2nd Annual Trinidad & Tobago Cannabis Conference, Expo & Growers Cup 2024
We’re thrilled to finally have our blog section back up and running after losing our previous website! As we rebuild and re-upload all our content one by one, we couldn’t leave out one of the most significant Cannabis events of last year — the 2nd Annual Trinidad & Tobago Cannabis Conference, Expo, and Growers Cup, held on November 30th, 2024 at Green Yard, Port of Spain.
This event, organized by Marcus Ramkissoon, marked the third overall of its kind and the second official annual Conference and Expo, following the Ganja Guru Cup in August, which focused solely on the Growers Cup competition. The November edition brought back the full experience — Conference, Expo, and Growers Cup — all in one event, and it was a true celebration of Caribbean Cannabis culture, education, and innovation.
And guess what? The next one is already on the calendar — the 3rd Annual Trinidad & Tobago Cannabis Conference, Expo & Growers Cup is set for November 22nd and 23rd, 2025. But before we look ahead, let’s recap the highlights of last year’s unforgettable event.
The Growers Cup: A Showcase of Skill and Grit
The Growers Cup continues to be one of the most anticipated Cannabis events in Trinidad & Tobago, bringing together cultivators to display their hard work, creativity, and mastery.
In 2024, there were 24 indoor and 14 outdoor entries, a smaller number compared to previous years. The absence of an edibles category and the lack of monetary prizes likely contributed to the drop in entries — but it also reflected deeper realities of the local cultivation scene.
Why Fewer Entries?
Without cash rewards, many growers find it hard to part with flower that could easily earn $1,500 TTD per ounce on the market. While trophies hold prestige, they don’t always pay the bills. Still, the quality of submissions, especially from first-time entrants, remained strong — and some even dominated the awards.
That said, there’s a bigger picture. Winning a competition like the TT Growers Cup holds long-term value. When Cannabis becomes fully regulated in Trinidad & Tobago, foreign investors and companies will inevitably seek to establish local operations. They’ll be looking for the best master cultivators and heads of cultivation — not based on word of mouth, but on proven results.
Competitions like these help identify and recognize top growers early, building their reputation and credibility through awards and public recognition. This sets them up as prime candidates for leadership roles in reputable international and local companies once the Cannabis industry is formally established. The Growers Cup isn’t just about competition — it’s about building the future of the Caribbean Cannabis workforce.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Mixed but Promising Results
Judges noted that while indoor entries showed consistency, few stood out as truly exceptional this year. Outdoor growers, on the other hand, faced tough conditions due to a difficult rainy season, which affected yield and potency.
Still, the results spoke volumes. THC levels across all entries ranged from 17% to 26%, with one outdoor sample taking second place in potency at an impressive 25% THC — a remarkable feat given the challenges faced by outdoor cultivators.
The Concentrates and Potency Categories
The Concentrates Category
All flower entries, whether indoor or outdoor, were also pressed into concentrates and evaluated separately through dabbing. This gave competitors a chance to showcase the quality and versatility of their product in extract form — a growing trend among Caribbean Cannabis users.
The Potency Testing
Separately, each flower sample was tested for potency using the Alpha Cat test system, which employs Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to measure THC and other cannabinoids.
This year, the organizers ensured that all samples were tested at the same relative humidity, correcting a major inconsistency from previous years. In the past, drier samples tested artificially higher for potency. With this adjustment, the 2024 Cup delivered more accurate and reliable results, giving every grower a fair shot.
Standout Winners
This year introduced five first-time entrants, many of whom swept multiple awards. The big star of the show was “Toni from Tobago,” who took home six awards out of eighteen — an outstanding achievement.
Toni’s Colorado Gelato strain dominated nearly every category, winning:
- 🥇 1st & 2nd in Indica-Dominant Indoor
- 🥇 1st & 2nd in Extracts
- 🥇 1st in Potency
- 🥈 2nd in Sativa-Dominant Outdoor
He credited his success to the use of AC Infinity lights and products, underscoring the importance of proper technology in achieving consistent, top-tier results.
The Conference: Knowledge Meets Growth
The Conference is truly the heart of the Cannabis Expo — where education meets inspiration. It brought together a diverse lineup of speakers who shared their expertise and experiences across cultivation, science, policy, and holistic health.
Key Speakers & Topics
- Zane Mohammed: Shared his expertise on outdoor cultivation and achieving high yields, offering practical strategies for success despite the challenges of Trinidad’s tropical climate.
- Leshawn Gopee: Took a deep dive into the chemistry of the Cannabis plant, explaining cannabinoids, terpenes, and extraction processes in an accessible and engaging way.
- Nkosi Felix: Presented on the differences between HPS and LED lighting, breaking down how light spectrum impacts plant health, growth cycles, and potency.
- Marcus Ramkissoon: Touched on Cannabis regulation in Trinidad, outlining current policies and the steps needed to create a robust, well-regulated industry.
- Ayanna Wadada: Delivered an inspiring talk on the holistic aspects of Cannabis, exploring how the plant influences human health, community, and the environment.
One of the standout moments came from Nkosi’s light spectrum presentation, where he detailed the measurable advantages of LED systems over HPS lighting for sustainable cultivation. Adding to that, a young grower wowed the audience by revealing how he achieved an astonishing 64-pound yield from a single plant — proof of how far local growers have come.
The Expo: Small but Impactful
While smaller and more intimate than past editions, this year’s Expo still showcased impressive local innovation. Only three vendors were present, each offering unique contributions to Trinidad & Tobago’s growing Cannabis ecosystem.
A highlight was Dave Soondar, who presented his fruit-based rolling papers — made from natural mango and banana skins. His creativity captured everyone’s attention, and his brand is poised to become a Caribbean favorite.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Trinidad & Tobago Cannabis Conference, Expo & Growers Cup may have been smaller in scale, but it was rich in knowledge, innovation, and community spirit. The event continues to serve as a crucial platform for elevating local growers, educating the public, and building a unified Cannabis culture across the Caribbean.
We extend our deepest respect and gratitude to Marcus Ramkissoon, whose relentless drive, passion, and vision make these events possible year after year. His work continues to push the Cannabis conversation forward in Trinidad & Tobago — from advocacy and education to cultivation and business.
As we look ahead to the 2nd Annual Ganja Guru Cup on April 20th, 2025, and the 3rd Annual Cannabis Conference & Growers Cup on November 22nd–23rd, 2025, we’re excited to see how the community continues to grow and evolve.
Who knows — maybe next year, the Ladies of 420 will throw their hats into the ring!
Stay Safe & Stay High
Asha & Ayanna Wadada
