With the legalization of cannabis expected to happen later this year, a local organization is already planning a conference for next year to help people navigate the new industry.

Sun City Productions is hosting the first ever Cannabis and Hemp Expo May 3rd and 4th, 2019 at the Cypress Centre.

The event will feature exhibitions and workshops about economic opportunities which exist in both the legalized cannabis and hemp industries.

“It’s an opportunity for Medicine Hat to shine in the tourist side of things, to shine in the integration of various persons involved in these two industries, the commercialization of the hemp industry, the financial side of the industry,” said Barry Bernhardt, president of Sun City Productions. “For many reasons, we felt it was a timely thing to do in this city.”

Bernhardt says he has already received several expressions of interest from companies who are hoping to attend. He adds the main focus of the expo is education about the possibilities which exist in both industries.

“By the time we have our expo next May, cannabis and recreational cannabis will be legal in Canada, we expect,” he said. “So, we will have a period of time there after legalization to assess some things.

“We think this show is going to give opportunity to present at least a few months of post-recreational experience that Canada has had. The public is hungry for information, not just on the cannabis side, the THC side, but also, hungry for information on the hemp world.”

Bernhardt says there are many opportunities for businesses looking to get involved with hemp on an industrial level.

Sun City plans to host several smaller conferences and events in the city through the year, before the expo in May. They also plan to exhibit at trade shows in Medicine Hat.

More information about the expo can be found here.