Colorado Symphony wants you to BYOP: Bring your own pot
In the one state where it's legal to buy marijuana for recreational use, the Colorado Symphony decided this new era could usher in new supporters. At their fundraiser Friday, CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen reports people were free to BYOP: bring your own pot.
"We saw this and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity to support the symphony, to also show that we support it in light of the recent legalization," attendee Katie Shives said.
"So, I'm going to tell you a secret," another guest Sean Coleman said. "This is not the first time I have been at a symphony event and there is cannabis involved."
This is the first of three marijuana-friendly symphony fundraisers.
"I'm a fan of the symphony so whenever I get the chance I like to come. And then I thought this is historic," guest Michael Lund said.
Party organizer Jane West has been planning corporate events for 18 years, and her company Edible Events throws cannabis-themed parties.
"There's a lot of misconceptions about what a cannabis consumer looks like, and we're just breaking those here tonight," West said.
The symphony billed this event as "Classically Cannabis," but before they could hit their first high notes, the city of Denver almost killed the buzz.
The city sent a letter urging them to cancel, claiming that selling tickets to anyone was allowing people to smoke in public, which is against the law. So the symphony made access by invitation only and the city gave its okay.
"At least people are speaking about the symphony, and it's creating awareness for our orchestra," said Obe Ariss, the symphony's director of development.
Ariss said he worries some people might be turned off by this event.
"We've heard from people and we absolutely respect and acknowledge everyone's opinions," he said.
At $100 per person and extra donations from sponsors in the marijuana business, the symphony raised a cool $50,000.
"I honestly couldn't be happier," Shives said, saying she would "absolutely" give money to the symphony again.
On this night, high society successfully met high times, and in Colorado, marijuana now means more Mozart.