FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND THE VALUE OF DIGGING DEEPER, I LEARN SOMETHING

Discussed: security policy at music festivals.

What is the role of the state in limiting individual freedom to pursue happiness and pleasure in ways that do not impact others negatively? Specifically, what about the use of drugs? Is the consumption of mind-altering substances always neutral regarding it’s effects or potential effects on others?  Of course not; the quick example of course would be vehicular manslaughter caused by drunk driving.  In that case, had the drunken person not obtained the keys, had not started the car, had not pulled out onto the road, no death.  So presumably, in this case there are multiple points where other factors “caused” the death just as much as the drug did, because without those factors and only with the drug, there is no death. 

I and many others argue that placing draconian limits on the use of cannabis (in many areas of the country the drug is altogether prohibited) is blatantly hypocritical, due to the magnitude of morbidity and mortality figures where alcohol is a factor.  Granted, full legalization of cannabis, and availability to the extent that alcohol enjoys would no doubt lead to more use, and more cases of injury and death where cannabis was a factor.  I mean, analogously, there would be edibles, smokables, vapables, in all manner of strengths, there on the grocery shelves for you to toss into your shopping cart and purchase at the checkout, no questions.  And there would be cannabis lounges, hangouts, social clubs, where consumption would be not given a second thought, and folks would leave the club, climb into their cars, and head on down the highway.  In such a world, the incidence of cannabis-associated bad things would likely increase significantly.  So of course, the argument goes, we should not go down that road; we already have such a system for alcohol and it’s madness to create yet again another system for producing inebriated humans who will do what humans all too often do: stupid things.

I can certainly see the logic.  The problem is, the hypocrisy level is so over the top that it’s not tenable, and the contrast is too strong to sustain.  Especially now, with many states creating systems allowing individual use of the drug without any associated illegality. Areas where strong restrictions persist and enforcement regimes are hell-bent on keeping the drug out of your body look more and more out of touch.  As I write this, it occurs to me (an "ah-ha moment") that our recent experience in Virginia at the Lockn’ music festival is totally in keeping with what occurs at festivals everywhere, even where cannabis is legal. It’s just that in Virginia, they actually try to enforce the law until you get into the event venue.  Once you are in, Lockn’ is actually comparatively permissive. Let me explain.

Lockn’ is a camping intensive, jam-band oriented 4 day celebration of music and good vibes.  As such, the orientation of the attendees is to let loose, relax, celebrate and get rid of lots of the restrictions faced in everyday life.  Pointedly, the lineup consists of musical styles strongly associated with the use of cannabis.  One performer this year was seen taking huge hits of something (tobacco vape?  Cannabis vape?) just before beginning his set.  This performer is an outspoken proponent of the use of cannabis, so the act had to have been related; who would take 3 huge hits of tobacco in rapid succession, anywhere?  

We were excited to get into the festival main stage area that first day, since we have been to many festivals and were eager to compare as we took it all in.  We had decided that on this trip, we will leave our cannabis at home for reasons that can be explored later (I am an infrequent user). Not “holding”, we had no reason to feel paranoid passing through security.  What happened was remarkable at first, but now seems completely in line with facts on the ground and our surprise seems a bit silly in retrospect.  The security people at the entry gates are instructed to look for drugs for personal use.  They examine your pill bottles, open and look through your wallet, dig through the tiny compartments of your fanny pack, and do a (limited) pat-down, including the breast area for women.  Undoubtedly they are also instructed to look for guns and glass, but that could be done with a quick search and perhaps wanding.  Compared to other festivals, the difference seems to be that other venues don’t really care if you bring in small quantities of drugs for personal use. Why were we so shocked?  After all, even where cannabis is legal, it’s illegal to consume in public.  At festivals, it’s everywhere prohibited to bring drugs or alcohol into the venue.  In Virginia, they are simply enforcing the rules that apply everywhere, rather than passively allowing violations as is the practice in other states, in our experience. 

Once inside, everything similar to other festivals: pretty much open uninhibited use of cannabis, and presumably other drugs although with edibles or pills, who can know?  And just like many other festivals, alcohol is for sale. However, at Lockn’ alcohol policy is by comparison generous: no need to hunker down in a “beer and wine garden” where your experience of the music is attenuated by distance.  At Lockn’, you can carry your drink up to the front of the stage if you care to.  And go ahead and take 3 huge hits of cannabis in rapid succession if you want, that’s not restricted apparently.  I did see a gentleman next to me hitting off a rather large vape device, which would appear to be difficult to smuggle in, so I asked him how he did it.  He told me that no, he had purchased it from “some dude” after getting in.  At Lockn’, before you get in there will be an attempt to enforce the rules that currently apply everywhere in the country.  Once you’re in, the rule (or should I say the current regime) still applies. That is, you get your non-alcoholic drugs from illegal dealers (or you smuggle them in using devious tactics), and you get your alcohol from legal dealers. At Lockn' as at most other festivals, the rule prohibiting public use of cannabis is not enforced, and the public use of alcohol is allowed without any restrictions, unlike many festivals. So actually, once you get in comparatively pretty chill.

Thanks for reading and I am happy to get that off my chest.  I still keep flashing back on the very disturbing image of a young Asian man in handcuffs, sitting near the security entrance (apparently for several hours) with uniformed police officers hovering, and it creeps me out.  Nevertheless, it’s just a result of laws on the books, put there by voters.  Next post: The Music of Lockn’!!

Derek Trucks, Trey Anastasio, and Susan Tedeschi at Lockn'