Considering how medical marijuana has exploded on the Colorado scene over the past eighteen months, it was inevitable that somebody — in this case, www.dailybuds.com and Kush magazine — would eventually put together a Colorado Cannabis Convention. And it should also come as no surprise that the first-ever convention has exploded, doubling in size from what was initially planned to now fill more than 190,000 square feet in the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street.

So what can you expect from this convention? Well, there will be doctors, lawyers, dispensaries, caregivers, security companies, banks and insurance firms in the house, plus you’ll be able to find a public-relations firm, hire a band, learn how to cultivate the ganja yourself or even cook with it, courtesy of Chef Herb. People (and some of their marijuana strains) will be competing in cannabis art, the Colorado Cannabis Cup, glass-blowing and songwriting contests. There will be more live music and entertainment than you can shake a stick at — including a performance of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and appearances by Cypress Hill, promoting and signing the group’s new album, Rise Up, which will be released to the public on April 20. Clearly, the convention will have something for everyone, as long as you like to smoke the reefer.

And that’s not even getting into the vendors, the art, the hemp fashion, information and educational sessions, prize giveaways and much more. Tickets to the convention are $15 to $25; it runs from 4 to 10 p.m. today and from noon to 10 p.m. tomorrow. Get your tickets at www.cocannabisconvention.com.
Fri., April 2, 4-10 p.m.; Sat., April 3, 12-10 p.m., 2010