North West Cannabis Classic
OK, just to be clear I’m not writing this article just because my comments were deleted off of their facebook page rather than responding to them, but it did move up the desire to write it considerably.
First off I think we should look up the definition of “classic”.
classic
- used to say that something has come to be considered one of the best of its kind
- used to say that something is an example of excellence
- used to describe something that has been popular for a long time
The NW Cannabis Classic, as far as I can determine is none of the above. So it should just be called the NW Cannabis Related Carpet Bagger Event.
“Carpet bagger?” I can hear some of you asking.
- a political candidate who seeks election in an area where they have no local connections.
- historical (in the US) a person from the northern states who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from the Reconstruction.
- a person perceived as an unscrupulous opportunist.
As near as I can tell the NW Cannabis Classic does fit at least one of these definitions. Now, mind you I am not inferring that they are without scruples, I am saying that they are out of state opportunists trying to take your money and run.
We fought this war, we won this war, and now the Bra’s from the Island want to take a piece of the spoils of war.
“ANCHORAGE, ALASKA is the first stop of the NW Cannabis Classic, a multi-city cannabis competition, trade fair and educational event.
This 3-day event offers a can’t miss experience for visitors and vendors alike, complete with innovative product demos, 100+ vibrant vendors, informative seminars, live music, private outdoor medicating area (for 21+), lucrative networking opportunities, and undeniable excitement – it’s all happening here!”
Yep, it’s all happening here and the money is all going there…and by there I mean Hawaii.
Of course we all know where anchorage stands on using marijuana to medicate at an event such as this. I can just imagine the smoking lounge where every other person is passing because they can’t inhale while they are on duty. The law is the law and just because you want the law to go away does not mean they do. It usually means they come to see WHY you want them to go away.
I can’t see anyone pulling off a serious Cannabis Event in the Anchorauga area until at least the laws are in place to protect the consumer of cannabis.
I am hoping that perhaps the event organizers will install metal detectors to watch for guns, badges, cameras etc., but I seriously doubt they will. I do expect that a considerable number of ticket sales will be to various State and Federal agencies curious about what will be going on behind their closed doors, and I expect that will be the norm for at least a few years.
As my comments, innocent as they were, were deleted from their Fb page I’ll just leave them here and open the door for them to respond here should they so desire. But as they have never reached out to one of the oldest and most active cannabis activists in the State about their event I doubt they will bother now.
Domain Name: NWCANNABISCLASSIC.COM
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Registrant Name: Cory Wray
Registrant Organization: Valley Isle Media, LLC.
Name Server: NS6095.HOSTGATOR.COM
VALLEY ISLE MEDIA LLC
VALLEY ISLE MEDIA LLC was formed on 2012-01-03 in Hawaii by CORY WRAY located at 760 S KIHEI RD UNIT 225, KIHEI, Hawaii 96753, UNITED STATES. It is currently active.
OFFICERS: CORY WRAY, Registered Agent
I just got this in an email from Cory…I am amending it without comment.
Bill, here is my story…
I grew up in WA state. I graduated from the University of Washington, and then went and got my MBA from Seattle University. After graduation, I was offered a banking opportunity in Hawaii, on the island of Maui. I ran my own bank on the island until June 2013, when my wife and I decided to move back to the “mainland” to be closer to family. Some of that family resides in Alaska. Those folks knew I was well connected not just in the banking industry, but also in the medical marijuana community because I had my card in AK, HI, and WA. As efforts to legalize marijuana began, these folks began reaching out to me for more information.
From that demand, I figured it was much better to educate all Alaskans, not just my family and friends. So we started the Alaska Cannabis Institute. We searched the state for marijuana professionals, commercial growers, dispensary owners, but obviously those professions didn’t exist in Alaska, so we had to bring folks up from states that had legal marijuana, such as Colorado and Washington. We have educated over 400 Alaskans on what they need to do to get into the industry. We provided attendees with access to legal professionals who guided attendees through the complicated federal regulations, as well as advised attendees on how to maintain compliance with local rules and regulations.
I am happy you appreciate all the work you have done over the 40 years. But since you asked me the questions, I suppose it’s a fair question to ask you: you indicate you have been advocating for legal cannabis for 40-years, but all I can see are writings of you tearing down anybody else involved in the marijuana movement.
You ask me what am I doing to promote local businesses? Our presenting sponsor, Alaska Hydro Gardens, gets mentioned in everything we do. Ak Green Labs, Pot Luck Events, Anchorage Press, Dream Green Farms, Southside Garden Supply, Alaska Jacks, High North Organic, Alaskan Organics, Alaska Structures, Midnight Greenery, Good Glass, Piece of Mind, Brandis, Far North, ASAP printing, and the list goes on and on and on…. These are the local businesses that we promote constantly. It’s also safe to say we have put tens of thousands of dollars into businesses in Alaska. Event services, sales reps, Dena’Ina, catering services, again, the list goes on and on and on.
Our organization has testimonials from all of our satisfied consumers. I am happy with that track record. I may from be from Washington State – big deal. People in Alaska deserve the absolute best. It doesn’t matter where the show promoters are from. The people benefitting here are Alaskans. Alaskans should not have to fly down to the lower 48 to experience events like this.
I get the sense you are angry with us because the Alaska Thunder Cup didn’t have the success we had all hoped for. But please, do not take that out on us. We have been planning this event since May 2014. The other events that have been canceled were not as thorough as ours. People in Alaska want to see folks like Jorge Cervantes and Jeff Lowenfels, or the over 45,000 square feet of vendors, and the live music, and everything else that is going to be at the NWCC. So please, understand the people in the market want what we are offering. I hope we can work together in the future.
Sincerely,
Cory