Concert Venues and Cannabis: Understanding the Tug of Revenue versus Law Enforcement
Every year, local governments, promoters, and concert-goers converge on venues large and small for music festivals and concerts. These events bring excitement, culture, and economic benefits to a community. However, a recurring question emerges: how can venues continue to host events where the air is often thick with the scent of cannabis, a substance that has been legal in many states for a decade or more? This article delves into the socio-economic factors that often lead to a lack of enforcement against cannabis use at concerts, examining the principles of revenue generation and public safety.
Why Concert Venues Stay Open Despite Cannabis Use
Cost-Effectiveness and Revenue Generation
The primary reason many concert venues and local governments keep their doors open to cannabis smoke-spewing events lies in the high cost-effectiveness and revenue generation these events provide. Concerts attract visitors from all over, spurring significant economic activity within the community. Concert-goers consume food and beverages at local eateries, book hotel rooms, and purchase souvenirs and other goods, providing a steady stream of revenue for local businesses and the government.
Additionally, the promoters that organize these events must pay various fees and taxes, ensuring a continuous inflow of financial benefits. These fees can include securing permits, securing insurance, and paying through the various agencies involved in the event. These payments go directly into the local coffers, making concerts an essential part of the local economy.
Local Law Enforcement Priorities
Small town police forces, in particular, rely on tourism and events for a significant portion of their revenue. According to the author, concerts can be the largest revenue generator for a small town throughout the year. This reliance on revenue generation means local police departments are often more focused on higher-priority tasks, such as patrolling for intoxicated individuals, traffic violations, and other criminal activities involving significant public safety risks.
Professional Security Ensures Safety, Not Arrest
Professional security personnel at music venues are trained to control crowds and ensure the safety of concert-goers, not to enforce drug laws. They are focused on preventing chaos, conflicts, and intoxication-related incidents. Although some individuals may be impaired by substances, these security teams prioritize the overall enjoyment of the event and the safety of participants for as long as they are at the venue.
Furthermore, these security teams often operate under a clear mandate to maintain order and attend to any emergency situations, rather than engaging in enforcement activities that are not part of their primary function. Hence, it is often left to local police to address any legal issues that arise outside of the venue, after the concert-goers have dispersed.
Public Perception and the Rock Fan Culture
Cannabis as an Integral Part of the Rock Fan Culture
The presence of cannabis is often seen as an integral part of the music festival and rock fan culture. Many concert-goers, particularly within the rock community, view cannabis as a means to enhance the overall experience. Festivals like Ozzfest, which took place in 2004, exemplify this cultural acceptance, with little to no interference from law enforcement. These events actively foster an atmosphere of enjoyment and camaraderie, where cannabis usage is often tacitly tolerated.
Drunk Drivers and Public Safety Concerns
While the use of cannabis is often overlooked, the question remains: why aren't law enforcement agencies more focused on drunks behind the wheel? Drunk driving poses a far greater threat to public safety compared to the consumption of cannabis. Similar to the way cannabis users are often left untouched, drunk drivers are rarely upheld at events, especially during major music festivals. Concert venues typically have security measures in place to control situations related to intoxication and to ensure the safety of all attendees. However, the primary focus is still on maintaining the order and flow of the event, rather than enforcing strict drug laws.
Conclusion
Concert venues, driven by the need to generate revenue and support local economies, are often more lenient with cannabis use at events. Law enforcement priorities and the cultural acceptance of marijuana within the music scene play significant roles in this leniency. While concerns about public safety and drunk drivers are valid, the current practices in concert venues reflect a balance between user enjoyment and overall event safety.