C.Gar's BlogLegislationNews

Protest Cigar Regulation at Save the Leaf 2016

In August 2016,  Save the Leaf, is sponsoring a series of events in the Washington, DC area to protest the upcoming Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of cigars. Save the Leaf is a non-profit organization started immediately after the FDA announced that they will be placing strict regulations on the cigar industry. These regulations will undoubtedly place many brands in jeopardy of going out of business through the daunting paperwork, pre-marketing submission requirements, and user fees requirements. For the retailer, the regulations will hinder the way they do business and require them to adhere to strict laws governing who they sell to, as well as training for their staff. Retailers will also be required to have posters placed in their shops to warn the consumer of the dangers of smoking. Save the Leaf 2016 includes the following events. The details of all events have not been completely ironed out so check back here at Cigar Intel or Save the Leaf for more details.

Capitol Herf

This is the main event for Save the Leaf 2016. Cigar lovers will meet at a venue to be determined to smoke and protest the FDA’s overreaching regulations. According to Save the Leaf, many cigar stars will be on hand as well to join in the protest. The event takes place on August 8, 2016, from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. If you want to make a statement to the FDA, this is the event to attend.

Smoke-Out Party

The first event of Save the Leaf 2016 is the Smoke-Out party. The event takes place on August 6, 2016, from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in East Hyattsville, MD. This is the hotel Safe the Leaf has reserved for attendees.

 Meet and Greet

Cigar smokers, this is your chance to meet some of the cigar brand owners who will be in attendance at Save the Leaf 2016. You will also have an opportunity to buy official Save the Leaf 2016 t-shirts, hats, and demonstration signs. (c.gar note to Smokey Butts: Smokey, I gotta get me one of those signs to hang in my smoke room!) The event is on August 7, 2016, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in East Hyattsville, MD.

Save the Leaf Sunday Smoke-Out Party

Here is your last chance to get ready for the main event Capitol Herf and your last day to smoke a cigar before the FDA regulations go into effect. This event takes place on August 7, 2016, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, at, you guessed it, the College Park Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in East Hyattsville, MD.

How the Hell Do I Get to the Capitol Herf?

For those staying at the hotel in the People’s Socialist Republic of Maryland, a trip to DC for the Capitol Herf can be a royal pain. You’ll need a visa from the rest of the U.S. to enter, a passport, and you’ll have to swear you are not a socialist in order to leave the borders of Maryland. Save the Leaf has you covered. They will be running buses from the College Park Marriott Hotel and Convention Center to the yet to be determined protest site in DC. (OK, I am surmising this will be in DC. Where the hell else would you have a protest? If I had to guess, it will be on the National Mall or the FDA Headquarters.) Buses will run on August 8, 2016, from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, assuming we all don’t get arrested. If so, I know a couple of good bail bondsmen. Don’t ask why. . . It was Smokey’s fault.

c.gar

c.gar loves all things cigar-related. He typically falls in love with cigars that are discontinued shortly thereafter. His first cigar was a Swisher Sweet with a wood tip. Sadly, these are still in production.

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