INDIO, CA (CelebrityAccess) — While recreational marijuana became legal in the state of California on January 1st, music fans at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival still won’t (officially) be able to light up at the festival.
As Billboard noted, the festival updated its Q&A section to clarify that while the drug may be legal to use in California, its use is banned on the festival grounds.
“Sorry bro. Marijuana and marijuana products aren’t allowed inside. Even in 2018 and beyond. If that changes, we’ll update this answer,” the festival’s updated Q&A section on its website says.
The policy reflects the festival’s stance on the drug in previous years. Medical marijuana has been legal in California for years, but the festival still put the kibosh on fans with a valid prescription who wanted to medicate.
“The promoter has a standing right to the property, and they can determine what can and cannot be brought onto the premises,” Indio police Sgt. Dan Marshall told the Los Angeles Daily News. “(For instance) you have the right to bear arms, but you don’t have the right to bear arms in my house.”
As well, the festival’s host town of Indio has taken a dim view of the state’s liberalized approach to recreational cannabis, and all sales, growing, and delivery operations are still banned within city limits, the Desert Sun reported in October.
Coachella’s first weekend is set to get underway this year on April 13th, with the second weekend kicking off on April 20th.
