America's cannabis industry, convened locally.
How a New England grassroots initiative grew into one of the most respected B2B cannabis convention series in the country, one local market at a time, coast to coast.
Cultivating community commerce
NECANN launched in 2014, before Massachusetts' first commercial dispensary opened its doors. The vision was simple: build a safe, professional, and accessible platform where growers, patients, advocacy groups, legal educators, and ancillary startups could meet face to face.
Rather than copying large, expensive national roadshows built around multi-state operators, we bet on the true heartbeat of the industry, local state markets. Over the past decade that bet carried NECANN coast to coast, and the 2026-27 calendar spans New Jersey, Rhode Island, Boston/Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and Minnesota.
Grown alongside the industry, helping thousands of operators establish, fund, and scale their businesses across the country.
“Rather than focusing on what each new cannabis market can do for us, NECANN has taken a collaborative approach with the local industries and communities for our events.”
Every state has its own legislative model, licensing structure, community culture, and business network. By working with each local market rather than around it, we keep the value where it belongs.
Independent growth
Micro-licenses, cooperative cultivators, and local retail applicants gain direct access to national technology providers and compliance counsel.
Real local ROI
Exhibitors meet the qualified decision-makers, licensed operators, and investors actively building facilities in that specific state.
Space for the people building this industry
NECANN donates 10% of exhibit hall space to social equity licensees and advocacy groups at every show. It is a standing commitment to the operators, applicants, and organizations most affected by legalization, giving them a real seat on the show floor rather than a spot on a waitlist.
A standard for quality since 2019
The NECANN Cup has honored top cultivators, extractors, and brands since 2019, judged by industry veterans and rooted in the same local-first values as our conventions.
Where licenses are brokered and ventures are built
Meet the team
A small, senior team of advocates, operators, and event specialists who have been in cannabis since long before it was convenient.
Marc Shepard
Co-founder & President15 years in progressive journalism, a longtime cannabis advocate, and a judge across multiple NECANN Cups.
John Marshall
VP, Business DevelopmentYears in event production and sponsorship sales, building the exhibitor and partner network nationwide.
Kris Hultgren
Director of OperationsJoined NECANN in 2017 from an event and media sales background; keeps every show running on rails.
Angela Florida
Sales & MarketingB2B sales specialist and a medical cannabis patient since 2014, connecting brands to the right rooms.
Kenya Alexander
Sales & PartnershipsCannabis writer and community connector focused on building genuine local relationships.
Eve Marie
Programming ManagerCannabis lifestyle brand founder and event specialist shaping each show’s education and experience.
Build your business where the industry meets
Whether you want to exhibit, sponsor, or simply talk through the right market for your brand, our team is ready to help.
Ten years on the floor
NECANN’s own retrospective, and a look at the conventions that built the series.
Photography from NECANN conventions