WAVERLY, Ohio (WCMH) -- Several thousand marijuana enthusiasts will descend upon Waverly next month for the second annual Stargazer Cannabis Festival. It may also be the last.
“We're very sad about that fact, and it would be very ironic that this festival was conceived out of a celebration for legalization, and then ironically, the law will make it illegal," festival organizer Chad Thompson said.
Dispensary reacts to Ohio marijuana limit changesThompson is concerned about changes to cannabis laws in consideration at the state and federal level that would minimize or eliminate the three-day cannabis festival. Ohio lawmakers have weighed multiple changes to Ohio's recreational marijuana laws, which passed in 2023 with 57% of the vote. Federally, a provision currently included in the "Big Beautiful Bill" would prohibit most products that use hemp-derived THC.
Under the new federal proposal, the U.S. would redefine which hemp products are legal. Hemp was redefined in President Donald Trump's first term to mean cannabis that has minimal THC levels, 0.3% or lower. People have used this definition to synthetically manufacture cannabis products that are both legal and intoxicating. The budget draft would ban those hemp products, making ingestible hemp federally illegal again.
"There is an effort to eliminate that segment of the hemp market, which would really give a big hit to hemp businesses and us, as a cannabis festival, also would be greatly impacted by that," Thompson said. "It would take a big portion of our vendors and make them illegal.”
Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decadesThompson said changes to cannabis law would significantly harm Ohio's emerging marijuana industry, which is on track to be a $2 billion market. Among higher taxes and a decreased legal maximum THC level, legislators have also considered a ban on ingesting cannabis in public spaces, which would largely prevent the festival from taking place.
Thompson said if the state changes cannabis laws, Stargazer Festival will have to consider relocating to a "friendlier state," taking its business with it. The festival will nearly double the population of Waverly for the weekend, and Thompson said visitors are coming from 35 states.
“This festival this year will cost us close to $200,000 to organize and put on, and that's all revenue that is being filtered in the state down through porta potties, tent rentals, local performers," Thompson said.
More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions liftedThompson said he does not want to move the festival, saying it would be a "sad day" if they had to leave their home state. Stargazer began as a celebration for Ohio activists after voters successfully legalized recreational marijuana. As part of the celebratory mission, many festival events involve giveaways for festival attendees, including a $1,000 bonus for five randomly selected cannabis judges and a giveaway dream cannabis wedding officiated by Afroman.
Thompson said as this July 25-27 may be the last festival, people should get their tickets ahead of time, as they will likely be sold out at the door. He said he and other advocates are prepared to rally and adjust, but hope the laws will stay favorable.
"Even after legalization, the fight is not done to ensure the best possible cannabis laws on the books for the greater good of the people currently and into the future," Thompson said.
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