MJ Unpacked NYC returned in a major way. The second edition of the New York show at the Hilton Mid-Town was a success. Thousands of attendees poured in from all over the country. There was a notable uptick in local attendance as adult-use cannabis has come online in New York and New Jersey. MJ Unpacked NYC brought forth value in a mindful way and a platform for high-level relationships through their industry-leading platform.
Respect My Region was in attendance as an official media partner; holding down a booth, and I moderated a panel on Cannabis as a Lifestyle Brand. Make sure to check out our interview series powered by Vape Dept at the bottom of this article.
Mitch Pfeifer, Founder and CEO (left) and Joey Brabo, co-owner and COO (right) of Respect My Region at MJ Unpacked in New York City.
MJ Unpacked in NYC Spring 2023
The three-day conference kicked off Wednesday, April 26, with an investor summit and a full day of speakers. The following two days, Thursday and Friday, comprised of a two-story brand exhibition hall, two rooms of industry expert-led panels, round table discussions, and a Blunt Brunch event. While the programming goes deep, the event’s focus is incredibly narrow. The only attendees at this event are accredited investors and licensed operators (license holders, applicants, and company executives). This focus creates an incredibly valuable audience where “anyone you talk to” is most likely worth it.
A group photo celebrating the Blunt Brunch at MJ Unpacked in NYC.
Highlights of the Conference
MJ Unpacked’s leader George Jage consistently spoke about the pain points of the industry and how their team worked to create a platform to help ease specific issues. We heard great feedback from folks in newer markets, as well as established companies that attended the panels. It’s apparent that there is a need for continued conversation, inspiration, and thoughts shared around the ups and downs of legal cannabis.
During the show, sponsors and booth workers were all buzzing about. This was one of the events where I saw little to no cell phone zombies, rather folks were actually getting out there and working the floor. Some of the commonalities in the conversations we had during the event centered around two things; a want for the legacy to integrate into recreational markets and a strong desire for enforceable payment terms for farmers and brands. An attendee said, “brands are currently playing the bank for retail businesses to either build or attempt to build their business in this industry, and that’s not right.”
The exhibition hall at MJ Unpacked NYC
New Yorkers definitely showed up to this event. We were able to gain some perspective from the New York CAURD Coalition, Arana Hankin-Biggers of Union Square Travel Agency, Uncle Budd, and others. The hustler spirit of New York is very much so still alive; the unique challenges their infrastructure will face while battling the grey market are abundant. Legacy operators want to get in the game and consumers just want products. It will be interesting how NY shapes up. Brands are already vying for market share whether completely inside the lines of the system or on their own accord.
On Thursday, we were blessed to be a part of the Media Mixtape Vol. 1 after-party alongside The Bluntness, Sensi Magazine, The Farechild, Joint Venture Co, and a host of other amazing sponsors and partners.
Final Thoughts
This event is on the must-attend list for RMR, and we look forward to next year’s New York show. It was an absolutely valuable experience being able to connect with so many cannabis industry professionals inside a single hotel while getting to peel back the windows on the most hyped market in the country. Look out for the first MJ Unpacked show in Detroit this October.
MJ Unpacked NYC Interviews
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