California legalized recreational marijuana three months ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s allowed during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
State law only allows marijuana in the privacy of your home, which means it’s prohibited in public or on private property like during the festival. So unless the Empire Polo Club is your home, you’re out of luck.
But if you just happen to be heading to the venue with a joint in your pocket, you’ll have until the moment you reach the gate to play by the rules.
Indio police will be stationed at the entrance with amnesty cans for anyone who wants to dispose of items that aren’t allowed on the festival grounds. Just drop it into the can and move along without any concerns about getting in trouble.
“We just wanna provide a safe environment where people can enjoy the show and we’re there to protect their well-being,” Indio police Sgt. Dan Marshall said.
But under the wrong circumstances, police won’t be as nice.
“Selling of narcotics is illegal. If you’re caught selling narcotics in Coachella, you will be arrested,” Marshall said.
Historically, it hasn’t been unusual for people to be arrested for possessing drugs.
Last year, 65 people were arrested for drug-related offenses during the concert’s first weekend. And on the second weekend, there were 75 arrests for the same reasons.
Amnesty boxes aren’t just for weed; attendees will be allowed to deposit any type of drug they happen to have.
Marshall said private security will be handling searches during the concert and he deferred other questions to Goldenvoice.
An event spokeswoman said organizers have been discussing ways to enforce the marijuana ban, but specifics weren’t immediately available.
credit:desertsun.com
