Dinafem, main sponsor of Spannabis 2019

On 15, 16 and 17 March, the exhibition centre Fira de Cornellà (Barcelona) will be hosting Spannabis, or, as it is often referred to, "the world's biggest cannabis event". This 16th edition will bring together over 300 exhibitors, including prominent market leaders, as well as thousands of accredited professionals in a 17,000 square metre exhibition venue. In response to last year's success, this year a new pavilion has been erected, increasing both the exhibition and the food truck area.

This time, we from Dinafem will participate not only as exhibitors, with our usual stand (No. 60), but also as main sponsors, meaning that our logo will be visible to the event's international audience both on advertisements on bus shelters, street furniture and hoardings across Barcelona and on the printed material available at Fira de Cornellà, including posters, stickers, flyers and tickets, as well as decorative elements inside and outside the exhibition venue and the conference room.

World Cannabis Conferences

Besides, we will deliver a 45-minute presentation that will mark the opening of the seventh edition of the World Cannabis Conferences at Auditori de Cornellà. The event has become an international platform for sharing knowledge and developments in the field of cannabis, and will feature leading figures from science, medicine and politics, as well as other major industry players.

Under the title "Blooming CBD", our presentation, delivered by Oier Aizpurua and Pierre-Antoine Aulas, members of our laboratory team, will focus on the history of CBD, on the cannabinoid's mechanisms of action and pharmacological effects and on the on the so-called "entourage effect" of cannabinoids and terpenes.

The talk will also cover aspects like the various techniques we use for creating the strains in our catalogue – like the breeding programmes targeting high THC varieties for recreational purposes or new CBD strains for the medicinal market – and will explain how these are further improved through chemotype-based breeding programmes.

Music takes centre stage

Music will play a major role at Spannabis 2019 with by reggae artists like Chalart58, Matah & Classy Horns, Sista Livity & Good Over Evil and DJ Rambla. Another major music event taking place this year is the international freestyle rap competition 420 Backyard Battle, which, on the occasion of Spannabis 2019, will make cannabis the main topic of the battles. Eight of the best freestylers in the Spanish rap scene will fight for the last place in the coveted final of the general championship.

International Cannabis Business Conference

If you're hungry for more and have a good business idea related to cannabis, you can't miss the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC). Scheduled for March 14 – one day prior to the fair – at Auditori de Cornellà, and followed by an after party at the iconic W Hotel, the ICBC has joined forces with Spannabis to become a major cannabis B2B (business to business), with attendees from over 50 countries. The focus will be on the economic potential and viability of the cannabis industry, with particular attention to emerging businesses.

As in previous editions including Vancouver (Canada) and Portland (EE. UU.), the European Cannabis Business winner of Barcelona's Euro Pitch Event will be awarded a prize of €20,000 in what will be a unique opportunity to present innovative projects to entrepreneurs and investors.

The conference will wrap up with an interview – and after-party – hosted by Damian Marley, the youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley. Following his father's footsteps as a musician and an activist, Damian has also forged a career of his own in the cannabis industry, attracting the interest of the investment fund that owns the US company High Times, specialising in the publication of cannabis books and magazines.

On January 29 High Times announced the acquisition of Feria Del Cañamo SL, the company behind Spannabis, in a move that will allow them to expand their event production business to Europe. Some of the festivals and events organised by High Times include the Cannabis Cup, Reggae on the River, High Times Business Expo and the biennial BIG Show.