Truth and Reconciliation Scholarship Application
Sorry. This form is no longer available.
Sorry. This form is no longer available.
VICTORIA, BC – August 8, 2023 – Grow Up Conference and Expo, Canada’s premier cannabis event, is thrilled to announce legendary cannabis advocate and icon, Tommy Chong, as the keynote speaker for this year’s event taking place October 1st – 3rd, 2023 at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Known for his influential work in comedy and his staunch support for cannabis legalization, Tommy Chong will reflect on his career and life in cannabis at our fireside chat moderated by his son and podcast host, Paris Chong at the Grow Up VIP Conference on Sunday, October 1. In his keynote, Chong will share his unique insights into the cannabis industry, his early years in Vancouver, his experiences as an activist, and his front-row seat to the ever-changing cultural impact of cannabis over the years.
In addition to his keynote, Chong will be honoured with the Legends of Cannabis Award at the Grow Up Industry Awards Gala on the same day. This inaugural award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of the cannabis industry both locally and globally.
“It’s a tremendous honour to have Tommy Chong as our keynote speaker and recipient of the Legends of Cannabis Award,” said Randy Rowe, President and CEO of Grow Up Conference. “His fearless advocacy and undeniable humour have made a lasting impact, not just on our industry, but on the world. We can’t wait to hear his insights and stories on stage with his son, Paris Chong.”
Grow Up Victoria is a full-spectrum B2B cannabis event that connects thousands of cannabis companies with a complete view of the industry. Celebrating growers, suppliers, and retail, Grow Up focuses on education, collaboration, and growth in the rapidly evolving cannabis market.
The announcement of Tommy Chong as keynote speaker adds a significant highlight to an already packed agenda that includes over 60 exhibitors, the Brand and Buyers Zone, our new and exciting brand and retailer speed networking presented by Weed Pool, and a wide array of networking opportunities.
Tickets for the event, including VIP passes to Tommy Chong’s keynote, are available now. Reserve your spot and be part of this exciting and pivotal event in the world of cannabis.
Futurola, The Future of Rolling ™ will be attending the Victoria Grow Up Conference October 1-3, 2023. Futurola embodies the essence of innovation with their full spectrum of personal and production rolling equipment and we are thrilled to have them on board as a Platinum Sponsor. Bring your team to the show and SAVE on tickets. This is the perfect opportunity to choose pre roll equipment for your facility. VIP Team and Industry packages are the ultimate team builder and best available Grow Up experience. Bring your team together for the biggest Cannabis event in the west. The Grow Up Conference will have something for every department.
Futurola began in the 90s through several successful Amsterdam coffee shops. Their desire to source a better paper led them to a high-quality, thin French rolling paper made from arabic gum of acacia trees. Their next innovation was a king size cone rolling machine that positively impacted Amsterrdam’s smoking culture. In 2013 they entered the US market and today processors all across Canada use Futurola products to quickly and efficiently bring preroll products to their Canadian Customers. Futurola is still family owned with a location in Amsterdam and another in Los Angeles.
Futurola Knockboxes offer the ability to evenly stuff 50, 100, or 300 cones in two minutes. They also offer a full line of Artisanal cones for use with the Knockbox machines including various sizes, paper types and blunts. Before cones can be stuffed, the beautiful buds must be finely ground and Futurola has that step covered as well. Futurola’s powerful Shredders will prepare 1, 3, or 5 pounds of flowers in 5 seconds making the entire production process simple and straightforward. For Retail Stores, Futurola offers a complete line of personal rolling accessories. Choose from rolling trays, handheld cone rollers and various types of papers and tips. Be sure to stop by the Futurola booth and see how their products can help your business.

Learn more:
Website https://futurola.com/
Schedule a Consultation:
https://futurola.com/pages/schedule-a-consultation
IG @futurola
VICTORIA, July 21, 2023 – Grow Up, the leading cannabis cultivation conference and expo in Canada, is thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the prestigious 2023 Grow Up Awards Gala. This year, the event is set to take place at the historic Crystal Garden in Victoria, British Columbia.
“We are looking forward to honouring the dedicated professionals working tirelessly to set new standards in the ever-changing cannabis industry,” said Randy Rowe, President of Grow Up. “Our awards gala aims to highlight the exceptional contributions taking place in the industry and to celebrate the achievements of our peers. The gala is also a perfect opportunity to relax and get away from the stresses of the cannabis industry, even if it’s just for a night.”
This year, over 47 awards will be presented, including new categories in Brand and Retail. Hosting the awards gala will be Jenny West Cooney from Zone 91.3. The event will honor Ted Smith as our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Wanda L. James as our 2023 Cannabis Pioneer recipient, and Kevin Jodrey as our Grow Up Hall of Fame inductee.
Nominations are now open and will remain so until Sunday, August 6, 2023. Voting is set to take place August 10, and finish on August 28th 2023. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, adding to the excitement of this eagerly anticipated event.
“We encourage everyone in the cannabis industry to participate, either by nominating those who deserve recognition or by attending this landmark event,” Rowe added.
Tickets are already on sale and sponsorship opportunities are available. We invite everyone to be part of the celebration and recognition of excellence in the cannabis industry.
For more information about The Grow Up Conference and Expo, to make a nomination, or to purchase tickets, please visit https://growupawards.com/.
## 30 ##
For further information and image requests, please contact:
Randy Rowe
President & CEO
Grow Up Conference and Expo
905-324-8528
rrowe@growupconference.com
Registered users can make up to 3 nominations per category. Once registered, your nominations will be stored in the database allowing you to come back and complete at your leisure (until Sunday, August 6th, 2023. Please provide as much information as possible, each submission will be reviewed by an awards committee. Self nominations are accepted.
Jenny West hosts the Afternoon Show on the Zone @91-3 in Victoria. She coordinates the station’s Band of the Month program, which connects local musicians to the Canadian radio industry. She is the recipient of Canada’s 2023 Allan Waters Young Broadcaster of the Year Award and is known for her community work in sexual health through podcasts and activism. Outside of radio, she competes as an amateur boxer and teaches others to use their mental and physical strength through boxing fitness.
Kevin Jodrey is a leading authority in the cannabis industry, specializing in cultivation, breeding, and genetics. With over 30 years of experience, he is based in California, USA, and has made significant contributions as an educator, advocate, and entrepreneur. He founded the Wonderland nursery, the first direct-to-consumer cannabis nursery in the US, which later merged with Cookies to establish the One Log House Cookies research and development facility in Humboldt County, California. Kevin conducts workshops and training programs on cannabis cultivation techniques and genetics, with his coursework featured in numerous universities. He co-founded the Ganjier program, training students worldwide in cannabis service and assessment. Additionally, he has been actively involved in various entrepreneurial ventures in the global cannabis community, advocating for sustainable and responsible cultivation practices. In summary, Kevin Jodrey is a respected figure in the cannabis world for his expertise, educational efforts, and dedication to sustainable practices.
Wanda James is one of the most widely respected leaders in cannabis today. As a Black woman, a veteran, a former Fortune 100 executive, and now and now an elected official. she has spent the past decade working to remove the stigma of the plant and shedding light on the racial inequities of the cannabis industry.
Wanda is the founder and CEO of Simply Pure Dispensary in Denver. Along with her husband Scott Durrah, they became the first African Americans, legally licensed in America, to own a dispensary, a cultivation facility, and edible company.
Ted Smith, founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC), has been a prominent medical cannabis advocate in British Columbia for nearly 30 years. He established Canada’s oldest compassion club in 1996, which is now, sadly, the last remaining medical cannabis storefront in the country. Ted’s activism and patient advocacy have been crucial in securing access to medical cannabis and influencing federal legalization in Canada. He is a respected author, editor, and publisher on cannabis-related topics and has played a significant role in numerous cannabis activism events. The VCBC, with over 8,500 members, faced several raids and legal challenges, which Ted skillfully defended, resulting in landmark victories. Currently, Ted is leading the non-profit society’s efforts to obtain a temporary exemption from Health Canada under the Cannabis Act, aiming to provide essential high-dosage edibles for patients and create integrated palliative care facilities in the future.
For the first time, consumers can purchase a variety package and vote for their favourite finalist
March 21, 2023 (Edmonton, Alberta): Canada’s top 13 buds will go head-to-head for the ultimate recognition of winning The Canadian Cannabis Championship powered by CCX at the Grow Up Conference & Expo, taking place at the Edmonton Convention Centre from May 28-30.
On Sunday, May 28, the 13 flower finalists will be judged by respected cannabis industry connoisseurs. New to the competition this year, the finalists, along with the 2022 winning product by Reef Organics, will be packaged into a one-of-a-kind pack featuring 14 x half gram pre-rolls. Consumers will have the opportunity to purchase the variety packs across Alberta, Saskatchewan and some parts of Manitoba ahead of the event, and vote online to determine which strain will take away the “2023 Fan Favourite” award. All final packaging was assembled by Zelca Ltd., a micro processor located in Calgary, Alberta.
Randy Rowe, President of Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo, looks forward to having the wider Alberta community take part in the awards through the introduction of the Fan Favourite award. “We are excited to offer this exclusive pre-roll pack and involve consumers in the judging process,” he said. “With hash entries open until April 1, we are eager to round out entries in this heavy-hitter category as well.”
With the second-largest retail market for cannabis in Canada, Alberta is a key province for the Canadian cannabis industry and home to several leading licensed cannabis producers. Grow Up will attract industry-leading producers, growers, and cannabis thought leaders offering a major opportunity for the continued growth and success of the Canadian cannabis industry.
The top flower finalists include industry leaders such as Great Gardener Farms, Truth Holdings, Distinkt Cannabis, Headstone Cannabis, Stewart Farms, North 40 Cannabis, JustFire, Black Rock Cannabis, Palm Gardens, Northside Grow Co., Origine Nature, Vertical 7, and Into the Weeds. All finalist testing for THC and terpenes was provided by Bluesky Analytics.
The onsite live judging will take place in the outdoor Grow Up Consumption Lounge. Judges will assess the products by four criteria:
Those unable to make the awards can watch the judging sessions through a livestream via Grow Up Conference and Expo social media.
First-place winners in each category of flower and concentrates will receive $1,000 cash courtesy of Canadian Cannabis Exchange and Grow Up, as well as thousands of dollars in LED lighting packages provided by Aelius LED and 20L of nutrients provided by REMO Nutrients. First-, second- and third-place winners for each category will be announced live on Tuesday, May 30. The schedule for judging includes:
Enter The Canadian Cannabis Championship:
For brands, processors and licensed producers wanting to enter The Cannabis Cup in the concentrates category, all entries must be submitted by April 1: canadiancannabischampionship.com/submissions
Some of the highlights this year include:
Media accreditation:
To request media VIP passes and further information about attending the expo, please visit: growupconference.com/info/media-accreditation.
Exhibition booths, ticketing and registration for Grow Up Conference & Expo is now open. For further information, email sales@growupconference.com
-##-
About Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo:
Grow Up Conference & Expo has been hailed a top cannabis industry event in Canada, hosting events in Niagara Falls, ON, Victoria, BC, and now Edmonton, AB. With decades of experience creating nationally renowned high-profile events, trade summits and shows around the world, Grow Up is committed to bringing forward-thinkers, trailblazers and experts together. For more information, visit growupconference.com.
For further information and image requests, please contact:
Kaya Arai | Nine Point Agency | kaya@ninepointagency.com
Malania Dela Cruz | Nine Point Agency | malania@ninepointagency.com
Congratulations to the 13 finalists in this year’s Canadian Cannabis Championship powered by CCX
The top flower finalists include Great Gardener Farms, Truth Holdings, Distinkt Cannabis, Headstone Cannabis, Stewart Farms, North 40 Cannabis, JustFire, Black Rock Cannabis, Palm Gardens, Northside Grow Co., Origine Nature, Vertical 7, and Into the Weeds.
The Canadian Cannabis Championship could not happen without the support from our partners. Thank you for your participation.
Grow Up Conference is excited to have CANNA presenting our Networking Area & The Growers Luncheon for this edition. Grow Up Conference will take place downtown at the Edmonton Convention Center on May 28-30, 2023. Dutch company CANNA is the pioneer and global market leader in the world of intensive indoor growing, and we are thrilled to be working along side them once again. The Growers Luncheon has been a highlight at previous Grow Up Conferences and we look forward to another successful event with a CANNAtalk spinoff. The CANNA networking lounge has become a show staple; a comfortable meeting place for friends and colleagues alike to put up their feet after exploring the show floor.
CANNA is there to help all growers at every scale to achieve an optimal result, by offering easy-to-use, quality & consistent products. Research and development is the cornerstone of CANNA and they pride themselves on sharing their extensive knowledge & experiences with growers worldwide.
CANNA Production facility in the Netherlands Video:
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
CANNA has partnered with a fully licensed cannabis cultivator, Mauve et Herbes to establish their first Canadian Research & Knowledge center with the objective to further conduct on-going research for the best input on how to grow quality crops.
CANNA Canada Research Facility Video:
EASE OF USE
We offer different product ranges for multiple ways of growing. Each product range is specifically designed for the characteristics of the growing medium. We’ve got your back when it comes to maximizing the yield of your crops.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCES
At CANNA, they are passionate people that strive to help growers understand plants better, overcome challenges, support each other and get optimal results. The CANNAtalk events offer the unique opportunity for passionate growers to interact and discuss current opportunities and challenges within the industry.
CANNAtalkTrailer
https://linktr.ee/cannacanada
Instagram @cannacanadaofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannaCanadaOfficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canna-canada
CONTACT THE TEAM DIRECTLY FOR TECHNICAL GROWING SUPPORT
info@canna.ca
for upcoming events and newsletter
https://www.canna.ca/cannatalk
Grow Up has secured group rates at our host hotel,
Marriott Courtyard Edmonton Downtown.
One Thornton Court, 99 Street and Jasper Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2E7
Grow Up Conference – Group Rate
Saturday, May 27, 2023 – Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Last Day to Book: Thursday, April 27, 2023
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
Minimum Age to Check In: 18
Smoke Free Property
See Accessibility Features
No pets allowed-service animals only
Valet
Daily: $40
Courtyard Edmonton Downtown
One Thornton Court, 99 Street and Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 2E7
Tel: +1 780-423-9999
Nearby:
Subway Station:
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Train Station:
VIA Rail
The Grow Up Conference is happy to have CertiCraft (Seed to Sale Compliance Software) onboard as a first time sponsor in Edmonton May 28-30, 2023. We look forward to the programming CertiCraft will bring to their CertiCraft Sensory Stage in the outdoor consumption area. You can also look forward to CertiCraft relaunching their podcast – The State of Craft – on Friday January 6, 2023. Sami Majadla will host Sarah Campbell from the Craft Cannabis Association of BC, David Hurford from the BC Craft Farmer’s Co-op, and Jaclynn Pehota from the Retail Cannabis Council of BC. Our guests are founders/directors of 3 of the most active cannabis policy advocacy organizations in BC.
https://app.livestorm.co/certicraft/the-state-of-craft-episode-30-policy-advocacy-organizations
Meeting the constantly evolving needs of Cannabis growers and processors has become a major driver for Sami, Nick and their CertiCraft team. Born in 2019 from the failure of a prior project, CertiCraft initially committed to easing the burden of compliance faced by growers in the Cannabis industry. Today, CertiCraft offers compliance modules for seed to sale growing, solvent-less extraction, packaging and medical sales, with modules coming soon for infused prerolls, solvent based extractions as well as a topical/edible tracking system. CertiCrafti provides easy to use guided workflows that require little-to-no training and ensures operators don’t miss a thing when tracking their work. With CertiCraft, QAP’s burdens are greatly reduced: government reports take seconds to generate, and preparing for audits or inspections takes minutes instead of the 1-2 weeks. Are you ready to have confidence in your compliance? Reach out and book a demo with CertiCraft today.
Not only does CertiCraft design software to help growers be compliant, but advocacy and support are also a high priority. Their support team frequently spends time assisting producers with their relationships with Health Canada and the CRA. Sami also hosts a podcast called The State of Craft, producing 29 episodes thus far. They have covered topics such as the shortcomings of cannabis policy, the legal framework behind cannabis, the realities of cultivators and processors, supply chain & distribution realities, and much much more. All prior episodes are available on their Youtube channel.
Book a Demo
https://share.hsforms.com/12Zit9RzMRAiAZuHAISMCrQ3xm03
Learn more about Certicraft on their Website :
https://certicraft.com/
Follow Certicraft on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/certi_craft
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/certicraft/?hl=en
Watch The State of Craft on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CertiCraftCompliance
Follow Certicraft on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CertiCraft
Edmonton, AB, May 28-30, 2022. Join top growers, suppliers, manufacturers, extraction equipment/services, hundreds of top speakers/keynotes and thousands of delegates together to bring you up-to-date on proven methods, innovations and technology.
Book now. There are a limited number of booths available.
Our focus in our Brand and Buyers Zone is to facilitate commerce between LPs, Micros, Craft growers and Retail. We give the producers (regardless of szie) the opportunity to showcase their brands in front of the purchasing agents from Canada’s largest retailers.
This unique opportunity gives brands the connections to a national pool of buyers. Retailers will be able to arrange one-on-one meetings with the brands thet are interested in purchasing.

Retail owners and purchasers will be eligible for a free VIP Pass to Grow Up and the Brands and Buyers Zone. Only Health Canada approved companies will be considered.
If you are an owner of a retail store or a brand purchaser, Click here to fill out your application.
Floor plan and layout subject to change.
For booth and sponsorship information, please visit: https://growupconference.com/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/
We are thrilled to have the Canadian Cannabis Exchange as a partner for the May 2023 Edmonton Grow Up Conference and Expo and in bringing our Cannabis Championship Mixer Pack to the Alberta retail market. The Pre-Roll Mixer Pack will consist of flower from the top 12 finalists, last year’s winner, and a selected Alberta Micro; expected to hit shelves in April. Thank you CCX, without you this wouldn’t be possible! The Canadian Cannabis Championship will take place May 28-30 at the Edmonton Conference Centre during The Grow Up Conference and Expo overlooking the beautiful Edmonton river valley.
CCX has built a wholesale cannabis exchange developed to facilitate B2B transactions in a transparent marketplace here in Canada and now expanding to international markets. With the ability to process trades and deliver products across Canada, CCX is the #1 solution for buyers and sellers to ensure they receive a fair, market-representative price. Using a customized commodity trading platform, they provide live market data, liquidity, payment and transaction services, and secure product shipment for CCX members. Book a Demo to see the platform featuring over 30,000 kg of product and over 1,500 cannabis, extract, and hemp listings.
Founder and CEO, Steve Clark first identified the potential opportunity for a platform, like CCX, while trading crude oil back in 2015. The cannabis industry lacked a physical exchange to efficiently trade wholesale Cannabis. As part of the management of an LP in 2019, Steve was faced with the challenge of moving those early harvests into the B2B market. This emphasized the need in the industry for a standardized and transparent exchange to help connect domestic supply chains in the newly emerging Canadian market.
If you need to buy or sell cannabis, CCX offers free platform access to all Health Canada Licensed Producers. Join under an Active Trader account to access a wide range of services.
Website: https://canadiancannabisx.com/contact
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cannabis_x?
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-cannabis-exchange/
Canadian Cannabis Exchange
1170 Kensington Crescent NW Unit 305,
Calgary, AB
T2N 1X6
Recent Comments