Marijuana Goes to the Colorado Symphony (No, Seriously.)

You’ve heard of the movie classic Tea and Sympathy, but in Colorado that would be Weed and Symphony. However, this is not an upcoming movie release. Since the legalization of recreational marijuana, this is the real deal. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra will launch its fundraising event, “Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series” on May 23.

For only $75, concert goers 21 and older can “experience the symphony in a brand new way,” however no marijuana will be sold at this event. This is being promoted as a BYOC fundraiser.  (Pease, bring your own cannabis.)

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra requests concert goers not to wear costumes or theme oriented outfits. Leave the tie dye at home. Suits and cocktail dresses would be appropriate. They recommend “dress to impress.”

Colorado and Washington are the only two states that enacted laws to legalize recreational marijuana. Twenty-one states plus the District of Columbia allow for medical marijuana.

Amendment 64, the ballot initiative from November of 2012, set the stage to legalize pot in Colorado. With a brilliant marketing campaign that promoted the profits of marijuana going to schools instead of criminals, commercials helped convince voters legalizing marijuana would be a lucrative educational winfall. Snappy theme songs reminded voters that legalization would also add more jobs to the state, in addition to funding schools.

Upon the passage of Amendment 64, Governor Hickenlooper  stated, “The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will. This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug so don’t break out the Cheetos or gold fish too quickly.” (Unsubstantiated reports of an unexplained increase in Cheetos sales in the Colorado market cannot be confirmed at this time.)

The State of Colorado reported over four million in revenue for February, including cannabis taxes along with the licensing and fees imposed on businesses.  From February sales taxes alone, that’s 3.2 million. With companies such as Magpul moving out of state due its hostile business climate, the marijuana business helps offset job and revenue loss.

Joel Aigner Director of Business Development at iComply Cannabis, a firm that assists businesses in the challenges of cannabis regulation, shared his thoughts with us. He first learned of this event through a classically trained musician who also happens to be a cannabis proponent. Aigner says that the stereotype of the cannabis consumer is losing its grip on the imagination of the American public. He states, “It just so happens that some of those that ‘do inhale’ also enjoy the symphony. Frankly I think it’s kind of silly that anyone is surprised that there might be a market for an event like this. If one can enjoy a glass of wine at the symphony, why not enjoy a vape pen and some concentrate?”