First Big Cannabis Show Ever at MetraPark is Coming July 8-9

Most of us have probably attended one of the various annual tradeshows at MetraPark. You've got the Montana Agriculture Trade Exposition (MATE), the Northern International Livestock Expositions (NILE), the twice-a-year Home Improvement Shows, the annual restaurant Food and Beverage industry show (sponsored by local food distributors) and so many more.

The first statewide cannabis industry trade show ever at MetraPark is July 8 - 9, 2023.

Montana became one of the latest states to legalize recreational marijuana, passing legislation in 2020 and the industry has been blooming - so to speak - ever since. Approximately $50 million in tax revenue was generated in the first year of sales, which began on January 1, 2022 (medicinal and recreational combined). Now, Billings is hosting the first-ever statewide cannabis industry trade show.

Graphic courtesy Montana Cannabis Show, used with permission/Canva

Booth spots are still available for interested vendors.

We caught up with Montana Cannabis Show organizer Dakota Wyatt. Wyatt works for a company that distributes CO2 and other gasses to local cannabis growers, among many other industries. He had originally purchased booth space for a marijuana trade show that was intended to happen this May. That even fell thru, for whatever reason, and Wyatt decided to carry on the torch with his own event.

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Anything and everything related to the industry.

Organizers anticipate around 100 vendors will be attending the inaugural event, with booths focusing on anything and everything related to the cannabis industry. From hardware and soil to glassware, law firms, cannabis-related real estate specialists, security firms, electrical contractors, clothing, accessories, etc. Dispensaries from around the state will also be in attendance. Jim Huertas, CEO of Billings-based dispensary Purple Cow said they're looking forward to the trade show. He said,

There are hundreds of people involved in the cannabis industry in Yellowstone County and we're excited to participate in an event that brings together vendors, distributors, growers, and the general public all under one roof. What makes this event ideal for the general public to attend is that it is business focused. It conveys the cannabis industry as the legitimate industry that it is and its community contributions.

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Fun for non-industry people too.

The show is free to attend and open to the public. The first 500 people through the gates each day will receive a free goodie bag, and one person will win a fantastic grand prize. There will be at least five food trucks at the event as well as glass-blowing demonstrations, custom hat-burning, and various artist areas. Organizers stress that no THC products are permitted to be sold on-site, and all local/state laws apply regarding any usage/consumption of THC products on the premises. Find out more about the Montana Cannabis Show HERE.

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To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

Source: First Big Cannabis Industry Show Ever at MetraPark is Coming July 8-9