Reflections From the Kush Expo

I attended my first cannabis-industry event this weekend: The Kush Expo, in Anaheim, CA. Thousands came together for two days to network, explore products / services available on the market and just enjoy the community of like-minded folks in what was boasted to be the biggest medical marijuana mega event in the world. The event was not as big as some expected, with approximately 100 vendors and just two stages, but the atmosphere exuded excitement.

Both vendors and consumers were clearly excited about the rapid growth in the California industry, especially within the vaporizer market. Countless vaporizers and vapor pens could be purchased ready-to-use at the event. Each company boasted about their own unique products, with variations in options as far flung as the size, type of battery, variations in coil makeup and design, not to mention a wide range in type and design of attachable heads which dictate what type of products the vaporizer can be used with. Consumers could go from table to table, learning about new products, asking questions and even trying them out.

Of course, for those with a medical card and even many without, the event also had countless opportunities for sampling products including dried buds, medibles and oil. Free samples were abundant for documented patients to use in a blocked off part of the venue; however, long lines to get into the poorly-designed space detracted many.

Many other short-comings marred the event as well, including poor implementation of the on-site ticket sales / will-call system (it’s clearly silly to have only one line which can accept credit cards AND to limit the will-call to that line in this day and age of who carries cash anymore?), opening the doors late on Saturday, lack of a program outlining what vendors are present nor when scheduled events will take place, and an abundance of poorly-trained, incredibly-high vendors incapable of answering anything but the most basic question about the company’s products, many of whom were scantily dressed woman. In an industry struggling to gain credibility and convince the country we be trusted to operate our legal cannabusinesses responsibly, such happenings do not aid our collective goals.

On the other hand, many impressive cannabusinesses were present and their well-trained employees shared not only about the company’s services or products, but also their vision of an affluent cannabis industry capable of helping the American economy recover from the recent recession and on-going economic stagnation.  For me, the most memorable cannabusinesses at the event were those who have recognized the holes in the established cannabis industry and have created products and services which will simplify the operations and management of other businesses and allow for new market offerings. The industry is growing rapidly. Both vendors and consumers alike were abuzz at the Kush Expo from the possibilities the future holds as the Green Rush sweeps across America.