Cannabiz Africa;s Brett Hilton-Barber in conversation with Cannabis Expo CEO Silas Howarth.

BHB: The Cannabis Expo appeared to have rebounded in a healthier and more mature state after Covid. What was your experience of how the 2025 Cannabis Expo went?

SH:Absolutely, 2025 marked a significant turning point for us. The energy at the Sandton Convention Centre was palpable — not just in terms of attendance, but in the calibre of discussions, the quality of exhibitors, and the range of innovations on display. We’ve seen the industry evolve rapidly since the pandemic, and this year’s expo really reflected a more structured, professional, and collaborative cannabis ecosystem in South Africa, not to mention a huge amount of fun.

BHB: Is it possible to estimate what kind of rand spend took place at the Sandton Convention Centre over the three days of the Expo? Would you hazard a guess?

SH:While we don’t track exact figures due to the nature of business-to-business and consumer transactions happening both on and off-site, a conservative estimate would suggest that of millions of rand exchanged hands over the three days. Between product sales, service deals, wholesale agreements, and investment conversations that initiated at the expo, the economic impact is substantial — not just at the venue, but across the entire cannabis value chain.

BHB: What were the highlights of the Expo for you personally?

SH: Personally, one standout moment was the vibrant Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit, the International Cannabis Symposium and the Cannabis Convention stages — the discussions were bold, forward-thinking, and solution-oriented. Hearing from cultivators, legal experts, policy-makers and entrepreneurs reinforced how dynamic this industry is. Another highlight was the sheer diversity of attendees — from traditional medicine practitioners to corporate investors, the mix was inspiring. The Freedom Fest is always such an amazing place to see the community come together and celebrate. 

BHB: You’ve said that every Expo is an educational experience for you. What was new that you learned at this year’s Expo?

SH: This year, I was particularly struck by the innovations around cannabis technology and compliance solutions. From traceability software to environmentally sustainable cultivation methods, it's clear that the industry is moving towards global standards.

BHB: After interacting with so many stakeholders over the weekend, what’s your view of where the SA cannabis industry is mid-2025?

SH: There’s cautious optimism. While policy clarity remains a sticking point, there’s undeniable momentum in the private sector and among civil society. We’re seeing increased sophistication in cultivation and retail, better legal frameworks being discussed, and more appetite for investment. However, for South Africa to become a world leader in the cannabis space, we still need a clear, unified regulatory pathway — that remains the elephant in the room.

BHB: As Expo organizers, did Dr Green contact you to inform you about their abrupt change of plans?

SH: No, we were as surprised as anyone. Dr Green had confirmed their participation and was fully set up at the Expo.

BHB: Is it too soon to talk about where next year’s Expo will be?

SH: We will be hosting The Cannabis Expo in Cape Town in 2026, and are already planning for our biggest cannabis event yet with a lot of exciting new additions. Watch this space!