By PoppaDukes SERRANO, Executive Producer & Host of The OG Social Network Podcast
Stepping onto the global stage: PoppaDukes brings the spirit of the New York cannabis community to Spannabis 2026.
There’s a certain electricity in the air when you know you’re about to witness history. For years, I’ve been holding it down in the New York cannabis community, documenting the grind, the activism, and the sheer brilliance of our local entrepreneurs. But this April, things are moving to a whole different frequency. I’m packing my bags, grabbing the mic, and heading across the Atlantic for the very first time.
Destination? Bilbao, Spain. The occasion? Spannabis 2026.
This isn’t just a trip; it’s a milestone. For over two decades, Spannabis has been the heartbeat of the European cannabis scene, primarily rooted in Barcelona. But 2026 marks a massive shift, the legendary event is moving to the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) from April 17-19. As a first-time visitor to Europe, I couldn’t have picked a more thrilling moment to touch down. We’re talking about the globalization of our culture in real-time, and The OG Social Network Podcast is going to be right in the thick of it.
The Evolution: From Catalonia to the Basque Country
To understand where we’re going, you have to respect where the event has been. Spannabis has spent more than 20 years building a legacy as one of the world’s most important cannabis gatherings. It’s more than a trade show. It’s a full-scale cultural landmark that has long hosted the World Cannabis Conference and the prestigious Spannabis Champions Cup.
And if you know the Barcelona years, then you know people don’t talk about them like ordinary event weekends. They talk about them like legends. The old editions carried a pulse all their own. The music spilled through the walkways. The conversations ran from cultivation to legalization, from terpenes to politics, from underground hustle to boardroom strategy. At Fira de Cornellà, the crowds were famously packed in shoulder to shoulder, creating that electric feeling that something major was happening in every corner at once.
There was always a kind of beautiful overload to it. You had breeders, extractors, activists, artists, journalists, and entrepreneurs all moving through the same dense current of energy. The Spannabis Champions Cup gave the event its own mythology. For years, cup history has helped shape reputations across the global market, with standout flowers, hashes, and concentrates earning international respect. That legacy matters. It’s part science fair, part music festival, part political summit, and part family reunion for the global cannabis movement.
That’s what makes this move so big. After 22 years of history tied so closely to Barcelona, Spannabis 2026 heading to Bilbao doesn’t feel like a simple venue change. It feels like a turning point. It feels like the next chapter in the globalization of cannabis culture and commerce. The Bilbao Exhibition Centre is bigger, bolder, and built for a new level of international visibility. I’m excited to see how the industrial beauty and creative spirit of the Basque Country reshape the experience.
Is the world ready for the New York perspective? I think so. As we navigate cannabis networking events on this scale, we’re showing the world that the New York cannabis community isn’t just watching from the sidelines, we’re helping lead the conversation.
Media Flashbacks: The Legacy Before Bilbao
Before we touch down in Bilbao, it’s worth looking back at the media moments that made Spannabis such a magnet for the global scene. Part of the excitement isn’t just what the event is. It’s what it has already produced.
Year after year, the Spannabis Champions Cup has served up unforgettable moments that ripple through the market long after the trophies are handed out. The 2024 winners, the celebrated breeders, and the standout hash and flower entries all reminded the industry that real craftsmanship still matters. Those results weren’t just for bragging rights. They helped spotlight who was innovating, who was setting quality standards, and who was pushing the culture forward.
Then there’s the World Cannabis Conference, which has consistently brought together doctors, policymakers, scientists, and business leaders for serious conversations about regulation, education, public health, market access, and legalization. That matters to me because this isn’t just about hype. It’s about information. It’s about hearing the people who are helping define what cannabis looks like across borders.
That’s why I’m treating Spannabis 2026 like a media assignment and a personal milestone. We’re not showing up just to watch. We’re showing up to connect the dots for our audience. We’re showing up to ask better questions. We’re showing up to capture what these flashback moments can teach the New York cannabis community about where the next opportunities are headed.
Powerhouse Partners: The Engine Behind the Journey
This journey wouldn’t be possible without the trailblazing sponsors who believe in the mission of The OG Social Network Podcast. These are the companies and people who aren’t just participating in the industry. They’re helping shape what a stronger, smarter, more connected ecosystem looks like.
First up, a huge shoutout to Proteus420. They are absolute game-changers in the world of ERP software and data management. In cannabis, compliance can make or break a business. If operators can’t track inventory, stay organized, and respond to regulation in real time, growth gets shaky fast. That’s why Proteus420 is so vital to our mission. They represent the serious infrastructure behind sustainable opportunity. Recently, they even hosted a Lunch n’ Learn for licensed NYC businesses, which showed exactly why they matter to the new york cannabis community. They don’t just sell a solution. They help educate the market.
Then there’s Silk Road NYC. They represent the soul of retail in this city. They understand that cannabis isn’t just a product on a shelf. It’s culture, community, hospitality, and identity. That’s vital to what we do at The OG Social Network Podcast because we’ve always believed that the storefront experience is part of the story. As cannabis entrepreneurs nyc build brands in a crowded space, they need examples of retailers who understand how to create trust and connection.
Alongside them is Jade Stone Cannabis Branding, a true powerhouse creative partner. Branding in cannabis is often treated like decoration, but it’s much deeper than that. A strong brand helps communities feel seen. It helps women, people of color, and overlooked founders tell their stories with confidence and clarity. That aligns directly with our mission. We don’t just want businesses to launch. We want them to stand out with purpose.
We’re also moving with the support of Wepa Distributors. Distribution may not always get the spotlight, but it’s one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Products can’t change markets if they can’t move efficiently and responsibly. Wepa Distributors represents the nuts-and-bolts side of industry growth. For the podcast, that matters because we’re always trying to show listeners the real machinery behind the headlines. Success isn’t just branding and buzz. It’s execution.
Then there’s Meyers Security, another essential partner. Safety, trust, and professionalism are non-negotiable in this business. As the market matures, strong security signals legitimacy. It protects workers, customers, products, and reputations. That matters deeply when we talk about cannabis activism new york and social equity. Communities that were over-policed for years deserve an industry that now operates with care, dignity, and excellence.
And of course, this journey is fueled by innovators like Surfside. They’re leaders in cannabis-focused marketing and advertising technology, which makes them especially important in a landscape where brands still face restrictions that mainstream businesses don’t. Getting discovered in cannabis isn’t easy. Telling your story at scale takes strategy. Surfside helps bridge that gap, and that supports our mission to amplify voices that might otherwise be drowned out.
We’re also proud to travel with Green Spectrums CBD, who continue to push the envelope on wellness and education. Their work reminds us that cannabis is bigger than commerce. It’s about quality of life, access, and informed choices. Our farm tour visit with them showed how hands-on education can turn curiosity into confidence. That kind of real-world learning is exactly what our audience responds to.
And finally, Yerba Buena. Their dedication to quality and craft speaks to the heart of the plant itself. In a time when the market can move too fast, companies like Yerba Buena remind us to respect the process, the consumers, and the culture. They matter to our mission because they reflect the standard we want to champion: quality, authenticity, and pride in the work.
These sponsors aren’t just helping send me to Spain. They’re investing in a bigger idea. They’re helping take the voice of the Bronx, the strength of the new york cannabis community, and the value of meaningful cannabis networking events to a truly global stage.
Why Bilbao Matters for New York Entrepreneurs
You might be asking, “PoppaDukes, why Spain? Why now?”
The answer is simple: globalization. The walls are coming down. What happens in a social club in Bilbao or a research lab in Madrid can shape the legislative and commercial trends we see back home in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan.
Attending Spannabis 2026 is about more than seeing hundreds of international exhibitors. It’s about cannabis activism new york meeting global insight. It’s about watching how other countries approach legalization, public education, business structure, and consumer culture. It’s about asking what New York can learn, and what New York can teach in return.
“We have to be in the rooms where the future is being drafted. If we aren’t at the table, we’re on the menu.” — PoppaDukes SERRANO
Visualizing the Future: The Bilbao Exhibition Centre will host thousands of global cannabis leaders, creating a melting pot of innovation.
I’m particularly excited to attend the World Cannabis Conference. This is where the heavy hitters, scientists, policymakers, and cannabis entrepreneurs break down the data and challenge assumptions. I want to bring those insights back to our audience in a way that’s useful and real. I want to compare the European social club model with the licensed dispensary framework we’re building in New York. That kind of cross-pollination is what can help the new york cannabis community become sharper, more connected, and more competitive.
Personal Reflection: Bronx Energy on a Global Stage
I’ve got to be honest. This trip hits different.
This will be my first time in Europe, and there’s something thrilling about that all by itself. Anybody who’s ever taken that first overseas trip knows the feeling. Your mind is racing before you even get on the plane. You’re thinking about the airport, the language, the food, the time change, the streets, the history, and the people you’re about to meet. There’s adrenaline in that. Real adrenaline.
But this isn’t just tourism for me. I’m not showing up as a spectator. I’m showing up as PoppaDukes, carrying the energy of the Bronx, the heartbeat of the podcast, and the stories of the people who built this movement from the ground up. That comes with pride. It also comes with nerves.
Because let’s be real, when you represent your city and your community on an international stage for the first time, you feel the weight of it. You want to ask the right questions. You want to make the right connections. You want to show people that New York isn’t just a market. It’s a movement. It’s resilience. It’s culture. It’s innovation born under pressure.
That’s what makes this moment emotional for me. I’m thinking about the long road from prohibition to this point. I’m thinking about all the people who never got invited into the room. I’m thinking about the women, the Black and brown founders, the hustlers turned professionals, and the local voices who made the new york cannabis community what it is today. Taking that energy overseas feels like an honor.
And yes, I’m excited. Deeply excited. But I’m also grounded in gratitude. Every passport stamp starts with a story, and this one starts in the Bronx.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
As I prepare for this first trip to Europe, I’m reflecting on how far we’ve come. From the days of prohibition and underground advocacy to flying across the world to cover an international expo, it’s a testament to resilience, vision, and community.
The future of global cannabis is about connection. It’s about The OG Social Network Podcast sitting down with a cultivator from Morocco, a processor from Germany, and a brand owner from Spain, then finding the common thread. We’re all part of a movement that prioritizes the plant, the people, and the progress.
But let’s go even further. This trip can change the game for cannabis entrepreneurs nyc because access changes ambition. Once you see how international operators package products, build brands, educate consumers, and navigate policy, your own playbook gets bigger. That’s what exposure does. It stretches your thinking.
This is why global coverage matters. Our listeners won’t just get glossy photos and broad recaps. They can expect real reporting, sharp interviews, sponsor visibility, business takeaways, policy observations, and honest reflections from the floor. We’ll cover what’s useful for founders, students, advocates, operators, and curious supporters alike.
Here’s what I want this coverage to deliver:
- Practical insight from major cannabis networking events and conference sessions
- Global comparisons on legalization models and social club structures
- Fresh inspiration for the new york cannabis community
- Spotlights on innovators, activists, and cannabis entrepreneurs nyc
- A stronger bridge between local hustle and international opportunity
If we do this right, this won’t just be a trip recap. It’ll be a blueprint. It’ll show what’s possible when local voices think globally without losing their roots.
The OG Social Network Podcast: Bringing an authentic voice to every corner of the globe.
If you want to follow this journey, from the sights of the Guggenheim Museum to the energy of the Spannabis Champions Cup, stay locked into our channels. I’ll be dropping live updates, behind-the-scenes footage, sponsor highlights, and exclusive interviews with the trailblazers of the European scene.
Key Takeaways for the Community
- Global presence matters: To compete in today’s market, cannabis entrepreneurs nyc have to think beyond state lines.
- Education drives progress: Events like the World Cannabis Conference provide the insight we need to fight for smarter legalization frameworks.
- Collaboration wins: Our sponsors, from Proteus420 to Yerba Buena, show that a strong industry is built through aligned partnerships.
- Representation counts: Bringing Bronx perspective to Europe is part of making sure the new york cannabis community is seen and heard.
- Bilbao is a turning point: After 22 years in Barcelona, this move marks a major new chapter in cannabis globalization.
I’m thrilled to represent the Bronx, the podcast, and every single one of you in Spain. The takeaway is simple: when our local voice reaches a global room, everybody’s game gets bigger.
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About the Author
PoppaDukes Serrano is the Executive Producer and Host of The OG Social Network Podcast. The podcast covers the intersection of cannabis, culture, politics, and community in New York. PoppaDukes has deep roots in advocacy. He is committed to amplifying marginalized voices in the industry. PoppaDukes brings real talk grounded in lived experience and leadership. Follow the podcast for conversations with the trailblazers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and activists shaping the future.