Cannabis Consumption Lounge Rolled Out At State Fair For First Time

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California State Fair in Sacramento has rolled out a new lounge for cannabis users, the first time the fair has permitted sales and consumption of marijuana on site.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the sales and edible consumption area, the California Cannabis Exhibit, is sponsored by Embarc and was dubbed the Embarc Oasis.  The exhibit focuses on highlighting the history, craft, and story of California cannabis and its contribution to the state’s agricultural industry, with only adults aged 21 and older allowed entry.  The area features a 30,000-square-foot consumption lounge to give attendees an opportunity to try products from diverse farms and brands from across California.

The lounge is “a watershed moment for the (cannabis) industry”, said Dustin Moore, co-founder of Embarc, adding that it was the first time cannabis could be purchased and consumed on-site at any state fair in the world.

On-site dispensaries are being run by Embarc and the Equity Trade Network, which showcases smaller companies and social equity brands owned by people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women and members of other marginalized communities.

“This is just another step in the socialization and normalization of cannabis, which is great,” said David Hafner of the Department of Cannabis Control. “As regulators, we love to see this.”

Moore said over half of the roughly 70 brands represented at the fair were social equity, craft marijuana companies or legacy brands.

Among the vendors was independent budtender Tyler Sherlock, who said, “I want to be part of it just for the historic aspect,” Sherlock said.

“We’re taking the stigma out of it,” said Lamar Walker, co-founder of Sacramento-area cannabis brand Ellis Greens. “That’s the greatest joy of being in this industry, being able to have (sales) on this scale at this type of event with exposure to so many different types of people.”  He said his brand is there to educate users of all experience levels about consuming cannabis and to provide a positive experience to all visitors.

At the fair, which runs through July 28, all attendees over the age of 21 must present a valid photo identification.  No outside cannabis will be permitted to enter the fair, and no cannabis consumption will be permitted outside of the designated area. All cannabis purchased in the licensed area and not consumed in the consumption area must leave the cannabis area in a tamper-proof container.

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