The Festival Buzz
Mary Jane Berlin drew 80,000 attendees into a single hall, reminding them why cannabis culture thrives. The crowd roared, music pulsed, and vendors filled the space with energy that echoed 2016.
The Road South
Journalists and industry insiders boarded buses organized by En Volá for a two‑day tour that broke the expo schedule. A gas station stop turned into an impromptu session, and travelers happily abandoned the timetable for conversation.
Inside Germany’s Medical Cannabis Machine
DEMECAN, the sole independent German firm licensed to cultivate medical cannabis under EU‑GMP standards, opened its doors after a half‑hour biosecurity walkthrough. Inside, a pristine grow produced high‑quality flower while staff hand‑extracted rosin, proving pharmaceutical rigor can coexist with craft quality.
From Lab to Castle
The tour moved south to Schlosshotel Althörniz, a historic castle that became the trip’s hub. Without an expo floor, conversations stretched into village walks, dinner tables, and late‑night panels on regulation and market growth.
Sauna, Barbecue and German Hospitality
Day two featured a village stroll, a sauna session, and a barbecue that ran past sunset, turning the castle into a community gathering. A DJ powered a courtyard party, while a nearby booth demonstrated clean electric extraction that drew crowds beside the dance floor.
Three in the Morning
Several attendees stayed until three a.m. to watch Argentina’s 3‑0 World Cup victory, turning the castle into a football stadium for ninety minutes.
What Berner Saw
Berner noted that the festival felt like the old 2016 vibe, a reminder that community, not just commerce, defines the modern cannabis scene. He highlighted 80,000 participants united by a single passion: weed.
Organizers thanked Mary Jane Berlin, En Volá, Storz & Bickel, DEMECAN, Proton and Ion Positive for their support, while all reporting remains editorial and independent.
