Saint John will host the World Cannabis Congress 2018 in June, billing it as Canada's premier event for connecting players in the global cannabis industry.

The organizers announced the invitation-only event on Monday, saying they hope to attract innovative cannabis businesses, academia and policy makers. The event will take place June 10 to 12 – about three weeks before cannabis will become legal for recreational use in Canada.

New Brunswick is trying to capitalize on the growing economic potential of cannabis by not just producing or selling the plant but becoming a research leader in the field. In the past year, research chairs at two different New Brunswick universities have been created to study cannabis. The congress aims to deepen the province’s focus on cannabis.

"This event will be unlike any other in the cannabis industry," Derek Riedle, publisher of Civilized and Co-Chair of the congress, said in a statement. “Sessions will be delivered by the industry's most respected scientists, tech leaders, policy makers and business people, in addition to top leaders from other industries.”

The congress has received financial support from several levels of government and some corporations. Civilized, a New Brunswick publication for mainstream cannabis users, will co-host the event with the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce. Opportunities New Brunswick CEO Stephen Lund will co-chair the event.

“Other nations are looking to Canada right now – especially New Brunswick – as the example for recreational legalization and a progressive medical cannabis system,” said Ray Gracewood, Chief Commercial Officer of Organigram, a publicly traded cannabis-producer based in Moncton. “This summit will provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our culture of innovation on a world stage.”

The organizers expect more than 350 attendees at the congress at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, including representation from Germany, Israel, Spain, U.K., United States and Uruguay.

You can request an invitation here.