Compared to other cannabis-related events, such as Cannabis Europa, which was held in London in June, the Hemp & CBD Expo is a much more consumer-friendly occasion, looking at the real-life benefits of hemp and CBD. Cannabis Europa, and other similar expos have a much more corporate feel, with the focus solely on how to make money out of this natural plant — which many in the UK CBD community feel puts profit over people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, the Hemp & CBD Expo took a much more holistic view, and while there was a dedicated business speaker\u2019s stage, it certainly wasn\u2019t the sole focus of the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK Hemp & CBD Expo opens to a buzz of excitement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpanning Saturday and Sunday, the expo was held in Hall 17, at the far, far end of the Birmingham NEC<\/a>, which proved difficult to reach for some people I spoke to, particularly those in wheelchairs and people using CBD to help with arthritis<\/a>. Location issues aside, on the Saturday there was a palpable buzz of excitement, with many hundreds, if not thousands, of people involved in, or curious about, the world of hemp and CBD packed into the hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Photo:](\"http:\/\/ministryofhemp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/UK-Hemp-Expo-4-1024x682.jpg\")
The main stage at the Hemp & CBD Expo in Birmingham, UK was packed with people eager to learn about the future of hemp and CBD in England. (Ministry of Hemp \/ Ian Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere were many dozens of stalls and exhibitors laid out, covering practically every aspect of CBD and hemp. One of the first booths was the futuristically-named Advanced Dynamics<\/a>, with an equally futuristic array of complex machinery – a swirl of tubes, lights and metal poles – promising to cater for all your filling, capping and labelling needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA range of exhibitors both big & small<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The companies with massive investment were notable by their huge exhibitor spaces and tendency toward all-white decor. GenCanna<\/a>, an American company, were certainly one of the most visible, and with their staff decked out in sharp fitted suits, added a professional air, if possibly a little more corporate than the rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\nGreen Stem CBD<\/a> also made a strong showing, with an impressive stall and remarkably knowledgeable and friendly staff. There was a confidence about their products, due in no small part to their winning five out of the seven awards they were nominated for at the first Hemp & CBD Expo back in March. With the recent announcement that UK celebrity Jenny Powell has signed up as their brand ambassador, it\u2019s clear that Green Stem have the finances and profile to become a key player in the future of CBD in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeakers talk everything from medicine to business at UK Hemp & CBD Expo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stalls aside, the most interesting element of the expo were the two stages – the main stage, with enough seating for a hundred or so people, and the smaller — but no less interesting — business pro stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most interesting talks came early on the Saturday, thanks to Michael Fisher from the Teesside Cannabis Club<\/a>. Michael came as a breath of fresh air. He’s a genuinely passionate cannabis activist from Middlesborough in the Northeast of England. His cannabis club formed in 2014 and provides a safe space for people to consume cannabis without having to worry about getting arrested. He delivered an emotional speech, covering the legalities and difficulties of his cannabis club, plus the varied benefits it has brought to the people of Middlesborough. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of the most high-profile names in hemp, CBD and medical cannabis in the UK is published author Callie Blackwell<\/a>, who spoke movingly about her eldest son being diagnosed with cancer, and how holistic methods have helped them over recent months and years. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCredible speakers like Dr. Dani Gordon expel CBD’s \u2018snake oil\u2019 reputation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There were some interesting points made by Christian and Frederik Hendriksen from Mile High Labs<\/a>, looking at the technicalities of running a CBD business, such as dealing with the ever-present novel foods issue, as well as employing GPS and sealed containers when transporting CBD isolate. One of the most well-informed speakers on the UK CBD and hemp circuit is Peter Reynolds<\/a>, who delivered a wide-ranging talk on the Sunday, taking a grounded look at everything from legalisation to the potential impact of Brexit on the future of medical cannabis in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Photo:](\"http:\/\/ministryofhemp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/UK-Hemp-Expo-6-Dani-Gordon-1024x682.jpg\")
Speakers like Dr. Dani Gordon helped bust myths about CBD and improve the reputation of the supplement with scientific facts. (Ministry of Hemp \/ Ian Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe talks and panels on the business stage were just as fascinating, if a little more complex. Dr. Dani Gordon<\/a> gave a myth-busting doctor\u2019s guide to CBD, looking at how it can affect the female reproductive system, anxiety and much more. It\u2019s clear that the CBD industry in the UK<\/a> needs to focus more closely on credible speakers like Dr. Gordon if it\u2019s going to shake off the \u2018snake oil\u2019 reputation that has blown up around it in recent months. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe most expensive seeds on the planet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There were many dozens of stalls and exhibitors laid out, covering practically every aspect of CBD and hemp. One of the first booths was the futuristically-named Advanced Dynamics<\/a>, with an equally futuristic array of complex machinery – a swirl of tubes, lights and metal poles – promising to cater for all your filling, capping and labelling needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The companies with massive investment were notable by their huge exhibitor spaces and tendency toward all-white decor. GenCanna<\/a>, an American company, were certainly one of the most visible, and with their staff decked out in sharp fitted suits, added a professional air, if possibly a little more corporate than the rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Green Stem CBD<\/a> also made a strong showing, with an impressive stall and remarkably knowledgeable and friendly staff. There was a confidence about their products, due in no small part to their winning five out of the seven awards they were nominated for at the first Hemp & CBD Expo back in March. With the recent announcement that UK celebrity Jenny Powell has signed up as their brand ambassador, it\u2019s clear that Green Stem have the finances and profile to become a key player in the future of CBD in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stalls aside, the most interesting element of the expo were the two stages – the main stage, with enough seating for a hundred or so people, and the smaller — but no less interesting — business pro stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most interesting talks came early on the Saturday, thanks to Michael Fisher from the Teesside Cannabis Club<\/a>. Michael came as a breath of fresh air. He’s a genuinely passionate cannabis activist from Middlesborough in the Northeast of England. His cannabis club formed in 2014 and provides a safe space for people to consume cannabis without having to worry about getting arrested. He delivered an emotional speech, covering the legalities and difficulties of his cannabis club, plus the varied benefits it has brought to the people of Middlesborough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most high-profile names in hemp, CBD and medical cannabis in the UK is published author Callie Blackwell<\/a>, who spoke movingly about her eldest son being diagnosed with cancer, and how holistic methods have helped them over recent months and years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There were some interesting points made by Christian and Frederik Hendriksen from Mile High Labs<\/a>, looking at the technicalities of running a CBD business, such as dealing with the ever-present novel foods issue, as well as employing GPS and sealed containers when transporting CBD isolate. One of the most well-informed speakers on the UK CBD and hemp circuit is Peter Reynolds<\/a>, who delivered a wide-ranging talk on the Sunday, taking a grounded look at everything from legalisation to the potential impact of Brexit on the future of medical cannabis in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The talks and panels on the business stage were just as fascinating, if a little more complex. Dr. Dani Gordon<\/a> gave a myth-busting doctor\u2019s guide to CBD, looking at how it can affect the female reproductive system, anxiety and much more. It\u2019s clear that the CBD industry in the UK<\/a> needs to focus more closely on credible speakers like Dr. Gordon if it\u2019s going to shake off the \u2018snake oil\u2019 reputation that has blown up around it in recent months. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA range of exhibitors both big & small<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Speakers talk everything from medicine to business at UK Hemp & CBD Expo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Credible speakers like Dr. Dani Gordon expel CBD’s \u2018snake oil\u2019 reputation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The most expensive seeds on the planet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n