State and local marijuana regulators monitored the Cannabis Cup at Cal Expo over the weekend to ensure vendors and organizers are complying with laws in the new world of weed festivals.
The festival is the first to allow recreational marijuana sales and use in the state. Organizers said regulators from the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control have visited the site multiple times leading up to and during the event.
Cannabis growers and edible and concentrate producers from across the state converged on the Cal Expo fairgrounds to promote their products.
Day two of the event was filled with “dabbing,” bong hits and old-fashioned smoking weed.
“Just trying things out, have a good time, relax — it’s the weekend — I’m off work. I got a baby sitter for my kids; I’m just trying to have a good time,” Leeza Hildebrand, a festivalgoer, said.
But while people were having a good time, state regulators have been working behind the scenes to verify all the cannabis companies on display were properly licensed.
“It’s a very thorough process making sure that everyone is licensed who is here and can participate in this event, and that’s how we plan on it going forward,” event spokesperson Maxx Abramowitz said.
The event organizer said they have been trying to set a high bar so they will be not only welcomed back but allowed to hold similar festivals in other parts of California.
“I’m actually really proud of Sacramento for making this happen because I was in San Bernardino two weeks ago when it was shut down last minute,” Kris Lewandowski, another festivalgoer said.
Lewandowski said the dust is still settling in the industry.
“It’s really new for the patient-now-customer and how to get it all to work out … growing pains, but we’ll get through it,” Lewandowski said.
