Chalice Festival Postponed in California Due to Lack of Local Cooperation

The battle over marijuana-themed events in California took a turn for the worse when, on July 3, Victorville officials voted to not permit Chalice California on July 13-15 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds due to California’s new cannabis laws.

“In years past, the fairgrounds could rely on their sovereign rights as a state facility to host cannabis-themed events, despite the city’s ordinance,” Victorville spokesperson Sue Jones said. “Now, the new state requirement to obtain local jurisdictional control effectively waives the fairgrounds’ sovereign rights, therefore making them adhere to the city’s ordinance.”

Chalice sued the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) and has postponed the festival for «approximately four months.» The event’s website posted the following message (typos included):

«We must take a stand that cannabis culture and business brings value to cities. we are a huge stimulus in the economy. We bring over 30 million to the areas we throw events.  As a culture we should not grace anti-cannabis areas with the positive impact that our events bring.

«We have a history of creating and maintaining a safe atmosphere and we will continue to provide this culture with a safe place to be who you are without fear of arrest or discrimination for being a cannabis consumer.. The City of Victorville has put us at risk.

CHALICE: «We must take a stand that cannabis culture and business brings value to cities.»

«The lawsuit with the BCC is moving forward and we will be continuing to fight for the rights of the community. Our sponsors, vendors, artists, and brand owners are our personal friends- as well as you, the community, and we do not want to put you at risk.

«Our main focus is to professionally handle and address the people who have tickets to Chalice, the vendors, the sponsors, the people who make the event what it is. We would be nowhere without the support of all of you. Every person who has ever been to one of our events or supported our cause. You are most important to us.

«You can expect more info on the rescheduling in the near future- dates, new location, etc. We ask that you ride with us through this turbulent atmosphere that is legalization year.

«If you are a ticket holder for 2018 Chalice Festival, here are the options.
1. Request a refund (tickets@chalicecalifornia.com) and receive refund within 14 days
2. Apply ticket to next show plus 1 free extra ticket

«If you have purchased a judge kit, the Chalice competition is still happening and judges are picking up their kits this week.

«The Award Ceremony for the chalice competition will take place at Hitman Coffeeshop on July 14th at 8 pm.»

At issue is the public use and and sale of marijuana at events like Chalice and the Cannabis Cup. San Bernardino previously refused such a request from High Times to stage their event at the National Orange Event Center. But Sacramento and Santa Rosa allowed subsequent Cups at fairground locations, which under the current law are the only outdoor facilities that can host cannabis-themed events.

Chalice California offered a solid lineup—Bass Nectar, Ludacris, Sizzla, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The Pharcyde, Curren$y, Cut Chemist—as well an Expo and judging contest.

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