🔥 Let's takeover Vegas!

19:21 |

December 1, 2024 l Sign Me Up

TOGETHER WITH OUR SPONSOR

It's time for our cannabis hearts to grow three sizes, celebrating another monumental year in cannabis with the best in the biz.

MJBizCon is just two days away! 💚

But what would I wear? - Jim Carey as the Grinch

Jim Carey as The Grinch via FreeForm / giphy.com

You're in luck, Grinch! Scroll to the end for style inspiration from The Emjays Awards.

But before you pack up and blaze out – check out our State Takeover Guide below to chart out the states you don't want to miss and more.

Plus, stay tuned to the Buzz – all week long – for highlights from onsite at MJBizCon including daily recaps and a roundup of the day's top events from the show floor to the main stage to the after parties.

See, we got you! Now go forth and have an amazing MJBizCon.

Pssst... don't have tickets yet? Get your MJBizCon pass now >

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T A K E O V E R G U I D E

State Takeovers: What's going down in your state?

This is our second year for State Takeovers at MJBizCon, but we're upping the game big time in 2024 with a massive space to host all the leaders in your home state!

Expect panel sessions, creative networking and unique features with each takeover – so bring your powerful connection-making mojo!

Not a state homie, but looking to explore new markets and spark deals with operators in the state? This is your ticket!

W E D N E S D A Y

Wake and bake with Thunder!

Oklahoma

When: Wednesday – 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Host: Thunder Walker, The Thunder Walker Experience

Photo courtesy of Thunder Walker

Wonder what's happening in the Sooner State? You can find out sooner rather than later! We're opening State TakeoversWednesday morning with Thunder Walker and these legends from the wild, wild west. This is an all-star list ya'll – and there are several more speakers. Don't miss it!

Blaze in with Ranchera Familia

California

When: Wednesday – 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Host: Sue Carlton, Ranchera Familia

Photo courtesy of Ranchera Familia

California's very own @rancheramami Sue Carlton is hosting back-to-back sessions with Golden State leaders including Julie Chiariello (Skunk Magazine), Tom Bowers (Leaf Magazines), Lindsey Renner (Native Humboldt), Shilow Masive (Massive Creations), Lance Harman (Blackleaf), Susie Placencia (Mota Glass), JM Balbuena (Synergy Studios), Tammie Pettigrew (The Cannabis Cutie) and Jimmi Devine (Transbay Challenge). Join them to talk weed marketing and cannabis entrepreneurship amid California's market evolution.

Talk Big Apple with "The WeedHead"

New York

When: Wednesday – 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Host: Dasheeda Dawson, CEO & Author, The WeedHead Company

Photo courtesy of Dasheeda Dawson

Get in the New York state of mind with Dasheeda Dawson at the Big Apple's MJBizCon State Takeover. With a mission-driven focus on equity, Dasheeda has been a trailblazer in the industry including co-founding the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition (CRCC) and leading Cannabis NYC as its founding executive director.

Get a crash course on The Copper State

Arizona

When: Wednesday – 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Host: Lilach Mazor Power, Mazor Collective

Now Celebrating 12+ years as founder and CEO of The Giving Tree dispensary in Phoenix, join Lilach Mazor Power (Mazor Collective), along with Anne Torrez (Arizona Dispensaries Association) and Thomas Rimback (Baked Bros) to help expand Arizona's green horizon.

T H U R S D A Y

Kick off the day the Midwest way

Illinois

When: Thursday – 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Host: Laurie Parfitt, LKP Impact Consulting

The Illinois Takeover sesh features two panels with those near and dear to the state's market including Allison Dries (Krown), Wendi Ezgur (HIJNX), David Ruskin (Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton), Kurt Kaufmann (Seed Talent), David Fettner (Grow America Builders) & Ryan Guedel, CPA (CJBS). Covering everything from workforce, legal, accounting, site builds and upfits, brands and more, join The Prairie State experts!

See what's budding in the mountains

Colorado

When: Thursday – 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Host: Rebecca Maestas & the Bud & Mary's team

Photo courtesy of Bud & Mary's

Want to find out what Bud & Mary's is curating at The Hub at MJBizCon for Colorado's State Takeover? You'll have to come by to find out! Here's a hint: Bud & Mary's VP of Marketing Rebecca Maestros will lead a discussion with Colorado's leaders and share insights on elevating the cannabis experience in the Centennial State.

Get the Simply Pure truth

New Jersey

When: Thursday – 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Host: Tahir Johnson, Simply Pure Trenton

Photo by Kelly Riddle, MJBiz

Follow Tahir Johnson's journey as a social equity license-holder in New Jersey and discuss leading issues in the state at the 2nd annual New Jersey State Takeover. Last year, Tahir (Simply Pure Trenton) welcomed guests to share their experience as part of the MJBiz Diversity Report Live. Interested in what's growing in the Garden State? Stop in!

Meet up with ladies!

Latinas in Cannabis

When: Thursday – 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Host: Susie Plascencia, Latinas in Cannabis

Photo courtesy of Latinas in Cannabis

Join Susie Plascencia (Latinas in Cannabis) and Amorinda Martinez (Tranquil Highs) for a groundbreaking intention-setting exercise to kick off the meetup, plus networking, gifts bags (we love swag!) and a group photo for this largest gathering in Latinas in Cannabis history. We look forward to bringing all these amazing women together to celebrate culture and female leadership.

Gain international insights

Europe

When: Thursday – 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Host: Timo Bongartz, CEO, CANNAVIGIA

Photo courtesy of Cannavigia

This year's MJBizCon has expanded internationally with more attendees, speakers and exhibitors from around the globe than ever before. Stop into the Europe Meetup to meet global cannabis entrepreneurs at this meetup prestented by Zurich-based cannabis software company Cannavigia and hosted by the company's CEO, Timo Bongartz.

Roll up to the Lonestar State Takeover

Texas

When: Thursday – 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Host: Kim Flores, EleTex Brands & Daulton O'Neill, Mood

Photo courtesy of Kim Flores

Texas is calling their event an 'Toke-Over' that will explore three primary topics: 1) The Current State of Hemp Legislation in Texas. 2) Navigating Business Challenges unique to Texas. 3) The Push for Advocacy and Reform. Join Kim Flores (aka The Hemp Housewife, EleTex Brands) and co-host Daulton O'Neill (Mood). And the Texas team is also extending the invite leaders in hemp from other states to toke on in. Trust us, you won't regret it!

Embrace the winning spirit

Michigan

When: Thursday – 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Host: Rick Anstiss & the Michigan Weedsters

Photo courtesy of Michigan Weedsters

Join the Michigan Weedsters with host Rick Anstiss for their 2nd MJBizCon State Takeover highlighting the Michigan market, which has rebounded from wholesale lows to become a high-volume sales state rivaling California sales AND Ohio State Football. (Ouch, Buckeyes!) Learn from Rick and the team on what's next for the Mitten State.

F R I D A Y

What's fresh in the newest rec market

Ohio

When: Friday – 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Host: Lenny Berry, OCHBS

O-H-I-O is bringing an all-star lineup to showcase the state's newly legalized adult-use market including Lauren Delande (Klutch Cannabis), Candac Moeller (Innovative Healing Solutions), Fadi Boumitri (Ascension BioMedical) Ian Frye and Rory McClain (Trulieve) and Brian Hennessey (Backroad Wellness) and more. Drop by to put the "hi" in Ohio!

A global Americas perspective

LATAM & Canada

When: Friday – 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

LATAM Host: Simón Pablo Espinosa & Pascual Espinosa, En Vola
Canada Host: Jay Rosenthal, Cultivated Media

Explore the mature Canadian marijuana market alongside Latin American countries that are embracing cannabis market expansion at this dual meetup with leaders from both the far North America and South America. Join in the discussion, networking and more!

Dab it up with the Mass. crew

Massachusetts

When: Friday – 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Host: Francesca Cserr, @DabCowgirl

Go green with Dab Cowgirl for a highlight of what Massachusetts has to offer! She's in town to kick off the Bay State's Takeover on Friday afternoon. Whether you're a Massachusetts market OG or new to the state – or even just thinking about expanding to the Northeast – connect with leaders to network, scope new opportunity and just have a blast with your hometown crew. Guaranteed, smiles are in store!

Get the local flavor

Nevada

When: Thursday – 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Host: Abby Kaugmann & the Nevada Chamber of Cannabis

Close down the show with the locals from Nevada! The state's Chamber of Cannabis has helped pave the way for consumption lounges and the ability for you to buy a larger stash from local dispensaries. Learn what we can expect by MJBizCon 2024 in Las Vegas at this insightful Takeover celebrating Nevada canna culture and highlighting the chamber's members.

View the Full Takeover Agenda

Where are State Takeovers Located?

The Hub

Where: On the Expo Floor – in the Retail + Dispensary Pavilion

Here's an overview of Expo Hall activations! Find The Hub in Blue near The Patio and The Vault.

View the Interactive Expo Hall Map

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G I V E A W A Y

Win a free Volcano from Storz & Bickel

This are heating up for MJBizCon week – literally!

Storz & Bickel is gifting one lucky MJBizCon attendee a free Volcano Hybrid Onyx. If the winner can't be me, let it be you! Here's how:

Make sure you have an MJBizCon pass. (It's required to win.)
Follow @mjbizdaily and @storz.bickel on Instagram.
Tag your friends on this post. Every tag equals one entry!
Winner must be able pick up their Volcano at Storz & Bickel booth #8815 on Friday, Dec. 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Get your entries in! Winner will be announced on Dec. 6 at noon.

C H E C K L I S T

What to plan for this week