The Cannabis Expo has become something of a barometer of the state of the sector which has been through a period of painful consolidation before really getting out of the starting blocks. 

Earlier this year Cannabis Expo director Silas Howarth said the organization’s strategy had shifted due to an unfavourable market and that only one cannabis expo per year would be held in South Africa, instead of the annual three – Cape Town, Gauteng and Durban.

As a result, the Gauteng Cannabis Expo, which was due to be held this month will now only take place on 30 and 31 May 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Although an official statement from the Expo is yet to be made, Cheeba Africa has announced that it will shift it’s Cannabis and Hemp Summit from the end of this month to coincide with next May’s Expo.

Cheeba’s last ‘Cultivation’ Summit was at the Cape Town Expo in March this year and provided a distinct “B2B” element to what was otherwise a bit of a ‘recreational’ frenzy. Next year’s Expo is likely to have more emphasis on the commercial aspects of the industry rather than its previous consumer focus.

The Expo, which has billed itself as a  “global marketplace for education and innovative products and businesses serving the cannabis industry and its medicinal, agricultural, financial and lifestyle aspects” looks set to return with a bang.

The most significant developments since the last Expo have been the proliferation of ‘grey zone’ cannabis retail outlets and an overall pushing of the regulatory environment. The Expo provides legitimate businesses with a means of showcasing their brands to a rapidly evolving consumer base, hungry for new products and experiences.

The 2025 Expo is expected to feature the usual highlights: the cannabis food market, the Freedom festival and the convention stage which features industry leaders sharing their views.

Cheeba’s Trenton Birch says it makes sense to hold the Cannabis and Hemp Summit at the Expo and that knowledge-sharing is critical to move the industry forward. Like many others, he feels cannabis reform has stalled.

“Our summit aims to break this status quo by creating a platform for open discussion, networking, learning and building relationships set against a backdrop of deep content and an opportunity to upskill and learn.”

He says the process of cultivating cannabis is inherently intricate. This complexity, combined with an evolving supply chain and the ever-changing dynamics of the global marketplace, introduces additional challenges to achieving success. These and other topics will be addressed at our summit.”

“We strongly believe that Southern Africa possesses the capacity to become a leading global cultivator, however the absence of collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing poses a significant risk, potentially hindering us from fully realising our immense potential".

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