If you are the kind of person that celebrates 4/20, and you’re looking for something better to do than get high in your sister’s inexplicably dusty apartment with her weird boyfriend and their horse-size dog that keeps eating your munchies (or was this just me?), then you’ll want to check out Hempcon 2013, “America’s Largest Medical Marijuana Show.”
Coming to the San Jose Convention Center’s South Hall this weekend, the convention promises to be an “educational event as well a full weekend of seminars and presentations by industry leaders, advocates, and attorneys.” The three-day lineup features seminars such as “How to Start a Delivery Business,” “Small Space Cultivation” and “How to Be in Compliance in California.” This last item will probably be especially important for dispensaries and patients until California follows Washington’s and Colorado’s leads in legalizing marijuana, which may be sooner rather than later given that a Pew Research Center poll has for the first time found national majority support for legalization.
The keynote speech will be given by Freddy Sayegh, “celebrity criminal defense attorney” of the Foxx Firm. According to the Hempcon website, the firm covers the A through W of criminal defense, everything from Arson to Wire Fraud. This wide area of expertise of course includes the common legal defense needs of medical dispensaries and patients.
In addition to the various seminars and speeches, Hempcon will host performances by Wu-Tang Clan member Cappadonna and the Los Angeles–based dubstep DJ and producer 12th Planet. Virtuoso Jordanian percussionist Hani Naser will also make an appearance.
Fortunately, this year’s edition of Hempcon will not coexist at the convention center with any teenage girl volleyball tournaments, as it did last year. The San Jose Mercury News published an article last summer about the odd coincidence, quoting a couple of parents concerned about “degenerates” peddling “grass” and “dope” to their daughters. However, this year the Leigh High School prom looks to be scheduled at the San Jose Civic Auditorium across the street on the Saturday of the conference. No word yet on whether concerned parents are in need of interviewing.
Hempcon
Friday, 3–9pm, Saturday, 11am–9pm, Sunday, 11am–7pm; $20
San Jose
Convention Center
.Hempcon Arrives in San Jose for 420 Weekend
