Horticulture 360º, the First Fair for Cannabis Growers and Businessmen to Take Place in the United States

On 14 and 15 April, Denver (in Colorado, the United States), will host Horticulture 360º, a fair about horticulture, “the branch of agriculture that concerns the art, science, technology and business of plant growing”, as defined by the organisers−Big Industry Show, one of the leading companies in this industry with the United States. The Denver Mart expo hall will become the place to find, admire and learn about everything relating to the growth of different plants, including marijuana. Both retailers and wholesalers can attend the event.

This is the first example of an event of this kind in the United States and the aim is to make it an activity that brings together all types of producers, growers and traders, especially at a time when business involving all types of products associated with the world of cannabis is successfully growing. The team from La Mota will also be there, as they did not want to miss this pioneering event in the United States that will also have several exhibitors (Advanced Nutrients, Hemp Farming, Weedmaps, Way to Grow and BlumatSystems, to name but a few). The event will also have the support of High Times, Skunk Magazine, NORML and Edibles List. 

The first day of the exhibition is exclusively aimed at all types of business men and women, and is a private event. The second day at the Denver Mart expo hall will be open to all of the general public (providing you are aged over 18 of course). On both days, doors will open at 11am and will close around 6pm. Having said that, on the day for businesses, it is necessary for anyone attending to present accreditation from their corresponding business. To obtain accreditation, attendees must certify that they have been selling this type of products for at least the last six months.

Horticulture 360º will also have involvement from some of the world’s leading marijuana experts such as Ed Rosenthal, who has written and edited numerous books about cannabis growing, culture, and politics. In his last publication, ‘Beyond Buds’, he talks about the world of cannabis concentrates and vaping. In turn, the activist Bruce Margolin will talk about the efforts that have been made in the United States to legalize marijuana. 

Other speakers such as Verónica Carpio, a grower from Colorado, will talk about industrial hemp and everything relating to seeds and how to care for them. Tyler Delker, an activist from Kansas, will reveal the secrets of his company Green Mountain and how he has approached the new industry that is opening up in the United States. The directors of other cannabis companies will also participate, including Peter Konjoian (Intelligent Light Source), Aaron Turner (GreenBroz) and Vaedynn Erlandson (Advanced Nutrients). 

Taking into account the success of the Big Industry Show in 2014, a business fair for the industry around smoker shops and growers, the aim is that this event will take place every year. The objective will always be to tackle the subject of marijuana growing from every possible perspective. Therefore, plant nutrients will be displayed alongside lamps, growing materials and even books written by and aimed at cannabis specialists. The purpose of all of this is to provide support for the increasing number of companies who are showing an interest in the sector.

A growing industry

Since the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use in Colorado in 2012, and especially since its effective start up and the opening of the first shops on 1 January 2014, anybody of legal age can possess up to 28 grams of marijuana and grow up to six cannabis plants at home.

Months after the state boosted this new market, the profits obtained run into the millions and tens of thousands of jobs have been created thanks to the new industry. Colorado has experienced a business ‘boom’ that does not appear to be fading. Furthermore, this boom has helped to considerably reduce the black market and the level of crime (especially in Denver, where the fair is taking place). Thanks to these factors, a recent survey showed that 58% of the state’s citizens were satisfied with the legalisation. 

The new jobs created range from producers of cannabis food items, to concentrate processors, distributors of marijuana products, safety staff (who ensure that products are in suitable condition), people responsible for controlling the THC and CBD levels of strains and classifying them for recreational or medical use, people who encourage cannabis tourism, shop assistants in dispensaries and coffee shops, experts in growing technologies, growers and even consultants who offer guidance to emerging businesses. 

This could be the ideal moment to put everyone involved in the industry in contact with one another, to bring them together in the same space so they can get feedback from each other and make the connections needed to create new business opportunities within the market. The event also helps to create dynamic business networks that will be able to play a role in the growth of the industry over the coming years. 

“Enormous things are being predicted for the industry, and this event is at the forefront of the movement to examine horticulture under a new light”, state the organisers, who assure that the event stands out because of its “inclusive approach”. They are convinced that this is much more than a meeting a between activists. It is an event that offers businesses and business people everything they could possibly want in relation to the sector and gives special support to entrepreneurs who are beginning to establish start-ups linked to cannabis technology. 

It is expected that the marijuana market in Colorado alone, will generate around a billion dollars between now and 2016. This is quite a realistic prediction given that the amount of business has already risen to 627 million euros since legalisation. Therefore, there is no doubt that Colorado is more than ready to host an event like this one and to continue to move forward and create links between people who want to share a future with cannabis.