So Product Earth day 2 was a bust. As in cancelled. As in ‘cancelled-in-the-middle-of-the-night-and-I’m-learning-this-in-a-taxi-en-route-to-the-venue’ cancelled (should really start checking my messages before leaving…).
And the reason for the nocturnal cessation a mere ten hours before doors were set to open on day 2? People were smoking cannabis. At a cannabis-dominated event.
To be fair to the organisers – and to give some insight for you, dear reader – let’s unpack this a little.
Consumption conundrum
Without trying to humblebrag (much), I’ve been to a lot of cannabis industry events – in the USA, Canada, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. While each of these nations take varying legal positions on cannabis, at each event consumption is never an issue. It’s simply part of the background. It’s a conduit to our shared experience as attendees. It’s what we’re all fucking there for.
So the assumption – nay, the practice – is that we can openly consume: among our chosen tribe. And we do.
The UK, however, leans differently on consumption. Sure, medical is legal here – and is accommodated at British events like Product Earth and Cannabis Europa – but openly vaping weed on the high street (somewhat ironically) draws a lot of attention.
As a patient, I do it mostly at home, or during my afternoon constitutional. But I’m just not comfortable being the source of ‘the smell’ in public here. Unless I’m in canna-company, that is: because then we’re all equally culpable. But when it comes to events, it’s the organisers that have to take it on the chin.
Venue, vidi, vici
Historically, PE has been held out in the sticks. Somewhere off the beaten path near Coventry, somewhere completely self-contained, with lots of outside space, but essentially hidden in plain sight. Based on my experience last year, it was clear that anything went. The legacy market was in full view, and seemingly, everyone had a great time.
Honestly, what was Drumsheds expecting? They must have known full well the nature of Product Earth
But holding it at the Drumsheds in London this year brought with it bigger audiences and a lot more scrutiny; apparently from the venue management who took exception to indoor consumption – allegedly by exhibitors – despite there being a sizable outdoor space.
Honestly, what was Drumsheds expecting? They must have known full well the nature of Product Earth. But were they given assurances that consumption would be restricted to outdoor spaces only – and used exclusively by prescription-wielding patients? I struggle to believe they’d be that naive. Having been there on the ground, there was scant security inside the venue (it all seemed to be deployed at the entrance gate) and from what I saw, there was little attempt to curb consumption by anyone.
Frankly, what would have been the point? That said, given the nature of the event there could have been more effort to express the house rules to all and sundry. Should indoor smokers have been immediately removed? Smoking anything in an enclosed public space has been illegal in the UK since 2007. People know they’re not supposed to. But you only had to glance around the Product Earth show floor to clock wisps of smoke emanating from all four corners. And no one seemed (and I may be wrong) to be doing anything about it.
We were with our tribe, after all – and it’s only weed… right??
Little Britain
In my view, these issues highlight the unspoken prejudice we have around cannabis in Britain. Most non-canna people, when asked, would probably concur that they were ok with it – even if it ‘wasn’t for them’ per se. But when stoners relax into consumption, under the impression that ‘it’s all illegal, so what’s one more rule break?’ and openly do so, non-cannabists then start to take exception (especially if they’re risking their licence to operate as a venue).
It’s a massive double standard, but it does highlight the need for regulation, information, and education more broadly. Recreational cannabis isn’t legal here in the UK. Are shows like Product Earth giving a false impression that it is by permitting consumption? I actually think this is the case.
By operating in this way, we’re also doing zero for the medical cannabis cause. If access to legal cannabis involves getting a prescription, then why weren’t those consuming asked to produce one on arrival? Because there is no legal requirement here for patients to produce a prescription in order to consume cannabis. In the same way that someone can use an asthma inhaler or pop a couple of codeine pills without prejudice, medical cannabis users shouldn’t have to show a piece of paper to legitimise their consumption.
However, given the level of smoking (which sure ain’t a medical practice) that went on – inside and outside – the vast majority of attendees were almost certainly non-medical consumers; there to peruse paraphernalia and enjoy the added bonuses of booze, food, and music in a cannabis culture safe space. In this regard, for the organisers and the venue, turning a blind eye made economic sense.
But given the turn of events, it’s clear there was a disconnect somewhere. Did Drumsheds really not know what to expect? Did the Product Earth team downplay the level of consumption that would take place? These questions need to be asked.
Walking the line
The official line from Product Earth is that people were smoking inside, which set off pre-fire alarms (whatever they are…) prompting Drumsheds to cancel day 2 for fear of losing their license. Refunds are set to be made to those who bought Sunday and weekend tickets – but what about exhibitors?
I’ve never organised an event, so I can’t speak with any great authority about doing so. But from what I’ve observed, they take a fuck-tonne of work and a lot of people to get things right. And still, everything can go wrong; even if attendees are completely oblivious.
Cannabis events always walk a fine line between business and pleasure. They’re all working towards a Goldilocks balance of conference, trade show, and cultural experience; something which Spannabis in Barcelona does really well. But it’s the culture part that’s seemingly the most problematic for event organisers.
We simply can’t assume that what goes in Berlin and Barcelona is OK here in Britain. We shouldn’t foolishly take that position. People will flaunt the rules, but they need to be held accountable when they fuck up. Them’s the breaks.
Oh I get it; if we don’t give adults the opportunity to consume of their own volition (with them being wholly individually responsible) how can we normalise consumption?
But that, my friends, is where we’re at right now with cannabis in the UK. Everything’s cool… until it isn’t. And the winds of change can blow at the drop of a hat.
Photo credits: Cover Manuel Kaguako, others Dave Barton & Amna Shamim
