Fall is the time county fairs, carnivals, and more come to time…while engaging in the fun, there are few tip to know if you are going to consuming marijuana

September is a highlight for country fairs followed by October for the Halloween carnivals. Elephant ears, Ferris wheels and midways all appeal to our childlike delight for fun, excitement, different foods and more. But what if you want to chill out while attending? Well here are key tips for consuming marijuana at the local fair?

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With over 50% of the country having access to legal marijuana, some are taking it for granted like it a beer and is accepted everywhere. But it is wise to think ahead, especially since you are with large groups of people – including families and kids. The Minnesota State Fair is the largest daily attended fair and the Texas State Fair, which is the largest in the country by total attendance, drew a peak daily attendance in 2023 of 141,410 but a total attendance of 2,341,449. Some parts of the fair are geared for kids, others for a mixed crowd, like the pirate ship and roller coasters.

Fairs are a sensation extravaganza. The lights, noises, movements, smells and food appeal to all the senses. The midway is the main path or street fairgoers walk along to find sideshows, concession stands, and other amusements.

The first thing is be discreet, fairs are family events. Consider a vape or gummies over smoking. They provide less smell, so are less noticeable. With a vape you can also manage your high.

If you are new to consuming marijuana, consider a low level high so you aren’t overwhelmed by the mass amount of sensations. It will also let you experience both things without freaking out. Part of a gummy might put you in the right spot to absorb everything going on and appreciate it at the next level.

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The fair is about food, so know if you are prone to the munchies, this will be a fiesta of flavors. Consider eating beforehand or know this will be a cheat day. From fried butter to hot dogs, it is all going to look good.

Start slow on the rides. Let the high settle into your mind and body before boarding the scrambler. This gives your body time to adjust so there isn’t any unpleasant surprises.

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Some fun fact, cotton candy was originally called “fairy floss” and was invented in 1897 by candy makers William Morris and John C. Wharton of Nashville, Tennessee. It was introduced in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

It is an odd, odd one – this year election is all over the board, especially for marijuana

This presidential election is turning out to be one for the history books. With Biden dropping out, a Kennedy becoming a major player, AI, and a nation on edge, it is becoming a year which is flustering the public. Few expect a clear outcome the night of the election and worries abound for the results. One key group worried is the cannabis industry, the presidential elections are all over the board for marijuana.

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While state legalization is increasing and consumer use is significantly growing, federal restrictions along with chaos in New York and California caused the industry to crash in 2022 and it has struggled ever since. The Biden administration’s last minute push to follow through on the 2020 campaign to help the industry has become a dud. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has delayed any action until December, guaranteeing zero industry support for 2024.  While all this is bad news, the candidates positions involve and change.

In the GOP camp, the presidential nominee has been indifferent toward marijuana. While he doesn’t drink, he seems to flow with popular opinion. He just posted support of recreational legalization in Florida (against his foe DeSantis) and seems to be positive toward the industry. But his team has made it clear cannabis is bad. The GOP Vice President candidate has not be a fan, voted against in the Senate and has been quiet on his stance.  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is taking the place of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in trying to be a cannabis killer.

The GOP has an “extra man” in Robert Kennedy,Jr who has been positioned as a top tier leader. Kennedy is pro marijuana and recently attacked the Democratic Presidential candidate for her history against marijuana.

In the Democratic team, Biden was very slow in supporting the industry. Aside from pardons, which helped some individuals, it took 3 years for him to make a move.  Thousands of small mom and pop businesses in the industry placed hope in him, but have had struggled to pay bills. A seasoned policy lawmaker, it seems Biden’s team played a reschedule date game to see if they can convince younger voters. When it wasn’t needed, the DEA left the cannabis industry to twist in the wind. Harris has changed from being anti-marijuana during her time in California to being seemingly open to increased legalization. She has brought it up in her campaign, but it isn’t a major policy plank.

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The only clear record is the Democratic Vice Presidential Tim Walz. As Governor of Minnesota, he has been a clear champion of legal cannabis. He seems to understand the medical benefits, the economic value to states, how it supports mom and pop businesses, can help veterans and reduces crime. He seems to be the only real champion.

In surprise to no one considering the history of the administration leaders, Biden administration starts to wind down legal marijuana

Mom and pop businesses have been struggling the last 2 years. Thousands are in hte cannabis business, many having the hope from the Biden/Harris 2020 campaign about helping them. Almost 4 years later, there has been no change, and while marijuana use soars, federal government are putting hundreds of businesses out even in fully legal states. The DEA action is paving the way for a robust illegal market.

Has Biden administration killed put a knife into the cannabis industry. Has former foe of cannabis managed to effectively put a stop to the legal cannabis industry? Biden has been in the federal government for 51 years. His tenure has given him unique insight in how government works, the timeline and how to move projects forward. Until recently, Biden and Harris were anti-marijuana, but recognizing the direction of voters, especially younger voters, they made a pivot. But was it a move to try to engage the youth movement without having to deliver a final product? The announcement by the Drug Enforcement Administration to delay until at least 2 December has thrown the industry into a tailspin with stocks dropping due to the announcement.

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Biden is quick to comment “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.”  In 2020 the Biden/Harris ticket promised to help the industry by readdressing cannabis.  But in reality, Biden waited over 3 years before he made the move.  An experienced lawmaker understands the wheels of change moves slowly. Especially when the an agency like the DEA is resistant to the change. The timing of the start to reschedule cannabis allows the campaign to say “look what we are doing”, but actual change may or may not happen. In reality, Biden told the public he values cannabis, but he didn’t put a true push on an easy change until months before the end of his term. Most likely knowing the clock would run out. It is disappointing as the Veterans Administration acknowledged it is an important option for veterans, especially with those with PTSD.

Anne Milligan, is the administrator of the DEA and was appointed by the current administration. The DEA is a federal agency overseen by the presidential administration and has made it clear it is not onboard with 85+% of the population’s view on cannabis. It has also not been pleased Health and Human Services (HHS), The American Medical Association, Canada, the Food and Drug Administration and the American College of Physicians have all recommended rescheduling based on the science behind the plant’s medical benefits

The industry is full of mom and pop organizations who are trying to help build a new economic engine. Gen Z, understanding marijuana is healthy than alcohol, has embraced weed and beer sales have been down. Consumer use has soared among all age groups.  Legal states have been reaping the economic benefits, but the DEA doesn’t seemed to be phased by the change of the public acceptance.

While Harris drinks alcohol, Biden and the GOP presidential nominee do not. Harris and Biden have a history of being strong legal cannabis foes. On the campaign trail, Harris seems to support the industry, but has done nothing publicly or via government regulations to help the small businesses in the sector.

Both Harris and Biden are seasoned policy markers, so it would come as no surprise the timeline or the announcement. Harris has revitalized part of the Democrat campaign with other opportunities to engage younger voters. Has the current administration pulled another bait and switch with the industry?

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Should the Harris team lose, it gives House Speaker Mike Johnson a chance to end legal marijuana also. He is dead set against any form of legalization. Some leaders in the industry have doubts about the Biden/Harris take on marijuana and have been expanding into hemp, which Senator Mitch McConnell championed. So like another president, Gerald Ford when NYC was in trouble, Biden sent a very clear message to the industry.