There's a Weed Farmers Market at This Cannabis Lifestyle Event in Malibu

People browse through rows of vendors in the hills in Malibu, scoping out farmers' latest crops and companies' products. They discuss where products are from and how farmers grow.

These people aren't picking up groceries — they're getting pot.

Emerald Exchange brings Northern California farmers and Southern California companies together for an event that features a cannabis farmers market, workshops, music, a speaker series and educational events. The first Emerald Exchange was held in Malibu last August and two other events have been held since then. Some 500 attendees came out for the latest event in March.

As California dives into a so-called green rush with the legalization of recreational marijuana last November, Emerald Exchange gives attendees an opportunity to learn about the cannabis they are consuming, where it comes from and how it's grown — from some of the best farmers in the business.

"The way that people are able to approach the craft of growing their product up there is just really special," said Michael Katz, co-founder of Emerald Exchange and Evoxe Laboratories, a cannabis vaporizer company.

At the farmers market, the bulk of farmers are from Humboldt and Mendocino counties. Imagine a farmers market where instead of growing tomatoes, zucchini and squash, farmers are growing their own cannabis, Katz said.

Aside from sun-grown cannabis, vendors and companies who source from those Northern California cultivators sell products including infused olive oils, massage oils and lemonade, along with other health and wellness products. There are even some non-cannabis products available. Medical marijuana card holders receive wristbands that allow them to make cannabis transactions with vendors.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Life after Shohei Ohtani begins for Angels when they open MLB season in Baltimore

Weekend races called off at Santa Anita Park with spring storm in the forecast

The day's events are all designed to bring consumers, cultivators, and leaders in the industry together, something emphasized during workshops and a speakers' series. Topics focus on what is happening in the state with marijuana, and on what will help the cannabis community move forward together to create positive progress, Katz said.

The next Emerald Exchange is slated for August 12-13, and other events are in the works, including talk of an event that would bring SoCal companies to the farmers up north, added Katz.

Below, take a look at some moments from Emerald Exchange this March.

30 photos
1/30
Evan Mann
A vendor stands behind a table covered with products at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
2/30
Evan Mann
Some 500 attendees came out for Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
3/30
Evan Mann
Two women talk at a vendor table at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
4/30
Jacob Messina of Mesmeric Films
An aerial view from an Emerald Exchange event on March, 18, 2017.
5/30
Evan Mann
People talk and eat at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
6/30
Evan Mann
People browse different vendors at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
7/30
Evan Mann
Cannabis pictured at Emerald Exchange held on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
8/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
9/30
Evan Mann
Vendors and farmers brought cannabis and products to Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
10/30
Evan Mann
A list of prices at Emerald Exchange in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
11/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
12/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in the hills in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
13/30
Evan Mann
Vendors and farmers came to Emerald Exchange on March 18, 2017.
14/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
15/30
Evan Mann
A vendor sells food at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
16/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 in Malibu.
17/30
Evan Mann
Several musical artists were featured at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
18/30
Evan Mann
A vendor's table at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
19/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange featured workshops and a speakers series on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
20/30
Evan Mann
An assortment of farmers and vendors came to Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
21/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange featured workshops and a speakers series on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
22/30
Evan Mann
Some 500 attendees came out for Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
23/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
24/30
Evan Mann
Several deejays played music at night during Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
25/30
Evan Mann
Musicians played during Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
26/30
Evan Mann
Vendors sell a variety of products at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
27/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange brings Northern California farmers together with Southern California companies. Its latest event was on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
28/30
Evan Mann
Vendors and farmers came to the event on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
29/30
Evan Mann
An artist at work is captured at Emerald Exchange on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
30/30
Evan Mann
Emerald Exchange was held in the hills in Malibu on Saturday, March 18, 2017.
Contact Us