Starting a licensed cannabis business can be complicated, to say the least. Between compliance, funding, and finding trustworthy partners, there’s a lot to navigate. Trade shows meant to ease these burdens can also overwhelm. Fortunately for new operators in Maryland and Washington, D.C., one unique event aims to help.
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The MD Marketplace is a half-day-long event designed to establish partnerships between cannabis licensees and the vendors who support the industry. Organized by Kuya and Hey Mango, the second annual event seeks to set licenseholders up for success.
MD Marketplace runs April 29 from 3-8 p.m. at Overhills Mansion in Catonsville, Maryland, just outside Baltimore. The event combines high-impact networking and education in a consumer-friendly environment. More like a buyer’s club than a traditional conference, the curated attendee list aims to connect operators with relevant partners.
Yonel Prasad, a cannabis industry veteran and one of the MD Marketplace organizers, told GreenState the goal is to help operators have meaningful conversations with companies that understand their needs. After attending many industry events, he said, it became clear that licensees often don’t know where to start.
“Over the past few years, we’ve been working closely with operators in Maryland to help educate and support them as the market develops,” Prasad explained. “When the new licenses were awarded, we knew it was critical for these operators to get connected with the right companies as they moved toward becoming operational.”
Exhibitors include a wide range of essential service providers, such as security firms and point-of-sale platforms, as well as several brands. Attendees can peruse the activations at a leisurely pace or sit down one-on-one in the lounge. Panels will take place upstairs, along with food and refreshments.
To make the most of MD Marketplace, Prasad suggests attendees identify the problems they want to solve before arriving. Being transparent about their stage of development helps companies provide more meaningful guidance. Speaking with peers can also be valuable, especially in the relationship-driven cannabis industry.
Most importantly, licensees should view the vendors in the room as potential partners, not just service providers.
“The mindset should be, ‘How can I leverage this company’s expertise to streamline and strengthen my operation?’ Having a clear game plan and being intentional with their time will make a big difference,” Prasad explained.
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GreenState attended the inaugural MD Marketplace in 2025. The unique venue, intentional exhibitor list, and insightful panels made for a relaxed yet engaging day. The team will be back for 2026, hosting interviews and covering the latest on emerging markets of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
As these markets come online, the early conversations could make or break the rollouts. Organizers say that urgency drives the event.
“If the right conversations happen in the room and partnerships begin to form, the event has done its job,” Prasad said. “At the end of the day, this event is about helping Maryland operators move forward with the right partners around them.”
