LAS VEGAS – Thousands of cannabis industry members from around the world flocked to Nevada the first week of December for MJBizCon, the Emjays awards show, and accompanying events and afterparties colloquially known as Weed Week.
At the same time, across the country in Arlington, Virginia, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began a preliminary hearing to determine whether cannabis should be moved to a less-restrictive schedule under the Controlled Substances Act. The industry has awaited news on that front for sixteen months, since the Department of Health and Human Services recommended rescheduling in August 2023.
An air of uncertainty around rescheduling, concerns about significant potential changes to the 2024 Farm Bill, and disappointment about state-level ballot measures dimmed the mood for many, but hope remained in conference sessions, meeting rooms, and exhibition halls.
With more than two decades of experience in cannabis and a personality larger than life, Michael “BigMike” Straumietis, founder and chief executive officer at Advanced Nutrients, is a towering mainstay on the MJBizCon show floor. He sees a solid path to success for the industry under President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, after a few challenging months in the near term.
“ [I think] 2025 is going to be a tough year,” said Straumietis. “[I think] 2026 and 2027 are going to be a lot better. I believe we’re going to start seeing the needle move for legalization with Trump on board.”
In a September post on his social media network, Truth Social, Trump voiced support for some level of cannabis reform, although he said he believes the issue is more appropriately handled at the state, rather than federal, level.
Although uncertainty may loom, there was no shortage of excitement from exhibitors about their new products and solutions to help businesses pursue a more profitable 2025.
The show floor was reorganized for the thirteenth annual MJBizCon, separating most cultivation products into one large hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center with post-harvest, retail, and ancillary services located in another massive showroom. The changes made it much easier for the estimated 30,000 visitors over four days to navigate through about 700 exhibits.
Straumietis debuted a new Advanced Nutrients product that has been under development for three years and is expected to launch around March. The new CS2 line is a two-part nutrient system crafted for simplicity, allowing growers to easily stimulate (up-regulate) or suppress (down-regulate) specific plant growth processes, resulting in optimized growth, higher yields, and better-quality crops.
“We already have it in large-scale facilities testing, and they’re [High Creations in Palm Springs, California] just raving about it,” said Straumietis.
Veteran cannabis journalist Rachelle Gordon remarked on a shift she perceived in the atmosphere.
“While there is a lot of uncertainty ahead, MJBiz 2024 made me hopeful,” she said. “There is an emphasis on collaboration moving forward, which is something I’ve wanted to see for some time. We are stronger as an industry when we join forces, and the prevalent scarcity mindset is simply unsustainable.”
The show has changed too, she noted, as evidenced by the addition of seed sales to the show floor.
“Engaging with growers and breeders is an element that was missing in MJBizCon’s past and a wonderful opportunity for people to connect with an integral part of the supply chain they may not have previously,” she said. “Some of the breeders said it was their first MJBizCon ever, and I truly hope we see more farmers come out next year.”
Others also remarked on the event’s evolution since its acquisition by trade-show producer Emerald Holding Inc. in 2021. Lance Lambert, chief marketing officer at Grove Bags, is a vastly experienced industry conference veteran who’s attended hundreds of shows around the world over the last decade. At his peak, he participated in 46 events in a single year.
“Ever since attending my first MJBizCon at The Rio almost a decade ago, I’ve seen this expo evolve into what it is today,” said Lambert. “With the domestic market being a bit stagnant the past two years, many pointed out the lower attendance numbers. That said, it was a quality-over-quantity game for us. While many knew about Grove already, they voiced their intent of specifically seeking us out to discuss working together going forward. We also noticed fewer suits and more participation from the roots side of the community. I’m also thankful we moved to the central conference hall with room for a plethora of activations.”
Kim Prince, founder and CEO of public relations and marketing communications firm Proven Media, said she saw value for brands and attendees with the additional speaking opportunities the trade show created this year through its Joint Stage, MITA Stage, and Hub.
“Whether it was seeing Josh Kesselman from RAW sitting down to discuss branding with the Emjays’ Journalist of the year, Javier Hasse, or having the opportunity to hear from lesser-known but equally successful executives, the additional stages presented opportunities for attendees to soak up industry knowledge,” she said.
Like most attendees, Prince returned home from Las Vegas feeling “energized, motivated, and ready to tackle business in 2025.”
