Portugal’s largest international cannabis celebration returns to Lisbon in May 2026, uniting industry professionals and enthusiasts from 50+ countries.
CannaPortugal represents something unique in the European cannabis event landscape: a hybrid consumer and B2B expo that welcomes both serious industry professionals and curious enthusiasts. Held at the historic Instituto Superior de Agronomia in Lisbon’s Tapada da Ajuda, the 2026 edition marks the fourth year of this rapidly growing international gathering.
With exhibitors from over 50 countries, the signature Global Cannabis Awards ceremony, and cultural programming including the HempAction Fashion Show and Cannabis Show Cooking demonstrations, CannaPortugal offers unparalleled networking opportunities at accessible price points that distinguish it from exclusive B2B events.
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Portugal exported more medical cannabis in Jan-Aug 2025 than all of 2024 – making it the world’s second-largest cannabis exporter.
The 2026 edition arrives as Portugal celebrates a quarter-century since its groundbreaking Law 30/2000 decriminalized personal drug use – a policy model now studied by 30+ countries worldwide. Expect programming that reflects on this legacy while examining what comes next for Portuguese cannabis policy.
CannaPortugal 2026 at a Glance 🇵🇹
Date
May 2026 (Dates TBA – historically mid-May)
Location
Pavilhao de Exposicoes do ISA, Lisbon, Portugal
Expected Attendance
2,000-3,000+ from 50+ countries
Official Website
cannaportugal.com
Projected
Last verified: December 29, 2025
Lisbon
38.72N 9.14W
Who Should Attend CannaPortugal 2026
CannaPortugal’s unique hybrid format welcomes both industry professionals and curious consumers, making it distinctly different from closed B2B events. Consider attending if you are:
Hemp product manufacturers seeking international distribution across 50+ countries represented at the expo
CBD brands expanding into European markets through Portugal’s export-focused framework
Cultivation technology providers connecting with attendees at Portugal’s leading agricultural university venue
Fashion and lifestyle brands exploring hemp textiles at the HempAction Fashion Show
Journalists and media covering European cannabis evolution and policy reform
Industry newcomers seeking education – affordable EUR 15-20 day passes remove entry barriers
Why CannaPortugal 2026 Matters NOW
Market Shifts Since 2025
Portugal’s cannabis industry reached a major inflection point. Export volumes in the first eight months of 2025 exceeded all of 2024, with over 33,000 kg shipped – primarily to Germany’s rapidly growing medical market. This positions Portugal as the world’s second-largest cannabis exporter behind Canada.
25th Anniversary of Decriminalization
2026 marks a quarter-century since Portugal’s groundbreaking Law 30/2000 decriminalized personal drug use – a policy model now studied worldwide. Expect programming that reflects on this legacy while examining what comes next for Portuguese cannabis policy.
What Decisions Are Attendees Making?
- Distribution partnerships for CBD and hemp products across European markets
- Product line expansions incorporating Portuguese-sourced ingredients
- Market entry strategies for Portugal’s export-focused regulatory framework
- Technology partnerships for cultivation, processing, and compliance solutions
Portugal has 61 licensed cannabis operators with 25 holding EU-GMP certification, and 125+ companies in the licensing pipeline – a maturing ecosystem ripe for international partnerships.
INFARMED Licensing Data 2025Planning Your CannaPortugal 2026 Trip
CannaPortugal typically runs Friday-Saturday in mid-May. Plan to arrive early on Day 1 to maximize exhibitor meetings before afternoon crowds peak.
🏨 Accommodation
- Near Venue (Belem/Restelo): 10-15 min to ISA, access to Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery
- Central Lisbon (Baixa/Chiado): Better nightlife and dining, 30-45 min metro to venue
- Book 2-3 months early – May is peak tourist season in Lisbon
✈️ Getting There
- Bus routes serving Tapada da Ajuda
- Tram connections from central Lisbon
- Taxi/rideshare EUR 10-20 from city center
- Venue: ISA Exhibition Pavilion, Tapada da Ajuda 44
📆 Schedule Overview
- Typically Friday-Saturday (two-day event)
- Global Cannabis Awards ceremony (Day 1 evening)
- HempAction Fashion Show throughout
- Cannabis Show Cooking demonstrations
🎪 If You’re Exhibiting
- Contact info@cannaportugal.com for booth inquiries
- Prepare EU compliance documentation for any products
- Multi-language materials recommended (Portuguese, English, Spanish)
- Historic Victorian venue offers unique backdrop
Portugal’s Cannabis Regulatory Framework
Key Regulatory Elements for Conference Attendees
- Decriminalization Model: Law 30/2000 – personal possession up to 25g plant material or 5g hashish results in administrative (not criminal) proceedings
- Medical Cannabis: Legal since 2018 via Law 33/2018, regulated by INFARMED with 61 licensed operators
- Export Powerhouse: World’s second-largest cannabis exporter with 33,000+ kg shipped Jan-Aug 2025
- CBD Enforcement: ASAE considers CBD products unauthorized Novel Foods – strict enforcement despite EU court rulings
- EU-GMP Certification: 25 of 61 licensed companies hold certification, essential for German and EU market export
- Industrial Hemp: Administrative Rule 14/2022 permits outdoor cultivation, minimum 5 hectares, below 0.2% THC
Understanding Portugal’s distinction between decriminalization and legalization is essential for attendees. Decriminalization means reduced penalties for personal possession – NOT legal sales or cultivation. Commercial operations require full INFARMED licensing, EU-GMP compliance, and significant capital investment.
Related: EU Medical Cannabis Compliance Requirements🏛️ Portugal’s Decriminalization Legacy: 25 Years of Drug Policy Innovation
In 2001, Portugal became the first country in the world to decriminalize the personal use and possession of all drugs – including cannabis. This radical shift from punishment to public health has since become a model studied by over 30 countries worldwide. CannaPortugal 2026 arrives as Portugal marks a quarter-century of this groundbreaking policy experiment.
Key Facts for Conference Attendees
- ✓ First to Decriminalize: Portugal pioneered drug decriminalization in 2001 under Law 30/2000, treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal matter
- ✓ Personal Limits: Up to 25g cannabis plant material or 5g hashish – amounts considered personal supply for 10 days
- ✓ Drug Deaths Dropped ~80%: From approximately 80 annual drug-related deaths pre-decriminalization to consistently under 20 in recent years
- ✓ HIV Infections Fell 95%: Among people who inject drugs – one of the most dramatic public health improvements
- ✓ Dissuasion System: Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction (CDTs) evaluate cases individually, offering treatment instead of prosecution
- ✓ Global Model: Portugal’s approach has been studied and adapted by jurisdictions in 30+ countries across Europe, the Americas, and Oceania
- ✓ NOT Legalization: Decriminalization reduced penalties but did not legalize sales or cultivation – commercial cannabis operations still require full licensing
💡 Did You Know?
Drug-related deaths in Portugal dropped from approximately 80 per year before decriminalization to consistently under 20 annually since the policy took effect. In some years, Portugal has recorded as few as 16 drug-related deaths – compared to over 700 in the UK and 1,300+ in Germany during the same period.
📋 What International Visitors Should Know
While personal possession is decriminalized, consumption is NOT legal. Keep any personal use private and discrete. There are no cannabis cafes (unlike Amsterdam), medical cannabis requires a Portuguese prescription (extremely limited visitor access), and home cultivation remains fully illegal. The decriminalization model covers only possession – not sale, cultivation, or trafficking.
CannaPortugal programming frequently examines how Portugal’s model informs global cannabis policy debates. Expect discussions comparing Portuguese outcomes with Germany’s recent recreational legalization, Uruguay’s state-controlled model, and various U.S. state approaches.
What to Prepare Before CannaPortugal
Maximize your expo ROI by arriving prepared. Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready for every business meeting and networking opportunity.
Documents to Bring
- Business cards (500+ for expo-style networking)
- Product samples (ensure full EU compliance first)
- Company portfolio/catalog (physical and digital)
- EU compliance documentation for products
- Certificate of Analysis samples for quality discussions
- Meeting confirmations and exhibitor contacts
Questions to Research
- Distribution terms and minimum order quantities
- Labeling and packaging requirements for target markets
- Shipping logistics and customs documentation
- Compliance support and regulatory guidance capabilities
- Timeline expectations for partnership development
- EU-GMP certification requirements for export
What to Compare
- Product quality and consistency standards
- EU-GMP certification status and capabilities
- MOQ flexibility for market testing
- Compliance documentation and support
- Price competitiveness relative to market positioning
- Export destination coverage (Germany, Poland, Spain, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from cannabis professionals planning to attend CannaPortugal 2026.
Can consumers attend CannaPortugal?
Yes! Unlike strictly B2B events like PTMC Portugal, CannaPortugal welcomes both industry professionals and curious consumers. Day passes (historically EUR 15-20) provide affordable access to the exhibition floor, workshops, and cultural programming.
What is the Global Cannabis Awards?
CannaPortugal’s signature ceremony honoring excellence in hemp and medical cannabis. Past honorees include Jose Mujica (Uruguay’s president who legalized cannabis) and Raphael Mechoulam (the “Father of Cannabis Research”). The ceremony takes place on Day 1 evening.
Is cannabis consumption allowed at the event?
CannaPortugal is an educational and business-focused event. While Portugal has decriminalized personal possession, the expo maintains a professional atmosphere focused on networking, education, and cultural appreciation rather than consumption.
What is the HempAction Fashion Show?
Presented by Sofia Fernandes of GreenFits/Neuron Bonus, HempAction showcases clothing and textiles made from hemp materials. The show highlights sustainable fashion applications and attracts designers, buyers, and brands exploring eco-conscious materials.
How does CannaPortugal compare to PTMC Portugal?
Both events are in Lisbon but serve different audiences. CannaPortugal (May, 2,000-3,000+ attendees, EUR 15-80) is a consumer + B2B hybrid expo. PTMC (September, 170 participants, higher rates) is an intimate B2B medical cannabis forum. Consider both for comprehensive Portuguese market coverage.
When will 2026 dates be announced?
CannaPortugal has held mid-May dates for three consecutive years (May 16-17 in 2025, May 19-20 in 2023). Official 2026 dates will likely be announced Q1 2026. Monitor cannaportugal.com for updates.
Software Solutions for European Cannabis Operations
Cannabis operations seeking to enter the Portuguese market or expand European exports increasingly rely on seed-to-sale platforms capable of generating EU-GMP compliant documentation and managing multi-jurisdiction regulatory reporting. These systems help operators maintain audit-ready records across cultivation, processing, and distribution activities.
Attendees at CannaPortugal often evaluate technology solutions that can adapt to INFARMED reporting requirements while maintaining consistent operational workflows across multiple facilities and export destinations including Germany, Poland, and Spain.
Position Your Organization in Europe’s Export Gateway
CannaPortugal 2026 offers unparalleled access to international distribution partnerships at accessible price points. See how GrowerIQ helps cannabis facilities manage EU-GMP documentation and multi-jurisdiction regulatory reporting.
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About GrowerIQ
GrowerIQ is a complete cannabis production management platform. Ours is the first platform to integrate your facility systems, including sensors, building controls, QMS, and ERP, into a single simplified interface.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.