CA Cannabis Exhibit

Overview

The CA State Fair Cannabis Awards showcases California’s cannabis industry with a thoughtfully curated exhibit for attendees. Entitled the “California (CA) Cannabis Exhibit”, the immersive display celebrates California’s award-winning cultivators and honors the history, craft, and story of California cannabis today. In 2022, the CA Cannabis Exhibit was hosted indoors, occupying a 7,500 square foot special event space within Expo Center Building One. Age-gated for adults 21 years and older, the exhibit prohibits the consumption and sale of commercial cannabis products.  

Learn About the Plant

Upon entry, attendees are greeted by black and white portraits of California cannabis farmers, and a glowing grow chamber featuring living hemp plants from a renowned Sonoma County farm. Large format graphics educate about the biology of the plant, humans’ relationship to cannabis, and a timeline covering 150 years of important milestones in California cannabis history. 

The complex nature and chemistry of the plant comes to life as you make your way through the 200 feet of cannabis education and infographics. 

Celebrate Our Farmers

The inaugural CA State Fair Cannabis Awards is a historic moment for California’s cannabis industry. The centerpiece showcases our award-winning farmers whose agricultural craft will be on display throughout all 17-days of the Fair.  More than 300 entries were evaluated for the first year’s science-based competition. A total of 60 trophies and medals were awarded. Attendees are able to read about each award-winning cultivar, meet the farmers, and deepen their understanding of how genetics, cultivation techniques, terroir, harvest, and cure come together to earn a Golden Bear trophy and the coveted title of “Best of California”. 

Get Inspired

The California Cannabis Exhibit experience includes a presentation stage alongside a 16’ x 9’ movie screen and lounge area. Attendees are invited to listen to a series of expert speakers, panels, and documentary films that shine a light on important themes in California’s cannabis landscape today, such as equity and inclusion, aging with cannabis, and craft cannabis cultivation techniques. Aligned with the greater CA State Fair programming, the Cannabis Exhibit featured talks on feature veterans’ experiences with cannabis on Veteran Appreciation Day and celebrated the LGBTQ+ cannabis legalization history on Out at the Fair Day. 

Shop & Talk

A rotating marketplace of cannabis and hemp themed booths featuring California’s leading brands, retailers, farmers, and industry associations bring energy, cool accessories, and valuable takeaways from the exhibit.

Our presenting sponsor Kolas is inviting attendees to kick back in the Kolas Lounge, talk to a budtender, and learn more about cannabis products and the retail experience.

Take home more knowledge with a book from the cannabis and hemp bookstore, where you may just meet one of the authors.

And of course, like with every good exhibit, you’ll exit through the gift shop. 

Stage Schedule

We’re proud to present the first-ever cannabis expression at the California State Fair, and we invite you to attend for more than one day as speaker and film programming will vary over each of the three weekends. 

Visit the California State Fair’s Website for More Information: