Countdown to the Fourth Edition of Expogrow in Irun, Much More than a Cannabis Fair

Everything is prepared ahead of the benchmark Spanish cannabis fair, Expogrow, which will take place on 11, 12 and 13 September at the FICOBA Exhibition Centre in Irun (Guipúzcoa), very close to the French border. The event will have several new features, with almost 100 exhibitors, the IV Social and International Cannabis Forum, concerts, performances, activities…Cannabis lovers, many of whom will be from the neighbouring country, will be able to spend three days enjoying a space of almost 12,000 square metres dedicated to marijuana and technology linked to growing.

As the event's director Fernando Novi explained to Dinafem, it should not be forgotten that while the event is open to the general public, it is above all a professional fair. Therefore, on Friday morning from 10am to 2pm, a business to business (B2B) session will be held so that exhibitors, producers, and other key figures from the sector can mix together and do business. "It is the first time that it has been done at a cannabis fair in Spain and we believe that it will have very good results", states Novi.

Also, during the three days, the general public will have the chance to visit the stands of different national and international seed banks, "grows", companies that specialise in growing products, vaporiser distributors and a wide variety of cannabis products.

As in past years, the Dinafem stand (17C) is located opposite the exit to the outdoor recreational zone. There, we will be delighted to assist you and show the new marijuana strains that we have added to our catalogue.

On the 11 and 12 the IV Social and International Cannabis Forum will take place, and it will include debates about responsible regulation and marijuana related policies. There will also be room for a master class and a screening of the documentary "The Cannabis Labyrinth" (El laberinto del cannabis). Among those attending there are key figures such as the American Ethan Nadelmann, founder and director of the Drug Policy Alliance; the Uruguayan psychologist Augusto Vitale; the French sociologist Anne Coppel; and the Spaniards Ramón Morcillo, from the Navarra Cannabis Representatives and the lawyer Bernardo Soriano.

Novi explained that this space, bringing together people who fight for regularisation and rights within the sector, plays a very important rule for business and the normalisation of cannabis. That is why he defines it as "one of the fair's key happenings". He says that the event would not have been possible without the activism work carried out in the background by associations, "with people who are fighting for this, and ultimately we are managing to make small steps in the right direction".

The idea is that this event can turn everyone involved into a participant in the fight for legalisation, especially associations, that will be able to debate and explain the situation. Novi believes that this is essential because "we all have to row in the same direction to achieve what the majority of people want".

It is important to remember the political framework surrounding the fair. Despite clear advances that had taken place precisely because of the activism drive in Spain, several events have really shaken the cannabis sector over the last few months. On one hand, the passing of the so-called "Gag Law" is a definitive step backwards for the rights of Spanish consumers.

On the other hand, in July, the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court sentenced five members of the Ebers Association of Hemp Research and Users that suffered a raid in 2011 during which agents seized several kilograms of marijuana. The decision is a hard blow for cannabis activists as it criminalises associations and could condition upcoming court decisions and the future of the clubs.

Time to enjoy yourself

In terms of fun, visitors to the fair will be able to enjoy different activities. In this area, a new addition will be the Flame Off competition, the second ever to take place in Europe. It consists of a technique of creating objects with melted glass thanks to a system similar to the one used to create soap bubbles.

The competition will have ten participants and will be judged by JD-Maplesden, Nathan Purcell and Marble Slinger, three key figures in the sector. Novi explains that throughout the three days they will be creating different types of pipes and glass pieces, collector's objects that sometimes sell for thousands of euros on the market and attract a lot of admirers.

Also, the fair will host the fourth edition of the Expogrow Cannabis Cup, a tasting of strains that is used to discover the latest additions to the different seed banks and is used as a gathering point for cannabis lovers and companies from the sector. Dinafem has different varieties competing, and is also participating as a judge.

If that was not enough, visitors will also be able to enjoy Herri Kirolak (a rural Basque sport) and the very fashionable Slackline, which consists of balancing on an elasticated line. As to be expected, music will also play an important role at Expogrow, with more than fifteen performances taking place. Among the invited guests are the Jamaican group Third World, the Spaniards Fyahbwoy and the French group Collectiv 13. There will also be performances from Flavia Coelho, Acción Sánchez y Zatu, Marina P & Stepart, Kulto Kultibo, Don Camilo, Papa Style, LMK, Scars, DJ Víctor Santana and DJ Don Cornelius.

With tickets priced between 10 and 25 euros, lots of new features in relation to other years and activities that will help you have a good time there is no excuse for missing out on Expogrow this year. The organisers aim to surpass the attendance figures of last year and reach 20,000 visitors. Of course, the expectations are more than positive. Would you want to miss out on that?