Industry Events
High Times Cannabis Cup Canceled On Second Day
On Sunday, another blow was dealt to the already disadvantaged High Times Las Vegas Cannabis Cup. Worried the outdoor venue couldn’t stand up to “dangerous” 40-60 mph winds, organizers released a statement that morning cancelling the day’s activities.
The cancellation is just one more disappointing setback for this year’s Nevada event. In February, the Department of Justice sent a letter of warning to the Moapa Paiute Tribe, which was hosting the event on their tribal lands, cautioning them about the implications of going against federal law by celebrating the state’s recently legalized recreational marijuana policy.
“To us, we’re looking at it as utilizing our sovereignty… as long as [marijuana] is not visible, we’re told it will be OK,” Tribal Chairman Darren Daboda told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “The tribe is promoting it as a vendors’ crafts, food and concert event. We’re not promoting the distributor or selling [marijuana].”
After consulting with local and state authorities, High Times warned “vendors, guests, performers and attendees … to comply with applicable law concerning the distribution of cannabis in any amount at the event.” As a result, some redubbed the event the “no-cannabis Cannabis Cup.”
Attendee Andrew McDonald told KLAS-TV that he thought High Times was foolish for prohibiting the sale of marijuana at the Cup.
“They’ve upset a lot of people,” he said. “Some of my friends were going to be vending here from Michigan. They spent a lot of money, and they went to a lot of trouble, and it all got canceled on them last minute. That isn’t the fault of the federal government those rules have been in place for a long time.”
After High Times Senior Cultivation Danny Danko posted the cancellation statement on Instagram, a number of followers responded. “Tell them to do the right thing and offer full refunds,” user @headclean replied. “I spent a lot of money on tickets and getting to this event for it to be cancelled. Fair enough weather issues which honestly ain’t so bad, but at least refund the tickets.”
Comments on the High Times Facebook page were less polite.
“This whole weekend has been a shitfest,” user Scott Wilson said. “I will never be to another High Times event.”
The next High Times Cannabis Cup takes place in Southern California in April. Vegas ticket holders can exchange their passes for the San Bernardino event.
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