Choosing to use illegal substances anywhere puts you at some legal risk. Music festivals are no exception. Large festivals typically have anti-drug policies that can result in anyone caught with illegal substances being turned over to the local police. Learn how to protect yourself legally if you plan to use alcohol or drugs at a festival!

Entering Festival Grounds

Most festivals will search all attendees either while driving in or at the gates and some have checkpoints in multiple locations. Due to the legal repercussions of being caught, these checkpoints are often the most dangerous aspect of any music festival for those who choose to use illegal substances—more dangerous than using the drugs themselves.

Minimizing Risks Entering

• Be respectful of event staff and cooperate with instructions. Doing otherwise may only make you a target for a more intense search.
• Avoid putting festival parking stickers on your vehicle prior to getting to the entry line. Police often target vehicles headed to music festivals for searches.
• Do not use substances that interfere with your decision-making abilities prior to entering.
• Do not appear intoxicated upon entering.
• Find out what types of searches will be done and where before entering.
• Avoid looking suspicious.
• Avoid talking about illegal activities while in line waiting to be searched.
• Buy substances once inside the event if possible and make use of reagent testing kits.

Inside the Festival

Once inside things become much more relaxed, but most events do have security that includes undercover police officers in addition to any security staff in uniform. Avoid attracting their attention as much as possible!

Minimizing Risks Inside

• If you appear to be under the influence of illegal drugs you can be stopped and searched. Generally this is not a large concern inside the festival but be careful not to make a scene. If you feel nauseous from ingesting any substances it is advisable to seek out a bathroom or quiet area where security staff will not see you if you begin vomiting.
• Do not give away or sell drugs to strangers. Undercover officers are allowed to lie about their identity and will in order to catch substance users at festivals.
• If you choose to smoke cannabis inside the festival be sure to do so in a location where you will not be spotted by security. Keep in mind it is a common tactic for an undercover officer to ask for a hit if you are spotted smoking cannabis. Unfortunately generosity in these scenarious puts you at risk.
• Use caution when handing money to a friend if you have anything illegal on you. This could easily be mistaken for a drug deal by security resulting in a search.

If a cop stops you

Knowing your rights could save you a lot of from a lot of trouble in the event that you are stopped and interrogated by police. Don't be afraid to make it clear that you will not have your rights violated.

When you are stopped...

• Ask if you are being detained or arrested. If neither is the case leave immediately.
• Show your ID if requested.
• If you're being detained ask if you are free to leave and do so immediately if given permission.
• If you're being detained calmly ask, "Why am I being detained?" This can be valuable if you later want to fight your case in court.
• Do not consent to any searches of you or your property.
• Have someone you are with record your encounter. This person should let officers present know they are not interfering in any way, but simply documenting.
• Exercise your right to remain silent and say that you want a lawyer if you are being detained and do not have permission to leave or have been arrested.
• Keep your hands in plain sight.
• Stay calm and polite.
• Don't make any statements.
• Don't fight or argue with police.
• Don't interfere with an arrest.