Stoner's Ball in Haywood is bringing crowds and raising eyebrows

Apr. 17—A celebration of all things cannabis is poised to draw hundreds of people to Haywood County this weekend, and is drawing its share of critics, as well.

The first annual Stoner's Ball coming to the Smoky Mountain Event Center is making no bones about serving up a "legal high" with products that emulate the effects of smoking pot.

And that has prompted criticism from some members of the public, and even Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke. But the products, including THC — the psychoactive component found in hemp, are indeed all legal.

Terps and Shine, a shop in Maggie Valley that sells CBD and legal THC, is putting on the Stoner's Ball.

"It started as a joke," said Jo Ellyn Woodward, the owner of Terps and Shine in Maggie Valley who goes by the nickname 'The Blunt Queen.' "I really just thought maybe a hundred people would show up. We just wanted to have a little party."

But 1,000 tickets have already been sold and Woodward expects attendance to top 1,500.

"It's a little bit of a surprise," she said of the popularity.

That popularity has made Wilke wary. He said he's consulted legal counsel and has found nothing illegal about the event. But he does still have concerns — particularly about those who could be on the roads driving home after partaking.

"I have significant concerns about the security and safety of attendees, and their activities following the event, particularly travel. My primary concern is everyone's safety," Wilke said in a statement.

Among products available the event is a substance known as Delta 8, one of the THC derivatives.

"Delta 8, the substance that supposedly will be distributed at this event, has a significant effect of impairment (getting high) when used, and is virtually indistinguishable from organic plant-grown marijuana when consumed," Wilke said.

Woodward said the event — with a sensational name like the Stoner's Ball — is an opportunity to educate those who don't understand what's legal today.

"Education was always the primary objective," Woodward said. "We want people to come out and have a safe space and be around like-minded individuals and celebrate a plant that has helped so many people with so many ailments."

Event venue questioned

Some have criticized the Smoky Mountain Event Center for allowing such an event to be held there.

"Bringing a legal high to Haywood County, where's the wisdom in that?" asked Cindy Atterholt, a who lives in a neighboring subdivision. "Where's the integrity? Who's making the decisions here?"

Wilke also questioned whether the event was out of character for the fairgrounds.

"The families of Haywood County, including my own, have enjoyed the fair, bingo, flea markets, horse shows and agricultural events at the SMEC over the years," Wilke said in his statement. "It breaks my heart to see what is occurring. I doubt that those who planned for and built what we've always called 'The Fairgrounds' envisioned how it is now being used."

However, picking and choosing which events are allowed to book space at the event center would be a slippery slope toward discrimination, said Melissa Jackson, chair of the nonprofit Smoky Mountain Event Center board. The board does not review every event application and decide whether to accept or reject them, she said.

"We don't want seven different people's likes and dislikes to be a deciding factor on what events can be held. We have to remain as objective as possible," Jackson said. "I'm a horse person, so all I want to see down there are horse shows and Country Western music. But I can't say 'No, we aren't going to allow a monster truck show.'"

As for the Stoner's Ball, it is legal within the laws of North Carolina.

"My personal take on whether those products are acceptable doesn't have a place in the decision making process," Jackson said.

The Smoky Mountain Event Center is county property, and the board is appointed by county commissioners, but it operates as a nonprofit. The venue has routinely battled complaints about events, from PETA protesting a circus held there to neighbors protesting loud concerts. But leasing the venue for events is the only way to maintain the facility.

"The venue would fall into disrepair without events to bring in money to support the facility," Jackson said.

Some members of the public are unconvinced, however.

Atterholt and her husband Daniel said they moved to Haywood thinking it was a "God-fearing" county, noting the Ten Commandments on the wall behind commissioner dais.

"What message does it send to our children to have an event like the Stoner's Ball?" he asked. "I would ask in the future when you have a choice, you would ask 'is this the right thing to do?' We want events that He would be proud of, not something He would turn his back to in shame."

Woodward says it has never been the intention to paint the community in a negative light.

"Our intent in throwing this party is in no way to tarnish the reputation of Maggie Valley," she said.

Precautions being taken

Woodward said that she and the festival organizers are aware of the concerns and have built in plenty of precautions.

"I understand the sheriff has concerns. We all have concerns. We don't want people to get tickets or the jail to be full," Woodward said. "We wanted to have a safe space for everybody and while most people will enjoy products in moderation, we wanted to try to avoid any potential problems."

First, they will encourage everyone to use common sense and consume the products in moderation.

She is also encouraging attendees to plan on having a sober driver — no different than having a designated driver if going out for a night on the town. Woodward said she also has a team of volunteers to be sober drivers for the event to give people rides home.

Attendees will only be able to use products sold at the event, with no outside cannabis products being allowed to ensure only legal products are used.

"My products have lab results," Woodward said. "I can't guarantee what other people have."

The event will not feature alcohol sales either. Woodward said that it is a party focused on cannabis and its benefits, thus there is no need to have alcohol as well.

"We just want everyone to have a really good time and didn't want alcohol to be an issue," Woodward said.

Economic boost

It won't just be locals taking part in the celebration either. Stoner's Ball is attracting out-of-town visitors to the area. In fact, hotel rooms have been selling out in Maggie Valley for the weekend.

"For some people it might be there first time coming to Maggie Valley, so they'll get to witness how beautiful and how wonderful the people are," Woodward said. "We hope that this might bring in people who will also fall in love with the valley like we have. It's one of the most magical places I've ever been."

Just over the mountain in Cherokee, Saturday will mark the official start of the tribes medicinal marijuana sales. While some who will be visiting for the Stoner's Ball may also visit Cherokee, they would have to have a medical card to purchase the marijuana.

But that doesn't mean that numerous attendees aren't turning this weekend into a 4-20 themed vacation.

"People are definitely making a weekend out of it," Woodward said. "I've had countless people asking about lodging and campsites. They're not coming in out of town for Cherokee. They're coming for Stoner's Ball."

The Stoner's Ball will take place on Friday and Saturday from 2-10 p.m. at the Smoky Mountain Event Center.

Reporter Vicki Hyatt contributed to this story.