SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Visitors at the California State Fair will be able to buy cannabis on-site this year in a first for the fair, according to Embarc, the fair’s partner for onsite sales and consumption.
Embarc says it’s a continuation of the fair’s leadership on cannabis after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation allowing licensed cannabis events in California.
"This is a huge deal," Dustin Moore, co-founder of Embarc.
The State Fair introduced a cannabis exhibit and awards competition in 2022.
"This is the similar exhibit to what folks saw in 2022 and 2023, with the difference that alongside of the awarded products will be QR codes," said Moore. "So folks over the age of 21, can pull out their phones and effectively build a cart just as you would in a traditional e commerce shopping setting."
Now, there will be a broadened cannabis competition, onsite sales and consumption. Embarc says it’s a step in destigmatizing cannabis.
“Hosting cannabis sales and consumption is a groundbreaking milestone in destigmatization by facilitating a deeper connection between consumers and the farmers who cultivate their products with such care,” said Lauren Carpenter, co-founder of Embarc.
The cannabis exhibition hall is 21+ and has information about the state’s history with the flower and exhibits of California’s top brands and farms.
For those concerned about the fair being a family friendly event, the entire hall is only for those 21 and over, meaning children won't get anywhere close.
"Your children will have no opportunity to look at or touch any of these products. And I think that's something that we're incredibly proud of given the stringent regulations that are in place," said Moore.
There will also be a 30,000-square-foot consumption lounge for those over 21. The consumption area will be located outdoors, in a tent and officials say it will be located far away from any areas where people don’t want to see or smell people using marijuana.
This year’s cannabis competition includes new categories for pre-rolls, concentrates, cartridges, edibles, beverages and wellness products.
For more ABC10 news and weather coverage on your time, stream ABC10+ on your TV for free:
► Roku - click here
► Amazon Fire - click here
► Apple TV - click here
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: New Cal Expo water park opening delayed
