PIERCY, CALIFORNIA: ​On July 20-22, 2018, Northern Nights Music Festival will kick off a 3-day one-of-a-kind festival experience blending cannabis history, education, and entertainment located on the Humboldt and Mendocino County Line, the epicenter of the Emerald Triangle. The festival is known for its strong musical lineup; 2018 artists include Emancipator, Thomas Jack, Sage The Gemini, Mr. Carmack and a Dirtybird Records Takeover​ Friday night in the Redwoods. 2018 also marks an important era for the Emerald Triangle - an end to the cannabis prohibition in California. Taking pride in these original roots, festival founders Andrew Blap & Peter Huson have teamed up with dozens of California-based dispensaries and local Humboldt farms to expand on the existing Cannabis history programming, which will take place in two select areas: NN Tree Lounge and VIP.

The NN Tree Lounge, which debuted at Northern Nights Music Festival 2016, was the first-ever official designated area for on-site consumption of medical marijuana at a music and art festival in California. The area features the Emerald Triangle premiere cultivators and manufacturers, and hosts top tier dispensary buyers and distributors from all around the Golden State. The 2018 edition returns to Cook’s Valley after its successful maiden voyage with new partners The Emerald Cup​. “A big part of our brand ethos is community - this festival would be nothing without the support of local partners. We want to give cultivators, dispensary owners, and industry leaders every opportunity to learn more about each other, and get exposure to their target demographic at Northern Nights,” said partner Blap. Programming this year will education-driven only, as current state laws only allow sales at county fairgrounds and district agricultural associations, however the future of on-site sales looks bright as State Assembly Bill AB2020 is on it's way to the Senate floor and aims to be in place by the end of 2018, removing the restrictions and allowing for local jurisdictions to make the final call. This year, participating brands include Humboldt’s Finest Raw & Uncut,​ General Extractions, Madrone California, Guild Extracts, Humboldt Brothers, Talking Trees, Rising Source, Filigreen, and Rise Logistics.

To ensure the NN Tree Lounge is filled with like-minded people and to invite the next generation, NN has been activating new networks with the partnership of dispensaries in the cities. These dispensary activations have a goal to gain recognition of Emerald Triangle cannabis while giving farms exposure to their target demographic at Northern Nights. The festival is creating a farm-to-dispensary relationship before the festival by offering two festival tickets for $215 ($429 value) with the purchase of $100 worth of Mendocino or Humboldt County products at these participating dispensaries:

Mercy Wellness Cotati
Telegraph Health Center (THC)
Medithrive
Shambhala
Green Remedy Collective
Hi Fidelity
Magnolia Oakland
Caliva
Natural Herbal Pain Relief
One Log
Area 101

Premiering this year is an elevated VIP experience hosted by four partners, Emerald Exchange, WyldeHeart Ranch, Redwood Roots, and World Famous Productions. Programming here is vibe-centered, weaving cannabis with unique experiential activities, full stocked bar, Happy Hours with local treats and drinks, therapeutic massage, teas, herbal remedies, and workshops. Get there early and sign up to be one of the few to go on guided cannabis farm tours in the area.

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About Northern Nights Music Festival

Northern Nights Music Festival is a 3-day festival tucked amongst the towering Redwoods and winding Eel River on the Humboldt and Mendocino County line. Attendees can immerse themselves in yoga, art, cannabis, and music across the festival grounds. Acts include a Dirtybird takeover (Justin Martin, Ardalan, Walker & Royce, Worthy B2B Option4), Thomas Jack, Emancipator, Mr. Carmack, Gina Turner, Sage The Gemini, Brasstracks, Brownies & Lemonade All Stars, Naughty Princess, Jack Beats, and many more.