The California State Fair allowed the public to buy and use marijuana at the fairgrounds for the first time in its history.
As the State Fair began, which began on July 12, customers were advised on the first Friday and Saturday that they would only be allowed to consume non-inhalable products such as edibles and marijuana-infused drinks. That same Saturday, people were allowed to smoke in a separate area away from the soccer complex.
Organizers have stated that customers aren’t allowed to have alcohol and marijuana in the same vicinity.
Fair-goer Randy Hill said, “I think it’s really great. I’m still drinking it in, literally.”
Organized by Embarc, anyone who is 21 and over can consume marijuana in the form of both inhalable and non-inhalable products on the fairgrounds. It’s an extension of Embarc’s educational cannabis exhibit, which has been displayed at the fair for the last three years.
“So this event has been years in the making. And many, many months of close collaboration with a variety of partners to bring this to fruition,” the CEO of Embarc, Lauren Carpenter, had said.
Embarc is a licensed regulator at the event. Carpenter has said that partners at the fair range include state and local regulators, law enforcement, and the fire marshal.
Fair-goer Leigh Rutledge was quoted as saying: “Maybe this is the old lady in me, but I hope people are responsible with it, but I mean I know there’s beer gardens and wine, you know. Just because you don’t really know all the effects when you drive, whether it’s the state fair or anywhere, that’s a concern for me.”
Carpenter has also added that she “[thinks] with anything and especially with something like cannabis when it’s new, folks always have questions and concerns, but cannabis has been legal and folks have been consuming it in California for more than five years safely and responsibly, and we have faith they will do so in the same way here.”
The Department of Cannabis Control has been on-site to ensure that everything runs smoothly and keeps tabs on things such as ID checking and ensuring that the event is separate from the regular fairgrounds.
“Let’s face it, not everybody likes smoke, so having it far away, we want to make sure nobody is offended or have to inhale smoke they don’t want to,” David Hafner, with the Department of Cannabis Control, said.
Fair-goer McKinley Hampton said one of the slushies was “really good.”
Even if you’re not a marijuana user, you can still walk through the exhibit and learn about marijuana’s history and its uses.
Fair-goer Randy Hill has said, “I’m 67 years old, and for this to become a reality is almost hard to believe, but it’s something new and different, and we need something new and different.”
Organizers say that other state fairs have asked how things work now that word is getting out. They say California is taking a leadership position in marijuana agriculture and education.
The California State Fair runs until July 28.
