420 Expo cannabis convention to take place Sept. 13-15 in Edison

The third annual B.Y.O.C. (“Bring Your Own Cannabis”) public event series is coming to Edison. 420 Expo is returning to the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center on Sept. 13-15, with guest of honor B-Real, lead rapper of the multiplatinum hip-hop group Cypress Hill.

Presented by Wakit Grinders, the venue will bring together more than 15,000 cannabis enthusiasts over the age of 21 for three days of special entertainment and guest appearances, seminars and panel discussions, contests, food trucks, live music and giveaways, along with a variety of vendors from across the country.

As a precursor to the three-day event, licensed cultivators throughout the Garden State can now enter the first-of-its-kind “420 Expo Cannabis Cup” until July 28. 420 Expo Cannabis Cup entries must be sent through METRC to the licensed New Jersey dispensaries retailing judge’s kits, with all necessary test results affixed to each unit and retail packaging intended for sale.

Licensed cultivators can apply to compete here.

With judging open to the public, categories include Indica, Sativa, Hybrid, Non-Infused Prerolls, Infused Prerolls and Cartridges. Each judge’s kit includes one free general admission ticket. Competitors are also encouraged to register to be exhibitors at the 420 Expo. The list of dispensaries selling judge’s kits to cannabis consumers and the dates of availability for these kits and judging will be available in the coming weeks.

“This is a great opportunity for new cultivators to get their products in the hands of cannabis connoisseurs and those curious about the cannabis industry,” Bobby Nuggz of High End Events said. “Allowing the public to judge entries adds another layer of depth to a quickly evolving market.”

Additionally, the Three Expo Events team is working on 30 interactive seminars for ticketholders. Roundtables and discussions anchored in cannabis narratives will focus on topics such as choosing the right strains, legal expungement, cannabis to help addiction and recovery, investments, cooking with cannabis and travel, among others.

Crowned champions of the 420 Expo Cannabis Cup will also be featured in a special thought leadership seminar session.

The 420 Expo, the “Ultimate Smoke Sesh,” will be open from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 13, from noon-9 p.m. Sept. 14 and from noon-6 p.m. Sept. 15.

The 420 Expo will also feature an exhibition hall with more than 100 cannabis-related vendors, including dispensaries, CBD businesses and accessories, food and beverages, clothing and apparel, jewelry, art, along with direct access to nonprofits and advocacy groups, legal advice for record expungements and cannabis industry employment opportunities.

“The 420 Expo is a cannabis lover’s dream come true!” J. Handy, co-creator of the 420 Expo and director at Three Expo Events, the tradeshow production company for the signature event series, said.

Onsite sales, gifting or distribution of any sort of marijuana or THC is not permitted at the event. In accordance with New Jersey state and local laws, attendees will be able to legally consume their own stash in a dedicated outdoor consumption area.