ‘budtender’ (aka cannabis retail expert) exclusive events; an expansive retail and vendor showcase with new products and cutting edge technology, plus the ability to purchase accessories, hardware, and services.

Budtenders, retailers, cannabis consumers, and the cannabis-curious will all come together at this unique show. The show costs $20 for a day pass or $45 for the entire weekend. Visit cannexpo.ca to purchase tickets.

The depth and diversity of this first-ever cannabis consumer show make it the cannabis show to experience. It was designed and executed by Kathryn Reilly, a woman with significant experience in launching winning consumer shows (National Bridal Show, Gardening Show, BabyTime). Reilly, founder and CEO of CannExpo, says it was created to welcome consumers — not only industry types — in a friendly, welcoming, entertaining, and educational environment.

Here are just some of the CannExpo 2023 highlights that attendees have to look forward to:

• The Disciplined Stoners on Friday, March 24 at 1 pm. They’ll appear and host the awards show and are part of panels and games throughout the day. Ellevan and Winny Clarke are The Disciplined Stoners. They cover many sides of cannabis through the lens of creativity, holistic wellness, and business, in a style that combines perspective, performance, music, and comedy.
• Daily competitions include “So You Think You Can Cook With Cannabis” with celebrity chef judges Jordan Wagman, Vito Blaze, and The Ganja Mama. The competition will run all weekend long and includes three categories; Best Infused Baker, Best Mixologist, and Best Chef.
• The rolling competition at CannExpo will be judged by acclaimed joint rolling artist Cody VanGogh, the only Canadian competitor in the National Joint League. Sign up for all three days at Booth #624 for your chance to win prizes.

• Featured speaker Jack Kungel of Jack’s Garage documentary, is a well-known 69-year-old ‘prophet’ of the cannabis movement, who will speak on Sunday, March 26 about his own journey through a 20-year battle with pain, cancer, and the devastating physical effects of eight surgeries and pharmaceuticals. His journey to health through cannabis has led him to become a passionate educator about the many benefits of cannabis and a plant-based diet.

• Educational sessions include women in cannabis (a roundtable of eight important women in the industry taking place on Friday at noon), cannabis safety and parenting, medical cannabis, questions to ask your budtender, psychedelics advocacy, and more. Talks will be taking place on the event stage and in ‘sesh’ rooms for all levels of cannabis consumers to participate and learn.

• Popular cannabis brands will exhibit including licensed retail stores, craft growers, accessories, cannabis crafts, organic hemp products, and more.

• The Ontario Cannabis Store will be in attendance to promote their new education hub for Ontarians, Cannabis Made Clear. Cannabis Made Clear provides unbiased, non-judgemental education on a range of key cannabis-related topics including responsible use, health effects, the value of buying legal cannabis, and how to have these important conversations with young people. Ten access grant winners at the show will also be present, sponsored by the Ontario Cannabis Store. These grants aim to increase the presence and participation of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour-owned retailers and Licensed Producers at CannExpo.

• The Tether Budtender & Retail Gathering on Sunday, March 26 from 2-3:30 pm is an exclusive event during CannExpo for budtenders and licensed retailers, celebrating the finale of Tether’s 2023 Budtender Appreciation Week. At this exclusive event, there will be the opportunity for budtender sampling, networking, and gifting. The event is open to currently employed Cansell-certified budtenders, retail buyers, and licensed owners/operators. Registration is $25.00 and includes Sunday admission. 

A limited amount of booth space and sponsorship opportunities are still available for brands wanting to join the event. Exhibiting and sponsoring information is available at cannexpo.ca.

Media registration for CannExpo is required in advance. Entry for verified media is complimentary.