Hempcon is one of the larger hemp festivals in the country. The event takes place several times throughout the year in San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Hempcon features medical marijuana dispensaries, clubs and organizations, hemp clothing manufacturers, legal services, equipment and accessories. The event also promotes education about medical marijuana use through seminars and lectures. Hempcon is open to everyone 18 and older and has only one restricted zone. The restricted area where the purchase of marijuana is legal is open only to medical card holders.
The Medical Cannabis Cup is an event sponsored by the country's leading cannabis themed magazine, "High Times." The event is a two-day medical marijuana expo culminating with an awards ceremony recognizing the best medical marijuana dispensaries. The event features seminars on how to open a medical dispensary, growing techniques and legalization activism. The cannabis cup takes place in San Francisco with an additional event in Denver and is open to the public 18 and over. There is a restricted outdoor pavilion for medical card holders only.
Spring Gathering is a summer music festival and medical marijuana expo in San Bernadino, California. In addition to music by big name artists like Cypress Hill and Snoop Dog, the festival includes expert discussion panels on advances in cultivation, modern activism and cannabis science. Expo vendors on the grounds include non-profit organizations, medical marijuana collectives and dispensaries and physicians. The festival is open to everyone and a ticket to the music festival is also valid for the expo.
Humboldt Hemp Festival takes place in Redway, California. The three-day festival features comedians, artists and musicians who are active in the cannabis movement. The hemp-focused event includes vendors selling clothing and accessories and hemp-inspired music and art. The festival features a panel discussion with leading activists, physicians, lawyers, politicians and medical marijuana users to educate the community on the relevant issues and challenges of legalizing marijuana. The event is open to everyone and is a family friendly event.
The THC Expo takes place in Los Angeles, California, and aims to educate the public about medical marijuana and industrial hemp's earning potential. The organizers maintain that the illegality of hemp is crippling a potentially lucrative business. The expo includes hundreds of vendors showcasing accessories, industrial hemp products, cannabis organizations and medicinal marijuana dispensaries. The event is open to all 18 and older and no medical card is needed.