Dispensaries look to attract festival goers
The Coachella Music and Arts Festival starts in just 10 days! Thousands of festival-goers will descend upon the valley and fill the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio.
This will be the first Coachella after the legalization of marijuana in California and local pot dispensaries are changing things up a bit attract more festival customers this year.
“The crowds are going to be here, people are going to want to come into the store and this is the first year that they can actually come in and partake,” Kenneth Churchill. CEO of West Coast Cannabis Club in Cathedral City.
Churchill said he’s expecting huge crowds at his shop.
“We’re one of ten stores that’s in a reasonable driving distance of Coachella, so I think we’ll have very big crowds it will be a lot of fun,” Churchill added.
While he’s thrilled about the change, he advises visitors to opt for more discreet options. So, if you’re visiting from out of town experts suggest opting for something that’s edible rather than something that needs to be smoked.
“You can’t smoke in your hotel. You can’t smoke in public. You can’t smoke at Coachella. You can’t smoke in your car. So, the hard part for a lot of people is going to find a place to safely consume the product and I don’t know if there’s an answer to that,” Churchill said.
Across town, Palm Springs Safe Access said they’re running a number of promotions during the festivals.
“Festival goers will get quite a bit of discounts. So, buy one, get one half off on certain flower strains. We’ll be providing prepacked festival packs as well in the 75 dollar range so we’ll include some flowers,” said Robert Van Roo, President.Co-Founder of Palm Springs Safe Access.
They’re planning on doing something extra special for 4/20.
“We’re hosting a BBQ for patients that spend more than $50. They’ll get a little code, Jamaican BBQ will be outside so you’ll be able to take your ticket and get some food on the way out,” Van Roo said.
But even though marijuana is legal in the state, that doesn’t mean the festival’s parent company, Goldenvoice, wants you to bring it to the concert. Their website addresses that issue directly.
Dispensary owners said they hope to one day work with Goldenvoice to allow pot inside the concert, but until then they advise anyone to consume their products in the privacy of your own home.
It’s also important to note, Californa law bans people from lighting up or snacking on any marijuana products while driving or even riding as a passenger in a car.
