Spannabis 2025: Adios, Barcelona… Let the Bilbao Era Begin
By Luna Stower – Dir. of Mycology & Retail Education, CHAMPS Trade Shows
This year’s Spannabis felt different.
Not just because of the gray skies or the bittersweet vibe lingering in the air, but because we all knew: this was the last time we’d gather in Cornellà de Llobregat, the cool glass-pyramid shaped venue that’s been home to Europe’s biggest cannabis trade show for over two decades.
Spannabis 2025 marked the end of an era in Barcelona, a city I’ve been traveling to for over a decade… and while the organizers cited “a lack of adequate space” as the reason for relocating, the real story is that cannabis is still not legal or accepted by the Spanish powers-the-be.
The truth is, the fairgrounds that host the World Congresses (and events far larger than our 70,000-person gathering) have flat-out refused to rent to cannabis expos.
Despite the vibrant, culturally embraced cannabis scene in Barcelona, anchored by the city’s famed private cannabis clubs, the political powers have always treated us like unwelcome guests. Every year folks get detained, searched, and clubs raided by officers seeking to scare and shake-down consumers and tourists in town for the festivities.
So, really, it’s not about space; it’s about stigma. They don’t want us there. Maybe it’s the huge cloud of smoke, music, and youth culture that defines Spannabis… or maybe it’s the fear of being seen as pro-cannabis in an unfriendly country.
Either way, we were definitely pushed out.
Gloomy Goodbyes
The weather mirrored my mood on Day 1: gloomy. Everyone I talked to, from OG cultivators to new-gen tech vendors, shared a similar sadness and nostalgia for what was, with skepticism and cautious, reserved optimism.
Spannabis has been a beloved pilgrimage, a family reunion; a sacred time and space to celebrate the plant and the people. Bidding farewell to our ‘home’ in Barcelona felt like watching a rich, beautiful cultural landmark dismantled in real time.
But not everyone was mourning.
Some saw the move to Bilbao as a welcomed, fresh start. Some have hope for what is to come, welcoming a shake-up of the politics, allowing for some new energy, and to create a more level playing field. The booth placement politics have been a sore spot for years, where legacy vendors got prime real estate, while up-and-comers were boxed out. So a venue reset might just mean a cultural and economic reset, too.
What About the Infamous Social Clubs?
Half the magic of Spannabis happens before the show starts, and after the expo closes: after-parties, private dinners, product tastings, unique brand activations, and infused dinners is what makes people bond with their favorite clubs, like HQ Barcelona, Terpy, Choko, La Kalada, High Class, OG Club, Strain-hunters, RDM, Blue Dream, Flight Club, The Backyard, Doja, and Terp’s Army.
These aren’t just events. They’re where deals get done, where friendships get forged, and where the soul of the scene lives.
Moving to Bilbao threatens to disrupt this delicate ecosystem of social clubs and underground hospitality. Without them, will it even feel like Spannabis anymore?
Highlights Amid the Heartache
Despite the gray cloud of goodbye, there were still beautiful moments.
Private tastings, invitation-only infused dinners, countless collaborations sparked in back lounges and club patios and basements. Being there felt like a real reunion, a last hurrah for a city that’s held us, and our movement, for over 20 years.
I did a presentation on Love in Marketing at C-Days by Cannabis Hub, a powerful gathering held at a university, featuring professors, researchers, and deans from Cannabis Master’s and undergraduate programs in Catalonia.
The feedback was incredible and the enthusiasm for cannabis in Europe is very real, especially in academic and medical spaces. Yet, the writing is on the wall… Germany is where the action’s moving.
I also had the honor of speaking at ICBC Barcelona, where I’ve been a regular presence for years. This time, it hit different… ICBC announced they won’t be returning to Spain after this, and are shifting their focus to more cannabis-forward markets like Germany.
Between ICBC Berlin in April and the massive Mary Jane show in June (which drew over 50,000 per day last year), it’s clear that while Spain may be culturally rich, it’s politically rigid. Brands, educators, and operators are gravitating toward Germany, where legalization is real, and the market is actively opening.
A Record-Breaking Year
This year’s Spannabis didn’t just go out with a bang… it broke records. With 25,000+ attendees from more than 50 countries, 500+ exhibiting companies, and a local economic impact of over €8 million, it was the biggest edition in Spannabis history.
And you could feel it. From the packed pavilions buzzing with energy (and lots of smoke!) to the sheer scale of professional engagement.
5,000+ of us accredited professionals attended, and 2,400 workers helped pull off what truly felt like a global convergence of European-meets-Western cannabis culture, IRL commerce and compelling product innovation.
The programming reflected this moment of transition, too. While the political tension in Spain was palpable, the fair still doubled down on forward-thinking education, with speaker sessions on the therapeutic applications of cannabis, global legalization trends, and hemp as a regenerative building material.
These weren’t just side notes, they’re signals that the industry here is maturing, despite the backdrop of prohibition.
Looking Ahead
Spannabis isn’t dying, it’s evolving.
The move to the beach-side city of Bilbao opens a new chapter, and with it, a new opportunity to redefine what a cannabis trade show can be.
As we look toward Bilbao and beyond, the question isn’t whether Spannabis will survive the shift — it’s how we’ll carry this momentum forward in a way that honors the cultural roots we’ve built over the last two decades.
We’ll be watching closely, as an industry, and continuing to show up with intention, integrity, and solid educational content. Because that’s what we do: build bridges. We push the conversation and movement forward. And we make sure our industry grows, with roots intact.
Hope to see you at the next one… maybe in a new city, but always with the same heart.
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