If you’re looking to join the Ohio cannabis industry or just immerse yourself in your love for the plant, there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone this summer to vibe with like-minded folks. While new state laws limit sharing and selling outside of dispensaries, organizations are carefully planning ways to still gather, network and advocate together. Here’s our MedicateOH list for upcoming events in Ohio communities this summer:
Grassroots Advocacy in a Legal Era: MedicateOH @ ComFest 2026
Comfest 2026: June 26-28
Building on its role as Ohio’s trusted source for independent cannabis journalism and heartfelt patient advocacy, MedicateOH is thrilled to announce its return to the Columbus Community Festival (ComFest) at Goodale Park in Columbus from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28.
This marks the second consecutive year that MedicateOH will bring its passion for patient outreach to the massive, volunteer-powered festival. Following a year of rapid expansion in Ohio’s adult-use market, MedicateOH is deepening community trust, listening to local patient stories, and providing a warm, reliable space for objective education in a fast-moving landscape.
Shared Roots, Shared Values
Founded in 1972 as a collective showcase for local progressive groups—including community health clinics, food cooperatives, and local media—ComFest has spent over five decades operating on a proud, non-corporate, volunteer-driven model.
The festival’s ethos provides the perfect backdrop to connect with neighbors and talk openly about cannabis. As Ohioans continue to navigate a fully active marketplace, we will be explaining the new laws helping everyday people safely navigate Ohio dispensaries and the products within them.
What to Expect at the MedicateOH Tent
The MedicateOH tent will be a lively, welcoming space designed for both curious adults and general festival-goers looking to learn more. Our tent serves as a warm, open forum where Ohioans can share their personal wellness journeys, talk about what works for them, and chat with us about their experiences with the state’s dispensary network.
Staff will be on hand to distribute swag and answer questions to adults, while the outside of the tent will feature a family-friendly “Spin-to-Win” prize wheel, loaded with free stickers for all who participate.
Growing Together: A Call for Industry Support
To keep these critical programs running and fully accessible, MedicateOH relies on the support of state-licensed brands and corporate allies. The organization is inviting its valued partners to join forces at ComFest by sending out passionate brand ambassadors to volunteer at the booth, connect with festival-goers, and assist with interactive games. Additionally, donations of compliant, non-product promotional merchandise, lifestyle gear, and educational brochures are highly encouraged to help spread the joy and keep attendees engaged all weekend long.
MedicateOH is calling on industry leaders to step up with financial contributions during this year’s ComFest. These donations do far more than fund a single weekend in the park; they directly sustain MedicateOH’s critical consumer advocacy journalism all year long. In a rapidly commercializing market, independent investigative reporting is what keeps the community safe, holds systems accountable, and ensures patient wellness remains the absolute priority. Supporting this activation ensures that the watchdog journalism Ohioans rely on can thrive through 2026 and beyond.
We encourage licensed cultivators, processors, and dispensaries to join us. Reach out to coordinate your volunteers or make a contribution directly through the MedicateOH 2026 Licensed Brand Marketing Activations portal.
The Budtender BBQ: June 27th
A Day for the People Who Keep the Industry Moving
If you’ve spent any time in cannabis, you know the real heartbeat of this industry isn’t found in a boardroom.
It’s found behind the counter.
It’s the budtenders educating new patients, helping consumers find the right products, answering questions all day long and representing brands every single time someone walks through the door.
That’s exactly why we’re hosting The Budtender BBQ a free to attend event for patients & budtenders.
On June 27, we’re bringing together budtenders, dispensary teams, brands, operators and industry friends from across Ohio for a day that’s built around one simple idea:
Give back to the people who make this industry special.
Budtender BBQ Event Details
This isn’t a sales event.
It’s not a trade show.
It’s not another day of sitting through presentations.
It’s a chance to step away from work, enjoy great food, connect with friends, meet new people and celebrate the community we’ve all worked so hard to build.
Expect a day filled with food, music, games, prizes, giveaways, networking and plenty of opportunities to relax and have some fun with the people you usually only see across a dispensary counter or at industry events.
Whether you’ve been in cannabis for ten years or ten weeks, everyone is welcome.
Our goal is simple: create an event where people can build relationships, share experiences, support one another and enjoy a day together without worrying about tickets, registration fees, or sales pitches.
The Ohio cannabis community has grown tremendously over the past few years. Through all that growth, one thing remains true: relationships matter.
The Budtender BBQ is our way of saying thank you.
Thank you to the budtenders.
Thank you to the managers.
Thank you to the dispensary teams.
Thank you to the brands that support the industry every day.
Most importantly, thank you to the people who continue showing up and helping Ohio cannabis move forward.
We’re proud to host this event and we’re even more excited to see the community come together for what we hope becomes an annual tradition.
Bring your coworkers. Bring your industry friends. Come hungry. Come ready to have some fun.
We’ll take care of the rest.
Mark your calendar for June 27th 2-10 p.m. @ 2448 Madison Rd in Cincinnati and make plans to join us. Whether you’re a budtender, manager, brand representative, or industry supporter, this is your chance to connect, celebrate, and be part of something special. Don’t miss out, we can’t wait to see you at The Budtender BBQ.
Cincinnati Industry Kayaking Meet: Rescheduled for June 28th
Good People, Great Vibes, Higher Purpose: $45/person
The cannabis community comes together for a kayaking adventure in Cincinnati at Scenic River Canoe Excursions. Meet at 10 a.m. Launch is at 11 a.m. Meet will take place only if weather and river conditions permit, so feel free to contact Chelsea (606.584.9002) for an update.
Additional Events to Check Out
The Ohio Classic Returns to Columbus July 13th: This event is currently “sold out” but you can follow the event details here for announcements and chances to score a free ticket.
Meetups (Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland): The Cincinnati meetups are back! Typically the first Tuesday of the month, you can confirm that and RSVP for the next Madtree Cincinnati meetup here. Columbus meetups can be found here and Cleveland meetups can be found here.
We hope to see you out there this summer! Be safe and have fun.
