Mary Jane Berlin 2024: the debrief

Last weekend, Berlin hosted the Mary Jane 2024, a trade fair open to the public featuring the main players in the cannabis industry. The excitement that followed legalization drew us to what is fast becoming Europe's largest cannabis fair.

In a word: gigantic.

The event featured over 400 exhibitor stands and was expected to attract 40,000 participants. As well-informed visitors, we chose to attend on the first day, Friday, to avoid the massive crowds on Saturday. Those who didn't give up that day had to wait almost three hours at the entrance. The fair was sold out, and disappointed Saturday visitors were encouraged to return on Sunday. Despite the crowds, visitors patiently endured the delays, largely helped by the plant at the center of the event.

Friday allowed us to comfortably explore the vast array of indoor and outdoor stands, and engage in relaxed conversations with partners, customers, contacts and friends. The conferences we attended were well organized and well attended, a refreshing change from other events.

Why take part in the next Mary Jane?

The show brought together a wide range of key players in the cannabis market: horticultural equipment manufacturers and retailers, medical cannabis producers and German private clinics ready to expand rapidly now that cannabis is no longer considered a narcotic in Germany. The usual brands of seeds, soil, fertilizers and LEDs were present, as well as, more strangely, sellers of synthetic cannabinoids and «legal magic mushrooms».

The latter nearly caused the closure of the show, with some 20 ambulances called out on Friday after young visitors had consumed mushroom gummies. The responsible exhibitor was banned from returning on Saturday for the safety of the community and visitors, and synthetic cannabinoids banned from presence.

Over and above this incident and the organizational difficulties, which will certainly be resolved next year, the fair offered vast outdoor areas in which to relax, in stark contrast to Spannabis, where the catering areas are notoriously cramped.

The cannabis is now legal in Germany, Consumption problems are minimal, and individuals can carry up to 25 grams. Organizers are more transparent about regulations, including what can be done and said on entering and leaving the fair.

This year, the biggest challenge was the absence of legal buying points. So visitors had to fend for themselves.

All in all, Berlin's Mary Jane proved to be an impressive event, reflecting the growing importance and acceptance of the cannabis industry in Europe, and the potential of the future German market that all these companies seem to believe in. As legalization continues to evolve, future editions of Mary Jane promise to be even more dynamic. For all those interested in the cannabis market, whether industry professionals or curious newcomers, participation in this fair may well be indispensable in the coming years.