Cannabis Means Business Conference (CMB), held earlier in the month at New York City’s Javits Convention Center, took place on June 4 and 5, 2018. This carefully curated conference combined powerful networking with immersive brand activations and high-level educational content for a two-day event that was impactful. The brands exhibited reported exciting new product launches, and attendees showed genuine interest in their products. This led to lasting connections.
In 2025, the Cannabis Means Business conference is renamed to “Cannabis Means Business,” also known as “CMB.” The B2B conference, first launched in 2014 as the Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition, or CWCBE Expo, until this year. Held in New York every single year, the exposition reflects “the vibrancy and complexity of New York City — a global hub for business, innovation and cannabis.”
Experience 360°
Fireside Chat with cannabis activist Whoopi goldberg was a highly anticipated event leading up CMB. She shared her views on cannabis culture, benefits and the role of women in cannabis.
Pure Genesis, the female-owned brand of beverage that partnered with Goldberg to launch their Whoop-Tea hemp-based beverage at CMB this year, said it felt more like a community-oriented conference than previous years. The women’s brunch and Goldberg’s interview with CNBC’s Tim Seymour highlighted this.
“She was a true inspiration to all,” said Priscilla, Pure Genesis Co-Founder and CIO. What I really appreciated at CMB this year was their commitment to elevating women-owned business with the fabulous women’s bruncheon.
Pure Genesis’ CEO Faye Coleman, who is also the co-founder of Pure Genesis, said that the CMB was a “360 experience.” “The conference is evolving every year. We have workshops and other events to suit the expectations and needs of attendees.”
Genuine Connections + NYC Energy
The genuine interest expressed by attendees in the exhibits at the Cannabis Means business conference this year was a major attraction for exhibitors.
Dave Gulliver from Mills Nutrients stated that this was Mills Nutrients’s first time at the CMB Expo. We were impressed with their diverse clientele. It’s great to be able to attend a trade show with attendees who are eager to learn and to try out new products.
Harrison Bard of Custom Cones USA echoed this sentiment, saying, “The best part about CMB is the community’s response to our DaySavers New York pack of cones. New York’s industry is rapidly growing, which is why it is so exciting to participate.
During the two-day conference, there was a strong focus on New York’s adult-use cannabis market. Degelis Tufts Pilla of Tribe Tokes noted that since the conference always takes place in NYC, the show has evolved to be more focused on the state’s cannabis adult-use market opening up. “Next year I would like to get my processing license, and then be able exhibit as an adult-use licensed brand. The state has been delaying our application for SEE (Social and Economic Equity), and we’ve been on the lottery list since December 20, 2025.
Mission-Focused
CMB’s mission is to promote “a sustainable, responsible and ethical cannabis ecosystem”.