April’s Benzinga Cannabis Capitol Conference was held in Hollywood, Florida and proved to be a vibrant gathering of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts. This was my first time attending Benzinga’s Spring event and it offered the opportunity to spend time and build relationships with people in new markets on the East Coast.
The Benzinga attendees came from various regions including New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Washington State, California, Oregon, Missouri, Illinois, and Canada were all in attendance, along with other states and countries also in the mix. With cannabis legalizing or advancing towards legalization in so many places worldwide, the widespread excitment and activity in the cannabis sector brought a buzzing energy and excitement to the conference.
A particularly major part of the show was Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp., who spoke on a panel and referenced a fentanyl statistic from 2022, emphasizing its relevance to current Florida recreational cannabis dynamics. Mike Tyson video-conferenced in for an conversation alongside legendary wrestling icon Ric Flair. Flair didn’t talk much business but he did share that he gives all the bartenders around his town free joints.
Benzinga Special Guests Included Mike Tyson and Ric Flair
Speakers like Quantay “Bosco” Adams and Moderator Bill Levers underscored the importance of ethical business practices and supporting Legacy, reflecting a growing awareness of the industry’s impact on severely impacted communities.
Bosco was sentenced to 35 years in prison for possession of marijuana and pulled off one of the most ingenious prison escapes ever. When captured, he fired his attorneys, represented himself in federal court, and fought his way to freedom 19 years early.
Featuring seasoned business leaders and emerging entrepreneurs, Benzinga’s spring conference facilitated incredible networking and knowledge-sharing. Networking opportunities were abundant, allowing attendees to forge valuable connections and partnerships. Benzinga’s tagline “Where Deals Get Done” held true.
I definitely expected banking “bros” to be in full force, which to some extent they were, but I must say that there was a large quantity of individuals who really represent the culture of cannabis too.
Benzinga’s next event takes place on October 8th and 9th in Chicago, IL at the Marriott on Miracle Mile.
Stay tuned for more updates on cannabis business events and other insights via RespectMyRegion.com.
