Efforts to modernize cannabis policy are spreading across Europe at an increasing pace, with Germany continuing to serve as the continental cannabis policy and industry leader. As Germany’s legal industry and other European markets continue to expand, the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) remains at the center of it all.

ICBC is once again bringing Europe’s largest and longest-running B2B cannabis event to Berlin on April 13-15, 2026. ICBC Berlin 2026 will be held in Germany’s largest conference and entertainment center, the iconic Hotel Estrel Berlin. of schedule for ICBC Berlin 2026 will be published soon and is sure to be packed with insightful and timely presentations from renowned experts in their respective fields.

Cannabis policy and market momentum

The medical cannabis industry in Germany continues to be the biggest winner of the passage of the CanG law, thanks to the removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List. Between the first quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, imports of medical cannabis products in Germany have increased. The legal medical cannabis industry in Germany imported almost 57 tons of cannabis in the third quarter of 2025 alone alone.

Ancillary sectors of Germany’s emerging cannabis industry continue to benefit from the country’s landmark CanG 2024 law, which allows adults to cultivate, possess and consume personal quantities of cannabis. Companies offering products and services focused on home cultivation and consumption are experiencing tremendous growth in Germany.

The cannabis industry in Germany is continuing its impressive growth, including the association sector of growing cannabis for adults. Since November 2025local regulatory authorities in Germany had approved 357 adult cultivation associations. Hundreds of other applications for cultivation associations are being processed throughout Germany.

Europe’s largest B2B cannabis conference

Competition is increasing significantly within the German industry and across Europe, and the best way to learn how to maximize your opportunities and network with industry leaders is at ICBC Berlin. recording is now open and you can get discounted early bird prices. Register before ticket prices go up on November 19.

Sponsorship and exposure at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin is an unparalleled opportunity to position your brand in front of the international cannabis industry. ICBC Berlin has added a wide range of sponsorship opportunities and the ICBC team is here to support exhibitors throughout their journey in the industry.

In addition to putting the company’s brand in front of attendees and offering space on the exhibit floor, ICBC has created an exhibitor portal on the event’s official app. Exhibitors can customize their profiles on the application portal and gain additional visibility throughout the conference.

Learn more and register at: internationalcbc.com/exhibit-form

What’s new in 2026

ICBC is bringing buyers on the show, so visitors can make the best deals and connect directly with the people who matter most.

• Cannabis pharmacies
  It was a huge success last year, so ICBC is offering again free tickets for everyone German cannabis pharmacies – unification of the medical community.

• Cultivation Associations / Social Clubs
  We are also giving free tickets for everyone With German license cultivation associations because of the vital role they play in Germany’s industrial model.
• Grow stores
  ICBC is giving free tickets for everyone store growth in Europe – ensuring that the farming community is fully present.

Other new features

• ICBC Network Atrium
  A central hub to meet and connect.
• Growing / Cultivation Pavilion
  Cultivation leaders from around the world will be in Growing / Cultivation Pavilion.
• Treasure hunt game
  Want to win prizes while exploring the exhibit? Join me Treasure hunt game.
• VIP reception
  Ready to meet key decision makers before the event? Take part in VIP reception the night before the conference (April 13).

Continuing to bring people together

• Appointment at the pharmacy
  Do you want direct access to dispensaries, pharmacies and clinics? Take part in exclusive Appointment at the pharmacy.
• Medical Farm Area
  Medical professionals from the global industry will gather at Medical Farm Area.
• Network speed zone
  Want to make more connections quickly and easily? Try Network speed zone.
• Lounges with food and drinks
  Need a break to bond over food and drink? Relax in salons located throughout the exhibition.
• Hall of Consumption
  of Lounge for outdoor consumption offers a unique, open-air environment for socializing and networking.

Industry growth and opportunities

At the latest International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin in April 2025, leading international cannabis economist Beau Whitney presented data noting that the total addressable global market value of the international industrial hemp industry could be as high as $456.2 billion. Additionally, Mr. Whitney estimated that the total addressable global market value for medical and adult cannabis consumables is approximately $237.8 billion.

A vast majority of the current global demand for hemp, medical and adult-use products remains untapped, with many markets either unregulated or still in the early stages of regulation. You can learn how to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting industry on the planet at ICBC Berlin 2026.

About the International Cannabis Business Conference

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the premier B2B cannabis event series on the planet, with previous conferences taking place in multiple locations on multiple continents. The event series is owned and operated by cannabis advocates who believe in celebrating cannabis culture in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain a competitive edge in the growing international cannabis industry and it is vital for people to get their ideas, products and services in front of the right people at the right time. With industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and service providers converging from across the planet, the ICBC B2B trade show event in Berlin is the perfect place to put cannabis ideas on the global cannabis stage.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries are expected to be represented at ICBC Berlin 2026, and this includes representatives from every sector of the industry, as well as key international cannabis policy makers and industry service providers. Bring your company to the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with the best and take your industry research to the next level.

Learn more and register at: Internationalcbc.com/berlin.

Register before ticket prices increase on January 28.

contacts:

Director of Marketing, ICBC
Elizaveta Zharikova
liza@internationalcbc.com

of Autoflower America’s Cup returns to California on January 31, 2026, bringing the fourth annual celebration of flowering cannabis genetics to Be True Los Angeles. Once underrated, autoflowers are now at the cutting edge of modern breeding, and the Cup has become the definitive stage for tracking that transformation.

Led by curator Jeremy Norrie, one of America’s earliest automotive flower champions, the event combines competition, education and culture to show how far the category has come and where it’s going next. “Autoflowers have evolved beyond expectation,” says Norrie. “This is where we measure that growth—in flavor, power, creativity and passion.”

2025 in Review: A Turning Point for Automatic Flowers

The 2025 Autoflower America’s Cup marked a defining moment for the category, attracting nearly 80 entries and offering a range of benchmark achievements. Atlas Seeds set a new potency record, pushing THC levels into uncharted territory, while Twenty20 Mendocino’s Love Bomb Auto appeared as Best new strain 2025drawing attention to both performance and profile.

Established community leaders Fast Buds and Mephisto Genetics (both ex The best car flower breeder recipients) continued to influence the direction of modern automotive flower genetics, reinforcing the growing credibility of the category on a global stage.

As curator Jeremy Norrie said:

“Every year, the cars get faster, stronger, more durable and more respected. What was once overlooked has become a legitimate showcase for some of the best breeding work in the US and beyond.”

Best Auto Hash

Introduced in 2025, Best Auto Hash highlighted a major shift in perception, proving that autoflowers are capable of producing high-quality, solvent-free rosin suitable for hashing. The category raised expectations across the board, and in 2026, the bar rises even higher as a wider field of extractors enter the competition.

Best Flower Breeder – Community Vote

This award remains firmly in the hands of the community. Determined by public vote, it recognizes the breeders who shape today’s automotive flower landscape. Past winners include Fast Buds and Mephisto Genetics, with voting for the 2026 title now open on the Cup website.

Highest THC – lab verified

Connoisseurs know that many factors contribute to quality, but overall potency continues to be a major consideration for growers around the world. In 2025, Atlas Seeds set a new standard with Think Breath Autotesting at 30.33% THC, an inflection point that redefined what autoflowers can achieve at the upper end of cannabinoid expression.

Meet the judges: Experience, Craft and Culture

The 2026 panel brings together respected voices in cannabis cultivation, education, extraction, journalism and culture.

All judges participate equally in a blinded and balanced evaluation process.

• Kyle Kushman – Award-winning organic grower, educator, advocate
• Danny Danko (Dan Vinkovetsky) – Veteran journalist and cultivation expert
• Jenn Doe – Multi-awarded grower and single-source hashmaker
• Maxwell Pharms – Dual Award Automotive Flower Farmer
• Austin Kress (Stony McBlaze) – Cultivator, creator and cultural storyteller. In addition to his judging duties, Austin will bring his signature comedy to the Awards Ceremony’s entertaining lineup
• IcanTHC – Cultivator, educator and influential media voice
• Madman Plant – second time judge and host of the mental health panel
• Jordan Harker – Founder of Autoflower.org and commercial cultivation specialist
• David Downs – Acclaimed journalist documenting the culture, science and politics of cannabis

Together, they represent a multi-layered view of today’s cannabis landscape.

Education and Mental Health Panel

The 2026 American Autoflower Cup includes an Education and Mental Health Panel that addresses the human side of cultivation – where learning, discipline and personal well-being intersect. The session examines how structure, routine, and realistic expectations play a critical role in not only growing stronger plants, but maintaining balance and longevity as a grower.

Led by experienced growers and respected community voices, the talk explores common challenges such as creative pressure, burnout and the steep learning curve presented by modern autoflower genetics. Participants can expect practical suggestions, shared perspectives and an open, non-judgmental dialogue rooted in lived experience.

The panel is included with every event ticket and will take place during the Awards evening on January 31st.

Organized by Adam Ill

A familiar presence at the Cup, Adam Ill returns for his fourth year as host of the Awards Ceremony. A comedian and staple of cannabis culture, Adam blends humor with genuine community knowledge, keeping the night engaging, energetic and rooted in authenticity from start to finish.

Sponsor Spotlight: ELEMENTS + Industry Leaders

The 2026 sponsor list comes in stronger than ever.

ELEMENTS joins as an official sponsor, supporting the full judging process and the Awards Ceremony. They sit alongside an industry-leading partner table, including:

● Grove bag

● AC Infinity

● Dr. Dabber

● Harvest of Neptune

● Doctor Zymes

Not Just a Pageant: A Cultural Milestone

What started as an ambitious idea has become a defining element in the cannabis calendar. As its international reach continues to grow, the American Autoflower Cup brings together science, community, culture and craft, creating a rare space to witness the evolution (and future) of autoflower genetics.

Contest registration is now open

Learn more, register your entry and get your tickets on the website:

Join us on January 31, 2026 at Be True Los Angeles. Join the movement, because autoflowers aren’t here to compete, they’re here to lead!

Hypno Seeds is preparing a bold step into the future with the upcoming launch of a next-generation 3D website in 2026 – an immersive digital world that will bring the brand’s creativity and visual identity to life. The new platform marks the evolution of Hypno’s ongoing transformation, expanding its experiential energy from social media into a fully interactive online experience.

Known for pushing the boundaries in a space where cannabis brands often face algorithmic hurdles, Hypno Seeds has already begun to rewrite the rules of digital presence. His Instagram feed has shifted from product photos to surreal, kinetic art, designed to move with color, rhythm and emotion, each post a hypnotic moment meant to be felt, not just seen. This approach to engagement now sets the stage for Hypno’s next act: an online universe that blends design, storytelling and commerce into something entirely new.

The next page will introduce an advanced three-dimensional interface that allows users to explore strains as living experiences: vivid worlds of sight and feel that reflect the creativity of the growers who cultivate them. Beyond transactions, the platform will bring together art, interaction and real-time engagement, providing a space that feels as alive as the community it serves.

“Society rarely focuses on the side of cannabis consumers who are winners. There are countless CEOs, artists and creative directors who use cannabis as part of their process, as a way to think deeper, create bolder and become stronger. We’re here to erase the stigma. We don’t just grow plants, we win.” -Ashkan, CEO of Hypno Seeds

The future of cannabis seeds for achievements is coming. Experience the evolution: Hypno Seeds, launching in 2026.