International cannabis conferences are where groundbreaking ideas are born and the industry’s boldest moves are made. These events are the catalysts for change, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape a global cannabis revolution.
To give you an insider’s look into the heart of these transformative gatherings, we sat down with Mitch Pheifer, CEO of Respect My Region. Mitch has witnessed firsthand how these events shape the future of the industry, and his insights offer a rare glimpse into the bigger picture.
1. The Bigger Picture of International Conferences
While international cannabis conferences are great platforms for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, they also highlight the significant challenges facing the global cannabis community. From complex legal frameworks to cultural stigmas, these events address issues that go beyond business, shaping the future of cannabis on a global scale.
Question: When you think about the global cannabis market, how do these conferences help bridge the gap between regions that are at different stages of legalization?
Mitch: “Conferences and events provide a great platform to learn and meet new people. The international stage for cannabis is just that, international. Looking at it from a stateside perspective, these events are far more diverse via their country of origin compared to events back at home. People from all over are sharing thoughts and ideas whereas a lot of US events are regionally focused, s0 90 percent of the audience could be from a single state.”
Q: Beyond business, what role do these events play in creating a global cannabis culture or community?
Mitch: “Cannabis has always been global. Amsterdam has long been revered as a pop culture destination for cannabis. A lot of seed companies are based overseas, so the international community has played a pivotal role in where cannabis as a whole is currently at. As far as culture, the sesh’s and cup’s have really helped set the tone for the culture whereas conferences set a more business and medical angle for the industry. Very similar to the US, there are “roots” and “suits” and both have a place in the greater industry.”
2. Challenges on the International Stage
International cannabis conferences do more than just provide business opportunities, they foster a global ecosystem of innovation, cultural exchange, and collaboration.
Q: Every region has unique challenges, from legal frameworks to cultural stigmas. What are some of the biggest obstacles you’ve seen international cannabis businesses face, and how are these conferences addressing them?
Mitch: “Right now Europe is in a weird place. A lot of places like Spain and Amsterdam have very grey markets. The UK is very much “CBD” and a lot of other countries are either seemingly allowing or attempting to battle novel cannabinoids like D8, HHC, THC-O, etc. Germany passed adult-use last year and has a cool medical program but I don’t think they’ve quite figured out AU yet. The pharmacies control the medical game and are working to continue that stranglehold into AU which is creating a bunch of unique obstacles around dosing, packaging, and what product types will be allowed. At the end of the day, I view each “region” (stateside or abroad) as trying to address realistic problems that have very difficult answers (i.e., what is appealing to kids, how to properly communicate and understand dosing, what is education vs marketing, etc).”
Q: Have you noticed any tensions between larger, established markets and smaller, emerging ones? How can conferences help balance these dynamics?
Mitch: “I’m not as tapped in on a global scale to probably answer that but I do believe the ‘roots vs suits’ tension that we see in the US, is also very prevalent everywhere else. Legacy guys that have taken the risk and pursue quality vs opportunist (for good or bad) and political networkers.”
3. Trends That Transcend Borders
Despite the challenges facing different regions, some trends unite the global cannabis community. From the West Coast’s influence to emerging innovations, let’s explore the ideas gaining traction on the international stage.
Q: You’ve been to many conferences. What’s one trend or idea that you’ve seen gain traction globally, regardless of market size or maturity?
Mitch: “California reigns supreme. Whether we’re talking East Coast of the US or Germany…California brand leaders and breeders/genetics from the West Coast are revered.”
Q: Are there innovations that seem to be overlooked or undervalued at these events that you think could be the next “thing”?
Mitch: “Again global or state to state in the US, we constantly hear “oh California (or whatever state/county you want to insert) doesn’t understand our region. It’s so different here.” Which is incredibly accurate around the nuances of culture, both business and consumer, BUT this is weed. How many markets have we seen roll out a legal framework making the exact same mistakes that have been made time and time again out of ego and ignorance? I think this will continue to happen everywhere and I’ve heard it on every piece of soil my feet have touched.”
International Cannabis Conferences Moving Forward
International cannabis conferences offer much more than business opportunities; they serve as dynamic hubs for shared learning, cultural exchange, and collaborative growth. These gatherings create a unique space where innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders come together to exchange ideas, tackle global challenges, and fuel the growth of the cannabis movement.
As Mitch points out, the global scale of the industry that matters, it’s the people within it who are driving its direction. The passion, dedication, and collaboration at these events are what will ultimately shape the future of cannabis, ensuring that it continues to evolve and thrive on a global scale.
Want to stay up-to-date on cannabis innovations? Keep an eye on these international cannabis conferences and see how the industry continues to evolve.
