Safe Sesh Drives Inclusion and Community in Denver’s Cannabis Scene

In the cannabis industry, “safe” can mean a number of different things.

In an ideal world, the cannabis we use would be lab-tested. We’d make fully informed choices about our dosages and consumption methods. And perhaps most vitally, we’d only consume around people we trust.

Through the eyes of one Denver, Colorado resident, Oli, this ideal world is not only possible — it should be the standard. And through their organization Safe Sesh, they’re doing everything they can to make that ideal world a reality.

Now, Safe Sesh organizes inclusive cannabis events in Denver that bring together cannabis users from all backgrounds, creating a welcoming space for marginalized communities who may feel unsafe at other seshes, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, femme, and trans individuals. The events feature both local and nationally known vendors who showcase and share high-quality cannabis products and prioritize safety, inclusivity, and transparency.

In their commitment to comfort, respect, and support, they’ve answered a desperate need in one of the country’s most tenured cannabis cities, providing an environment where attendees can connect, learn about cannabis, and feel completely safe doing so.

Recognizing The Need For Safer Seshes

Oli first moved to Denver when the city looked much different from how it exists today. Like every city across the country, Denver was recovering from the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Oli entered the scene as the world was beginning to thaw — when businesses began re-opening their doors and friends could begin consuming cannabis together again.

A medical cannabis user themself, Oli sought a community that believed what they have always known: that when used safely, cannabis can be a life-changing — and potentially life-saving — substance. After pairing up with a local sesh group, however, Oli noticed a lack of inclusivity in the Denver cannabis scene. In particular, though the city’s queer and BIPOC communities were often the major driving forces behind the industry’s success, they were critically underappreciated and

“A lot of time, my super femme friends would be like, ‘I feel like a piece of meat at these [seshes] because it’s a bunch of guys, it’s a guy party,’” Oli shared. “I wanted to do something where queer people and trans people and femme people and BIPOC individuals would feel comfortable coming that is inclusive for marginalized communities but also to show off the awesome work that queer people are doing in the industry.”

And thus, Safe Sesh was born out of the necessity for a community-centered environment where no attendee feels threatened or out of place. Through its creation, Safe Sesh gave the city’s marginalized cannabis users something they’ve long deserved: a space to consume cannabis safely — safe from predatory vendors, safe from discrimination, and safe from the fear of objectification or violence.

Centering Community, Inclusivity, and Safety

Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword for Oli and the Safe Sesh team. Rather, it’s embedded in their core values. As founder, Oli is intentional about making sure queer, trans, and BIPOC communities feel at home. “I wanted to do something where queer people and trans people and femme people and BIPOC individuals would feel comfortable coming,” they explain. “It’s inclusive for marginalized communities but also shows off the awesome work that queer people are doing in the industry.”

Despite the safety of the seshers being the highest priority, Safe Sesh’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond just the people attending the events — though allyship is a requirement to attend. It’s also about who’s represented in the products.

“I don’t discriminate against if it’s a legacy market or traditional market. That’s why I choose to do things in private locations after businesses are closed – to make sure nobody gets in trouble. It’s not safe if people are getting shut down the next day, and people don’t have jobs,” Oli emphasized.

Safe Sesh ensures that vendors, whether independent or from larger facilities, can showcase their products without fear of legal repercussions.  These vendors range from small-scale artists and world-renowned glass-blowers to independent cultivators and manufacturers who grow their own cannabis, press their own concentrates, and create their own edibles and topicals. By featuring these vendors, Safe Sesh provides a platform for creators to share their high-quality, handmade products with a community that values craftsmanship and creativity.

Additionally, Oli places a strong emphasis on safety and transparency. At every event, they make sure that all products are properly tested and that participants are only receiving the highest quality cannabis. To ensure this safety, Oli requires their vendors to provide lab results

“If you’re making good product that’s helping heal people, this space is for you – especially if you’re LGBT,” Oli stated. “I test everything myself. For full transparency, I force everybody to give me the tests they get from the labs.”

Destroying The Stigma — One Sesh At A Time

The importance of Safe Sesh — and events like it — cannot be overstated. For many users like Oli, cannabis is more than just a recreational experience; it’s medicine.

“I started smoking cannabis, and I was like, ‘This is the bee’s knees.’ It totally saved my life,” Oli shares. “I was in a car accident when I was young, I have Crohn’s and IBS, so a lot of things that are prescribed to me are awful for you and cause ill effects. Meanwhile, you can do a dab, and it takes away a lot of the things that you have to deal with on a daily basis when you deal with chronic illness.”

While Oli is adamant about how cannabis has transformed their life, they remain conscious of how cannabis — and its users — are perceived across the globe. Safe Sesh helps to normalize cannabis for all purposes, and though the seshes may feel like a party, they’re also a platform for trusted cannabis education. Cannabis users of all levels of experience can connect with veteran vendors and learn more about what makes good cannabis “good” — whether it’s the quality of the product or the best practices for consumption.

As Oli explains, the seshes go beyond the typical hype-driven atmosphere of some cannabis events, prioritizing education, peace of mind, and a holistic understanding of the plant’s potential. “It is my way of life. It is my medicine. That’s why I really do love the Seshes and pushing the boundaries and normalizing it, because there’s so many people out there that I hear about that think of weed still as, ‘It’s just a drug. You just do it to get high,’” Oli observed. “No, even if you get migraines throughout the day, CBD can help. That’s the type of education that we want at our seshes — full cannabinoid education — not the hype that the other seshes do — that creates that other culture.”

Cannabis use is misunderstood more often than not, with stereotypes framing it solely as a recreational activity — and a dangerous one at that. Events like Safe Sesh challenge this narrative by highlighting cannabis as a multifaceted tool for wellness, medicine, and, yes, even fun. Through careful vetting of products and emphasizing full cannabinoid education, Safe Sesh attendees are equipped with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their consumption.

Moreover, Safe Sesh and similar events serve as incubators for community-led innovation. The vendors themselves are often experts in their craft, whether it’s growing cannabis, pressing concentrates, or creating artisanal cannabis devices. By bringing these minds together — particularly when the proper industry has historically kept them isolated — Safe Sesh sets a powerful standard that marginalized communities must not be left out of these vital conversations.

For many who attend these seshes, it’s not just about cannabis; it’s about belonging. It’s about reclaiming their place in an industry that has historically excluded them. In a world where cannabis remains stigmatized and misunderstood, Safe Sesh offers a powerful counter-narrative — a hopeful blueprint for communities across the country to create safer spaces for cannabis culture to grow.

Follow Safe Sesh on Instagram to stay up-to-date with event information and learn how to attend their next sesh.