KIND Gardens: Where the Industry Comes to Grow.
Vancouver got its own cannabis convention last Thursday. A day long affair from 10-6pm, inviting those in the industry and ticket holders the ability to learn more about the lesser seen cannabis wellness and culture in Canada.
This is KIND Gardens, a leading cannabis event from Toronto, hosting their first-ever Vancouver show at the Harbour Event Centre. And it is about time considering Beautiful British Columbia is home of some of the best legal cannabis in Canada.
Their goal of this event was to connect brand and retailers together under the umbrella of engagement, education and entertainment. Along with offering a closer look at the latest and greatest products, accessories and brands. Brands like Organigram, SHRED, Holy Mountain, Big Bag o’ Buds, Tremblant Hash, and Monjour.
The 25,000sqft of convention space was packed with over 35 brands doing giveaways, hosting immersive experiences, and offering contests. There were also accessory demonstrations in specially designed, covered, and heated consumption zones.
There was so much to see and the concept was a great one, but I honestly didn’t have a good time. The vendors were more occupied with industry agents to really engage in conversation, as a regular customer. Not to mention, as a regular attendee I couldn’t help but be jealous of what the industry guests, with their passports, were getting. Packets of bud and capsules holding a single joint from every table.
There were also cannabis infused beverages, condiments, flavourings, and even shaved ice. These all caught my attention; but once again I didn’t get anyone’s. At least I was able to pick a few cool brand stickers up and my ticket included food vouchers.
Overall, I liked the idea, found the displays eye catching, and thought the showcase an informative one. This was a safe way to learn more about Canada’s cannabis culture, but it would have been nice to separate the time between industry and the regular, would be customers, so that we could have gotten the most out of this experience too.
Hopefully the return next year and I get myself and industry pass.
