Denver Set to Host Cannabis Rave

Come this weekend Denver will play host to an event that organizers are calling the first of its kind, a cannabis-centric rave that encourages participants to socialize and smoke while dancing to thumping bass.

Canna Rave is set to take place from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Fanbass Studios in Denver, Colo.

“Essentially it’s just all the best things about cannabis and dance music and none of the negative things about other raves like the alcohol and hard drugs,” event organizer AJ Hashman said.

With the passage of Amendment 64 in Colorado last November, state residents over the age of 21 are legally allowed to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. Hashman stresses that the upcoming event is private, as consuming cannabis in public spaces remains against the law.

“This is the event for all the people who aren’t patients,” he said. “Essentially it’s just a recreational location for all of us to get together and enjoy our recreational harvest together.”

Hashman owns two edible companies, At Home Bake and Stixx, and has been hosting medical marijuana events for the past four years. At these events patients gather to sample various strains he provides as a way to educate patients “on what is good medicine,” he said.

He got the idea to host a recreational event a while back, but waited to organize the rave until he saw how the laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Colorado would play out.

“I was just essentially waiting until the bill was passed to see if there was anything that was going to outlaw events,” he said while noting private cannabis clubs have been operating in Colorado since the legalization of cannabis without incident. “What’s the difference between a private club and a private event? Really nothing.”

Attendees to the Canna Rave are encouraged to bring their own smoking supply, but the event will include multiple dab stations and feature various companies, including dispensaries, will provide product samples. Hashman said, like other raves, you can also expect lasers and go-go dancers. In addition, a doctor will be on hand to provide medical marijuana recommendations to anyone who may need to get a red card.

“This event is all about cannabis,” he said while noting there aren’t enough opportunities available to organize the cannabis community and educate the public that cannabis events can be peaceful and fun places to gather without alcohol.

Hashman said he is happy to work with local law enforcement and believes other states contemplating legalization should look to Colorado as an example.

“I think everyone should follow these types of models,” he said.