The cannabis industry doesn’t stop moving, and this week Southern California played host to one of the most high-energy cannabis business events I’ve experienced in a while — The Network Show San Pedro. From the second I arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just another edition of their previous events. This was business, culture, and creativity all firing at once.
Day one alone featured more than 200 brands on the floor, each bringing their own flavor to the game. The turnout felt massive — somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 people filled the space, creating a buzz that never dipped.
It was the type of crowd where every few steps you’re shaking hands with an old friend, meeting someone brand new, or stumbling onto a product drop you hadn’t seen before.
And that’s exactly what made The Network Show stand out.
A Hustle-Heavy Atmosphere
This wasn’t the type of event where brands set up, hand out samples, and hope people remember them later. The energy was immediate. Deals were happening on the spot. Buyers weren’t just window shopping — they were placing orders, stocking up, and locking in relationships right there on the floor.
There was a constant sense of movement. People were darting from one booth to the next, conversations were happening in every corner, and activations pulled crowds in like magnets.
If you’re serious about competing at the top level in California, this was the type of event you had to be at.
Network Show San Pedro Brand Activations That Stole the Show
The variety of activations at The Network Show San Pedro was one of the clearest indicators of how far the industry has come. Brands weren’t just showing products — they were building experiences that matched the culture, pulling people in and giving them something to remember long after they left San Pedro.
Dime Industries delivered one of the most talked-about experiences on the floor at Network Show San Pedro with their Mario Kart tournament. They brought that playful, nostalgic energy straight to the event and had people lining up to race while checking out their lineup of vape products. It wasn’t just a booth, it was a vibe.
KANHA took things to another level with a contest for a trip to Thailand. Beyond the sweepstakes, their new rosin-infused sour gummies turned heads. Not only were they flavorful, but they also leaned into solventless rosin — something the market continues to crave as consumers demand cleaner, tastier products.
Uncle Arnies brought the refreshments, serving up slushies that were as refreshing as they were on-brand. It was California heat, ocean breeze, and a THC slushie in hand — that combination speaks for itself.
STIIIZY, always a dominant presence, was pushing their new dual pod vape device. The setup was almost identical to their Hall of Flowers setup and had people talking about convenience, customization, and how they continue to lead with innovations that keep the consumer experience first.
Dulze used The Network Show to launch their new 100mg gummies. Known for flavorful, well-crafted edibles, their expansion into this lane is only going to increase their influence across the market.
And that’s not even mentioning the heavy hitters who consistently show up strong: CAM, Decibel Gardens, Jetty Extracts, Top Shelf Cultivation, 710 Labs, Errl Hill, and the Social Equity Trade Network.
Each one held space in their own way — from showcasing fresh flower to dropping rosin and concentrate innovations, to giving social equity operators the platform they deserve.
Energy You Couldn’t Fake
The truth about cannabis events is this: not every show has the magic. Some are more casual, some are more conference-style, and some just miss the spark. But San Pedro and the Network Show, man, they had it.
The weather was perfect — bright sun, cool breeze off the water, everything that makes Southern California such a perfect backdrop for cannabis culture. It matched the mood on the floor: vibrant, upbeat, and packed with momentum.
There was an authenticity to the energy. People weren’t just there to be seen; they were there to make moves. And you could feel it everywhere you went.
The Importance of New Blood
One of the things I personally loved at The Network Show San Pedro was seeing brands I hadn’t come across before. Walking an event like this and discovering something new — whether it’s a startup dropping their first line or an operator launching an exclusive product at the show — is what keeps the industry fresh.
It’s easy to celebrate the big dogs, and they deserve their shine, but the emerging brands add a whole other layer to the scene. They’re hungry, they’re creative, and they remind you why this culture continues to grow no matter what hurdles the industry faces.
Culture Meets Commerce
The Network Show San Pedro proved once again that cannabis events can’t just be about one lane. It’s not enough to line up brands and hope people come buy. What makes these gatherings powerful is when culture meets commerce.
At San Pedro, you had:
- Business being done – brands closing orders and retailers walking away with fresh product locked in.
- Culture on display – interactive activations, lifestyle-driven booths, music, and contests that kept energy flowing.
- Community in action – social equity networks being represented, legacy operators standing alongside newer entrants, High Rise hosting a banger party, and everyone vibing in the same space.
That’s the recipe. When those three elements hit together, you end up with something much bigger than just an expo. You end up with a real movement.
California’s cannabis market isn’t easy. Between regulations, taxes, and competition, only the strongest brands and operators continue to grow.
Events like The Network Show San Pedro matter incredibly because they provide rare opportunities for brands to get in front of buyers, for buyers to explore fresh products, and for the community to connect in ways that push the culture forward.
For brands, this wasn’t just exposure. This was a chance to make noise, land accounts, and separate themselves from the pack. For retailers, this was a one-stop shop to see what’s next, sample the latest drops, and make moves that keep them competitive.
For me, day one of The Network Show San Pedro was all about momentum. It was a place where the sunshine matched the vibe, where activations gave people memories, and where brands had the chance to hustle their way into new opportunities.
Notably, this wasn’t a sit-back-and-watch type of show. It was hands-on, order-heavy, and high energy. It was people pushing, connecting, and creating.
It was California cannabis doing what it does best — adapting, innovating, and keeping the hustle alive.
If you weren’t at Network Show San Pedro this week, you missed a reminder that cannabis is still one of the most dynamic industries on the planet.
The Network Show San Pedro wasn’t just another stop on the calendar. It was a statement: the culture is alive, the market is moving, and the community is still hungry for more.
