California’s most prestigious trade show brings the weed world together

Cannabis industry insiders are set to converge on the historic Ventura County Fairgrounds this March 19th-20th for the 2025 Hall of Flowers industry-only trade show. The iconic event brings all the movers and shakers of the cannabis industry together in one place to rub shoulders, make connections, and sample products. 

A highly curated selection of brands, retailers, thought leaders, investors, and media professionals will all be attending to soak up the SoCal sun and make the connections that will define the industry in the coming years. If you’re interested in expanding into the California cannabis market, or looking to partner with California suppliers to bring their product to your neck of the woods, then Hall of Flowers is the spot where you need to be. 

Our team was able to sit down with part of the crew that makes Hall of Flowers the phenomenon it is, and we’ve got the inside track on what makes HoF so unique, and how you can make the most of the three-day event to bring your business to new heights.

They’ve got booth options for a range of budgets, and there’s still time to snag a spot. Inventory is filling up fast, so don’t miss your chance to make connections in the Californian market and beyond—read on and make plans to attend Ventura Hall of Flowers today.

The room where it happens

“It’s the only opportunity you’ll have to meet the whole state in two days.”

Ever since their inaugural trade show back in 2018, Hall of Flowers has been a cut above its competitors. Hall of Flowers aims to bring the cannabis industry and the broader cannabis culture together in one place for the whole cannabis-loving community to meet each other. The weed world is vast, and getting bigger by the day—it takes an event like Hall of Flowers to fulfill the important function of a central meeting point for thought leaders and decision-makers. 

Free for California retailers

Hall of Flowers is absolutely free for licensed California retailers, and the HoF team performs extensive, personalized outreach to these retailers to ensure their attendance. Their retail relations team is easily one of the best in the business, providing white-glove service to all the brands that make the Californian corner of the cannabis industry dominant. 

Hall of Flowers is also one of the only opportunities business owners will find to sample products from the huge variety of vendors who make the trip. In one Hall of Flowers veteran’s words: “It’s the only opportunity you’ll have to meet the whole state in two days.”

Get a taste of California 

The team behind Hall of Flowers knows that getting hands-on is the best way for a buyer and a producer to make a genuine connection. While some trade shows may have buyers only able to make decisions on pitches and promises, Hall of Flowers allows buyers to acquire product for themselves for only a nominal fee. They can either consume the product in one of the on-site consumption sites or take it home to enjoy. Strains that hit different, vapes with shockingly smooth pulls, edibles with epic flavor, and more can all be found, tried, and eventually licensed at Hall of Flowers.

ICONOCLASTS Speaker Series

Hall of Flowers is also proudly presenting speakers from their ICONOCLASTS series throughout the weekend. These speakers are luminaries within the industry who are ready to share their expertise from years spent in the cannabis industry. With names like Autumn Shelton and Ben Kriam headlining the list, the Iconoclasts speaker series is arguably worth the price of a ticket on its own. 

Hit the beach

If that wasn’t enough, this year’s Hall of Flowers takes place at the stunning Ventura County Fairgrounds, a historic location steps away from world-famous beaches. We know this all sounds a bit too good to be true, but believe it. Hall of Flowers is the opportunity to smoke some of the best weed in the world, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, with some of the leading minds of the industry. You owe it to yourself and your business to make the trip west.

BLUEPRINT for the future

While Hall of Flowers is strictly business, it isn’t strictly plant business. This year, Hall of Flowers will be launching their “BLUEPRINT” program, a revolutionary initiative that will connect Californian cannabis brands to dynamic companies in related fields and other states. The team at HoF will authorize a select group of brands in sectors like tech, manufacturing, lighting, and nutrients who are looking to partner with Californian brands. As the industry matures and looks to make growth connections across industries, the BLUEPRINT initiative is an essential opportunity for out-of-state brands to make inroads into the Californian market. 

The BLUEPRINT program will also include out-of-state operators looking to bring legendary California cannabis back to their home state. With more top-tier growers and extractors than can be found anywhere else, Hall of Flowers is an unskippable event for those aiming to both sample the best of what the Californian market has to offer and license those brands, possibly in the same afternoon. 

The BLUEPRINT program represents a singular opportunity for out-of-state operations to make connections in the Californian market. There simply isn’t another event with a guest list as extensively curated as Hall of Flowers. The California market can be complicated and somewhat exclusive—but the BLUEPRINTBlueprint program allows brand reps to build fruitful relationships in a short amount of time.

Making the most of HoF

Signing up for a booth at Hall of Flowers can be one of the most important decisions you make for your business, but the journey doesn’t stop there. The Hall of Flower’s team provided some recommendations on how best to make the most out of your business’s time at the tradeshow and make sure your team comes back with more than great memories and killer tans. The tips will help you avoid rookie mistakes and navigate the bustling show floor with poise and precision.

Set goals ahead of time

Hall of Flowers is a cornucopia of opportunities, with rockstar brands and impressive thought leaders everywhere you turn. It’s important to set realistic standards and goals for your business before the big day arrives to keep your team sharp and focused.

Have a schedule every day

There will be thousands of attendees at Hall of Flowers this year, enough to cause a bit of confusion even in a tight ship like HoF. Having a timely schedule for the day can help maximize the time spent in fruitful conversations or sampling incredible products and minimize the time waiting in line and staring at convention floor maps.

Set yourself apart 

Brand representatives and investors will be meeting dozens of people per day at Hall of Flowers, so it helps your brand to have something unique to stand out and stick in the minds of decision-makers. This could be an incredible product, eye-catching branding, or something else creative that sets your team ahead of the pack. 

Have your materials 

Hall of Flowers is attended by folks looking to make deals immediately, not next week, next quarter, or even tomorrow. It pays to have everything you need, from business cards to licensing agreements, readily available, so that when an opportunity knocks, your team is ready. 

With these tips in mind, your team will be ready to use Hall of Flowers to take your business to brand-new heights. Don’t wait, click the link below to start filling out your application for a booth —there’s no better opportunity to bring your brand to California or to bring California back to your home state. Our last piece of advice? Don’t forget your sunglasses.

You can read more about Hall of Flowers online at their website. You can also follow them on Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter/X, and Youube to keep up to date with any new announcements and get the jump on the Santa Rosa show later this year.

Who needs new weed shops? We do. Miami gets its first medical dispensary, New Mexico welcomes a massive cannabis superstore, and a Detroit rapper brings legal weed to 8 Mile. Here are the new dispensary openings across America this month.

Got a new shop? Put it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise. 

Arizona

Ponderosa Dispensary— Tucson, AZ. Opened Jan. 18. Firstly, let’s start with the desert. Tuscon just got a little greener thanks to the arrival of Ponderosa Dispensary. Stocking over 20 premiere cannabis brands, Ponderosa aka the Pondy also scores bragging rights for having the largest selection of in-house brands Canamo Concentrates and Sonoran Roots available anywhere in Tucson. Other highlights include friendly, informed budtenders and a “full-sensory” shopping experience. 3008 N. Stone Ave, Tucson. 

California

Urbana Oakland— Oakland, CA. Opened Jan. 17. You’ll have to get your order of fries somewhere else as former burger joint Luke’s Taproom has now officially reopened as the latest outpost of Urbana’s chain of NorCal dispensaries. Specifically, the updated digs “preserve the industrial charm of the property while adding modern, welcoming touches” that include consumption lounges and a “vibrant calendar of events that celebrates local art, culture, and education.” 415 W Grand, Oakland.

Florida

Ayr Wellness—Miami, FL. Opened Jan. 10. It took long enough, but Miami’s first medical cannabis dispensary is now finally open. In the works with the City of Miami since 2016, Ayr Wellness has at last opened the chain’s 67^th location in the state. Offering a full menu of flower, vape carts, edibles, and more, representatives for Ayr shared their hope to cater to “underserved medical marijuana patients” at their Midtown store, which is located within a shopping district that draws heavy foot traffic. 3160 N. Miami Ave, Miami.

Maryland

The Forest—Baltimore, MD. Opened Jan. 18. Don’t mistake the trees for The Forest because both are welcome additions to the scene in Baltimore. Marking Maryland’s first vertically integrated social equity license to open shop, The Forest is African American and Latina majority-owned and plans to situate their business as a “holistic wellness experience with access to high-quality cannabis products” including concentrates, pre-rolls, and topicals. 3301 Boston St, Baltimore. 

Michigan

Fly Shifter Cannabis—Detroit, MI. Opened Jan. 11. Don’t tell Poppa Doc but Detroit’s 8 Mile has a new heavyweight in the form of Fly Shifter Cannabis from homegrown rapper and entrepreneur Lou “Big Shifter” Gram. Perks include a plethora of premium cannabis products, a Shifter’s Only Club providing loyalty rewards, and an ongoing commitment to supporting Detroit’s “local economy and cultural landscape.” 6220 8 Mile Rd, Detroit. 

Missouri

CODES—Kansas City, MO. Opened Jan. 18. Comedian and cannabis enthusiast/entrepreneur Jim Belushi was on hand to welcome Kansas City’s newest dispensary to the party. Billed as “one of the fastest-growing brands in Missouri’s cannabis industry,” CODES prides itself on offering premium cannabis products, including exclusive cultivars, edibles, and concentrates, designed to cater to a “broad spectrum of Kansas City’s diverse clientele.” 668 E Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City. 

New Jersey

Budzooka—Elizabeth, NJ. Opened Jan. 29. The proudly Hispanic-owned Budzooka Dispensary has officially opened in the home of a former bank in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Featuring a clean interior flecked with splashes of bright color, Budzooka also offers a “bud bar” where customers can see and smell the various types of cannabis flower available for sale. The shop’s menu also includes an extensive list of vapes, concentrates, edibles, and even a few MSO (multi-state operator) brands like Loud Labs and Nova Farms. 142 Broad St, Elizabeth.

New Mexico

Mango Cannabis—Sunland Park, NM. Opened Jan. 22. If there’s one thing New Mexico was missing, it’s a 9,000-square-foot cannabis superstore. Thankfully, Mango Cannabis has fixed the issue by opening the state’s largest dispensary (to date) last month. Capable of processing 2,000 to 3,0000 order per day, the Sunland Park location is set to carry over 3,000 SKUS (products) that include “the top [hundred] most popular brands in the state.” 1051 McNutt Road, Sunland Park. 

New York

Kaya Bliss— Brooklyn, NY. Opened Jan. 9. The new weed shops of New York keep coming. Once a hair salon, the confines of Brooklyn’s Kaya Bliss have a decidedly different vibe these days. Customers visiting Bay Ridge’s first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary can look forward to walls decorated with murals, comprehensively trained budtenders, and over 400 products from more than 30 brands to choose from. Purchases can be made either at the registers or at conveniently located in-store kiosks. 8412 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn. 

The Herb Cave—Plattsburgh, NY. Opened Dec. 27. Northern New York scored a big win with the opening of the first woman-owned, licensed cannabis dispensary in the Plattsburgh region last month. With a menu featuring “a variety of craft cannabis products sourced from smaller farms and micro-businesses throughout New York State,” The Herb Cave prides itself as a “experienced, reliable, established” legacy business here to solve your cannabis needs. 19 State Rte 3, Plattsburgh. 

Pennsylvania

Terrapin Care Station—Bellefonte, PA. Opened Jan. 9. One year after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill ushering in a new era of legal medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, independent medical cannabis grower and processor Terrapin has launched a store in Bellefonte. The site marks the first of three planned locations for Terrapin, including forthcoming stores in Lewisburg (Kelly Township) and Lock Haven (Woodward Township). Dates for the latter two stores remain yet to be announced but are expected soon. 205 Park Place, Bellefonte. 

In conclusion—it’s a tremendous time for medical and adult-use cannabis access. Just look at all these new weed shops near you. Did we miss any? Leave a comment with a new one.

Got a new shop? Get it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.

What exactly is a billion dollars? Well, it’s the amount of money you’d make on a North American tour…if you were Taylor Swift. Or the stack of cash that Deadpool & Wolverine brought in at the box office. Or the estimated GDP of the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu.

When it comes to cannabis, the figure offers a snapshot of a state industry’s strength. But it doesn’t necessarily reflect population data. Nor is it limited to states that have boasted legal weed for a long time, or even states that have rec programs at all.

As we dive headfirst into 2025, we’ve put together a list of the states that crossed the $1 billion threshold last year, as well as some of the market trends those states illuminated. Buckle up, and prepare to be surprised.

Arizona

In 2024, Arizona fell hundreds of millions of dollars short of maintaining the epic sales run it had in 2023—that year, retailers sold $1.4 billion of cannabis. Nevertheless, Arizona held on to its status as a member of the “Billion Dollar” club in 2024. Last year, Arizona also continued to see its share of medical marijuana revenue shrink; it was down to about 17% of total sales, from 21% the year prior.

California

Despite its huge illicit market, California remains The Big Kahuna of cannabis. In 2024, the Golden State sold an estimated $4.27 billion of legal weed. According to state data, flower comprised nearly 40% of all sales, vapes counted for about a quarter of sales, and edibles made up roughly 10%. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, but medical marijuana only comprised 8% of total cannabis sales in 2024.

Colorado

The Colorado cannabis industry, alas, did not have a great 2024. Wholesale prices fell, and the state reported $1.28 billion sales, its lowest numbers since 2015. As our friend Mona Zhang at Politico reported last year, the trend has other states worried. Here’s to hoping Colorado has a big 2025!

Florida

Even though Florida failed to pass adult-use legalization last November (thanks to the state’s 60% vote threshold), the Sunshine State’s medical program still outpaces many of its fully legal peers. According to data from the Brightfield Group, Florida dispensaries sold $2.1 billion of medical marijuana in 2024. 

Illinois

Unlike some of the original rec states, Illinois saw its cannabis market continue to grow in 2024: The state sold nearly $1.8 billion of marijuana, a high point since sales began in 2020. In more good news, Illinois has officially expunged over 20,000 cannabis-related convictions since 2020. A big bravo to the Land of Lincoln!

Maryland

Even though Maryland only launched its rec program in July 2023, the state industry has blossomed rapidly. In the 2024 calendar year, Maryland generated $1.14 billion in adult-use and medical marijuana sales. We suspect that’s resulted in a significant bump to the state’s Old Bay-dusted crab leg market as well.

Massachusetts

It ain’t just Illinois. Massachusetts also had its biggest sales year ever in 2024: A grand total of $1.64 billion of cannabis. Shout-out to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission for highlighting Worcester County as the “cannabis capital of Massachusetts”—$1.4 billion of sales have occurred there since 2018!

Michigan

Even though it now faces competition from neighboring Ohio, Michigan still pulled off a record year in 2024. The Great Lake State sold $3.29 billion of cannabis last year, a 7% increase from 2023. And for context, Michigan has only one-quarter the population of California, but three-quarters the amount of cannabis sales. Wolverines love their weed! 

Missouri

Missouri’s adult-use program only launched two years ago, but business is booming in the Show-Me State. In 2024, retailers there sold $1.4 billion of cannabis. According to LKP Impact Consulting, men purchased nearly two-thirds of all that pot, and Millennials made up 40% of all shoppers. 

Pennsylvania

While the eternal legal pot booster Senator John Fetterman has yet to seal the deal in his home state, Pennsylvania’s medical market is still doing big business. Dispensaries sold over $1.6 billion of medical marijuana in 2024 to over 440,000 patients. Unlike in Colorado, rapidly sinking wholesale prices in Pennsylvania led to more purchases, not less.

Washington

Cannabis sales in Washington State have been on a minor but consistent decline for the past few years, but the state is nonetheless expected to have generated $1.2 billion in 2024, when all the numbers get crunched. That’s roughly the same sales total as Colorado, even though Washington is home to nearly two million more people.

See, we told you there would be some surprises!

At least 11 states racked up medical and adult-use cannabis sales over $1 billion in 2024. Don’t forget—you can double those totals when you count illicit cannabis, too. Nearly 88% of US voters now support medical or adult-use. It’s clear that cannabis is huge, and states can choose to either reasonably regulate and tax it, or hand over those dollars to the streets or competing states.