CannExpo brings cannabis to its largest stage in Toronto!

offer. A quick visit to the prominently located Info Booth provides me with a program of the day’s events, a floor plan and the first free swag giveaway of many.

sean@carib101.com THE HEIGHTENED CHEF of panels, events and activities from the moment the doors opened until the very last patron exited. With over 50 different exhibitors, a huge food court, a licensed budtender sampling area and a massive sound stage, every inch of the sprawling Enercare Centre venue was put to use. The size of the space stuns me into the realization that I have very little time to waste if I wanted to see everything CannExpo had to

Just in that first clear and simple interaction it’s evident that even though this is their first cannabis convention, it’s NOT their first rodeo. The mother and daughter organizers Kathryn Reilly and Kelly Rasmussens used their extensive experience in organizing large scale bridal and floral shows to build something new for the cannabis community. Avoiding pitfalls that are often unpredictable to rookie organizers, they ensured the entire show went off with near flawless precision. Their goal for CannExpo was to create a joint and inclusive space for both commercial and consumer guests from all walks of life. Moving away from the often technical and practical atmosphere of usual trade shows, they were able to make a more communal and social environment which fostered more connections between the different sectors of the cannabis world.

“One of the biggest differences about doing a cannabis show was how supportive and communicative the exhibitors were with each other. It’s not something common in other types of shows where fierce competition can make friendly communication tough,” stated Kathryn.

The golden rules of ecological gardening

Do you dream of having beautiful flowerbeds, a lush lawn and a large vegetable garden overflowing with healthy foods and fragrant herbs? Here are some basic gardening rules that won’t harm the environment.

• Don’t use pesticides. These chemical substances are used to kill harmful insects and weeds. However, they’re bad for your health and that of the planet. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives, such as crushed eggshells and pyrethrin.

• Use natural fertilizers. Although fertilizers are meant to help plants grow, they can pollute the water table and deplete the soil of vital nutrients. Look for natural fertilizers that will achieve the same results.

• Avoid unnecessary watering. Water is a pre- cious resource that must be used thoughtfully. Avoid watering shallowly or when the sun is bright; the water will evaporate too quickly. Instead, water close to the ground and store rainwater whenever possible. You can find containers designed for this purpose in shops selling gardening accessories.

• Encourage biodiversity. Mixing plant species makes your garden more resistant to threats like pests and extreme weather conditions. To support biodiversity, ensure you include native plants essential for wildlife survival.

Visit your local garden store or nursery to stock up on accessories and get professional advice to help you create the garden of your dreams.

Whether as producer, retailer or consumer, there was a place for you at CannExpo. Being able to witness such a vivid cross section of the entire cannabis industry in one space was informing and enlightening. As a patron I was immediately more receptive in every interaction with someone because I knew boundless valuable information was just a conversation away. A particularly satisfying chat was with exhibitors from Kronic Relief, one of the very few Black owned licensed producers in the entire market. They had a fun and professional booth area set up with engaging product displays and information. Highlighting some upcoming strains just recently released to the OCS, we played a game to see if I could recognize 3 different types on just smell and look alone: Super Silver Haze, Bubba 2.0 and Banana Cream Pie. I wasn’t perfect but 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. While there was a lot to see and do at stationary locations throughout the show, the stage production that lasted the entire weekend was full of moving parts. Skillfully produced and managed by Reverend Kelly of Kelly’s Green Lounge TV Network, the 3-day program of events and speakers kept everyone “highly” entertained. From onstage podcast type discussions to panels about inclusivity and diversity to influencer and content creation awards to performing artists, there was never a dull moment.

My favourite point of the production was their culinary competition called So You Think You Can Cook with Cannabis where chefs from around the country showcased their kitchen skills to a panel of judges. Split into 3 categories of baking, mixology and cooking, I made sure to catch the one dearest to my own heart: cooking. Infused dishes like Maple Glazed Salmon, Duck L’Orange, Lamb Ragu, Gnocchi with Cheese Sauce and Tacos al Pastor graced to plates of the lucky judges. After much deliberation, they came to a consensus that the infused Duck L’Orange would emerge as champion.

Putting on a convention of this magnitude is no small undertaking but the hard work towards a progressive vision for cannabis was rewarded with an excellent first impression with high accolades from all involved. Already booked for their return next year, Kathryn & Kelly have even more in store with plans to expand certain aspects of this years show like an all weekend budtender lounge and a full scale kitchen showcase area. Make sure you find your way to the next CannExpo Toronto and be a part of this incredible community!

What to gift an eco-warrior on Mother’s Day

Does your mom, partner, grandma or another woman in your life have strong convictions about environmental sustainability? Give her a gift that aligns with her values for Mother’s Day. Here are some inspiring ideas.

• A subscription to an online newspaper or themed magazine

• Passes to an event like a music festival with eco-responsible practices

• A piece of clothing or a fashion accessory made from recycled materials

• An organic and fair-trade plant or bouquet of flowers

• A course or workshop like a vegan cooking class, knitting workshop or yoga class

• Pretty, reusable bags or food containers

• A beauty treatment like a massage or body wrap at an eco-friendly spa

Check out local businesses, designers and artists for eco-friendly gift ideas this Mother’s Day. Mother Earth will thank you!