VICTORVILLE, Calif.–Newspaper the San Bernardino Sun this morning reported that Victorville City Council members have denied approval for cannabis consumption and sales at the Chalice California festival, scheduled to be held July 13-15, at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds.
The action came despite dozens who spoke in favor of the event, citing its economic contribution to the area. Last year’s Chalice Festival, also held at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, contributed $3 million to the local economy according to event organizers, said the Sun.
Victorville City council officials were unable to comment further on the situation to reporters due to a lawsuit filed by Chalice Festival representatives earlier this month. Festival organizers are suing both the California Bureau of Cannabis Control and the City of Victorville, citing that city officials have no jurisdiction over cannabis consumption and sales since statewide recreational legalization took effect at the first of the year.
Under California Proposition 64, temporary cannabis events are allowed, but event organizers are required to secure permitting for cannabis sales and consumption in public venues from local officials.
“Victorville officials insisted that their city code prohibits cannabis sales and events, and that they can’t change the rules without going through a formal process,” the newspaper reported.
Chalice Festival was first held in Victorville in 2016, prior to the enactment of Proposition 64 legislation. The lawsuit filed by Chalice Fest around this year’s event could be precedent setting for other public cannabis events held in California.
When previously contacted by mgretailer about event permitting issues, Chalice Festival representatives did not return comment.
Chalice California Festival is a multiple-day music event that features hip-hop artists, as well as cannabis product vendors, a glassware competition, and various recreational cannabis-related attractions for attendees. Artists scheduled to appear at this year’s event include Bassnectar, Ludacris, Sizzla, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Curren$y, Pharcyde, Cut Chemist, and Thriftworks.
“This year’s Chalice will make history in several ways. We’ve always been a leader, and we plan to lead by example at Chalice 2018,” Chalice Festival founder Doug Dracup said to mgretailer for a previous post. “We know all eyes will be on us, and we have no doubt that we will set the bar for the future of legal cannabis and its relationship with music and arts festivals.”
