A who’s who of cannabis celebrities is headed to Cass County this month.
The inaugural Goats of Cannabis festival is set for September 17 at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Cassopolis. Presented by High Indotainment and The Goat Cannabis Company, the event is a licensed cannabis consumption event, and will feature live music, food trucks, cannabis sales, a cannabis competition featuring dozens of licensed growers and more.
Headlining the main stage will be rappers Redman, Berner and Detroit’s Trick Trick. Berner, who is also the CEO of the Cookies cannabis company, was recently featured as the first cannabis CEO to be on the cover of Forbes Magazine. Redman, known for his acting role alongside Method Man in “How High” as well as his rap skills, has featured in dozens of other films and television shows.
Cheech Marin will be on hand to be a judge a cannabis competition, as well as launch the new Cheech and Chong and Cheech’s Stash line of products for the first time in Michigan.
“We have a different headliner for each age demographic,” said Justin “JJ” Smith, co-owner of Cassopolis’ Sunset Coast Provisions, Cassopolis native and festival organizer through The Goat Cannabis Company. “My grandparents are excited about Cheech and Chong, my dad and mom are excited about Redman and then everybody kind of respects what Berner does – but the younger crowd is in love with Cookies. So that was kind of cool to bring everybody together.”
Smith said the event will also serve as a networking opportunity for growers and dispensaries, as well as an opportunity for consumers to test different products and give their opinions to dispensaries as to what they want to see in stores.
“We’re showcasing the cultivators and processors throughout the state on a platform that hasn’t really been done yet,” said Smith, adding they have a five-year approval to cannabis events at the site. “We really wanted to expand and kind of do like how High Times did where the festivalgoers knew that was the best place to go and get familiar with all the brands and best deals on products.”
Smith said six retail dispensaries and more than 15 other cultivators will be a part of the competition, and they have invited more than 200 dispensaries to attend.
On-site sales will be provided by The Goat Cannabis Company, BE Provisions, Sunset Coast Provisions and StoneDepot Exceptional Cannabis. Dreka Gates, Instagram star and co-owner of Bud Express Provisions in Cassopolis, will also be on hand, as will OG Boobie Black.
The event runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the fairgrounds. General admission tickets are $100 at the gate, but are on sale for 50% off for a limited time here.
By Ryan Yuenger
MOTM Contributor
