A cannabis marketing agency and 3D motion designer and multimedia artist have come together to create the state of Arizona’s first cannabis NFT gallery event.

The cannabis-themed NFT gallery in Phoenix, Arizona is set to open to the public at a special event held on July 22, featuring NFT artwork byElise Weiland. The event is in partnership withPlant. Body. Soul., a creative marketing agency that focuses on cannabis, which is hosting the debut of the NFT gallery, calledOwls After Dark.

The opening night event is called Friday Highday After Dark, which according to a press release, will be the “first phase of the [Plant.Body.Soul.] agency’s NFT roadmap.”

Plant.Body.Soul. Managing Partner and Co-founder, Jennifer Miles, explained her hopes for the future with this new NFT project. “The minting of theOwls After DarkNFT gallery marks the first step in our community access utility project that seeks to unite members through innovation, art, music, and real-life experiences,” said Miles.

The gallery’s other Co-founder, Gordon Ogden, also commented on the exciting prospects for these unique NFT offerings. “We are committed to the continual expansion of our NFT community,” said Ogden. “In the months following the launch we plan to hold exclusive events curated for registered NFT holders, create a Discord server for members, and incorporate additional features and virtual reality experiences.”

Weiland’s digital artwork often centers around the psychedelic, abstract digital sculptures, and exploring unique fantasy environments. Some ofWeiland’s influencesinclude “internet culture, design culture, tattoo culture and counterculture,” which are usually depicted with many colorful elements that they describe as fun, dreamy, and perhaps a little bit dark”. Last year Weiland crafted a 3D procedural techno forest for the Fall 2021 issue ofBroccoli Magazine’s mycophiles magazine, calledMushroom People.

Those who purchase NFTs featured in theOwls After Darkgallery will also receive real-world benefits as well. These rewards include access to swag drops, a high-quality art print of their NFT, and regular access to Plant. Body. Soul.’s ongoing Friday Highday Happy Hour and Friday Highday After Dark events. The NFTs will be available onOpenSea, one of the largest NFT marketplaces, after the event begins.

Friday Highday After Darkembraces multiple facets of local cannabis culture. Food will be made byHigh Vibe Kitchen Collective, and an “intimate, yet highly curated” wellness lounge fromCannakulawill be present. Local cannabis brands such asAeriz,Curaleaf,Select,Good Things Coming, andSunday Goodswill be in attendance to promote their products, and members fromArizona NORMLwill also be there to educate attendees about consumer rights and their ongoing effort to help expunge cannabis convictions. Music will also be performed by Phoenix Crews, Record Bar Radio, and Melrose House.

Recently NFTs and cannabis have become a popular partnership, with some cannabis brandsfeaturing NFT artworkon their packaging. But it’s also being used as a collaborative effort to promote advocacy in the industry as well.

In January,Burn1, the Black Comics Collective, and The Weldon Projectworked together to create an NFT project that would benefit those who have been negatively affected by the War on Drugs. Original art was presented by John Jennings, and even an unreleased Snoop Dogg song was offered.

The Weldon Project’s Founder, Weldon Angelos, praised the merging of cannabis and art for the community. “I began The Weldon Project and launched theMISSION [GREEN]initiativeto raise the bar for awareness, social justice, and social equity around cannabis and provide relief to those who have been negatively impacted by unjust drug laws,”said Angelos. “This NFT project with the Black Comics Collective and Burn1 is exciting because it allows me to further our mission while creating an exciting new blend of art, music, and activism.”