Here is a brief overview of the cannabis related events I attended within a year, and what I’m learning about cannabis events in Illinois so far.
Necann Illinois Cannabis Convention
This was a non consumption friendly event where many businesses in the cannabis industry had an opportunity to showcase what they are bringing to the market. I think it deserves a spot on any consumer’s “must see” list, especially in these early years of the industry boom.
According to their website Necann feels their approach “of creating unique conventions focused on the current state and potential of each local market we come to is a superior alternative to the generic national canna-convention franchises that pop up everywhere.”
It’s held at the Schaumburg convention center, which by most standards is a nice venue. The crowd was semi-professional and there was no egregious disregard for the consumption free rules for the event. The event space was spacious and professional. Most of the businesses were around cannabis, and had little to do with THC products, cultivation, or distribution. For the 2024 convention and three weeks before the convention dates, there were still six booths available for sale priced at $1050. It seems like small businesses are not priced out and the booths are not so coveted that there is limited space. It’s a good time for small business owners to get some exposure with bigger brands.
Overall it was a great way to get a bird’s eye view of what’s happening in the cannabis industry. I imagine going for multiple years in a row is the best way to get a good grasp on the industry as a whole and how it’s changing over time. Since the industry is evolving so rapidly, these kinds of events offer consumers and business owners a crash course in cannabis business. It didn’t seem to represent the industry as a whole, but certainly offered a general idea of the direction of innovation in the market.
Consumption Lounges
I’ve been to two consumption lounges in 2023 multiple times. Each was pretty straightforward – a space where you can consume indoors. Of all the things that are happening around cannabis, this is one area I feel leaves much to be desired.
The concept seems like a gold mine, but so far the execution lacks inspiration. The vibe is chill, but it doesn’t encourage long stays. Nevertheless, I like that the two hour time limit feels like plenty of time. The experience isn’t entirely underwhelming. Both spaces were nice and I did enjoy the music choice and volume. It’s great for a single person looking to unwind, a date night, or a moment to catch up with a friend. It’s definitely more of a coffee shop experience than a booming night out.
I have seen improvements in both locations – snacks and more games were added. It’s comforting to know that some dispensaries are responding to the market and trying to find what works for the consumer. Overall, as it stands in Illinois, I don’t think the dispensaries know the consumers very well and are slow to adopt change. Dispensary related experiences with cannabis right now are more concerned with maximizing profits during the boom. Hopefully as the market matures, the potential for the consumer’s legal experience will reveal itself.
High Minded Event (Master Rolling Class)
I attended a High Minded Event function with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This master rolling class was limited to about 10 participants with tickets costing $45 before tax. No experience was required to attend and each person received a personal 8th of flower (used to roll with), and free vaping was set up for everyone to consume during class.
We had the option to dip our rolled joints in wax or add up to a gram of wax inside. Also, the 8th flower provided at no additional cost was high quality, so guests had the option to beef up their joints in multiple ways. The wide range of options was a good scale for both experienced and non experienced smokers to get their money (and their high) worth. The event itself was geared more toward light to moderate smokers as heavy consumption was not explicitly prohibited, but not the vibe. I would not expect to get lit at an event like this.
Unfortunately, High Minded Events is taking a different direction with their business model and will no longer be hosting events like this in the near future. However, I really enjoyed the concept of a small group activity with moderate consumption provided and believe it is a market that consumers will demand as the industry grows.
Lil’ Bean’s Cinco de Hiyo
This was the most recent event I attended in Carol Stream IL last week. Much like the Necann Illinois Cannabis Convention, vendors and small business owners had booths to promote their products. This was a consumption friendly event and most vendors had THC products for sale. Tickets ran $5 before taxes.
The vibe was more casual than the formalized cannabis convention and the businesses appeared more small batch and local. I personally prefer these kinds of businesses simply because you get more access to innovation, however consumers in this market will have to sell themselves on the products being offered. It helps to know what products you are interested in and why, and come with a mindset of finding something that works for you vs. waiting for a polished pitch.
Contests and giveaways gave it more of a party atmosphere. It’s definitely a great event if you’re looking to have a good time while you shop for new products and/or explore pricing options. The casual consumption friendly atmosphere was also ripe for making new connections with like minded people.
I did feel this event was geared to cater to heavy consumers as the venue was filled with smoke with no signs of slowing down. This may not be the best event for anyone who is not an experienced smoker as overconsumption is more likely in this environment. I imagine a similar vibe outdoors may be more beginner friendly.
Overall cannabis in Illinois is still very much the Wild West. The events and activities are widely varied in size, cost, demographic, and access. Industry leaders and hungry entrepreneurs are throwing wide nets into the public in hopes of catching growth. It is an exciting time to be a smoker and ultimately the market is waiting for consumers to react. What the future will look like depends on what that reaction is based on the cannabis community’s discerning values.