MJBizCon 2023 Preview – The Weed Blog
Those who have operated in cannabis for many years have various things to say about MJ Biz Con, but no one can argue the fact that this event pioneered the space of cannabis expos catered specifically to businesses and various platforms operating in our industry…and that hasn’t changed! MJ BIz Con continues to be the largest marijuana business conference in the world (scroll to the bottom for a peep into the past!) in the B2B part of the market. This year there is even more in store this year than ever before!
With the potential rescheduling of cannabis on the horizon, the 12th annual MJBizCon, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 28 – December 1, 2023 will examine industry changes, challenges, and opportunities.
MJBizCon 2023 celebrates the cannabis community and those who continue to dare to grow, dare to dream, dare to learn and dare to expand. Despite the complex regulations, growing pains, stock swings, and ‘dare’ we say potential re-scheduling, MJBizCon is where the industry unites.
The largest, most established cannabis business conference and expo in the world, MJBizCon will host over 1,400 exhibitors in the 300,000 net square foot expo and feature 100+ speakers throughout the 3-day conference and pre-show forums, such as: reMind Psychedelics Business Forum, Associations Day, Finance Forum, Marketing Forum and Science Forum, and the inaugural Women in Leadership Forum.
More than 30,000 cannabis industry professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and investors from around the world are expected for the exceptional networking, partnership building opportunities, and deal closing week.
Show favorites such as the State of the Industry talk, expo floor segmentation (Business Services; Cultivation Products and Services; Retail and Dispensary; Processing, Packaging and Lab services), The Patio at MJBizCon, and First-Timers Open House, all return.
“With potential movement in rescheduling, now more than ever, the community must gather and dare to imagine what comes next. We gather to share our stories, experiences, and business insights to move the industry forward,” said Chief Revenue & Experience Officer, MJBiz, Jess Tyler. “Just like 12 years ago when we dared to launch MJBizCon, we want the community to know we are still here ready to conquer new hurdles and forge new opportunities.”
Registration is open, click here.
Full conference agenda is posted here
About MJBiz
MJBiz is the leading B2B resource for the cannabis industry. Founded in 2011, it is the most trusted publisher and event producer serving cannabis industry entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe. MJBiz produces MJBizCon, the longest-running and largest cannabis trade show in the world. The award-winning event has made the Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 list and ranks on the Gold 100 list of largest tradeshows in the U.S. The 2023 tradeshow will return to Las Vegas November 28- December 1, 2023 (Pre-Show Forums November 28). The MJBiz team also produces news and analysis of the marijuana and hemp industries via MJBizDaily, Hemp Industry Daily, MJBiz Magazine, MJBiz Factbook, and MJBizScience’s Emerald Conference. For more information about MJBizCon or MJBiz, please visit www.MJBizCon.com and www.MJBizDaily.com. Emerald acquired MJBiz in January 2022.
MJBizCon Programming
There are several speakers and other conference sessions that will turn heads and make waves this year as well at MJBizCon. A few of them include….
Policy Think Tank: A Conversation with Legislative, Community and Policy Leaders About the Current Landscape of Federal and State Legalization and What It Means for Business.
This content is essential as industry professionals gather to talk about business, as cannabis legalization and our industry would not be here if it weren’t for those who suffered for decades because of the racial criminalization of this plant.
This panel features Jonathan Ross (Wyld), Jeannette Ward Horton (NuProject), Joy Hudson (Nimble Distribution), Belicia Royster (SEEN / VERDANT LABS OF IL), Christine De La Rosa (The People’s Ecosystem). This panel is sure to be on the top of the list for those wanting to set standards and make meaningful change in the cannabis sector
Townhall: Creating and Sustaining a Just and Equitable Cannabis Industry
This panel will also help professionals keep Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the overall concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in mind. It has been found that investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.
This panel features Khadijah Tribble (THE Agency), Rafi Aliya Crockett (Higher Power), Linda Greene (Anacostia Organics)
Other speaker to take note of include…
Martin Luther King III (Drum Major Institute), Hope Wiseman (WISECO), Tamika Mallory (Until Freedom), Ademola Oyefeso (United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)), Kristi Price (Black CannaBusiness), Omari Anderson (Best Dirty Lemonade), Everett Hamilton (Octane Public Relations), Carlondo Mitchell (5th House Farms), Dr. Bridget Cole Williams (DrBridgetMD)
MJBizCon Associations Day
Mj Biz Con Associations Day offers attendees the chance to meet and network with top industry executives and learn more about how you can get involved with their important work. Associations involved represent one of the following pillars: professional development and inclusion, sustainability and community development, and legal advocacy.
Shannon DeGrooms is the executive director of This is Jane Project. She said, “It’s our first year being invited to Associations Day and we are honored to participate!”
MJBIzCon Adjacent Opportunities
Other programming that will also be happening during MjBizCon week to take note of include…
MJBiz Women in Leadership Forum
Meet your next, best advocate. MJBiz Women in Leadership Forum brings together women in cannabis for a motivational and engaging day of content, round table discussions and networking focused on personal and professional development. This Pre-Show Forum debuts this year for a full day, November 28. Bringing together women in cannabis for a motivational and engaging day of content and round table discussions on advancing women, fixing toxic cultures, overcoming challenges, dealing with social media trolls, and more.
MJBiz Women in Leadership Forum
November 28, 2023
Las Vegas Convention Center
8:30 am – 5:30 pm
This event includes networking and complimentary beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Effective leadership
- Advancing women in entrepreneurship
- Overcoming challenges and set-backs in a male-dominated and highly-regulated industry
- Building a supportive community and network
- Dealing with social media trolls
- Keeping your focus on the end game
Event open to allies as well as anyone female-identified.
Feminine Forward Talks
FEMININE FORWARD TALKS (FFT) is a mobile series movement whose goals to reshape paradigms and elevate women through a triad of education, empowerment and advocacy, curates events that offer attendees a chance to engage with women who are trailblazers, knowledge seekers, and architects of change. Through a multi-city, multi-event tour, FFT will attend an array of happenings throughout the US, while hosting informative talks with extraordinary guest speakers, sharing informative ideation and building community every step of the way.
The FFT Video Podcast will accompany tour stops & events, capturing on the spot interviews from local community leaders and supporters of the series.
Club Kindness is proud to partner with orgs across multiple disciplines to bring this series to life. Joined by other industry leaders who are passionate about women’s health; Kelley Usborne Bruce, CEO of CannaMommy.org, Lisa Snyder, Co-Founder of Tokeativity, Josh East, Co-Founder of Circulate Music Group, and JC Diaz, CEO of Anthiogens.
This year from 11/28 -11/30 Feminine Forward Talks will host a private suite event at the Cosmopolitan Hotel during Cannabis Week in Las Vegas. The event will feature interactive networking, product taste testing, terpene bio scans, intimate chats with industry leaders from every vertical, a live podcast taping featuring undisputed Queen of West Coast underground hip hop, Mone Medusa Smith, and more!
Guests of FFT will also enjoy a complimentary shuttle to and from the week’s major events, such as: Blunt Brunch, MJ Biz, and The EMJAY Awards show & afterparty. Talks held in Vegas will be led by Cannabis Industry Business leaders including: Kika Keith of Gorilla RX Wellness, Toni Forge of 4Leaf Consulting, Tiana Woodruff of Queen Mary Cannabis, Joyce Gerber of the CannaMom Show, and Judi Nelson of Sol Spirit Farms.
“It is my highest honor to lead an initiative hosting discussions that will undoubtedly transform the way women experience wellbeing.”
Mskindness B. Ramirez, MA.Ed – CEO of Club Kindness
Club Kindness Launched FFT in July 2023 at the California State Fair in Sacramento, with its first conversations surrounding the aim to celebrate and empower women in the cannabis industry, while also promoting the benefits of cannabis for overall wellness through feminine forward content and discussions. FEMININE FORWARD TALKS aligns its values to be inviting, inclusive and informative to all members of the alternative health community.
Other Events during MjBizCon
Of course there’s the social events and parties during MJBizCon that just seem to get bigger and better every year! After all, MjBizCon has been around for 10+ years and so many things have changed in the cannabis industry during that time. There are several to explore this year, but here are the top picks to look into…
Blunt Brunch
Blunt Brunch Nationals, a one-of-a-kind gathering of women executives and professionals in the cannabis industry, is set to take place on November 28. This empowering event offers a unique platform for women in the cannabis space to connect, collaborate, and gain fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving industry.
About Blunt Brunch Nationals:
Blunt Brunch Nationals is a powerful celebration of women’s achievements and contributions in the cannabis industry. This year’s event promises a day filled with inspiration, networking, and entertainment. Women from across the cannabis sector will come together to share their experiences, stories, and insights, all while enjoying brunch, blunt conversations, music, and dancing.
Annual Event Sponsors include:
We’re excited to announce the following businesses who are supporting Blunt Brunch in a big way as a national and annual sponsor for 2024!
Curaleaf: Your global cannabis partner. Operating in 19 states and expanding into Europe, they’ve grown from their medical device roots to a leading name in the cannabis industry. With 152 dispensaries, 5,500+ employees, and renowned brands like Curaleaf, Reef Dispensaries, Grassroots, Select, Endless Coast, and JAMS, they set the standard for top-quality service, product variety, and market accessibility in both medical and adult-use cannabis.
Pomponio Injury Law: Where exceptional customer service meets personal dedication. Led by Nick Pomponio, this Michigan-born team specializes in swift, substantial case settlements through aggressive negotiation and one-on-one client interaction. With a commitment to treating every client like family, they go above and beyond, providing free vehicle repair assistance, scheduling doctor appointments, and even home consultations. Your journey to justice starts here.
The Blunt Conversation: Embracing Change
This year’s centerpiece is the Blunt Conversation titled Embracing Change: Navigating Pivots in the Cannabis Industry for Women. Change is a constant in the cannabis sector, and this conversation delves into the art of embracing these changes. It explores how women professionals can navigate pivotal moments, fostering resilience and empowerment in the face of industry shifts.
Diverse Speaker Lineup:
Blunt Brunch Nationals proudly presents a diverse speaker lineup that includes influential figures from the cannabis world:
– Kaila Strong: Kaila is the Director of Retail Marketing for Curaleaf’s Western region. With over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, she’s cultivated profound knowledge of the cannabis sector.
-Nick Pomponio: Nick Pomponio is a dedicated force in personal injury law, prioritizing exceptional customer service. His approach emphasizes personalized care and negotiation, supporting clients in achieving quicker settlements and significant outcomes while recognizing the importance of empowering women in business.
– Jess Tyler: Jess serves as the Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at MJBiz, a division of Emerald X LLC. With a strong background in event organization, she brings insights into the world of cannabis events.
– Sonia Singh, LCSW, LCADC, PhD candidate: Sonia, known as *The Happy Therapist*, will kick off the event with a wellness activation, helping attendees boost their confidence and set empowering goals.
– Xia’ Xiang Ward: Xia’ is a seasoned performer and songwriter, known for her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence. She’ll grace the event with a beautiful music performance.
– Jenzi Russell: Jenzi and her choreography team will entertain the audience with a lively dance performance.
– Mskindness Ramirez: Mskindness is the CEO of Club Kindness and will serve as the event’s MC, ensuring that the day flows smoothly.
Behind Blunt Brunch:
Blunt Brunch Nationals was founded by Adelia Carrillo and Parisa Rad, two passionate women who have dedicated themselves to creating a platform for women in the cannabis industry. Their unwavering commitment and vision have brought together thousands of women each year, fostering community, empowerment, and growth.
A Day Full of Activity:
The event features not only enlightening discussions but also a social gathering where guests can network with vendors, engage in speed networking, and dance to the live tunes provided by this year’s DJ. The day offers myriad opportunities for collaboration and connection within the cannabis community.
Blunt Brunch Nationals is a day of inspiration, camaraderie, and empowerment. Join us in Las Vegas to be a part of this incredible event. Secure your tickets today!
The Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) DICE Mixer
The M4MM D.I.C.E. Mixer is a party that celebrates and advocates for diversity in the cannabis industry, and it is always one of the best parties held during MjBizCon week in Las Vegas.
This year the party will take place on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:00 PM, and features Diversity in Cannabis Experience: Cannabis & Culture. The event will focus on celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop.
Join us for live music, tasty food, tasty drinks, door prizes, fun activities and extensive business networking!
The Emjays Cannabis Awards and Farechild Events After-Party
This is the big one! The Emjays International Cannabis Awards produced by Farechild Events in association with MJBizCon will be announced at the awards show on November 30. From the red carpet of The Emjays awards show at The Pearl Theater to the red ropes of the exclusive Emjays Official Afterparty at KAOS, get your tickets now to partake in the most talked about events during MJBizCon at the iconic Palms Hotel & Casino in the KAOS event space. Attendees will enjoy an immersive indoor/outdoor experience within one of Las Vegas’ most impressive spaces.
The Emjays, presented by AVD and in partnership with MJBizCon, will be a red-carpet awards show taking place during MJBizCon in Las Vegas. Join us on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at the iconic Pearl Theater inside of the Palms Hotel & Casino. The awards will honor 20+ categories of cannabis industry services and ancillary businesses.
See you at MjBizCon in Las Vegas!
For those of you who remember the earlier Biz Con days at the Rio Grande Hotel, I hope you will enjoy this photo from 2016…It just goes to show how much this conference event (and the whole cannabis industry) has grown since then!
