High Season, Higher Standards: October’s Cannabis Highlights 🌿

October’s off to a strong start, and the cannabis calendar’s packed with energy, education, and expansion. From fall festivals to industry meetups, the season’s about connection and maybe a little consumption.

This week on the High Functioning Podcast I talk with Jordan and Mike Whittaker of The Weedaker Group about the future of social consumption spaces from real-world compliance battles to building community-driven venues like New Dia near Fenway Park. If you’re curious about what makes a cannabis space truly work, this one’s for you.

1. Hall of Flowers - New York, NY

   Hall of Flowers makes its East Coast debut in NYC, showcasing top brands, retailers, investors, and thought leaders in cannabis.

2. EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC & COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR - Brockton, MA
   A free expungement clinic and community resource fair offering legal advice and support services to those impacted by past convictions.

3. Maine Women's Cannabiz Council's October Networking Night - Portland, ME

   A free monthly meetup for women in cannabis to connect, share, and network — with food by Bar Publica.

4. Weedtober Fest 2025 - Tyngsborough, MA

   A free outdoor celebration with live music, food trucks, vendors, games, and plenty of cannabis-friendly vibes.

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Find Good Vibes Near You: Locate a Store

Wednesday, Oct 8-9 @ 10:00a - Hall of Flowers - New York, NY

Hall of Flowers makes its East Coast debut in NYC, showcasing top brands, retailers, investors, and thought leaders in cannabis. Event details>

Wednesday, October 8 @ 6:00p - NY State of Mind: A Chat with Boris Jordan (CEO of Curaleaf) - New York, NY - FREE

Join Curaleaf CEO Boris Jordan and NY leaders for an inside look at the state’s cannabis market and what’s next. Event details>

Wednesday, Oct 8 @ 7:30p - Queer Men's Cannabis-Assisted Breathwork Circle - Manhattan New York, NY - FREE

A guided cannabis and breathwork session offering healing, insight, and connection through structured practices and curated soundscapes. Event details>

Friday, Oct 10 @ 6:00p - Free Art Show in Astoria: Weed Art Week at Cannavita - Queens, NY - FREE

A free art exhibition in Astoria highlighting local talent, music, and creative community energy. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 16 @ 6:00p - Third Thursday NYC - Cannabis Community Meet Up - New York, NY - FREE

Join New York’s cannabis community for an open monthly meetup on the Lower East Side. Connect with entrepreneurs, advocates, creatives, and consumers in a casual, collaborative setting. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 16 @ 4:00p - Cannabis Workshop - Brooklyn, NY

An educational and interactive workshop designed to deepen your understanding of cannabis and its role in today’s industry. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 16 @ 6:00p - Hudson Valley Cannabis Roll Call: Fall Mixer - Middletown, NY - $33.85

A fall networking mixer connecting industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts across New York’s cannabis supply chain. Event details>

Friday, Oct 17 @ 8:00p - SMOKUS POCUS: Buffalo, NY - Kenmore, NY - From $38.12

A cannabis-inspired magic show where lighters levitate, jars of bud appear, and illusions bend reality. Designed to amaze audiences—whether elevated or not. Event details>

Monday, Oct 20 @ 6:30p - CB2 CANNABIS LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETING - New York, NY - FREE

A community licensing committee meeting open to the public, focused on cannabis business applications in NYC. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 25 @ 10:00a - Cannabis Policy Crash Course & Leadership Training - New York, NY - $0 – $55.20

Leadership training and advocacy tools for building an equitable cannabis industry. A full day of talks, organizing, and action. Event details>

Saturday, October 25 @ 5:00p - SpookyOke presented by SmokyOke hosted by Mr. Commodore - Queens, NY - $12.51

Sing, smoke, and celebrate Halloween at this cannabis-friendly karaoke night hosted by Mr. Commodore. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 9 @ 5:30p - EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC & COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR - Brockton, MA - FREE

A free expungement clinic and community resource fair offering legal advice and support services to those impacted by past convictions. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 11 @ 12:00p - Weedtober Fest 2025 - Tyngsborough, MA - FREE

A free outdoor celebration with live music, food trucks, vendors, games, and plenty of cannabis-friendly vibes. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 11 @ 7:00p - Weeding Out The Stoned - Boston, MA - $12.51

A comedy game show where the audience must identify the only sober comic among a lineup of stoned performers, with prizes on the line. Event details>

Thursday, October 16 @ 6:00p - Evoke the Moment Launch Party - Framingham, MA - FREE

Celebrate the launch of Evoke with live music, flavor pairings by Juiceman, and a first look at their new collection, good vibes guaranteed. Event details>

Monday, Oct 27 @ 8:30a - State of the Cannabis Industry Conference - Boston, MA - $99 – $199

An all-day conference with leading cannabis attorneys, investors, and experts discussing legal, financial, and regulatory trends shaping the industry. Event details>

Sunday, Oct 26 @ 3:00p - Try Super Fly & Get Super Hi - Westfield, NJ - FREE

Blend fitness and fun in this elevated wellness event where movement, mocktails, and mellow vibes meet. Event details>

Friday, Nov 7 @ 6:00p - Puff 'N' Pitch Triple Celebration 2025 - Verona, NJ  - $58.85

Celebrate a year of Puff 'N' Pitch with music, networking, and a golf competition featuring $500 in prizes. Event details>

Tuesday, Oct 7 @ 7:00p - Maine Women's Cannabiz Council's October Networking Night - Portland, ME - FREE

A free monthly meetup for women in cannabis to connect, share, and network — with food by Bar Publica. Event details>

Thursday, October 23 @ 2:00p - National Speaker Laura Stack: Teen Marijuana Use and Psychosis - West Hartford, CT - FREE

National speaker Laura Stack shares insights on how teen cannabis use impacts mental health and psychosis risk. Event details>

Friday, Oct 24 @ 5:30p - Herbal Consumption Retreat - Philadelphia, PA - $129.89

A cannabis-friendly bus retreat with scenic rides, dispensary stops, food, and a rotating monthly destination. Event details>

Tuesday, Oct 28 @ 5:30p - Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition Cannabis Industry Reception - Harrisburg, PA - $50

Join cannabis advocates, partners, and policymakers in Harrisburg for a lively reception that spotlights industry progress and future opportunities. Event details>

Wednesday, Oct 29 @ 9:00a - Accelerate Cannabis: The Mid-Atlantic Summit - Philadelphia, PA - $40.25

Regional stakeholders gather for an all-day summit on business growth and opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic cannabis market. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 9 @ 6:00p - Legal Aspects of Marijuana - Jacksonville, FL - FREE

Experts and community leaders discuss marijuana legalization, research, and local impacts. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 4 @ 2:00p - Supreme Cannabis Tours Las Vegas Weed Lounge & Party Bus Experience - Las Vegas, NV - $107.59

Hop on a party bus for a one-of-a-kind cannabis lounge tour featuring stops at NuWu, Cookies, Jardin, and Planet 13. Choose between daytime or evening rides and enjoy legal smoking in Vegas lounges. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 25 @ 3:00p - Toke-Tober Fest 2025 - Aberdeen, MS - $5 – $50

Celebrate cannabis culture with music, vendors, education, and patient resources in Mississippi. Event details>

Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00p - High Society - Stratford, CT - $0 – $1,200

An elevated networking night at 2 Roads Brewery bringing together cannabis professionals, artists, and business leaders. Event details>

Friday, November 7 @ 8:30a - Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition 2nd Annual Meeting - Worcester, MA - $10

Network, learn, and vote on key issues shaping the state’s cannabis industry, followed by a member social at The Summit Lounge. Event details>

Thursday, Nov 13 @ 6:00p - Breaking Barriers: Leadership Lessons in the Cannabis Industry - Baltimore, M - $44.52 

Join industry leaders for a fireside chat on leadership, diversity, and empowerment in cannabis, hosted by Tea Pad. Event details>

Wednesday, Nov 19 @ 6:00p - CLAB Fort Myers Canna Industry Networking - Fort Myers, FL - $0 – $535.38

Florida’s cannabis leaders gather for an evening of networking, knowledge-sharing, and community building. Connect with peers, learn from experts, and strengthen industry ties over drinks and conversation. Event details>

Saturday, Nov 22 @ 9:00a - NH Cannabis Conference - Concord, NH - $15.00

A full-day forum highlighting New Hampshire’s medical cannabis program with expert talks, policy insights, and a focus on patient access and wellness. Event details>

Wednesday, Nov 26 @ 4:00p - Misty Mountain's Danksgiving Eve Event -  Malden, MA - FREE

Kick off Green Wednesday with free bites, live music, and vendor pop-ups at Misty’s cozy Danksgiving Eve celebration. A festive way to start the holiday weekend with deals, giveaways, and good vibes. Event details>

Saturday, Dec 6 @ 10:00a - 2nd Annual Hemp HOLIDAZE! Fest - Lebanon, PA - $11.44

Kick off December at Lebanon Valley Expo Center with 100+ vendors, live music, wellness talks, and plenty of festive vibes. A holiday-ready cannabis and hemp marketplace for gifts, food, and fun. Event details>

Thursday, Oct 2 @ 4:20p - 8TH ANNUAL CANNABIS LAB CONFERENCE & EXPO - Hollywood, FL - $24.80

This year’s CLAB Conference dives into the globalization of cannabis, exploring trade, investment, and policy on an international scale. A must-attend for businesses ready to compete in a worldwide market. Event details>

Friday, Oct 3 & 4 - Ohio Cannabis Health and Business Summit - Cleveland, OH - $50

A two-day summit bridging B2B and B2C worlds, featuring the latest in cannabis products, education, and industry networking. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 4-5 - Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival - Kutztown, PA -

Pennsylvania's premier Cannabis festival returns this fall to Renninger's Farmer Market in Kutztown. Hundreds of Vendors, dozens of unique food vendors, all with a cannacentric focus. Event details>

Monday, Oct 6 @ 8:00a - 2025 Cannabis Research Conference - Avenue Portland, OR - $135.23

Three days of science, innovation, and equity-focused cannabis research for both hemp and marijuana sectors. Event details>

Saturday, Oct 18 @ 5:00p - St. Louis Cannabis Expo - St. Louis, MO - $12.51

With 100+ exhibitors from grow shops to genetics, this expo highlights Missouri’s cannabis industry alongside food, art, and wellness vendors for a full-spectrum experience. Event details>

Friday, Oct24 @ 1:00p - WEEDCon West - Santa Monica, CA - $68.53

B2B expo with panels, networking, live music, the WEEDCon Cup Awards, and giveaways. Event details>

Wednesday, Oct 29 @ 9:00a - Accelerate Cannabis: The Mid-Atlantic Summit - Philadelphia, PA - $40.25

An all-day summit bringing together leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs to shape the Mid-Atlantic’s fast-emerging cannabis market. Event details>

Monday, Oct 27 @ 8:30a - State of the Cannabis Industry Conference - Boston, MA - $99 – $199

National experts dive into cannabis trends, investments, and regulatory shifts. Great for pros looking to level up strategy and partnerships. Event details>

Saturday, Nov 1 @ 12:00p - Women's Cannabis & Wellness Expo - Township, OH - FREE

MedicateOH’s annual expo returns with dispensary vendors, wellness practitioners, speakers, and a marketplace celebrating plant-based healing and women’s health. Event details>

Saturday, Nov 8 @ 9:00a -  Harvest Cup 2025 - Worcester, MA

New England’s premier cannabis competition returns for its 7th year with speakers, vendors, live demos, and the big winner reveals. Event details>

Sunday, Nov 9 @ 2:00p - Fall 2025 Maryland Home Growers Cup - Ijamsville, MD - From $17.79

MD’s favorite homegrown showdown is back! Celebrate craft cultivation with live music, great eats, and People’s Choice voting. Event details>

Friday, Dec 5-7- Terp Basel 2025 - Miami FL - TBD

This is the ultimate celebration of cannabis culture, art, music, fashion, skateboarding, and technology. This three-night extravaganza features a dynamic lineup of live performances, exclusive brand activations, and mesmerizing art installations by renowned creators. Event details>

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026  @ 12:00p - Empire Cup - Amsterdam, NY - $21.05 – $200

New York’s premier growers tournament returns submit your best before December and join fellow cultivators for a day of cannabis competition and community. Event details>

Tue, May 5-7, 2026 - MJ Unpacked - Atlantic City, NJ

MJ Unpacked is back in AC—bringing together the cannabis leaders shaping what’s next. From the Opening Reception to product slams in the Experience Hall, Cannabis Cup Awards, and the legendary Official Afterparty, every moment moves the industry forward. Event details>

Tuesday, Oct 13-15, 2026 - Kansas, MO - $135.23

MJU is coming to Kansas City! Join MJ Unpacked—the national event designed for licensed operators, researchers, and investors to discover fresh insights, make meaningful connections, and spark new opportunities to grow their businesses. Event details>

If you don't see your event listed, email us or submit the event.

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Thank you!
Jason + Karen

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DISCLAIMER: We don't vouch for any of these events. We may not even go to any of them ourselves. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not an endorsement of a company or product that may appear here. Please be careful and do your own research🌿 💐