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The Cannabis Expo is at the Sandton Convention Centre and the Inner City Beer Fest will be held in Pretoria on Saturday.
Picture: the_cannabis_expo/Instagram
Joburg is a vibrant and frantic city due to its inhabitants’ “hustler” mentality, while Pretoria, with all its embassies, is much more laid-back in comparison.
With this outlook in mind, one would assume that this weekend’s Cannabis Expo would be held in Pretoria and the Inner-City Beer Fest in Joburg.
However, it’s the other way around as Gauteng’s two biggest metropolitan municipalities separately take beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs of the herb on a journey into these two substances.
The Cannabis Expo takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from Friday to Sunday.
The inaugural Inner City Beer Fest will be hosted at 012 Central in Pretoria on Saturday.
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A growing industry
The Cannabis Expo in South Africa was launched in late 2019 and The Cannabis Expo’s Communications Manager, Kendel Falkson, says they were taken aback by how big the local cannabis industry was.
“With each subsequent expo the number of businesses exhibiting with us has grown rapidly, with new local businesses popping up and contacting us daily,” Falkson told The Citizen.
“The cannabis industry is far broader than most people realise and at the upcoming expo in Sandton over 100 cannabis businesses are represented from cannabis cultivation to extraction products.”
In 2024, just before the country’s general elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, which legalises the private use of cannabis.
Falkson says there is still a large grey area, but that more money is flowing into the industry, especially in areas such as cultivation, CBD products and technology.
“Investors are looking for that next big thing and while the legislative landscape is still evolving, businesses are innovating and pushing the boundaries,” she says.
“People are finding creative solutions to work within the current confines, and we’re seeing a lot of activity outside the ‘grey zone’. It’s like the cannabis industry is building its own highway, even if the road signs aren’t entirely clear yet.”
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Openness to new beer flavours
South African beer consumers are a loyal bunch.
This was evinced earlier this month when South African Rayno Nel, soon after being named the World’s Strongest Man in Sacramento, California, said he just wanted a Black Label to celebrate his win.
“South Africans are known for their loyalty to trusted beer brands and it’s true that many have long gravitated toward familiar lagers,” brand and marketing manager at Homecoming Events, organisers of the Inner-City Beer Festival, Thando Vokwana tells The Citizen.
“But the landscape is changing,” he says, adding that beer culture in South Africa is undergoing a dynamic shift, with growing interest — particularly among younger audiences in new styles, craft options and experimental flavours.
“City Beer Fest embraces this openness by creating a space where seasoned beer drinkers and curious newcomers alike can comfortably expand their palates,”
“It’s a celebration of both tradition and innovation showcasing South Africa’s beer heritage while inviting people to discover what’s next.”
This is the first Inner-City Beer Fest and the organisers see it as a milestone for South Africa’s beer culture.
“It’s more than just a gathering — it’s a carefully curated celebration of the innovation and diversity within our beer industry, while also promoting responsible consumption and beer education,” Vokwana says.
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Something for everyone
At the core of expos is the element of educating the public, sharing innovation and fostering cooperation within an industry.
More than just finding yourself in clouds of smoke at the Cannabis Expo’s Just Blaze section, the expo will also showcase the health benefits that come with cannabis.
“Visitors can journey through The Synergy Experience, a thoughtfully curated walk-through featuring in-depth education on medical cannabis, trusted patient pathways, retail partnership opportunities and holistic wellness practices,” says Falkson.
There will also be the Cheeba Cannabis Cultivation Summit, where experts will give talks and participate in panel discussions.
“The summit will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the latest trends, techniques and best practices in cannabis and hemp cultivation.”
On a lighter side, there will also be a speed-rolling competition on each day of the Expo where patrons see who can roll a blunt the quickest.
As many people will attend the beer festival for the beverage, there will also be a music element to it, with Julian Gomes and Kabza De Small as the festival’s headliners.
“There’s fun stuff happening with partners like the Beer Association of South Africa and beer games so people aren’t just standing around with cups they’re fully in the moment and enjoying themselves,” said Vokwana.
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