New York City may be known for its marquee lights and Broadway legends, but in early June, the spotlight belonged to cannabis—and one EGOT-winning icon who brought a dose of star power to the industry’s premier East Coast B2B event.
At the 2025 Cannabis Means Business Conference & Expo (CMB), Whoopi Goldberg stole the show. The actress, comedian, and entrepreneur introduced Whoop-Tea, her new line of infused beverages created in partnership with South Jersey-based Pure Genesis. Marketed as a “crisp blend” of iced tea, lemonade, and 10mg of hemp-derived THC, the drink represents Goldberg’s mission to create a wellness product rooted in decades of personal cannabis use.
“This is like having a cocktail—but without the alcohol,” Goldberg told a packed crowd during her fireside chat with CNBC’s Tim Seymour. “If you don’t want to drink alcohol but want a light buzz, this is your drink.”
Her candid reflections, from managing pain and period cramps with cannabis to the systemic hurdles faced by Black women entrepreneurs, struck a chord in a hall filled with founders, investors, and aspiring moguls. “We’re not waiting for anyone,” she declared to cheers. “We are making it work for ourselves.”
Tech, Trends, and a Taste of the Future
The Javits Center buzzed with energy for two full days as CMB—formerly known as CWCBExpo—welcomed over 75 exhibitors, with a strong East Coast showing. From AI-powered packaging trackers to a joint-printing machine that drew more than a few Instagram stories, the expo floor was a laboratory of innovation. Panels touched on everything from international expansion to beverage infusion trends, with voices like Franny Tacy, Cynthia Salarizadeh, and Dr. Chanda Macias offering insight into the next frontier for cannabis branding and wellness.
The conference’s refreshed identity reflected the maturing cannabis marketplace: less flash, more function. And yet, the networking scene was anything but dull. Tuesday night’s rooftop NORML FORML set the tone with sweeping skyline views and policy conversations over cocktails. Wednesday’s O2Vape-sponsored yacht party offered a floating dancefloor and front-row seat to a smogless Manhattan sunset.
A Marketplace with Heart—and Momentum
CMB’s programming uplifted entrepreneurs at every stage. Cannabis & Tech Today’s own Editor-in-Chief, Charles Warner, led a workshop on AI’s transformative role in cannabis operations. Across panels, speakers urged pragmatism and adaptability in an industry increasingly defined by shifting regulations, cautious capital, and consumer demand for low-dose, reliable formats. Beverage sales alone are expected to top $3 billion by year’s end, according to Hype Magazine.
Yet amidst the market talk, CMB 2025 never lost its human thread. Thursday’s Women in Cannabis Entrepreneur Luncheon offered a platform for leaders like Kymberly “KymB” Byrnes, Degelis Tufts Pilla, and Faye Coleman to celebrate wins—and strategize for what’s next.
As the conference came to a close, one sentiment rang clear: Cannabis may mean business, but it’s personal too. Whether you’re launching a brand, lobbying for policy, or—like Whoopi—just tired of hiding what you love, the industry is carving space for more stories, more ownership, and more impact.
