Dancing but no dank: fed threat means toned-down Cannabis Cup
Published: Mar 3, 2017, 2:28 pm • Updated: Mar 3, 2017, 2:56 pm
By The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — A federal prosecutor has snuffed out plans by pot fans to celebrate Nevada’s new recreational marijuana law by lighting up on an Indian reservation near Las Vegas.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden took a hard line in a letter to organizers of a cannabis festival this weekend, saying federal law applies and pot smokers could be prosecuted.
Bogden’s warning raised concerns about a possible Trump administration crackdown on marijuana.
He says a 2013 Obama administration directive that was seen as relaxing enforcement on tribal lands in states where pot is legal might have been misinterpreted. He says pot is still illegal in Indian Country and on federal land.
Organizers of the High Times Cannabis Cup festival say there will still be music, T-shirts and souvenirs at the event at a Moapa Band of Paiutes festival site.
But spokesman Joe Brezny says it’ll essentially be just a concert this year.
Topics: Cannabis Cup, marijuana festivals, music festivals, Trump administration