Kathryn Reilly is the Founder and CEO of CannExpo, the premier cannabis consumer-retail show in Canada.  She is an innovator in the trade and consumer show industry with over 40 years of experience, having founded and sold three successful shows:  National Bridal Show, Success with Gardening Show, and BabyTime.  Kathryn is passionate about creating engaging and educational events that connect consumers, businesses, and experts in various fields and industries. 

Kathryn is also the owner of Social Web Media, a web design and social media company that specializes in building and supporting custom WordPress websites for a diverse range of clients, including cannabis businesses. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.SocialWebMedia.ca.

Kathryn Reilly was the obvious choice for the April Mensch of the Month, and also earns our highest accolade of a Righteous Gentile for opposing antisemitic attacks on Jews in the cannabis community, and defending Jews from a hostile environment at the recent CannExpo show in Toronto. We hope she inspires others to oppose antisemitic attacks and racist harassment, and to try to feel our pain at this moment as we cope with an unprecendented amount of Jew hate in Canada. Editor-In-Chief Dr. Lissa Skitolsky (LS) had the opportunity to thank Kathryn (KR) and ask her some questions earlier this week:

LS:  What was your path to the cannabis industry?

KR:  I’ve been using cannabis on and off since I was a teenager; first recreationally, but in recent years I discovered how it can be great for wellness too.  I have fibromyalgia and someone suggested I try CBD cream.  Today, my cannabis consumption preferences are a blend of edibles, topicals, and vape, complemented by a healthy lifestyle that embraces mostly plant-based eating and daily walks of 3 to 5 kms. 

My background includes producing well-known consumer shows; the National Bridal Show and BabyTime. When I sold those shows, I moved to Collingwood, and started a web design and social media company. Through that, I worked with some cannabis clients and had to navigate the tricky advertising rules for that industry.  My company, Social Web Media, is great at social branding and websites for cannabis brands. In 2021, after my fourth child left the nest I got the itch to get back into show business and moved back to Toronto. I turned a house sale into an investment opportunity in the cannabis space – I knew my next show had to be cannabis-focused!

I went all-in on learning the cannabis industry, attending conferences across Canada and the US. Getting CannExpo off the ground for year one was tough, and we made it to year two where exhibitors said it was a total game-changer. We’re making plans to return to the Enercare Centre in Toronto for a two-day show in March 2025 and we’ll be announcing more details shortly.

LS:  When I moved to Canada, I was surprised that the stigma attached to cannabis is still so present even with federal legalization. Is there anything you’ve learned or experienced that you were not expecting about the cannabis industry?

KR:  It’s been quite a learning experience. The biggest challenge I’ve had is promotion and advertising for the show. I was turned down by radio stations (they can’t age-gate) and mainstream media is still not embracing cannabis. Even though Cannabis is legal in Canada we still have to adhere to stringent guidelines to avoid getting shadow banned or even having our page taken down. Social media companies have the ability to age-gate and restrict the location to Canada but they cling to archaic International cannabis laws instead. In addition, I experienced getting turned down by some essential services because of cannabis. 

LS:  Thank you so much for defending the Jewish community against hate and harassment, and creating a cannabis space devoted to peace, dialogue and respect.  I’m sorry you have suffered such extreme harassment as a result, and I hope other cannabis leaders are inspired by your courage and example.  On behalf of my Jewish readers I have to ask: what motivated you to defend Jewish participants at the recent CannExpo, when solidarity is not exactly a popular position right now?

KR:  As the event organizer, one of my core responsibilities is fostering an inclusive atmosphere where all attendees feel respected, valued, and free from harassment or discrimination. Unfortunately, prior to the show, certain activist groups engaged in hate speech and then, at the show, displayed symbols that made some of our Jewish speakers, exhibitors and visitors deeply uncomfortable throughout the weekend.

From my perspective as the organizer, I had an obligation to de-escalate this situation. Asking an exhibitor to remove items that made attendees feel unsafe was simply an effort to uphold our policies and ensure everyone could participate without fear. This did not constitute a hate crime or racism, but rather an attempt to create a welcoming environment for all.

The false accusations and threats leveled against me are not only unacceptable under Canadian law, but they undermine the very principles of openness, mutual understanding, and respectful dialogue that our event aims to promote. Moving forward, I remain committed to facilitating a space where diverse perspectives can be shared and constructive conversations can be had without hatred or intimidation.

LS: My hope is that other cannabis organizations can take seriously what you had to suffer just to protect Jews at a cannabis event—which we expect to be peaceful and dope—and take measures to better protect all minority groups from racist harassment at upcoming expos.  CJM has recommended a working statement on racism and discrimination that organizations can adopt to respond to the current climate:

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards acts and words of hate.  There is no room in our community for anyone who incites hatred or violence against an ethnic, racial, national, religious or political group as such, or who cannot respect the integrity of women, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and those with disabilities. 

We do not just represent a profession, but a vocation based on healing and global cooperation that requires dialogue, patience and empathy.  We will always strive to create an environment in which everyone feels safe, and in certain climates this may require new guidelines or policies to create an inclusive, trauma-informed space. 

Our hope is that we can bring together people with diverse perspectives and beliefs to engage in respectful discussions regarding the power and promise of cannabis, and that these discussions can help break down some of the false divisions that we create as a species.

KR: CannExpo is pleased to adopt your statement to protect event organizers and all minority groups at cannabis events. I love that it is universal!

LS: That’s so great to hear! I’m so happy CJM could help.  I’m also happy to report that even though we just sent out the statement to cannabis advocacy groups and recruitment companies for review and feedback, it has already been endorsed by the Israel Cannabis Association, the Sonoma Valley Cananbis Group and Hunter + Esquire—a leading recruitment and consulting firm in the Cannabis & Psychedelics Industries.  Their early enthusiasm gives us hope that other cannabis organizations will also endorse the statement to respond to our current crisis and ensure that all minority groups feel safe and  welcome at upcoming expos.Join our effort to oppose Jew hate in the cannabis community and endorse a statement that affirms the dignity and integrity of all minority groups!  Cannabis advocates and organizations can fill out a form here and include your logo for inclusion in an article that kvels about your solidarity with the Canna-Jewish community. ✡️🌱

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the inaugural HolyFlower cup and 420 party in Kuli Alma, Tel Aviv, hosted by Holy Flower TLV to judge the flower that deserves the sacred honor of being declared the Best that Israel has to offer⏤quite possibly the highest standard there is (nu?). I guarantee you don’t want to miss this party, which is also a mitzvah, as those attending will take part in an historic event that will embody the peace, love, and joy that we need to help repair the world.

Vote for the Next CJM Mensch of the Month!

preferably, someone you talk about way too much to remind yourself of the type of person you’re trying to be, a person who connects respect for the herb with being a good ally to minority groups in the cannabis industry. L’chaim! 🌱❤️✡️