Party’s On!
ENTERING A NEW REALM OF ENTERTAINING WITH CANNABIS
By Tara Consolati //Photographs by Dani Fine Photography
September 15, 2021
With the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts (and soon in our neighboring states), the chance of getting a whiff of that unmistakable scent is no longer scandalous and, instead, has become a part of everyday life. With the normalizing of cannabis, the number of inquiries I have received as an events planner in the Berkshires requesting to incorporate weed into celebratory gatherings has increased dramatically.
My first reaction to this idea of cannabis cocktails and other ways of including weed at a birthday party or a wedding reception was, “Ummmm, no.” But as I became more knowledgeable, I realized that it certainly was an option. My research led me to a couple of our local dispensaries, and I was delighted to find that the staff members of these facilities are highly educated and passionate about their product. They certainly weren’t the “pot shops” I had always envisioned! With so many brands, strands, effects, and ways to partake (gummies, loose leaves, chocolates, even seltzers), it’s easy to customize each cannabis cart to the liking of your guests.
“More and more people are realizing that with falling stigma around legal adult-use cannabis the possibilities for thoughtfully incorporating cannabis products—from salves and topicals to tinctures for dosing beverages to low-dose edibles through to classic flower and more—have never been greater,” says Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions in Lee. “Weddings? Check. Wedding anniversaries? You bet. Just a spirited gathering of adults looking to better their journey in cannabis in place of alcohol? More than you’d probably realize, especially in the Berkshires.” Dispensaries such as Canna Provisions (cannaprovisionsgroup.com) provide personalized guided shopping and educational experiences for both novices and seasoned consumers.
When I began working with a client to plan her husband’s 70th birthday party, I actually heard myself saying, “Why not a ‘bud bar’?” when she mentioned that they prefer cannabis over cocktails. Even as the words were stumbling out of my mouth, I was pondering ways to do that in an elegant way—was it even possible? I wanted something beautiful and unique, something unexpected. And it just so happens that when you fill a vintage bar cart with pretty flowers, pre-rolls (joints) and colorful edibles, guests get really, really excited! Like a kid-in-a-candy-store excited.
My client, Leslie Chesloff, a top Berkshires realtor and Great Barrington resident, explains, “When Tara and I first met to go over the details of Paul’s birthday party, we were discussing the (traditional) bar and tossing around ideas for signature cocktails. At one point I finally said, ‘You know, just do what you think is best. We honestly would much rather smoke pot with our friends.’ That’s when she asked if I had ever thought of incorporating a cute cannabis bar, and I fell in love with the idea!”
BUD BAR Leslie Chesloff and her husband, Paul, are two of a growing number of clients for Tara Consolati who want cannabis to be incorporated in their party planning. This goes for celebrating Paul’s 70th birthday.
The Chesloffs’ screened-in side porch was the perfect location for this bud bar, as the sole piece of art in that room is a giant peace sign. We added a vintage bar cart, some fun test-tube vases (for flowers and joints), and some other fun and functional décor items, including some really cute bongs that are disguised as crystal decanters and grandmillennial antique vases.
We also knew that not everyone would partake and that some would be more curious than anything. So putting information (and safety) at the forefront, we designed some lovely framed signage that explained the effects of each product, outlined the percentage of THC and urged “newbies” to start slowly. For example, one 5 mg Heirloom Cube (think sugar-coated gummy bears) provides a really nice, calming effect. But it can take up to two hours before it starts to kick in. My biggest concern is that guests will think nothing’s happening and consume more than enough, then regret it 45 minutes later. Moderation and responsibility are critical no matter what type of bar your event incorporates, but when it involves a newly legalized substance, you also need to add in the educational component, and this type of signage is key—unless you decide to go a bit further and hire an actual “budtender.” On the West Coast, some events are getting rid of the traditional bar altogether and trading it in for a weed bar instead. I haven’t experienced it yet personally, but I can only imagine that their party guests are pretty calm and well-behaved. Hmmmm…there might be something to this!
Overall, it seems that cannabis is here to stay, regardless of any naysayers’ opinions. And as a former naysayer myself, I can’t say that I’m disappointed by it. It’s a new entertaining element that’s an intriguing option to think about—and the ways to incorporate it into your event are virtually endless.
Tara Consolati is an events planner (taraconsolati.com) who writes regularly for Berkshire Magazine. She did the planning and design for this photo shoot. Furniture rental is by Vinty & Posh; tent is by Mahaiwe Tent; florals are by Stems Florals; catering is by Rita Welsh; and cannabis is by Canna Provisions.