This fall, Bordeaux won’t just be about fine wine—it will be about the future of plant-based medicine. On September 11–12, 2025, the city’s landmark La Cité du Vin will host the second edition of Science in the City International, a hybrid summit designed to bridge science, medicine, industry, and regulation in the global cannabis space.

Organized by the Medical Resource Association, the event aims to create a space where healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors can exchange insights, forge partnerships, and deepen their understanding of cannabis as a therapeutic and economic force. More than a conference, it’s positioned as an international crossroads for education and collaboration at the highest levels.

A Sophisticated Setting for Serious Conversations

Few venues could better symbolize the union of culture and science than La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s temple to viticulture. Against this backdrop, Science in the City International blends intellectual debate with a taste of French hospitality. The program is carefully curated to encourage both formal learning and informal connection.

The gathering begins on September 11 with a VIP Champagne Reception at the Intercontinental Bordeaux’s elegant L’Orangerie bar. This exclusive evening, running from 16:00 to 19:00, gives faculty, speakers, moderators, and invited guests the chance to connect in an intimate setting, setting the tone for deeper exchanges throughout the conference.

The heart of the event takes place on September 12 with a full day of lectures and roundtables at La Cité du Vin, from 09:00 to 18:00. International experts will dive into evidence-based research, emerging therapies, and the legal and industrial frameworks shaping medicinal cannabis worldwide. Designed as a hybrid format, the program allows participants to join in person or virtually, ensuring accessibility to a truly global audience.

That evening, from 20:00 to midnight, a VIP Networking Dinner Reception closes the summit with a mix of French gastronomy and high-level discussion. Attendees can expect not only culinary excellence but also the opportunity to strengthen partnerships and spark new projects in an environment that celebrates both sophistication and innovation.

Speaker Highlights

This year’s program brings together a dynamic lineup of voices from across the medical, regulatory, and entrepreneurial spectrum:

  • Sasho Stefanoski (CEO, PHCANN): A leading figure in European cannabis infrastructure, Stefanoski built one of the region’s largest EU-GMP certified cultivation and manufacturing operations. His talk will focus on the role of scalable, compliant infrastructure in stabilizing markets and fostering international supply chains.
  • Dr. Elena Rodriguez (Oncologist, Spain): Dr. Rodriguez has been at the forefront of integrating cannabis-based therapies into oncology care. She will present new clinical data on patient outcomes, exploring how cannabinoids are being used in symptom management and palliative medicine.
  • Marc Dubois (Policy Advisor, French National Assembly): Representing the regulatory side, Dubois will discuss France’s evolving cannabis policies within the broader European context. His session will examine the balance between patient access, public safety, and the challenges of harmonizing laws across borders.
  • Amira Khalil (Founder, Bloom Biotech, UK): An entrepreneur focused on sustainable cultivation and biotech applications, Khalil will share insights on innovation in genetics and plant science. She’ll highlight how startups are leveraging research to drive new consumer products and medical applications.

Together, these speakers underscore the event’s mission: to unite science, medicine, policy, and business in meaningful dialogue that pushes the industry forward.

Together, these voices reinforce Science in the City International as not just another conference, but as a high-level forum where science meets strategy and ideas transform into real-world applications.

Why It Matters

The cannabis industry in Europe is at a pivotal moment. With Germany’s new regulatory framework unfolding, medical access expanding in multiple countries, and debates on adult-use reform gaining traction, the need for grounded, evidence-based dialogue has never been greater. Science in the City International positions itself as a hub for precisely this exchange.

“This event stands out for its focus on grounded knowledge, combined with high-level networking in a luxurious environment and a passion for innovation,” organizers note. By combining continuing medical and legal education credits with sessions on policy and business, the conference ensures that every sector—science, law, industry—has a seat at the table.

Registration

Science in the City International runs September 11–12, 2025, at La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France. The event is hybrid, offering both in-person and virtual attendance. Registration and the full program are available via the Science in the City International page.