Florida’s biggest cannabis celebration takes place this weekend

The Florida Groves Festival is going all out in celebration of music, art and cannabis.  

Organizers released the full line-up for the festival’s first year, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at The Orlando Amphitheater. This event, centered around cannabis culture, will take place from 1 to 11 p.m. The music, which will be performed on the Trulieve stage, is primarily reggae with about 5 bands, from Julian Marley – the son of reggae legend Bob Marley – and The Uprising, The Expendables, Kash’d Out, Roots of Creation and Honey Hounds to DJ Lance-O. 

According to Cody Edwards of Dab Day Productions, the event will have a huge field for people to chill and watch live music from.   A few of Florida’s finest artists, including Miami’s Atomik known for his mischievous oranges, will paint live for attendees to appreciate. Additionally, Swamp City Gallery Lounge has curated a live glassblowing demo for the festival. 

There will even be a tattoo booth for those that have the itch to get inked. Pre-picked “420” designs will be available, with prices ranging from $50 to $75. 

In the same area, an interactive hemp farm, courtesy of Treadwell Farms, will educate interested individuals on best practices from the growers themselves. 

“We’ve learned that while what we farm may change, our agricultural traditions, passion and experience remain steadfast,” according to their About Us page.  

In an interview, a Florida medical marijuana (MMJ) card holder named Nick, for privacy purposes, said that he was most excited to be around others in the cannabis space. 

“I found out they’re going to have an interactive hemp farm and, since I’ve recently taken up gardening, I’m curious to learn more about this centuries-old practice,” Nick said. 

A medical marijuana card is not required to enter the festival; although, attendees must present a Florida-issued MMJ card to access the Patient Relief Grove which will have cushy seats, tables and games like pool, cornhole and ping pong. Another way to access the consumption area is to see an on-site doctor and present the state approval email, which is delivered to your inbox same-day to order meds. 

Safety seems to be a top priority for the organizers. When asked about security, Edwards said festival goers walk through metal detectors on their way in and are subject to search from a security guard. If illegal substances are found, they cannot enter at that time. If prescribed medications are found, “no harm, no foul.”