Winter X Games in Aspen

Today marks the beginning of Winter X Games XXI, which takes place in Colorado at the Buttermilk Ski Resort in Aspen between Jan. 25-28. For those who prefer the excitement of snow sports to that of its warmer counterpart, this is the place to be if you seek the thrill of watching snow sport athletes like Shaun White or Chloe Kim perform big air and half-pipe tricks and jumps and race against competitors in a thrilling chase. The Winter X Games also welcome a number of famous musicians to perform as well, including Martin Garrix, Method Man & Redman, LCD Soundsystem and Marshmello. It’s one big party, and to top it off, Colorado is the home of the most friendly recreational cannabis laws to boot. While cannabis has it’s always had a place in the X Games, even if it remains an unofficial perk, here’s what you need to know about cannabis’ presence in the X Games.

DRUG TESTING LENIENCY

Unlike the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the X Games does not test its contestants for various substances. Back in 2016, WADA commented on the X Games’ lack of testing regulations, in the belief that all sports should be drug- and alcohol-free. “Whilst the X Games is an independent, privately-run event, it is still surprising and regrettable to learn that there will be no anti-doping testing program in place for athletes during the Games,” said WADA Director General, David Howman. “This sends the wrong message to athletes at a fragile time for clean sport worldwide.”

The comment came during a time when popularity was ramping up for X Games Oslo in 2016, which was receiving critical comments about its stance drug testing. ESPN issued a statement in defense of that. “Since the beginning of this project, and in accordance with the agreement that is in place for X Games Oslo, we have consistently communicated that X Games is an independent event, with its own guidelines for competition and athlete participation,” ESPN stated. “At X Games Oslo, the federations can operate as they have for 20 years at X Games events around the world and we are happy to provide accreditation and space for them to perform their normal ‘out of competition’ testing procedures. However, we are not prepared to change the X Games guidelines for participation at this time.”

CANNABIS MAKES ITS OWN WAY

Although the Winter X Games do not have any cannabis-related sponsors, Weedmaps was a sponsor of one of the contestants in the 2017 Summer X Games that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota last summer. Weedmaps’ contestant, professional skateboarder Elliot Sloan, won a gold medal, and proceeded to advocate for the herb as well. “That’s why I’m so stoked to ride for them, I wanna be a part of changing the perception of it,” Sloan said. “At X Games, there’s an alcohol sponsor, and right next to the vert ramp there’s a beer garden. That’s ok, but cannabis isn’t? It never made sense to me.” The Summer X Games 2018 will be returning to Minnesota once again on July 19-22.

CANNABIS ACCESS NEARBY

Cannabis businesses in Aspen have been able to benefit from the popularity of the X Games in previous years. One year after Colorado’s recreational cannabis law went into effect, tourists were drawn to the five cannabis dispensaries that were currently operating in Aspen. One business owner called it “the stoniest X Games yet.”

Only a few more cannabis dispensaries have been added to the mix since then, but because the city is so small, it is said to have the highest cannabis-shop density of any Colorado city. For those visiting Aspen this year, keep in mind that Snowmass Village does still have a current moratorium on cannabis, preventing any medical or recreational cannabis dispensary to open and sell in town. The moratorium will remain effective until Oct. 31, 2018. Public consumption, as always, is not allowed.

BE PREPARED

It is generally frowned upon to bring cannabis and alcohol to the X Games. At last year’s X Games in Aspen, law enforcement forced 225 people to pour out their alcohol and 103 people to throw away their cannabis, according to statistics provided by local law enforcement. This doesn’t prevent everyone from bringing in their own goods, especially at the concerts throughout the weekend. If you do decide to imbibe, just remember to be safe and consume privately before attending. Also, it’s a no-brainer, but don’t forget to bundle up with some hemp headwear and other accessories.