One of the hardest things to do is change a stereotype – no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary. Everyone still knows one infamous character from a TV show, a movie, or something of the like that fits the bill for the stereotype, and it tends to stick.
In the world of marijuana, that stereotype would be the classic lazy stoner. The guy with the bloodshot eyes, long scraggly hair, and a vacant stare sitting in the back of the classroom; or the hippy with the guitar singing about flower power or whatever.
The point is – marijuana has been given a bad rep. While we can’t do anything to change the propaganda of the past, we can at least show that that is not a “standard” for what it means to be a stoner.
There are thousands of productive people, many of whom run their own business, who smoke marijuana on a daily basis. There are people in high corporate positions with big companies all around the world who get off work and roll a joint instead of cracking open a beer or pouring a glass of wine.
CannaCon is the convention that is going to be the next starting point of setting that stereotype straight. It’s interesting because unlike any other cannabis related event, CannaCon does not actually have any marijuana involved.
They do show a large number of marijuana related products – everything from rosin technology and cultivation to business and law. Starting this year they will also be offering a one-of-a-kind budtender certification (which could become an industry standard) during the convention.
This convention started off as a simple idea that Bob Smart came up with while watching a TV show – but immediately that idea started forming into a reality in his head. By August of 2014 the first CannaCon was underway – and it was a huge success.
Originally, CannaCon was aimed at researchers, growers, and processors – and with only simple advertising and word of mouth the convention managed to pull in 6,000 people at the first ever event. Since then it has become a place where anyone can come and learn about cannabis without feeling like a part of a negative stereotype.
The convention, due to its physical lack of marijuana, is a federally trademarked convention and is held on federal grounds. The events are watched on security cameras and the government can basically control anything that happens – but we’re giving them a new side of cannabis to take a look at.
The next CannaCon will be held February 18-20th, 2016 in Seattle Washington. If you’re in the area and have a chance to check it out, I would love to hear about the experience! I think this is really a great idea – not all lazy people are stoners and not all stoners are lazy!
