NECANN Boston Is Here: After Parties, Happy Hours & Insider Events

NECANN Boston is back, and the industry is rolling into the city for two packed days of networking, deals, and cannabis conversation. We’ve rounded up the must-attend happy hours, after parties, mixers, and side events happening around the convention so you can make the most of the week.

1. Cannaversations Brunch at New Dia
   A thoughtful brunch gathering bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and cannabis professionals to explore the intersection of cannabis and healthcare.

2. Industree Standard: Cultivate & Create
   Kick off NECANN weekend with an afternoon gathering at New Dia featuring a live skate jam, film premiere, brand pop-ups, and entertainment.

3. Official NECANN After-Party at Kings

   The official NECANN after-party offers a laid-back space to reconnect with attendees over food, drinks, and bowling. A fun and social setting to keep networking going after the day’s sessions.

4. ACTIVE Happy Hour

   Unwind after the expo floor with drinks, light bites, and casual networking just steps from the Hynes Convention Center.

High Functioning Podcast

Now Streaming: This Artist Walked Away From a Cannabis Contract Over AI. Here's Why.

A cannabis label company asked Adam O'Day to design their packaging. He said yes — until he saw the rest of their branding was AI-generated. He walked.

That decision is the center of gravity for this episode. Adam O'Day (muralist, fine artist, 13 years full-time) and Allan "Alz" Sousa (fine artist, gallery director at Black Walls Gallery) sit down with Jason to talk about what authentic creative work costs, what AI is actually doing to both the art world and cannabis branding, and why the intersection of cannabis and the arts in New England is an opportunity nobody is moving on yet.

Alz lays out a direct argument: if a cannabis company has enough capital to bring a product to market, it has enough to pay a local artist a few thousand dollars instead of prompting a model. He's already building the framework to connect cannabis operators in Massachusetts with real artists — and explains exactly why that matters for brand equity, not just optics.

They also get into the pay-to-play reality behind Art Basel ($80K to get in the door), why Alz deliberately makes certain pieces unsellable, how Adam's daughters outsell him at a Provincetown gallery, and what it actually takes to run a community art program inside a dispensary without the drama.

No theory. Two working artists, one B2B cannabis host, zero filters.

🎧 Full Episodes: highfunctioning.show
🔔 Subscribe: tr.ee/highfunctioningsubscribe
🎙️ Listen on Spotify: tr.ee/highfunctioningspotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts: tr.ee/highfunctioningapple

Find Your Flow with Good Vibes Plus Bliss

Designed for bright, balanced days, Good Vibes Plus Bliss pairs THC with CBG for an uplifting, clear-headed experience that keeps you focused and in your element. Available as Fast-Acting Drops (500mg THC + 500mg CBG) or Pocket Liquid Gummies (150mg THC + 150mg CBG), both unflavored formulas blend seamlessly into coffee, tea, or sparkling water without changing the taste.

Zero calories, fast-acting, and built for creativity, clarity, and everyday elevation.

Find it at select Massachusetts dispensaries while it lasts. → Locate a Store

Thursday, April 23 @ 3:00p - Industree Standard: Cultivate & Create - Boston MA

Kick off NECANN weekend with an afternoon gathering at New Dia featuring a live skate jam, film premiere, brand pop-ups, and entertainment. A creative community event celebrating cannabis culture and innovation. Event details>

Thursday, April 23 @ 7:00p - Rove Mixer: Industry Night - Boston, MA

We’re bringing the industry together for an unforgettable night of high-level networking, premium hospitality, and the best vibes in Boston! Event details>

Thursday, April 23 @ 7:00p - Oh High, Boston - Boston, MA

An unofficial NECANN social hour welcoming locals and visitors for networking, music, and community vibes. The night wraps up with karaoke for anyone ready to take the mic. Event details>

Thursday, Apr 23 @ 7:00p -  SESHN Events: G. Love + Chali 2Na - Boston, MA

A live music benefit concert featuring G. Love and Chali 2Na backed by The Seshn Band, supporting cannabis justice initiatives. Expect an energetic night of music, community, and advocacy. Event details>

Friday, April 24 @ 8:00a - Jews in Weed Bagel Bash - Boston, MA 

Start the day with bagels, coffee, and meaningful conversations among cannabis operators, investors, media, and service providers. This welcoming gathering has become a NECANN weekend tradition for building authentic industry connections. Event details>

Friday, Apr 24 @ 4:00p - MA Cannabis Coalition: Professional Networking Event (After-NECANN Day 1) - Boston, MA - FREE

An after-NECANN networking event where cannabis professionals, advocates, and industry leaders connect over policy, business, and community. Event details>

Friday, Apr 24 @ 4:00p - ACTIVE Happy Hour - Boston, MA

Unwind after the expo floor with drinks, light bites, and casual networking just steps from the Hynes Convention Center. A relaxed meetup for NECANN attendees looking to connect and keep the conversations flowing. Event details>

Friday, April 24 @ 5:00p - Official NECANN After-Party at Kings - Boston, MA

The official NECANN after-party offers a laid-back space to reconnect with attendees over food, drinks, and bowling. A fun and social setting to keep networking going after the day’s sessions. Event details>

Friday, Apr 24 @ 5:00p - High Rollers: Bowling Night at King’s Dining - Boston, MA

Roll into a cannabis-friendly networking night filled with bowling, drinks, and industry connections. Early attendees can also score sponsor gift bags with elevated samples. Event details>

Friday, April 24 @ 7:00p - Frolic in the ?ark ?art Deux - Boston, MA

An exclusive, invite-only gathering designed for cannabis executives, founders, and decision-makers. The curated event focuses on meaningful connections and conversations shaping the future of the industry. Event details>

Friday, Apr 24-25, 2026 - NECANN Boston - Boston, MA

The Northeast’s largest cannabis convention returns with 300+ exhibitors, 9,000+ attendees, expert sessions, and the NECANN Cup, an essential stop for anyone in the industry. Event details>

Saturday, April 25 @ 6:00p - Your Highness NECANN Afterparty - Boston, MA

Keep the energy going after the convention with a lively afterparty bringing together cannabis professionals and friends of the industry. A perfect place to celebrate NECANN weekend and meet new connections. Event details>

Saturday, April 25 @ 9:00p - Toke of the City - Boston, MA

An invite-only late-night celebration bringing together cannabis insiders, innovators, and enthusiasts. Expect music, networking, and elevated vibes with some of the industry’s most connected attendees. Event details>

Sunday, Apr 26 @ 10:00a - Sunday's Stoner Slow-Flow Yoga (NECANN Wind-Down) at Diaspora (21+ Club) - Cambridge, MA - $23.18

A calming, cannabis-friendly yoga session focused on gentle movement, breathwork, and full-body reset. Event details>

Sunday, Apr 26 @ 11:00a - Cannaversations Brunch at New Dia - Boston, MA

A thoughtful brunch gathering bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and cannabis professionals to explore the intersection of cannabis and healthcare. Expect meaningful conversations, community insights, and the launch of new research initiatives focused on destigmatizing cannabis in clinical care. Event details>

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

Reply to this email and let us know how we did! We read every email.

Thank you!
Jason + Karen

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING ON JASON'S HIGH LIGHTS?

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🌿 💐