Many sellers told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that they had only received partial payments or nothing at all.
MUSKEGON, Mich. – Controversy surrounding a marijuana event that unfolded in Muskegon last weekend. A number of Saturnalia cannabis carnival vendors and attendees told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that they were becoming increasingly frustrated with the organizers.
While some vendors were paid, others said they received only partial payments and some, none at all.
“I can imagine how you feel about that, but tell me.”
“Not great. Not great.”
Though the situation looked promising early on when festival promoters offered Muskegon bakery owner Bethany Bauer a sponsor spot at the upcoming carnival.
“I thought it was really exciting … so I jumped on it,” said Bauer, who owns The Only Cannoli.
But when payday rolled around, text messages revealed that carnival organizer Michael Webster had stopped the check, claiming he needed an official receipt.
Bethany showed 13 ON YOUR SIDE the bill she handed in at the end, except for one unanswered line.
“I drained my oven to produce for that event,” she explained. “I closed my oven that day to be there. And then it was slow. Because it was poorly promoted. I lost so much money.”
We interviewed Webster when the event was announced in April.
13 ON YOUR SIDE attempted to call the promoter and requested comment via two separate email addresses, but did not hear back.
“I felt like it was Christmas morning, I woke up, I went downstairs. There are no presents under the tree.
Jason Alger spent hundreds of dollars on what was sold as a VIP experience, expecting to be wowed.
“We were supposed to put in THC food and drinks. None of this was supplied,” Alger noted. “They kept saying the cook was on his way. The chef was on his way. It never showed up, which I think they knew all along. He wasn’t coming.”
Instead, Jason says they got a box of hot water bottles and tarts.
Emails showed he had been in talks with Webster about a refund.
“I’m glad he’s taking care of me, but I want him to take care of everybody,” he said. “It’s not fair to everyone.”
In Webster’s response, he explained that his company, Exspiravit, had fallen victim to an unscrupulous marketing company.
Another email shared with 13 ON YOUR SIDE — this one from the marketing company — appears to dispute that claim.
The company said it ended the relationship before Carnival went live to protect its brand.
“The customers were extremely unhappy,” explained Morgan Khem. “I mean, people were allowed into the event without the tickets they were promised.”
Khem said she was contracted to coordinate Saturday’s carnival.
“The first day, I really wanted to leave, but that’s not the type of person I am,” she revealed. “I stood there for the vendors.”
Not unlike others, Morgan said Webster had been giving her the silent treatment, still waiting for most of what she said she was owed for sponsorships she sold, plus her front and day work hours.
“I would imagine it’s not just about the money is it? I mean, do you feel taken advantage of?”
“Yes,” Bauer replied.
The owner of the bakery said she was considering legal action.
“He never answered me. I don’t think he will,” Bauer said. “I personally don’t want to talk to him. I just wish my lawyer would talk to him.”
Webster’s firm has another event – ‘Falling Leaves’ – planned for late September at Marsh Field.
Multiple sources confirmed to 13 ON YOUR SIDE that the event was still being promoted.
The city of Muskegon said the festival’s permit was conditional, but did not provide a definitive explanation about his interactions with Webster or what would cause officials to revoke the permit.
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