IT’S A GOOD year to get back into the swing of the networking game.
As the cannabis industry emerges from the constraints of the pandemic, in-person networking and social events are back in business. With so many of us champing at the bit to meet up with people again, mixing business with fun has never been more appealing.
Great cannabis networking events may be more about a good time or more about finding synergy and support with others in the industry. The best ones are focused—on affinity groups, like women in cannabis, or on education and training, or on craft areas, like cultivation, budtending or sales.
If you’re interested in promoting and hosting your own networking meet-up or just want tips on some good ones to attend, here are a few standout events to know about.
Lemonhaze
Lemonhaze takes the “work” out of “networking” and turns it into pure fun. The Seattle, WA-based boutique events company produces social events ranging from golf tournaments to Budtender Parties, all geared towards connecting cannabis vendors with dispensary and lounge owners and staffers. In addition to in-person gatherings with games and prizes, Lemonhaze also puts together virtual events where principals in the cannabis distribution pipeline can meet and connect. The result is a more connected cannabis industry with a more innovative way to sidestep challenging advertising laws, says Lemonhaze COO Penny Cook.
Blunt Brunch
Blunt Brunch’s Arizona-based social events are open to all women executives and entrepreneurs in cannabis with a mission of empowering growth in leadership roles through friendship and mentorship. The pandemic has made the gatherings more challenging, according to co-founder Adelia Carrilo, but also provided good lessons. “The past year, we learned a lot of what it takes to safely host an event,” she says. Carrilo and co-founder Parisa Rad and Adelia Carrilo plan to expand to other cities in 2022. They held their first out-of-Arizona Blunt Brunch in Las Vegas during MJBizCon 2021.
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This Is Jane Project
This Is Jane Project (TIJP) is a Los Angeles, CA-based non-profit that aims to uplift and elevate women and non-binary cannabis consumers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A study by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs found that nearly two out of 10 people with PTSD use marijuana for relief. Through fundraising and compassion events, TIJP works to provide PTSD survivors with free medicine. TIJP’s Puff and Paint is a therapeutic social event, where artists guide trauma survivors to create beauty from pain.
Cannagather
Cannagather bills itself as “New York’s largest legal cannabis industry community” but has in recent years branched out with virtual educational and networking events attracting 200+ attendees in California, Colorado, New Jersey and Maryland. Founder Josh Weinstein’s mission is to match entrepreneurs with health and legalization advocates to foster a united front in growing and legitimizing the legal cannabis industry.
Tokeativity
Tokeativity is a Portland, OR-based marketing and advertising firm that promotes social and educational events under the billing “The Global Feminist Community for Active Cannabis Culture.” With a regular lineup of in-person and virtual events, Tokeativity focuses on uplifting, educational networking with affinity-based meet-ups like its Canna Moms series and social equity partnerships, such as Bridges, an interactive conversation series moderated by Mskindness B. Ramirez and Tiffany Watkins that tackles tough topics at the intersection of race, equity and inclusion.
Black Dragon Breakfast Club
Despite the name, Philadelphia, PA-based digital marketing agency Black Dragon Breakfast Club (BDBC) doesn’t just host meet ups over pancakes and toast. BDBC provides POC cannabis entrepreneurs—Black Dragons—with opportunities to connect at brunches, dinners and other meet-ups throughout the year. Attendees can enjoy good food and company, breaking the ice with BDBC founder Tsehaitu Abye’s own 30-card Ouid Affirmation Deck of inspiring playing cards.
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