California continues to lead the way in the American cannabis space by being the largest market in the country by a far margin. Despite being the largest market, California experienced a bit of a decline in cannabis sales during the pandemic and its recovery. In 2023, California’s recreational cannabis market started to see increasing sales again, indicating growth and stability. For those in the cannabis industry, it’s more important than ever to stay up-to-date on the California market and connect with others in the industry.
2024 is a promising year filled with exciting events that celebrate and explore the diversity of the growing cannabis culture. From industry expos to festivals, there are a variety of events in the Golden State that are tailored to both cannabis professionals and enthusiasts. Let’s take a look at what’s happening in California’s cannabis scene this upcoming year!
NCIA California Stakeholder Summit
Hosted by the National Cannabis Industry Association, the California Stakeholder Summit is an event that brings together key players in the cannabis space, including regulators and elected officials. The NCIA Stakeholder Summit gives attendees a platform that fosters collaboration, advocacy, and progress in the cannabis industry. If you’re interested in being at the forefront of shaping policies and driving positive change, this could be the event for you.
Location: The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre in Sacramento, CA
Date: February 22, 2024
Price: Free for members and $50 for non-members and additional member tickets. Ticket prices will go up to $75 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased here.
Lift San Francisco
Lift San Francisco is a strategic and advocacy-centric conference aimed at business and community leadership to give those in the cannabis industry a place to collaborate and learn. Especially for those in San Francisco, the conference aims to arm participants with the requisite knowledge to successfully maneuver through California's current cannabis landscape, extending even beyond state borders.
Location: TBA in San Francisco, CA
Dates: February 23 - 24, 2024
Price: TBA; additional event details can be found here.
HEMPCON’s FlowerCon
HEMPCON’S FlowerCon is a wholesale convention for growers, cultivators, distributors, and flower brands. Attendees can discover the latest trends, attend interactive workshops, and meet fellow cannabis enthusiasts. On top of that, they have an annual FlowerCon Cup competition for those who have products that are top quality.
Location: Cow Palace in Daly City, CA
Dates: March 6 - 7, 2024
Price: General admission tickets range from $99 to $199. Tickets can be purchased here.
Hall of Flowers
Founded in 2018, Hall of Flowers is a cannabis trade show that offers essential B2B connections in the industry. Entrepreneurs within the cannabis space get to see high-quality brands, experience B2B networking, and consume on-site in a comfortable and professional setting. Hall of Flowers aims to facilitate sales, create strong business partnerships, and provide industry insights.
This year, Hall of Flowers is hosting two California events:
Hall of Flowers Ventura
Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, CA
Dates: March 13 - 14, 2024
Price: TBA; tickets have not yet been released. For event and ticket updates, click here.
Hall of Flowers Santa Rosa
Location: Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA
Dates: September 27 - 28, 2024
Price: TBA; tickets have not yet been released. For event and ticket updates, click here.
The Emerald Conference
Now running its ninth annual event, the Emerald Conference was created in 2015 to be an interdisciplinary cannabis science and psychedelics event. The Emerald Conference provides a space to discuss research and advancements in cannabis cultivation, processing, and product development. This is a great event for those who work or are interested in the science and research of cannabis.
Location: Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, CA
Dates: April 1 - 3, 2024
Price: Prices vary. Registration and ticket info can be found here.
420 Hippie Hill 2024
Known as the world’s oldest and largest 420 celebration, 420 Hippie Hill has been hosted in San Francisco since the 1970s. Despite this event running for decades, it’s only been held officially in partnership with sponsors and city departments starting in 2017. Now that cannabis is legalized in California, people from all over the world are drawn to 420 Hippie Hill to consume it together and experience cannabis culture.
Location: Sharon Meadows (aka Hippie Hill) in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA
Date: April 20, 2024
Price: Free to attend. More details can be found here.
Ninth Native American Cannabis and Hemp Conference
The Native American Cannabis & Hemp Conference unites Tribal Leaders, decision-makers, and industry experts to discuss the changing legal environment of the cannabis and hemp industries nationwide. Through sharing success stories and discussing best practices, attendees will learn how to produce safe, regulated, and superior products within their communities.
This event can be beneficial for Tribes already involved in this complex market and who are contemplating new ways to generate revenue and jobs. Additionally, it presents a unique opportunity for professionals with products to explore the benefits of partnering with a Tribe.
Location: Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, CA
Dates: June 18 - 19, 2024
Price: Prices start at $845; details can be found here.
Grass Lands at Outside Lands
Presented by Weedmaps, Grass Lands was the first curated cannabis experience at a major American music festival and is now held annually. Located in SoPo (South of the Polo Field), Grass Lands will have areas to purchase and enjoy high-quality cannabis products from over 20 different brands. Cannabis enthusiasts can also purchase delicious food and enjoy the vibes with live DJ sets by DJ Funklor, DJ Sep, and Ape at the Grass Land Stage.
Location: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA
Date: August 9 - 11, 2024
Price: Ticket information will be released on April 23, 2024; details can be found here.
Don’t Miss These 2024 California Cannabis Events
As we continue to see rapid growth in the American cannabis industry, California still maintains its reputation as a pioneer in cannabis legalization. With the California market expected to reach $7.2 billion by the end of 2024, there’s no doubt that the Golden State will stay on top as a nationwide leader in cannabis sales. For cannabis business owners in California, attending events and conferences throughout the year will give you the chance to meet fellow industry professionals and learn more about the changing landscape of the industry. So, what are you waiting for? Put your cannabis brand on the map by registering for these events!
Looking for people management software that’s tailored to the unique needs of a cannabis dispensary? Keep an eye out for KayaPush at some of these cannabis events throughout the year, or book a demo with us today. We’d love to help you automate payroll and HR for your dispensary so you can focus on growing your business.
