My Initiation from Everyday Stoner to Cannabis Professional

In Colorado, we boast a projected $1.2 billion CBD Industry in 2021 with over 550 recreational dispensaries across the state (2021), and those numbers both continue to climb. None of that revenue includes the booming THC market, which doubled that profit in 2020 (Ricciardi). There are big red C’s and big green pot leaves on everything you can imagine, including food, pets, and even people. And the largest city, and state capital, Denver, hosts the annual NOCO: Hemp Expo, featuring cannabis in every single one of its forms (that can legally be bought and sold at a semi-regulated expose) and has done so for the last 7 years.

Since the beginning of the summer of 2020, I have been guided in immersing myself in the professional side of the cannabis industry. Growing from an everyday, run-of-the-mill pothead to a Cannabis Entrepreneur and Marketing Associate. A mere stoner no longer, oh no. I was joining forces with the men and women who pour out blood, sweat, tears, crude extract, hash oil and bong water every day to better the lives of our fellow stoners. I have learned from scientists, businesspeople, farmers, and everyone in between. I even became a business major in college to pursue this path, but nothing compares to the experience and energy of a real-life Cannabis Industry Business to Business Conference and Trade Show.

The buzz hit us long before the event began. A week before we left town, I could feel it building. We hadn’t purchased a booth this time, but we were here for educational purposes more than anything. I was a newbie, after all. The altitude mixed with the fire local bud had me feeling extra high and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, even under my mask. My boss probably looked as excited as I did; he had been talking about coming to this for months. Dressed in our custom brand swag, armed with handouts, flyers, business cards, and a hunger for hemp, we arrived at the venue.

First, we checked in at the entrance of a huge event center; the sounds from further within were more of a white noise, a hum of electricity beyond a wall of black curtain screens. The excitement was tangible; I’m sure I was bouncing back and forth in line. Once we had our nifty NOCO Hemp Expo industry name badges, we finally got to cross the screened threshold and join the throng. Within the winding, several thousand square foot maze of black separation screens were hundreds of cannabis booths loaded with banners and billboards, lights and lures, swag of every shape and size, and weed. Oh, man. There was weed.

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We saw it all. There were extractors from companies worth seven figures, and there were small, mom and pop homeopathic vendors. There were seeds for sale, clones for sale, soil for sale, extract for sale, final infused products for sale. It was like being a kid in a candy store, only it was all things cannabis and there were no kids. It was magical.

Each branch of the industry was given its own section of the Expo: the Expo Hall, the Mushroom Pavilion, the Friends of Hemp Plant Zone, the Materials Zone, the Industrial Equipment Zone, and the Social Impact Zone. It seemed like there was another unexplored section around every corner.

The booths were all unique and interesting. Though each one displayed a variety of thingamabobs and doohickies and whatchamacallits, technical terms, I assure you. They all shouted, “Cannabis Rules!” and their products were displayed proudly, and their vendors wore their brand and their smiles and raved about the innovation and technology they use to be the best of the best. A few booths stuck out above the rest.

Here’s a shot of one of hemp’s biggest fans! Haha! But the best part about the expo, and cannabis itself, is the community of caring, sharing, friendly people who advocate for and celebrate this amazing plant.

The NOCO Hemp Expo is a chance for Cannabis Industry professionals from all over country, and even some internationally, to gather together to network and connect, to share ideas and business, and to grow sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships made to expand not just their business, but the entire cannabis-related industry. It’s high time the versatility and benefits of this plant were made available to the people. 😉

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The most important things I learned at the Expo were: first and foremost, despite the “pothead” stereotype, these really are professionals, you need to know your product inside and out, because they certainly do; second, the community is three-quarters of the industry, only one part plant to three parts people, but the common ground is so powerful; and finally, the passion for sharing the hard-earned knowledge and experience and love of cannabis was the source of the energy that permeated throughout the event center. It is also the fuel that powers the Cannabis Movement and the link that drives us to a common purpose.

Much like my very first time smoking weed, the NOCO Hemp Expo in Denver, Colorado 2021 did not disappoint, and I cannot wait until the next time. We are already planning our summer tour of the cannabis circuit this year. Find your local Cannabis/Hemp Expo or Trade Show and become a part of the movement! Be on the lookout for Valley Hemp Science (VHS) and our totally righteous booth when you get there! Later Days and Better Lays, Friends! Stay Cool!

Citations

Ricciardi, T., & Phillips, N. (2021, February 10). Colorado marijuana sales hit $2.2 billion in highest- selling year yet. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://www.denverpost.com/2021/02/09/colorado-cannabis-2020-record-sales-year-2-billion/

Where to Buy CBD oil In Colorado in 2021 – DAILY CBD. (2021, January 24). Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://dailycbd.com/en/states/colorado/