This November, the cannabis community heads to São Paulo, Brazil, where some of the biggest names in cultivation, branding, and extraction are teaming up for something new. It’s called Beyond Cultivation Bootcamp (BCB), and it promises to reshape how the world learns, grows, and launches cannabis.
It’s not a trade show. Not a lecture circuit. This is a full-on three-day masterclass. The people behind it? Legends.
hightimes.com/ is proud to power this event, alongside the pioneers at Oaksterdam University, and the post-harvest tech leaders at Cannatrol. Our sister site El Planteo is on board as an official media partner, representing Latin America’s cannabis pulse with style and substance.
Why Brazil? Why Now?
Brazil’s cannabis scene is evolving fast. A few years ago, prohibition ruled. Now, patient groups, science-minded entrepreneurs, and grassroots associations are building something powerful from the ground up.
“Brazil is compressing decades of change into just a few years,” said co-founder Artur Caldeira, also known as Xico Beloteiro. “We launched BCB here to honor the country’s energy, community, and future.”
The country’s tropical climate presents both opportunities and challenges. It’s rich soil meets tough humidity. That’s where Cannatrol comes in, offering tech that helps cultivators dry and cure without sacrificing terpenes or quality.
“At Cannatrol, our mission is to remove the guesswork,” said founder David Sandelman. “Partnering with BCB lets us support growers in Brazil and around the world.”
Three Days, One Mission
BCB is structured like a true bootcamp. Each day focuses on a different part of the cannabis journey.
- Day 1: Cultivation, pest management, and operating procedures. The day ends with a mixer so participants can connect.
- Day 2: Genetics, branding, PR, and post-harvest innovation. This is where legacy meets modern marketing.
- Day 3: Product development, extraction, and the future of consumer cannabis.
Live sessions, real demonstrations, and global Q&A access make it a truly interactive event. Whether you’re in São Paulo or tuning in from the U.S., you’ll be part of the action.
Built by Growers, Media Minds, and Genetic Geniuses
The founders of BCB didn’t come out of nowhere. They’ve lived the game.
- James Loud — breeder, educator, High Times contributor, and author of Cannabis Breeding. Data-driven and terp-focused.
- Lars Burkholder — co-founder of OG Cannabis Brazil and Grove Bags Brazil, bringing global post-harvest standards to local hands.
- Artur Gomes (Xico Beloteiro) — founder of Seed Club Brazil and a bridge between Brazil’s grassroots and international breeding legends.
- Cynthia Salarizadeh — founder of Asha Media Group, strategic mind behind major media campaigns, and a longtime High Times collaborator.
Together, they built a platform that teaches people how to grow, but also how to survive and thrive in the cannabis business. The goal is to train a generation that’s both compliant and culturally authentic.
The Speakers Go Hard
If you’ve touched weed in the last two decades, you’ve felt the influence of these names.
- Adam Dunn (THSeeds) and Arjan Roskam (Green House Seed Co.) — legendary breeders who helped shape the global genetics game.
- Nikka T (Essential Extracts) — one of the pioneers of solventless hash in the U.S.
- Maya Elisabeth (Om Edibles) — edibles innovator and advocate for plant-based wellness.
- Jack Grover (Grove Bags) — post-harvest expert making sure your weed tastes how it smells.
- Ray Bama (Runtz) — turned a single strain into a global lifestyle brand.
They’ll be joined by Brazilian experts like Dr. Rubens Coelho, a plant biologist advancing scientific cultivation frameworks, and Caverna, an agronomist and movement builder in the country’s growing medical scene.
Powered by Culture, Not Hype
What sets this event apart is that it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s real, immersive, and grounded in both science and culture.
Attendees will experience live demos, storytelling sessions, and community-building mixers. There’s local art. Local food. Brazilian flavor in every detail.
BCB is more than a bootcamp. It’s a platform for trust, collaboration, and legacy-building. It’s a place where knowledge is shared, not sold.
From São Paulo to the World
This November launch is just the beginning. Future editions are planned in North America, Europe, and Asia, each tailored to the regulatory and cultural landscape of its host country.
The dream is global, but the roots run deep. With support from education leaders like Oaksterdam University, media partners like High Times and El Planteo, and technology backers like Cannatrol, this series is built to last.
As co-founder James Loud puts it, “The future belongs to those who share knowledge, not guard it.”
Salarizadeh agrees: “Brazil has the land, the culture, the passion. What it needed was a megaphone. BCB is that megaphone.”
Join the Movement
Beyond Cultivation Bootcamp takes place in São Paulo, November 11–13, 2025. Limited in-person tickets are available, along with full-access livestream passes.
This isn’t a conference. It’s a global classroom. A launchpad. A reunion of minds who care about the plant and the people behind it.
Register or learn more: beyondcultivationbootcamp.com
