California cannabis events, deadlines & dates
Conferences and trade shows held in California, the state’s regulatory, licensing and tax dates, and — because they apply here too — the nationwide retail sales days and federal policy dates. Subscribe to the California feed and it all lands in your own calendar.
September 2026
- Sep 4, 2026
- Sep 15, 2026
October 2026
- Oct 15, 2026
- Oct 31, 2026
November 2026
- Nov 2, 2026
- Nov 3, 2026
- Nov 4–5, 2026
- Nov 12, 2026
- Nov 25, 2026
- Nov 26, 2026
- Nov 27, 2026
December 2026
- Dec 24, 2026
- Dec 31, 2026
February 2027
- Feb 1, 2027
- Feb 14, 2027
March 2027
- Mar 15, 2027
April 2027
- Apr 1–30, 2027
- Apr 15, 2027
- Apr 16–20, 2027
- Apr 20, 2027
- Apr 30, 2027
May 2027
- May 28, 2027
July 2027
- Jul 3, 2027
- Jul 10, 2027
August 2027
- August 2027 · dates TBA
- Aug 2, 2027
September 2027
- Sep 3, 2027
- Sep 15, 2027
October 2027
- Oct 15, 2027
- Oct 31, 2027
November 2027
- Nov 1, 2027
- Nov 24, 2027
- Nov 25, 2027
- Nov 26, 2027
December 2027
- Dec 24, 2027
- Dec 31, 2027
June 2028
- Jun 30, 2028
KeyEventSalesPolicyRegulatoryTaxCultureDashed outline = date estimated or pending; confirm with the organizer before booking.
Upcoming in California
9 items- Nov 2, 2026
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q3 (Jul–Sep)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q3 (Jul–Sep). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Nov 3, 2026
US midterm election — cannabis measures on the ballot
Statewide cannabis questions certified for November 3: Massachusetts Question 8 (repeal the adult-use market while keeping medical) and Idaho HJR 4 (reserve legalization authority to the legislature, blocking citizen initiatives). Florida's adult-use amendment, Idaho medical, and Nebraska adult-use did not qualify. Local measures include California cannabis tax questions (Arroyo Grande, Guadalupe) and Michigan opt-in votes.
- Nov 4–5, 2026
Hall of Flowers — Sacramento (Northern California)
Hall of Flowers' fall California show, relocated from Santa Rosa to Sacramento for 2026. Curated retailer–brand trade show; venue to be announced.
- Feb 1, 2027
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q4 (Oct–Dec) of the prior year
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q4 (Oct–Dec) of the prior year. The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Apr 30, 2027
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q1 (Jan–Mar)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q1 (Jan–Mar). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- August 2027 · dates TBA
The Emerald Cup 2027
California's long-running craft cannabis competition and festival. The 2026 edition ran August 15–16 in Santa Rosa; 2027 dates not yet published.
- Aug 2, 2027
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q2 (Apr–Jun)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q2 (Apr–Jun). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Nov 1, 2027
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q3 (Jul–Sep)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q3 (Jul–Sep). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Jun 30, 2028
California cannabis excise tax — AB 564 15% rate period ends
AB 564 rolled California's cannabis excise tax back to 15% (from 19%) effective October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Retailers should watch CDTFA guidance ahead of this date for the rate that follows.
Nationwide dates that apply in California
10 items- Sep 4, 2026
- Sep 15, 2026
Extended federal return due — partnerships & S-corps; Q3 estimates
Extended 1065 / 1120-S returns are due; third-quarter estimated tax payment due.
- Oct 15, 2026
Extended federal return due — C-corps & individuals
Extended 1120 and 1040 returns are due.
- Oct 31, 2026
- Nov 12, 2026
Federal limit on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products takes effect
The November 2025 appropriations law redefined hemp to exclude products above 0.4 mg total THC per container, effective one year after enactment (November 12, 2026). On August 8, 2026 the Senate passed a continuing resolution that would push the effective date to December 11, 2026; the House stopgap did not include the delay. Watch this row — the date may move.
- Nov 25, 2026
Green Wednesday
The day before Thanksgiving — the second-biggest cannabis retail day of the year, ahead of Black Friday.
- Nov 26, 2026
Thanksgiving ("Danksgiving")
Many stores close or run short hours; the marketing moment is the Wednesday–Friday window around it.
- Nov 27, 2026
Black Friday
Third-largest cannabis retail day; doorbuster and bundle promotions dominate.
- Dec 24, 2026
Christmas Eve
Strong gifting-season day — in Canada it outperforms 4/20 on a per-store basis.
- Dec 31, 2026
Earlier in California
3 items- Feb 2, 2026
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q4 (Oct–Dec) of the prior year
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q4 (Oct–Dec) of the prior year. The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Apr 30, 2026
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q1 (Jan–Mar)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q1 (Jan–Mar). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
- Jul 31, 2026
California cannabis excise tax return due — Q2 (Apr–Jun)
Cannabis retailers file the CDTFA cannabis retailer excise tax return and payment for Q2 (Apr–Jun). The excise rate is 15% through June 30, 2028 (AB 564).
Know a California date we’re missing?
Regulator meetings, license windows, state association conferences — send the source and we’ll add it.