Legalizing Marijuana Is Ruining This Unofficial Stoner Holiday

Marijuana has been legalized in nine states, including California this year. You would think that people within those states, at least, would be looking forward to celebrating 4/20, an unofficial stoner holiday. But The Washington Post writes that celebrating is turning out to be harder than planned. High Times magazine has been hosting the legendary pot-judging contest called the Cannabis Cup for almost a decade, and flourished under prohibition. This year, the Cup was scheduled for 4/20 and High Times estimated that at least 20,000 will attend the event. But barely a day before the event was supposed to begin, High Times’s event director was desperately trying to bring the festival into compliance with a confusing set of new regulations that accompanied pot’s legalization, The Post reports.

The Cannabis Cup failed to get a marijuana permit. The once-underground pot movement kept cannabis culture alive through years of prohibition, but now, it is facing even larger threats as marijuana gets legalized in states around the country. High Times learned that the California Bureau of Cannabis Control won’t approve a marijuana event unless the local government issues organizers a permit first, two whole months in advance.

But San Bernardino, Calif., where the event was supposed to be held, didn’t have a system in place to issue marijuana permits until early April. High Times told The Post that they were confused by the new laws and had been trying to work with the state before the city. The Cannabis Cup’s website is still selling tickets for events as of Friday, and the FAQ page says: “Our event follows California state regulations. So BYOB — Bring your own Bud!!!”

“The Cannabis Cup will proceed this weekend,” said Brian Rucker, senior vice president of events, according to The Post. “As organizers, we will emphasize to vendors the continuing need to respect current laws and codes. This event is about much more than buying and selling marijuana. It celebrates the people, music and medicine that heal so many, who are part of a culture that unites millions. The movement will not be stopped.”