Marijuana convention a bust

[LeenieBean]

I don't know about you guys who have gone but my BF and I attended the Treating Yourself Marijuana expo at the Metro Toronto convention center and I was pretty disappointed to be honest. Prices were jacked up on some things- one thing I noticed was a certain seed company whose prices were 30% higher there than they were through seed boutique. A pipe manufacturer who had a huge display of really nice pipes, but you couldn't buy any of them. Not much grow equipment, demonstrations, etc. A lot of booths weren't set up yet or were empty of their attendants. Kinda hard to buy something at a booth with no one in it, some only had a few flyers. I think the location had some good promise but I would have really liked to see a bigger range of products, better organization, seed companies maybe doing a feature of their key strains or something etc... just seemed like a waste of $25 to get in to what was not even a big head shop. My local head shop has more variety for sale. I hope this gets better over time, it does have potential in Toronto to do big business and spread the word.

I did however buy a honey bee extractor for $20 (less than most retailers) and thanks greenhouse seeds for the free grinder and posters. They had a great booth set up and I would have liked to see more like it.

 

[kannubis]

Similar to my experience at the Cypress Hill Great American Smokeout in Cali, except you could buy accessories, but no seeds or weed were allowed. Couldn't even take opened pack of smokes, lighters, or matches through the gate. The music was pretty weak too.

 

[VagPuncher]

But Michell Rainey got to enter her Bullrider and thats all that matters!

 

[Kacey420]

It was the first day. I'm sure it will be much better this weekend. How was the vapor lounge? Got pics?

 

[Kacey420]

Marijuana convention a bust

Does the grinder look like this. If so,I have used mine at least 5 times a day for almost 2 years and not once has it stuck and I never cleaned it. Best grinder in the world.

 

[LeenieBean]

There was some compassion clubs for the medical users who had samples of their wares obviously not to smoke right there but to get a look at different strains in bags for medical card holders, as well as a VIP pass available for medical card holders you could go in the vapor lounge. I'm sure there are parts of it that will be better- there's a comedy show and bands playing etc. They said they were expecting saturday to be the big day. I didn't see any police presence whatsoever - at least not in uniform, which I am mildly surprised about after that G20 fiasco. You'd think it would be a perfect opportunity to hassle some innocent med users. very low key you'd never know it was going on, there was little media publicity about this event. I'm hoping to see it grow in the future, it has potential to be very positive for advocates of the herb.

 

[LeenieBean]

and yes, thats the grinder they gave us, and it kicks ass!

 

[t.o.med]

picked up mango haze and critical haze so it was worth it just for that.

 

[Grigori]

Hate to say it, but dumb stoners are the reason that convention sucked...most cannabis events I have been to have been poorly organized due to braindead-burnout's...you know, the ones that give us all a bad name. We need functioning stoners to organize these events, lol!

 

[Reverend Mojo]

Holy Crap!! Was I at the same event or what!

I had a great time the full day Saturday from 10am until 4 pm solid. I sat with the representatives from Roor in the vape lounge for a toke and great discussion.. I bought a Roor waterpipe at discounted price, I smoked some great bho with a rep from Illadelph, I met several old acquaintances and activists and generally had a wonderful time.

I finally was able to buy a hahmaster kut titanium plate glassware too .. YAY!!!!!

Bearing in mind this is an exposition so your there to make money, advertise your wares and make product connection. In this manner the expo was a GREAT success.

Poorly oganized??? WHAT.. were we at the same event. The vape lounge had to legally be for med card carriers only or the convention centre would never had permitted it to take place. The cost to get in... well I can't speak for that as I was not the organizer but given that it was at a major exposition centre, I would imagine it was quite expensize to rent the 2 halls.

Yes there was 1 retarded expositioner that was only displaying his items and you know what ... he lost a fortune! what a dumb ass.

Any ways all this to say I'm a little dismayed by this posting.. It's a real shame you didn't enjoy it more.

peace brother.

 

[dmt]

where i operate, there is virtually no professionals, just flakes, egomaniacs and salesmen or a combo of the 3.

i guess that what we get in a marginalised unregulated industry. a force of greedy self interested nincompoops, d

 

[cr0n]

I had a great time. Calling it a bust would NOT be correct in my opinion. I see it as progress for the area and hope there will be many more of these in the future. Thanks the TY and Marco for organizing the event. My fiends and I were raving about it. So much great people and info. Wish I could have gotten a VIP pass though. I also wish I knew what strains were entered and who won the med-cup. I loved it and will be attending every year and will bring as many people as I can each year. I took 3 with me yesterday.

 

[Green&Gold]

But Michell Rainey got to enter her Bullrider and thats all that matters!

This is false Bullrider was not in the competition...

I was at the awards last night and I think Remo (urban grower) won 1st for his Bubba Kush in the Private Breeder Cup. Marco is not particularity good at communication and he was the emcee so, that is my impression of events...

I had a great time on Friday, got to see all sort of new people and all sorts of old people. Smoked a shit load of Remo's Bubba, and Mark's Budder. So, yummy, and absurdly potent.

The lounge needed more couches, chairs, and that issue was never fixed. It was 14 volcanos, the Roor vape, Herbalaire etc, and the verdamper (the finest vaporizer ever). We did oil vaping in the corner, too...

I got to buy seeds, and sample all sorts of interesting bud including strains that weren't allowed in the cup due to various bullshit. Including Nuken, from CCK, its rocking and done in 45 days!!! Also a huge fan of the Jas Bud, nice fast-finishing, and long lasting sativa.

At the end of the show I got some really nice deals on the left over merchandise.

At the awards ceremony, Simon from Serious was accepting a 3rd palace for the Seed cup, and mentioned he had nothing to do with the entry except donating seeds, he mentioned the grower then dissed him by saying when he saw the bud he didn't expect to win anything, and was surprised by the award. LOL LOL LOL


There was lots of divisive bullshit that seemed to occur between Marco and WhyProhibition. They were banned from the show, then reinstated, then banned again, then reinstated -- and very rudely treated, in front of attendees and exhibitors at the show. Not very professional. Eventually on the final day they were allowed back into the event. It was like the show organizer had PMS.

 

[apartmentblower]

Including Nuken, from CCK, its rocking and done in 45 days!!!

did the breeder tell u that??

 

[Reverend Mojo]

The lounge needed more couches, chairs, and that issue was never fixed.

I think that was the only negative.

I don't involve myself in interpersonal or interorganizational battles and I was oblivious to any issues with Whyprohibition.

Peace

 

[Green&Gold]

did the breeder tell u that??

Yup!

Also I can't believe I forgot the controversy, about the VIP and the boat cruise. In a bonehead move, the cruise was held on two boats. One of which was not that nice, and the other was much worse. There was essentially a two-tiered boat system, at the same dock. All the superstars and exhibitors and Marco on the nicer boat and the paying VIP's and others that couldn't get get on the "A" boat, somehow, were left on the "Short Boat" as I am now calling it!

The Short Boat, was a smelly tin can, the floor of the top deck, was on a crazy 20 degree slope, it wasn't the water, it was the boat!

There was no booze on the cruise, even though the advertising for the cruise and the invitation mentioned a cash-bar. People were really bummed. There was also an issue where the Captain told people they could only smoke on the outer edges of the boat, on the main deck. This was reversed, only after many people left in disgust.

 

[LeenieBean]

I guess what got me was the big giant list of vendors that were presented before the actual event, which I was VERY excited about... but more than half of those didn't seem to be there. I was worried that the burnout pothead community of thugs/kids that seem to destroy most activist attempts by making us all look stupid would destroy what seemed to be a great idea. I was happy to see that those people don't pay enough attention to the news to actually be aware of what was going on in TO right under their noses. I was there friday and a lot of booths weren't even set up. I imagine it would have been much better saturday or sunday with a lot of the other events going on, but I was also anticipating a crowd (which I am not a fan of) so we booked a day off work to go friday. This was an awesome idea, don't get me wrong, but I was really hoping to see something a little more like a live and in person version of IC! I was also a little disappointed to see some of the more popular local grow shops and chains not there on display- it could have been a great opportunity to generate business. I am not an insider in the med community, know little about it, and don't know breeders/etc personally. I did appreciate the chance to learn about that, and I think that it helped to present the expo in a positive light. I hope to see it grow, and maybe more local businesses take an interest. guess I just felt let down by that. no offense. my personal opinion. This was history for toronto and I am happy to see that there was not a major uproar about it, perhaps it says something for the people of toronto, who don't all support the Harper(Bush) war on the rights of the people.

 

[Reverend Mojo]

Hey bro.. You're entitled to your opinion. I am sure the organizers will appreciate some constructive comments (which yours were).

Frankly many important points have been made here that the oganizers should note for next year (I hope this becomes an annual event). Bearing in mind that this was the first year with all the potential hiccups that can occur. I've organized many events similar to this one and I must say it is not an easy task.

peace brother.

 

[Dr Dog]

Overall I thought the show went off well

Lots of growing pains as it is the first year, already planned bigger next year, with more vendors, and hopefully a lot more vendors

ever been to another cannabis cup type of event, at least on this side of Atlantic, normally nowhere close as organized as this was

I am proud and happy to say I was a part of it

Here are some random shots

Noone is being outed here, everyone in these shots gave me permisiion to post them online

was a great time

met lots of cool folks

here are some random shots from the expo

Yes that is a pipe on the table

Frank fron Niagara seed bank and Marco Renda

Me chatting up other vendors

marco and the cups

Splif from KDK, Northern Lights (rap group) and the Urban Grower, Remo from AN

Me and Michelle Rainey

 

[danny karey]

Nice pics Dog, I was gonna try and go but had some family BS to deal with.

Looks like it turned out pretty good for sure!!

Hopfully I'll make it next year!

Danny