
A report from the Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition in L.A.
by Noelle Skodzinski
I'm just back in the office after attending the Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition (CWCBE) in Los Angeles—and an extended visit in California—which wrapped up Friday, Sept. 18, after two full days of educational programming and an exposition featuring approximately 60 exhibitors. The show kicked off Wednesday, Sept. 16, with a day of pre-conference workshops (requiring separate registration), and an Investor Summit held in partnership with CWCBE and presented by several investment experts in the industry.
This year marked the second for the Los Angeles show, which also followed a fall CWCBE in New York City. A number of exhibitors commented that the quality of attendance at the Los Angeles show was improved over the New York event, which had drawn a mixed crowd of industry professionals, a seemingly larger number of investors (which was attributed to the show's NYC location) and a significant number of people interested in breaking into the burgeoning industry, who attended the show to get a lay of the land. "There are even cultivators here," commented one exhibitor at the L.A. show. The show's California location seemed to contribute to the perceived increased attendance by cultivators and other industry executives.
Highlights of the event included keynotes by Academy Award winning musician Melissa Etheridge; Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance; and George Zimmer, founder of Men's Warehouse and zTailors.
"It's long overdue that we correct this system. Enough is enough." —George Zimmer, founder, Men's Warehouse, zTailors
Etheridge, who is a cancer survivor, gave a heartfelt speech about how she was introduced to the benefits of cannabis during her battle with cancer. "I can't imagine anyone having to go through chemotherapy with out cannabis," she said. "It's a shame. It's sad." Since then, she has continued to consume cannabis and asked, "Who's to say where medicine ends and recreation begins?" noting that marijuana's calming effects help combat anxiety and help some people sleep at night, among other things. "Cannabis keeps me in this life game we are all playing," she said.
Etheridge drew comparisons between the fight to end marijuana prohibition and the fight for civil rights by the LGBT community. She believes that the "business of cannabis" is what is going to bring about change in this industry.
The musician closed with the statement, "Cannabis is going to save the world!" drawing a roar of applause from the audience.
Nadelmann wowed the crowd with his fast-paced, high-energy speech, which was peppered with passion, hard-hitting statistics about the failed war on drugs, and humor. One particularly poignant note he made was regarding states' developing regulations around legal marijuana: Banning people who have a criminal record from participating in this industry "is not right," he said, noting that many people who have fought to end prohibition have been arrested for possession at some point in their lives.
Zimmer shared insights behind his efforts to end marijuana prohibition, including his involvement in getting California's Proposition 215 (or the Compassionate Use Act of 1996) passed, legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Ending the failed war on drugs has been a personal mission of his, he said, stressing. "It's long overdue that we correct this system. Enough is enough."
A personal highlight for me was to see a brief, but heart-wrenching appearance by Paige Figi, mother of the now-famous Charlotte Figi, whose severe seizure condition (Dravet Syndrome) brought about the development of the high-CBD/low-THC cannabis strain called Charlotte's Web. Figi has been a vocal advocate for medical marijuana since her young daughter's seizures were reduced from one every 30 minutes (and were threatening Charlotte's life by the day) to almost being seizure-free. "People can't tell me my child has to suffer because they're uncomfortable with something," said Figi.
The next Cannabis World Congress and Business Expositions are scheduled for June 15-17, 2016, in New York, and Sept. 7-9, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Feature photo © Carrienelson1 | Dreamstime.com