Joe Knows cannabis events! On this week’s episode of Joe Knows, Joe Moran of 1 Degree Consulting talks about the approval of Assembly Bill 2020 which allows for temporary cannabis events to be held at public or private venues in California upon approval of local jurisdiction. This is HUGE news for Humboldt Green Events to be able to bring back Cannifest to Humboldt in 2019. Joining Joe this week is a very special guest, Steve Gieder. Tune in each week on Facebook and Instagram @1DegreeConsulting for Joe Knows segments about the cannabis community and industry. #YesWeCann
As the weekend of what would have been Cannifest’s 4th year approaches, Humboldt Green Events has high hopes for the state of temporary cannabis events in Humboldt County, despite having to manifest a new location and date for Cannifest 2018 due to new regulations.
Under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), temporary cannabis event licenses are only issued for events held at County Fairgrounds or District Agricultural Centers. Humboldt Green reached out to Redwood Acres Fairgrounds and Humboldt County Fairgrounds to hold Cannifest 2018 since they are basically the only two venues in Humboldt that are currently legally allowed to host cannabis events. Unfortunately, it worked out that Cannifest cannot could not be held at either of these State approved locations.
What happened to this year’s Cannifest?
Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka has been the home of Cannifest for the past three years. With the new policies and regulations surrounding cannabis use at festivals, Redwood Acres informed Humboldt Green Events that their organization is postponing cannabis events for the remainder of 2018. The venue has also evolved into a growing business park that is frequented by children. Under the current regulations, if a cannabis event were to be held at a Fairgrounds location, no one under 21 would be allowed on the premises during the event. Since Redwood Acres is frequented by families, it’s not currently a venue that we would be able to produce a 21 and over cannabis event at.
On our quest to find another State approved venue, Humboldt Green Events also approached the Humboldt County Fairgrounds to hold Cannifest 2018. The Ferndale Chief of Police responded to our request and stated that the Humboldt County Fairgrounds resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Ferndale. The City of Ferndale, by ordinance, does not allow the sale of marijuana or its by-products. Ferndale High School is also less than 1,000 feet away from the Fairgrounds. Under the current regulations, all cannabis events must be at least 1,000 feet away from school property. The Humboldt County Fairgrounds also has a no-smoking policy.
New California State Regulations on the Horizon
The silver lining in manifesting a new location for Cannifest has been the recent support from California State Assemblymember, Bill Quirk with Assembly Bill-2020 and Assemblymember, Jim Wood with Assembly Bill-2641. Both bills are in support of special temporary cannabis event permits that would allow consumption and sales at farmer market events and festivals. The aim of both bills is to make it easier venue-wise for temporary cannabis events to take place in order to discourage black market underground events that are not taxed by the State of California. The temporary cannabis event licenses would only be issued for venues approved by local jurisdictions. Producers of events would also be limited to four temporary cannabis event licenses per year.
Back in March, Humboldt Green Events sent a letter in support of AB-2020 to Assemblymember Quirk’s office. A portion of our letter was highlighted in the Times-Standard article titled Capitol Tracker: Cannabis banking, special event bills advance. In the letter, we shared with Assemblymember Quirk that by making a change to the limited venues where temporary cannabis events are allowed to take place, the State of California could provide greater opportunities to small cannabis businesses allowing an emerging industry the same opportunities granted to others, which in turn would provide financial support to local and regional economies.
AB-2020 Cannabis: local jurisdiction licensees: temporary event license was amended in assembly on April 19th, 2018 and was published to the California Legislative Information website on the cannabis holiday 4/20. According to Times-Standard, the bill was passed 13-1 by the Assembly’s Committee on Business and Professions and re-referred to an appropriations committee.
AB-2641 was introduced by Assembly Member Jim Wood back in February. The Times-Standard, reported that the bill would allow for the Bureau of Cannabis Control to grant a temporary license for special events in jurisdictions where the events have been approved at county fair events if locally approved.
What does all of this mean for Cannifest? The power of manifestation works! The cannabis community has been manifesting the path to keeping California Green and helping small businesses in the industry continue to grow by allowing for a State temporary event license to be issued for any venue expressly approved by local jurisdiction. This is huge news and a step forward for Humboldt Green Events to be able to provide the Humboldt community and beyond, a fully regulated and legal cannabis event at any venue approved by local government. This would allow Humboldt Green Events to hold Cannifest at some magical location in Humboldt or even take Humboldt’s Manifest Cannabis Festival on the road. The variety of venue options in California are endless, but each location depends on the opinion of local government and whether temporary cannabis events would be considered beneficial for their surrounding community.
Back in the beginning of 2018, when we realized we were unable to produce Cannifest 2018 at Redwood Acres scheduled for May 5th and 6th, we felt that we had somehow let our community down despite the fact that the postponement of Cannifest was out of our hands. The cannabis community was really supportive of our announcement about having to manifest a new date and location for Cannifest. We were really hoping to be able to hold the festival at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds instead and be able to keep the May 5th and 6th dates, but come to find out our only other venue option was also not cohesive for cannabis events. The news of the two bills introduced regarding temporary cannabis events is really a blessing for our entire community that has been struggling to find its place in the current state of legal cannabis business. So many of our small farms that produce craft cannabis and little mom and pop shops would greatly benefit from the opportunity of being able to sell their products at temporary cannabis events like farmers markets and festivals. The introduction of the two bills are really important to the livelihood of all types of business in the cannabis industry in Humboldt and beyond in the greater State of California.
What can I do? Participate in democracy!
How can you help make Cannifest, farmers markets and other cannabis events a possibility? Call your elected officials and ask them to vote in favor of AB-2020 and AB-2641. Locate your local California representative here. If you live in the Humboldt area, Jared Huffman US Congressman serving California’s 2nd District is your representative. You can contact him by email or by phone at (707) 981-8967.
The Green Team at Humboldt Green Events appreciates your love and support as we continue to adjust in this new legal cannabis frontier. Stay tuned for updates about our next move with Cannifest on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
– The Humboldt Green Team, Producers of Cannifest
While navigating the recent changes in our Industry both at a state and local level, Humboldt Green would like to advise all of our supporters that we are currently unable to produce CANNIFEST 2018 in May due to lack of policies written by the Humboldt County Planning Division, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds and Humboldt County Fairgrounds.
In establishing our desire to host a fully regulated and legal event, it is clear that even with applying for our Cannabis Event Organizer License from the state, there are other elements that would need to happen first which are out of our control.
Cannabis events in general will take on a new identity this year such as all attendees will be 21 and over, all licensed vendors and only dispensaries may sell to consumers. Knowing this, we have done what we could to gear up, but it seems that the county is not ready-which in turn, has slowed us to a halt.
We will continue to work towards the goal of producing events both locally and afar that shine light on the small farmer, the environment and our community of educators and innovators.
We appreciate all of your support as we readjust. Stay tuned for an update soon.
The Yes We Cann Parade and Hullabaloo is almost here! We are marching through Arcata on Saturday, August 12th. The parade will start at 2:00 PM in the HSU Parking Lot at the corner of 14th and Union streets and end at the Arcata Ball Park at 3:00 pm.
Yes We Cann Parade route through the streets of Arcata.
Check-in and parade line up will be held between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Please arrive during the designated check-in time so that we can get you lined up and ready to go. We encourage you to signup for the parade online prior to August 12th, but in-person registrations are welcome the day of the parade.
During check-in, everyone in your group will need to sign a waiver in order to walk in the parade. After you sign the waiver you will receive a wristband that will be used as your free entry into the Hullabaloo event at the Ball park. Once check-in is complete we will direct you to the parade Staging Coordinator who will line you up in the appropriate area. You MUST have your wristband to walk into the parade. Legally, we cannot have folks who have not registered jumping into parade from the sidelines.
There will be hydration stations along the parade route, however we encourage you to bring a water bottle and stay hydrated. Make sure to protect your skin and wear sunscreen or bring a hat. Keep in mind that you will be walking a good distance so wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Please make sure to clean up after yourself and leave no trash behind at the starting point of the parade in the HSU parking lot. It is our goal to leave the space better than when we found it.
When the parade ends at the Arcata Ball Park for the Hullabaloo, you must disperse and clear the streets so that we don’t hold up regular traffic. If you plan to attend the Hullabaloo, please plan ahead and figure out a game plan for where to park your float.
Please email us at contact@gohumboldtgreen.com if you have any questions about the parade. Remember the theme is GREEN so have fun dressing up or wearing a costume.
We would love to see your parade photos! Please use the hashtag #YesWeCann if you post to social media so that we can find and share your pics.
Celebrate cannabis culture and help support our community by joining the YesWeCann Parade in Arcata! Continue the festivities at the ballpark with live music, a family interactive zone, food court area, beer, craft vendors and an Area 215 Medicinal Market.
The Yes We Cann Parade is a celebration of our industry’s coming of age and a shift in our culture stepping out of the shade and into the light. We welcome you to be a part of this new tradition and show your support for creating a sustainable, inclusive and positive cannabis community. Together we can say yes to change and parade peacefully together to lift up our community and show the world we are one.
Parade participation is open to everyone. Farmers, cannabiz, organizations, non-profits, local businesses, schools and groups in support of the cannabis community are all invited to participate in the parade and Hullabaloo.
Save the date for Saturday, August 12th! Check-in and parade line up is from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. The parade kicks off at the HSU parking lot located at 14th & Union street at 2:00 pm and ends at the Arcata Ballpark. The party continues with the Hullabaloo at the ballpark until 10:00 pm.
Does your business, organization or group want to show support for the cannabis community and join in the celebration? Everyone who participates in the parade will gain FREE entry to the Hullabaloo! Hullabaloo ticket prices are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Kids twelve and under get in for FREE.
Register for the parade or purchase Hullabaloo tickets online at YesWeCannParade.com.
Interested in sponsoring the event or vending at the Hullabaloo? Fill out our Vendor Registration Form to reserve a booth. Vendors who participate in the parade will receive a discounted rate. For all sponsorship inquiries, please email contact@humboldtgreen.com. Vending spaces and sponsorship opportunities are limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
