LAS VEGAS – MJBizCon returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center October 20 to celebrate ten years of bringing the cannabis industry together. The event was the first in since 2019, thanks to pandemic-related shutdowns.
Over the past 22 months, nearly a dozen states have legalized, retail sales across the country continued to increase, billions of dollars have been invested in mergers and acquisitions, multi-state operators have gained huge traction, online ordering and delivery have taken off, and even Amazon has joined the cannabis conversation.
There have been challenges as well: The Biden administration hasn’t moved on marijuana reform, some medical markets are losing steam, and global markets have been on hold.
MJBizCon Chief Executive Officer Chris Walsh offered several predictions for 2022, including:
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- At least four states will legalize medical or recreational use, including one “sleeper.”
- Three to four mega-mergers will take place in the United States and Canada.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration won’t approve ingestible CBD.
- One of original recreational markets — Colorado, Washington, or Oregon — will see flat overall sales.
All photos by Mike Rosati.
