Las Vegas Vlasic Classic Marks First-Ever Legal Consumption Golf Tournament in the U.S.

OG article by Melissa Reid

December 4, 2025

The Vlasic Classic, a pioneering golf tournament series blending cannabis culture with advocacy, made history on November 8 at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort—the first U.S. event permitting legal on-site cannabis consumption under Nevada law. Partnering with the Paiute Tribe and NuWu Cannabis, the inaugural Las Vegas edition drew golfers, industry executives, brand reps, and reform advocates for competition, networking, product sampling, and policy discussions. Founder Willy Vlasic described the expansion from Michigan and Missouri as a milestone in integrating sport and cannabis, amplifying calls for national legalization. The event generated over $17,500 in donations to justice-focused nonprofits: $6,250 each to Freedom Grow Forever for incarcerated support and The Last Prisoner Project for re-entry aid, plus $5,000 to The Weldon Project for clemency efforts. Backed by sponsors including Cannabis Now, Mama J’s, Verano, Curaleaf, STIIIZY, Good Day Farm, and the National Cannabis Industry Association, the series has now raised more than $140,000 overall for second-chance initiatives. Attendees praised the relaxed vibe and substantive conversations on equity. The next tournament is slated for May 1–3, 2026, at Old Kinderhook Resort in Missouri, promising continued momentum for social impact through recreational fusion.