The Marketplace

Meet the best seed, soil, lighting and grow equipment companies in the nation. 

The Grow School

Spark progressive conversations around what small and large cannabis cultivators are facing in a challenging market. This year we’re doubling down and bringing together experts from across the nation to speak on everything from home and commercial cultivation, to regenerative agriculture and small farm practices.

2025 Schedule

Friday, July 18

4:30pm 

Growin’ Easy: Home Cultivation 101 

Curious about cultivating your own cannabis? Learn the basics of growing at home—from seed to harvest. This beginner-friendly class covers lighting, soil, nutrients, and tips for healthy, happy plants. 

• CJ Cowgill, Chief of Operations, Balanced Veterans Network  

• Bryce Tucker

More speakers TBA.

5:00pm 

Rolling with Miss Q 

Join “Rolling with Miss Q” and learn how to roll the perfect joint or blunt. This workshop will break it down step by step so you can roll with confidence, style, and precision.

• Miss Q, Owner, The Brookland Smoke Shop

6:00pm 

Organic Soil Demo/Q&A w/ Rapp Road Genetics 

Learn about organic soil composition and building the best soil for your home grow.. 

• Bukweetz, Founder/CEO, Rapp Road Genetics

6:30pm 

Backyard Bandits: Lazy Outdoor Growing in the DMV 

Learn how to successfully grow your own medicine outdoors, under the sun, and organically in our East Coast climate and (sub)urban conditions. Cannabis doesn't require synthetic chemicals, expensive lights, or complicated HVAC setups. I’m here to empower you to grow a few plants working in partnership with Mother Nature, not against her. 

• Sebi Medina-Tayac, Founder, Red Cedar Farms

Saturday, July 19

2:30pm 

Grow With Honor: The Fight for Veteran Safe Access 

Veterans shouldn’t have to fight for their right to heal. Grow With Honor puts the spotlight on the national fight for safe and legal home cultivation for veterans. Homegrown4Heroes leads this fight by providing veterans with safe, tested cannabis grown by a dedicated network of volunteer cultivators. 

• Jennifer Bailey, CEO and Founder, Grow With Honor

3:15pm

Inside the Mind of a Ganjier: Craft, Culture & Cannabis Connoisseurship 

Dive deep into the world of the Ganjier with Alan Amsterdam and David Tart —certified cannabis sommeliers. Explore the rigorous methods used to assess flower quality, aroma, flavor, and experience.  

• Alan Amsterdam, Certified Ganjier and Partner, Capitol Hemp

• David Tart, Certified Ganjier and Senior Marketing Manager, Curaleaf 

4:00pm

Small Batch, Big Impact 

What happens when small-batch artistry meets big-picture vision? Join James Kahn, the owner of the District’s newest dispensary, Cookies DC, and Matt Lawson-Baker from AltSol, a leading DC cannabis cultivator, as they spark a conversation about staying true to craft values while scaling up. From terpene-rich strains to the challenges of opening a shop, this panel dives into the highs and hurdles of building a cannabis business with integrity.

• James Kahn,Cannabis Entrepreneur Cookies DC & Takoma Wellness Center

• TBA

5:15pm 

Atlas Seeds Raffle Winner Announcements

Stop by the Atlas booth in Grower’s World to enter our special raffle featuring two limited-release strains—one autoflower, and one photoperiod. Three winners will score big: two win 10-packs and one lucky winner gets 15 packs! Every entry gets a free seed—just drop your name, email, and phone number to enter. Don’t miss your chance to win!  

5:30pm 

To be announced.

6:15pm 

Regenerative Cultivation Techniques  

Learn how to grow cannabis the natural way! This demo will cover regenerative cultivation techniques using living soil, compost, and natural amendments. Discover how to build healthy ecosystems, boost plant resilience, and grow top-shelf flower 

• Carmin Ruggiero, COO, Capitol Hemp Owner, LLC