Cannabis Networking Groups: How to Get and Stay Connected

As the first quarter of 2020 rounds closed thirty-three U.S. states currently have regulated medicinal cannabis programs of varying standards, while just 13, plus DC, have adult-use or recreational laws in place for those 21-years-old and older. With the sweep that is the legalization of cannabis, amongst a plethora of other things, has come engaging ways to stay connected with others in or around the plant through cannabis networking groups. 

From B2B and supply chain to women’s networking groups and retreats, if it’s happening in the emerging and regulated cannabis market, in one way or another, the seed was planted, nurtured, or harvested in a cannabis networking group. We can almost guarantee it. 

Get Planted

Like literal roots, your network is where the true strength lies. Quite similar to how original,  pre-prohibition cannabis businesses did things, you go to who you’ve grown through. Such is also the case in the newly emerging and regulated cannabis market. People go to their network. They go to who they can trust or who has had a similar experience. 

Because of continued advertising and marketing restrictions from the likes of social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, cannabis networking events have become the main method to connect with potential customers, group members, and others possibly looking to cannabis for the first time. We’ll introduce you to cannabis networking groups that are maximizing the visibility of the plant, on and off-line. 

In-Person Cannabis Networking Groups

CannaGather

Every month in cities across the US, CannaGather hosts 50-300 person education and networking events for folks in and looking to join the cannabis industry. Events begin with dinner, drinks, networking, and industry-leading sponsor tables in a business casual networking environment. With an audience primarily comprised of entrepreneurs, operators, and members of the industry, CannaGather also has cohorts of investors and service providers in attendance. 

In response to COVID-19, a deadly pandemic that grows exponentially with the interaction of groups of 10 or more, CannaGather has decided to cancel all in-person cannabis networking groups through 4/21 and are exploring digital alternatives. Check out their website for more. 

CannaBoss Circle

Cannaboss Circle offers a profound way for womxn to network and personally connect with likeminded cannahemp professionals. Through intimate gatherings help in the Los Angeles Area, attendees share wins and challenges, cross educate, and support the collective advancement of feminine leadership in the cannabis and hemp industry. While they are womxn-forward and focused, CannaBoss Circle also hosts all-gender gatherings for the conscious community to connect throughout the year. 

In response to COVID-19, the ladies at CannaBoss are experimenting with virtual gatherings at limited attendees. See their Instagram for more info. 

Lady Jane Society

Launching in October of 2019 and scheduled for part two this summer, Lady Jane Society is a weekend retreat held in Bella Forest for women working in the many facets of cannabis. This networking opportunity is “magical, educational, and changed the course of our work”, one attendee said. 

Women Grow

Women Grow was created to connect, educate, inspire and empower the next generation of cannabis industry leaders by creating programs, community, and events for aspiring and current business executives. Founded in 2014, Women Grow is a for-profit entity that produces countrywide cannabis networking events and education symposiums and believes that personal connections are the key to professional success. 

Social Media Cannabis Networking Groups

Facebook, Reddit, Instagram. Cannasseurs of all varieties should pay special thanks to the internet. Despite sweeping shadow bans and seemingly targeted takedown of active pages, cannabis networking groups have also flourished on social network channels, largely through private groups. 

One such group is Women Empowered in Cannabis (WEiC), a community of women in cannabis including influencers, CEOs, entrepreneurs & employees that share resources and provide support and build networks with womxn who work in cannabis. Another engaging group is the Cannabis Nurses Network, who empower licensed nurses and health professionals through education, opportunity, education, and advocacy. 

Meetup has also proven to be a great networking tool. Boasting an array of cannabis networking events from groups like Latinos for Cannabis and the National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance (NDICA), meetup.com has become the place to go to connect with local cannasseurs. 

Corona Virus, Now What?

The bite of COVID-19 especially stings for groups, organizations, and companies that produce cannabis networking events. With the long stigmatized plant being deemed an essential business in the days of COVID-19, it’s safe to hope that the rest of the country will come out of the green closet in the coming year or two. This would assist in the movement to lift the federal ban on cannabis. For now, many new cannabis businesses are scrambling to survive in an already unpredictable time for the bourgeoning industry, most pivoting to virtual cannabis networking groups.

Cannabis Networking Groups: Moving Forward

It’s no secret that the future of cannabis remains unknown. Especially with the state of the world being what it is, but one thing is for certain: industry professionals to patients and caregivers, being able to network with like-minded enthusiasts is a key way to network, form community, or conduct business in the newly regulated market.