High Times brings their Cannabis Cup… to Flint?

Two local sources say the world’s most well-known 420 magazine will be bringing their convention and competition to Flint in July, 2014

The High Times Cannabis Cup, an event combining a trade show expo with a cannabis competition, will be making a 2014 appearance in Flint, Michigan, say two informed local sources.

There are several Cannabis Cup competitions held in different cities every year, including an annual appearance in Amsterdam. The list of this year’s cities include L.A., Denver and Seattle.

The news comes via two Ann Arbor-area sources that have access to top people in the High Times organization. Rhory Gould of ArborSide told TCC, “As far as High Times goes they’ll be here in Flint July 26th-27th.” A calendar from the High Times organization provided by Gould illustrates a Michigan Cannabis Cup on that date. As with most of the Cup appearances announced on that calendar, no venue was listed for the event.

“Top people at the High Times Magazine staff have told me that the event is almost a done deal,” said Jamie Lowell of Ypsilanti’s 3rd Coast Compassion. Both men confirmed that once the venue is confirmed, an official announcement will be made from High Times.

In 2011, Detroit played host to the only Cannabis Cup competition ever held in Michigan. Due to difficulties with the Detroit Police Department the Cup promoters are reluctant to return to the city, and Flint is a great choice to host the event.

There is a thriving cannabis distribution industry in the city proper and several communities in the surrounding townships host dispensaries or farmer’s markets. Genesee County will greatly benefit from the hotel reservations, restaurant bills and retail purchasing that always accompany an event of national prominence. “This expo would be a welcome source of revenue to the entire region,” Lowell pointed out.

Gould has an additional announcement to share regarding another Michigan cannabis event: Hash Bash.

“Arborside is going to kick off Hash Bash once again on Thursday with another class from Ed Rosenthal at the Clarion,” Gould said.

This will be the second year Rosenthal has conducted classes in Ann Arbor prior to the Hash Bash. Last year’s class was sold out, and the amphitheater-style seating in the Clarion’s meeting room gives these seminars a more intimate feel than other venues. That date is April 3rd.

Gould hinted that Hash Bash might have a celebrity visitor from the south and that Rosenthal may be in town for more events than just the Hash Bash and Monroe Street Fair. The annual expo at the Roostertail in Detroit always draws crowds and celebrities- music star Afro Man was one of last year’s notables- and the growing guru could pop up there, too.