After helping organise the inaugural Cape to Cape for Cannabis event in Western Australia, Green Street Dispensary owner and Cannabiz Awards judge, Paul Mavor, reflects on why the industry may benefit from stepping outside traditional conference rooms.
If you thought cannabis conferences were all ballrooms and PowerPoints, think again.
More than 100 attendees descended on Western Australia’s Margaret River region for the inaugural Cape to Cape for Cannabis in April – a four-day event blending clinical education with coastal hikes, networking and a healthy dose of fresh air.
The event, hosted by Medical Cannabis Research Australia (MCRA), kicked off with a continuing professional development education day featuring leading clinicians and researchers.
Discussions spanned chronic pain, cancer, PTSD and the current state of cannabis research in Australia.
A recurring theme was the real-world impact of THC driving laws, with speakers highlighting how they continue to hinder patient participation in clinical trials.
From there, it was boots on.
Attendees hit the iconic Cape to Cape Track for three days of walking, swapping conference rooms for cliff tops and coastline.
Conversations flowed just as freely on the trail, with many noting the format created more genuine, productive connections than a typical industry event.
There were plenty of highlights along the way – swims at the Instagram-famous Aquarium and Injidup Spa, dolphins spotted at Canal Rocks, and a walk past the Margaret River Pro surfing competition in full swing.
Evenings leaned into the region’s hospitality scene, with a standout jazz-themed networking night at Edwards Wines (complete with a full-size tiger moth in the tasting room) and a lively 4/20 closing party at a secret winery location.
Founder Sharlene Mavor said the goal was simple: bring the industry together in a way that actually fosters collaboration.
“We wanted to create something different: a space where people could connect in a more meaningful way,” she said.
“And it worked. The conversations, the energy, the feedback. It’s clear this format resonates.”
The event finished with a light-hearted awards ceremony, including a “Stuntman Award” for the most dramatic fall and a “Terminator Award” for the fittest participant, reinforcing the strong sense of community built over the four days.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback there was one common question: when’s the next one?
Cape to Cape for Cannabis may have just carved out a new path for industry events in Australia.
