I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN) in Boston for the past 10 years, witnessing firsthand how it’s grown and evolved. Each year, the event expands — more speakers, more programming, more brands — but this year felt different. The energy was next level.
As both a NECANN Cup judge in the concentrates category and a speaker, my anticipation was high leading up to the show.
Boston NECANN: Next Level
I kicked off the day at the Rhythm Wake&Baked Brunch kickoff party at Romambeau, right next to the Hynes Cging the space to life, a DJ dropping fire beats, and cannabis-inspired mock-tails that tied everything together perfectly.
Arriving at the convention center, I was met with a line of nearly 500 people wrapping around the building. The air buzzed with excitement, conversation, laughter — and the unmistakable aroma of dank wafting in from guests enjoying themselves on the sidewalks.
Education has always been a pillar of NECANN, and this year delivered. I had the honor of speaking on the Cannabis & Travel panel, produced by Beard Bros Media. Over 20 panelists tackled key industry topics like the evolution of modern cannabis vs. legacy, brand identity, and the future of the market. Every session offered valuable insight — even for seasoned industry veterans like me.
One highlight that stood out was the genetics scene. Booths from The Humboldt Seed Company, Dynasty Genetics, and other top breeders showcased unique, hard-to-find strains. The terpene tasting tent, presented by Charles Stockskill of The Hashish Tasting Experience, was an immersive, sensory adventure — a welcome addition from past years.
The after-parties were nothing short of great. I managed to pop into Toke of the City for a bit — played some games, made valuable connections, and soaked in the terps. After that, I wrapped up the night with a relaxing dinner and quality time with friends in town — the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
NECANN Cup Boston
I’d also like to mention that this year’s NECANN Cup awards show was one for the books. There had to be hundreds of excited and stoned people in the crowd. NECANN Cup has become a staple for the Northeast cannabis community. With its organizer, Mike Clinton at the helm, you know it’s going to be well-produced.
This year’s competition was highly talked about on the showroom floor, everyone who entered was hoping to win. It was great to see so many familiar faces accept their awards. I also liked the aspect of the home growers being recognized on the same stage and level as the recreational dispensaries. It truly makes for a more even playing field.
A few of the notable winners in the Solvent Concentrate Home Grow and Licensed Facilities categories I judged were:
HOMEGROW
- 1st place – Michelin Terps “Rainbow Runtzicle”
- 2nd place – Rogues Island x Something Better Concentrate Co “Blueberry Muffins” Live Diamonds
- 3rd place – Ripple Wellness “Rick James”
LICENSED FACILITY
- 1st place – Crispy Commission “Super Delight” Live Sugar
- 2nd place – Regenerative LLC “Tropical Runtz” live badder
- 3rd place – Coastal Healing “Lemon Zephyr” cured resin
You can see the full list of 2025 winners here.
If you’re in the cannabis industry on the East Coast and haven’t made the trip to NECANN yet, do yourself a favor: be there next year. This event is quickly becoming the SXSW and TED Talks of the cannabis community — a melting pot of innovation, education, and culture. Whether you’re looking to network, learn, or just soak in the vibes, this is the place to make those connections and elevate your game.
