Michigan's High Times Cannabis Cup:
“Dude! Zombies! Where are the signs
saying 'beware of zombies?'”
Herds are barely able to toddle. They
slowly shuffle. Careful, as they are not the fastest to respond.
Gaits may be a little off. Some limp
or waddle. This only adds to the zombie effect.
Many have health issues that led to
them ambling slowly toward the convention. Ask and hear stories like
the girl who slammed her face into the steering wheel in a car
accident, the girl who was told she would never walk again after a
cliff diving accident, and the guy hit by a car going more than 55
MPH. Each of them were lucky to survive, and continue to live in
chronic pain with a host of health problems.
Luckily, a medicinal herb helps them.
This conventions celebrates that magical plant. It's the Cannabis
Cup in Clio, Michigan, hosted by an old school pro-marijuana
publication called High Times.
Okay, so some people might just feel
like a zombie after sampling a few free dabs, practically drooling on
themselves and a little out of it, but that's why it never hurts to
have a designated driver. One does not have to be a medical
marijuana patient to attend the Cannabis Cup, only those who plan on
medicating in the designated outdoor area. Looking around the crowd,
one might notice a plentiful amount of locked cases that people are
carrying, but remember, even medical patients should keep their legal
medication in a locked container in the trunk when it is being
transported to such an event.
The best is judged. Walk around,
sample products, and pick a favorite booth. Then, cast a vote.
Along the journey, get greeted by a
sexy version of Alice in Wonderland, see a guy in a pot leaf suit,
get approached by a giant bud smoking a joint, and follow a man in a
clear box with LED lights illuminating. Try to make it all the way
around the Herbal Solutions table. Try not to tap out too soon.
Like it Raw? Good, grab a Raw paper.
The one cone takes about an ounce to fill.
Check out the Tommy Chong products.
Pose with a cardboard cutout. Download their playful app.
Attend a seminar. Hear war stories.
Learn cooking techniques.
Chill out at the concerts. Dance with
new friends. Become one with the music.
Get a VIP gift bag. Head back to the
VIP tent. Get a free caricature drawn.
Is that Danny Danko? What's he
rolling? Puff and pass.
The free weed seminar consisted of the
steady work of rolling, followed by the continuous passing of the
samples to be puffed. Rolling techniques vary. Sometimes, it's
great to get an up-close look.
There's fun and frivolity, but there's
also a political side to things. Various donations are set up for
children suffering from cancer. Reading their stories is absolutely
heartbreaking; they're so young.
A six-time cancer survivor confided
that cannabis was the only thing that helped her through
chemotherapy. “I wouldn't be able to hold down food or have any
type of an appetite without it.” For so many, it can be a bigger
help than all the pills that doctors readily and constantly prescribe
to people.
Each person has a different story.
Nearly every person at the event had battled in a personal war.
Though each had their own reason for their interest in cannabis and
attending the event, all were cool.
The vibe is chill and welcoming. The
only thing to be scared of it the rain that flooded the second day of
the event, especially when there were whispers of tornado warnings.
Many did not stick around.
People packed up a little early.
That's the only bad part of having an outdoor event; there's not many
places to hide in case of bad weather. Still, this only meant people
were willing to dole out deals.
Ready to recoup any kind of cost, many
gave out deals of more than 50% off, gave out free samples, and threw
in added bonuses of things they did not want to carry through the
rain when packing up. It's worth donning an umbrella or rain poncho,
just to shop the last minute deals as people are closing up.
Pick up one of the glass pieces
handcrafted by an artist at the event. Feet of flame spit from
glowing glass. The artist blows into the long tube and spins,
manipulating the the liquid before it solidifies.
It's easy to spend an hour watching the
glass blowers. See the craft from start to finish. They're good.
Some glass has squishy faces like an
old man trapped in the glass. Other pieces look like terrific
animals from a fantasy world. Abstract pieces do not need rhyme,
logic or reason to look awesome.
Learn how to grow and blossom. There's
a host of techniques, and this convention has a slew of teachers.
Ask around, and there's more than one person that can usually answer
about any question.
Seminars have tips. Various methods
are talked about. Each teacher has their own preferences.
Flowers line nearly every path.
There's samples and displays of pot leaves with other flowers, too.
No matter which path you take, it's almost like walking through a
dense fog, being outside in thick smoke.
Seemingly each direction leads to a
dab. Try some gummies, eat some nuts, suck on a lollipop, chow a
brownie, a pretty cupcake, or scrumptious strawberry cake. How about
some medicated hot wings?
There's so much to do, see, try and
learn that it's almost overwhelming trying to fit in everything.
There's regrets of things missed by the end. Of course, there's
always Jamaica, Portland or California.
The High Times Cannabis Cup will be
traveling to other locations throughout the year. Don't drag those
feet and miss out. Check out the latest events at
www.cannabiscup.com.
For more by Marisa, visit
www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz
and www.thorisazviews.com.
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