When Hall of Flowers launched in California in 2018, the pitch was simple: build a cannabis trade show that actually looks and feels like the culture it serves. Eight years later, that idea is filling a pier on the Lower East Side. The New York show is sold out, and for the first time it’s spilling into the city around it.
The trade floor itself stays industry-only. But from October 19 through 22, exhibitors and retailers are throwing comedy shows, art events and parties across Manhattan and Brooklyn under the banner of Hall of Flowers Week — and many of them are open to the public. Some require an RSVP or a ticket, so plan ahead.
“A lot of us who built Hall of Flowers grew up around and love the plant,” said co-founder Rama Mayo. “When I started pitching the idea of the show, people thought we were crazy. Now we’re taking over an entire pier in Manhattan.”
Zig-Zag Co-Hosts a VIP Night at Torches
One of the week’s highlights happens off the pier. Zig-Zag, the rolling paper brand, is hosting a VIP event at Torches dispensary during Hall of Flowers Week.
Longtime cannabis journalist Danny Danko joins the evening, which is co-hosted by Cannabis Now. Expect good company, good conversation and a proper New York session with the people who’ve been covering and building this culture for decades.
When: Wednesday, October 21, 6–10 PM
Where: Torches, 12 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 (in the former Nat Sherman townhouse, steps from Grand Central)
The Week, Day by Day
Monday, October 19: The History of Weed at Caveat. The week kicks off at the downtown cabaret at 21 Clinton Street with the New York debut of David Bienenstock’s live stage show. Bienenstock — a former High Times editor, author of How to Smoke Pot (Properly) and co-creator of VICE’s Bong Appetit — runs through 10,000 years of cannabis history in an hour, from ancient hashish hotboxes to the night Willie Nelson lit up on the White House roof. An industry mixer rounds out the night. Showtime is 9 PM; tickets are on sale now.
Tuesday, October 20: Mixer and early badge pickup. Gold Standard and AlpineIQ host a free mixer at Nittis from 5 to 9 PM, with Salt, Beard Bros Pharms, Nittis and NYC Bud. Come early, network and skip the badge line on show day.
Wednesday and Thursday, October 21–22: The show. Pier 36 opens 10 AM to 5 PM both days, with food, lounges and programming alongside the booths.
After hours. Wednesday night, Puffco and Astor Club present the Puffco Experience NYC at 99 Scott Studio in Brooklyn from 6 to 10 PM — an official afterparty open to the public with an RSVP. Thursday, Highest Standards and Third Thursday close out the week on The Delancey Rooftop with Honeysuckle and Vertical Supply Co.
Brands You Won’t See Anywhere Else
More than 200 exhibitors will fill the pier, and over half of them aren’t showing at any other trade event. A few standouts:
- Stone Road, which brought the first legal charas to New York.
- Dabwoods, a brand that grew out of streetwear, music and art.
- Jenny’s, a woman-owned Hudson Valley brand making what may be the closest thing to a joint you’ll find in a pen.
- Harney Brothers, bringing three generations and 40 years of tea-making to New York’s only cannabis tea.
- Muha Meds, which signed up half a million members this year — 25,000 of them in New York before its full launch here.
- Jerome Baker, building a garden of five of the world’s largest bongs, some made in Brooklyn, with glass blown live outside the pier.
- Caviar Gold, 15 years into making infused products, with patents on its process.
- Lowell, the brand behind the first pre-roll pack, now relocated from California to the Hudson Valley.
- Veterans Holdings, a veteran-founded operation running five brands out of Gloversville, still led by the family whose name is on the door.
The buyers are showing up, too. The Hall of Flowers team has been calling dispensaries across the state daily, and buyers from 500 licensed stores have signed on so far.
KRINK Gives Hall of Flowers a New York Look
The most visible New York touch at this year’s show belongs to an artist. Hall of Flowers tapped Queens-born Craig Costello, better known as KRINK, to create the theme and the full visual identity, so the whole show wears his style. Costello started mixing his own markers in a Lower East Side apartment and has since worked with Nike, Moncler, Marc Jacobs and Levi’s.
Attendees will also leave with a show bag from BOND, the New York label founded by brothers Arben and Kuj Durollari, whose clients include Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny and Dua Lipa. Practical touch: it has a built-in scent-proof pouch.
Licensed retailers can still register for free at hallofflowers.com.
