Cypress Hill’s ‘Smoke Out’ lights up this month

Cypress Hill presents ‘Smoke Out’ (Photo by Scott Penner via Flickr)

Cypress Hill and Guerilla Union have combined their cannabis love to form ‘Smoke Out,’ a two day music festival and medical marijuana expo.

The festival brings together over 30 different bands and musical icons who are all in support of dissolving misconceptions about the use of marijuana. Such music legends include Slipknot, Deftones, Sublime, Pennywise, Redman, and Method Man.

Earlier this year Sublime played in Nevada and announced a reunion tour for 2009 with new lead singer, Rome. It is the first time since the band has played with a new lead singer since the death of their band mate, Bradley Nowell in May of 1996. The surviving members, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, formed The Long Beach Dub Allstars after the death of Nowell, but only this year have they announced they will play under the name Sublime.

The festival runs October 23 and 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA.  This festival is not only in support of marijuana rights, but it’s also a coming together of advocates and civil right activist for the support of freedom. The founders of the festival believe everyone has the right to specific freedoms, including the right to decide what to put in their own bodies. They believe too many nay-sayers focus on the negative connotations of the green grass and overlook the positive. The festival is about having fun, rocking out, but also becoming informed.

And it only gets better…

The duo joins in on the festivities (Photo by dwhartwig via Flickr)

Many people may see ‘Smoke Out’ and assume it’s a giant gathering of all potheads in the region to smoke out, get wasted, and prove all the misconceptions right. Wrong.

It’s really a well put together festival that lets attendees come together in a welcoming and accepting environment to discuss and appreciate different lifestyle choices.

The event offers two expert panels each day to cover topics from the legalization of marijuana, to cultivation, various health benefits, and education. There will also be Question and Answer sessions and consumer workshops to follow each panel.

The ever so famous Cheech and Chong will also be on site during the event to participate in discussion panels and re-tell stories.

Don’t get me wrong, there will plenty of great music, awesome food, and a coming together of the most appreciative of 4:20, but don’t think a giant hazy cloud will be forming above the venue. It’s actually one of the worst places to try and sneak in “special brownies.”

Since the possession and selling of marijuana is still illegal, the festival works hard to let everyone know to keep their stash at home. They want to bring people together to appreciate weed, just not in its lit up form. Plenty of security and police will be on hand to keep attendees in line. For those who need to bring medication in with them, an EMT station will be set up near the entrance and attendees with prescriptions can drop them off and pick them up with proper I.D.

The medical marijuana expo will be in full swing for the entire event offering one of the best consumer and trade shows in the hemp industry. The expo will feature leading businesses impacting the multi-million dollar hemp and medical marijuana industries. Representatives for cultivation, education, legal rights, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, health benefits, arts, crafts, along with non-profits and eco-friendly exhibitors will be in attendance. It will not only be for fans and medical users but also for dispensaries, licensed physicians, political organizations and all members of the cannabis community.

On Friday night only, the festival will be holding its ‘4:20 Movie Night’ starting at sunset. The night will feature two movies: ‘How High’ with Method Man and Redman from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and ‘Nice Dreams’ starring the always funny Cheech and Chong from 9:15 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. This event is included in the price of tickets.

Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. Tickets will be sold at the event if tickets are still available. The amphitheater is an open and large space so ticket prices range from $29.50 on the lawn to $75.00 to sit up front in the orchestra pit. The best part is that the ticket price covers both days!

The drive up from San Diego can be long, so if you plan on going get your money’s worth by staying the night and enjoying the entire festival.

VIP packages can also be purchased for Very Important Pot smokers beginning at $249 and they include exclusive “meet ‘n greet” sessions throughout the two days, including opportunities to hang out with Cheech and Chong, Cypress Hill, members of Slipknot, The Deftones, Redman, Method Man, and Kottonmouth Kings.

VIPs also get ‘Smoke Out’ souvenirs including a t-shirt, poster, collector’s credentials, along with access to full bars and many more sweet treats.

To get in on the festivities, see the full line up, or learn more about what’s available, check out the great ‘Smoke Out’ online for full details.