California is home to roughly 25 marijuana-theme festivals, but the popular events are at-risk of extinction even though the drug will become legal on Jan. 1. The Californian reported that new regulations will make it difficult for festival organizers to host their pot-filled events.
“Starting Jan. 1., festival organizers will be eligible for permits that will allow them to host events where marijuana can legally be sold and consumed,” the news site reported. “Those permits come with a slew of conditions that will make future marijuana festivals look less like the free-for-all events weed-loving Californians are used to seeing and more like closely regulated craft beer or wine festivals — but with cannabis.”
The Californian reported that the rules included the restriction of marijuana-theme events at the “80 county fair or district agricultural association properties scattered throughout California.”
Marijuana supporters are less hopeful of getting local permits as many officials have spoken out against the drug.
“So, given how many city council members and county officials have spoken out against marijuana festivals — including in hubs such as San Bernardino and Victorville — it’s also unclear where in California cannabis events will be allowed in 2018,” the news site reported.
