In Photos: High & Dry @ The Cannabis Cup Las Vegas
A peaceful gathering only derailed by wind, not a federal presence
Looming like a cloud of smoke over this year’s High Times Cannabis Cup Las Vegas festival was the threat of a federal crackdown. With over 10,000 tickets sold for the Moapa River Indian Reservation-hosted event, people came from all over the country to partake in what was billed as a “celebration of Nevada’s recent legalization of recreational cannabis,” but regulators were concerned would be a “flea market for weed.” Plans quickly changed after the White House alluded to tougher enforcement of marijuana laws in February, in the wake of numerous states legalizing it for either medical or recreational use in the recent election.
After a warning from the state’s federal prosecutor to the Moapa Band of Piautes that attendees could be arrested for smoking or selling marijuana on site, plans changed. High Times sent out a letter in advance of the event stating, “Vendors, guests, performers and attendees are advised to comply with applicable law concerning the distribution of cannabis in any amount at the event.” In other words, the Cannabis Cup would essentially be a “dry” event.
For many, this conjured up images of helicopters circling the festival, tanks parked outside, and officers in riot gear beating their batons, just waiting for an inciting event. But that couldn’t have been further from what actually went down.
We’re happy to report that there were no riots, no deaths, and most of all, no invasions by armed soldiers. People gathered peacefully, shopped, watched a Ludacris concert and ultimately blazed their own trails. Unfortunately, the celebration was cut short, as aggressive winds caused the second day of the event to be cancelled.
Check out our photos from the event below.
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