National Cannabis Festival to feature an ‘ultimate wedding’

Brides Claresha Pruitt and Romany Newkirk will marry on stage

By EVAN CAPLAN

The National Cannabis Festival brings an elevated joy to Washington, D.C. each year as an event of inclusion and social change – along with a huge same-sex wedding.

The 7th annual celebration brings together more than 25,000 people – advocates, business leaders, patients, enthusiasts – to the city at a pivotal time for the pro-legalization movement. The festival takes place at RFK Stadium Saturday, April 22, following a weeklong series of events. Festival headliners include 2 Chainz, Juicy J, and the Free Nationals, as well as popular DJ Farrah Flosscett, who spins at local gay bars, and who will open the festival. Other musical acts include Everyday Everybody, Cumbia Heights, Backyard Band, Foots x Coles, and Nkula.

The festival has grown well beyond the promotion of and education about cannabis that started in 2015 celebrating progress on marijuana legalization in D.C. The NCF has become reflective of the diversity in culture of the cannabis community.

One of the many events at the festival is the Ultimate Weed Wedding, one of the most popular sessions from last year’s festival. Sponsored by the clothing and lifestyle brand UNI, the Ultimate Weed Wedding brings one couple to say their vows on a stage.

Brides Claresha (Ree) Pruitt and Romany Newkirk will be wed on stage. The couple, from Fayetteville, N.C., submitted a creative entry video via Instagram to win their spot on the stage.

The duo met on Facebook in September 2021. The two doubted they had a chance to win the competition, but after prodding from a friend, they put together the video. NCF, noting their passion and creativity, chose them as the winner – and surprised them with their announcement in Richmond. Claiming they were interviewing other couples, NCF brought in Pruitt and Newkirk for an in-person video interview in front of a camera – and brought out Champagne and sparkles congratulating them on winning.

To be on the stage in front of so many people as women of color is not a barrier to them. “We are very open about who we are. There’s so much love,” they said. “We’re overwhelmed and excited at the opportunity.” Newkirk added that her “favorite thing about Ree is how fearless she is.” The two, of course, also share a passion for cannabis.

The couple also won passes for guests, accessories, swag, and accommodations at Eaton D.C.

Sponsoring the wedding is Uni, “a brand that represents the everyday cannabis lover, admirer, supporter, and advocate,” according to CEO Desiree Gonzaga De Paula, who started the brand after her father found solace in medical marijuana while ill. After participating as a vendor at last year’s NCF, she sought to increase participation in the festival, and saw the wedding as the right fit. “The wedding aligns with who we are as a brand.”

“As an LGBTQ woman of color, I can be the face of representation,” she said. “The cannabis community can seem exclusive, with few women, or women of color, or LGBTQ people. The NCF is inclusive.”

De Paula only found out about the couple after she’d agreed to sponsor the wedding. She had to quickly pivot from asking her printer to change from ‘Mr. and Mrs’ hats to ones that said ‘til death do us part.’

“This event is so humbling, showing a population that’s been targeted – in a field dominated by cis men, I am able to participate at this magnitude.”

A new feature at NCF this year is the Washington Blade LGBTQIA+ Lounge. The lounge, open all day, is a place where members and allies of the queer community can gather and celebrate. A mixer will take place at 5 p.m.

Beyond the show and the lounge, the festival features six education pavilions covering: Wellness, Policy, Culture, Culinary, Grower’s World, and new this year, Psychedelics Education. Leading up to the festival is 420 Food Week. The NCF is partnering with restaurants and food trucks around the city for various specials priced at either $4.20 or $14.20. Options include the Munchies flavor at Dolcezza, a milk chocolate gelato with chocolate-covered potato chips, peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered pretzels, and other crunchy bits.

Finally, the day before the festival, organizers will hold the National Cannabis Policy Summit at the Ronald Regan Building to discuss current policy issues and advocacy efforts.