The San Diego Cannabis Farmers Market (SDCFM) held its second annual Cannabis+Hemp Job Fair & Business Mixer at the San Diego Hilton Mission Valley on Saturday, January 26.
The event was a successful follow-up to the organization’s inaugural industry employment and networking event in 2019, which drew more than two thousand attendees and 43 companies from in and around the world of commercial cannabis.
Beginning at 11 a.m., sharp-dressed job seekers, industry professionals, and scores of other cannabis-minded attendees filed into the hotel with cannabis job dreams in their heads and resumes in their hands.
USMC veteran attendee Alonso Ruiz said that he came to the event in hopes of finding a job in an industry that he has a passion for—cultivating cannabis or working in a security position where he can utilize his military police training.
“I’m passionate about what cannabis has done for me personally, in my life,” Ruiz told Candid Chronicle. “Being in the Marine Corps, and getting out, and going through some obstacles mentally and physically, cannabis has just alleviated some of that pressure.”
Representatives from a diverse range of companies including The Cannabis Course, Cannasense, The Honey Flower Collective, and Apple House CBD filled the Cortez Ballroom, with more set up in the Hillcrest room where the Business Mixer took place.
Nug Life Radio Show host and comedian Mike Boris emceed the day’s activities from the stage inside the ballroom, bringing his signature brand of humor to the event throughout the afternoon.
Freelance cannabis writer A.J. Herrington moderated the first panel of the day, How to Get Involved in the Cannabis Community, which focused on the current state of the local California cannabis community, how to participate in it, and how to move it forward in 2020.
Panel speakers included Americans for Safe Access San Diego Chapter Chairman Terrie Best, U.S. Hemp Building Association Vice President Dion Markgraaff, and Holistic Caring founder Elizabeth Mack.
For hungry attendees, Belinda’s Familia offered a variety of delicious authentic Mexican cuisine from their food truck in the outside area while San Diego sesh staple Danky Donuts served up non-medicated versions of their famously-tasty sweet treats.
Fresh-Sesh was also set up outside, offering bong, pipe, and rig cleanings.
At 2:30, moderator Dallin Young kicked off the San Diego Mayoral candidate forum in the North Park conference room with Barbara Bry (D), Todd Gloria (D), Scott Sherman (R), Tasha Williamson (D), Rich Riel (Hogwash Party), and Gita Appelbaum Singh (NP).
The six candidates fielded a series of questions from the audience regarding their stances on cannabis issues, how they intend to move the San Diego cannabis industry forward, and their plans to correct past injustices stemming from cannabis criminalization.
Candidate Rich Riel also had a table in the Cortez Ballroom where he and his campaign workers engaged attendees in discussions throughout the day, with bottles of Harold’s Hogwash barbecue sauce prominently displayed on the table.
From 4-5:00 p.m., Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board Chris Boudreau moderated the Important Things to Look For When Seeking a Cannabis Employer panel featuring EventHi CEO Adelia Carrillo, Se7enLeaf Co-Founder Michael Moussalli, Traffic Roots CEO Christian Valdez, and Murchison Law Associate Kelly Hayes.
End of the day counts by organizers showed that more than 1,900 people attended the second annual SDCFM Cannabis+Hemp Job Fair & Business Mixer.
Primary Sponsor:
Klover
Official Sponsors:
Applehouse CBD
San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access
Natural Awakenings
The National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce
National Association of Cannabis Businesses
Zerep Holistics
CannaSense
Papa’s Polvoron
eLiveLife.com
San Diego Social Leagues
Fidelity Security Solutions
Quality Buds
Vetality Corp
The Cannabis Course
Rove
CureTube
Costal Bay Distribution
HCH Events
No Boundaries Farm
Deploy VR
Danky Donuts
Architectural Concepts, Inc.
Flow(t) XR Art Show
Brizo Pure
Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs
ASTSA Enterprise
Candid Chronicle
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- Nug Life Radio Show host, comedian, and emcee for the day, Mike Boris
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- Attendees and companies in the Cortez Ballroom
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- Because no one likes a dirty bong
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- Danky Donuts was at the Job Fair with their delicious treats
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- How to get Involved in the Cannabis Community forum
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- Come one, come all, step right up and find a job!
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- Apple Farms wants you to know there’s no THC in their CBD-rich cannabis
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- The U.S. Hemp Building Association was in attendance at the Job Fair
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- The U.S. Hemp Building Association was in attendance at the Job Fair
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- The SDCFM Job Fair photo wall
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- San Diego Mayoral Candidate Todd Gloria
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- San Diego Mayoral Candidate Gita Appelbaum Singh
