NEW HAVEN, CT – Concertgoers attending events at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven will now have the option to order cannabis products for delivery directly to the outdoor venue. The Westville Music Bowl announced the new service on June 17, 2025, a development facilitated through a partnership with Hi! People, a local chain of licensed dispensaries.
This initiative represents a significant step in integrating regulated cannabis services into public entertainment spaces within Connecticut, offering attendees aged 21 and older a novel convenience. The service allows individuals to place orders for cannabis products ahead of select concerts and have them delivered on-site during the event.
Paving the Way for Venue Delivery
According to Keith Mahler, promoter for the Westville Music Bowl, this system is believed to be the first of its kind implemented at a music venue in Connecticut. “We believe this partnership makes Westville the first venue in the state to offer such a system,” Mahler stated, highlighting the pioneering nature of the collaboration.
The concept for the service has been under development for an extended period. David Salinas, CEO of Hi! People, indicated that the idea had been in planning stages for a couple of years. Securing the necessary regulatory approval was a crucial step, which Hi! People achieved by obtaining a cannabis delivery license through Connecticut’s rigorous Department of Consumer Protection’s lottery system.
Launching with a Connecticut Favorite
The debut of the cannabis delivery service is scheduled for a concert by the Connecticut-formed band Goose. The popular improvisational rock band is set to perform at the Westville Music Bowl on June 29, 2025. This initial rollout will serve as a pilot for the program, allowing the venue and Hi! People to assess operations and gauge attendee response.
The service is intended for shows where the demographic is predominantly 21 years of age or older, aligning with state regulations for adult-use cannabis. Both Westville Music Bowl and Hi! People emphasized the importance of responsible implementation, stressing the need for careful consciousness regarding messaging and advertising to ensure the service does not inadvertently appeal to or reach minors.
State Context and Future Implications
The launch at Westville Music Bowl occurs within a broader trend of Connecticut venues exploring ways to integrate cannabis services following the state’s legalization of adult-use cannabis. In a related development, the Hartford HealthCare Ampitheater, another prominent Connecticut venue, also announced a partnership for mobile cannabis ordering with the company Budr. That service launched earlier, on June 12, 2025.
While the Hartford initiative focuses on mobile ordering, the Westville Music Bowl’s delivery system represents a distinct model, bringing products directly to consumers within the venue premises after an advance order. These parallel efforts underscore the evolving landscape for cannabis consumption and access in public settings, particularly entertainment venues, as businesses adapt to the state’s new regulatory framework.
The success and operational model of the Westville Music Bowl’s cannabis delivery service will likely be closely watched by other venues and cannabis retailers across Connecticut and potentially other states where adult-use cannabis is legal. It raises questions about the future of retail and consumption models in the cannabis industry and the potential impact on live event experiences and venue operations.
Industry analysts suggest that such partnerships could open up new revenue streams for venues and cannabis businesses alike, while also providing a controlled environment for regulated cannabis access for consumers attending events. The focus on age verification and responsible marketing will remain paramount as these services expand.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Westville Music Bowl and Hi! People marks a notable intersection of the entertainment and cannabis industries in Connecticut. As the service rolls out, its impact on attendee experience, operational logistics, and regulatory oversight will be key factors determining its long-term viability and potential for expansion to other events or venues. The June 29th Goose concert will provide the first real-world test for this pioneering delivery system in the state.
