Aspen Ideas Festival: Colorado, cannabis and chats

Sen. Cory Booker threatening to “kick your a**,” Gov. John Hickenlooper serenading the crowd with song and Rep. Chellie Pingree explaining how she slaughters animals on her farm? Welcome to Aspen Ideas Festival.

With the picturesque Colorado mountains serving as the backdrop, Pete Dominick was live from the annual festival talking to some of the best and brightest in the business. And of course, a trip to Colorado wouldn’t be complete without delicious grub, a gondola ride, Snapchats and yes, even a visit to a cannabis shop.

From politicians to comedians; news reporters to news makers; SNL writers to former Playboy CEOs — it was a meeting of the minds, a place to visit to share and express creative ideas. A thought provoking discussion between The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass and Dominick raised questions about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s ability to listen to foreign policy advice. Haass, who had sat down with Trump elaborated by saying, “I think it’s fair to say if I had impact, it’s not immediately obvious.”

Turning to this year’s veepstakes, Booker explained why he’s sick of being asked the question about Hillary Clinton’s potential vice presidential pick (Dominick asked the question anyway).

The militarization of the police and civil rights protests was the focus of a panel which included civil rights activist DeRay McKesson, former RNC Chair Michael Steele and The Atlantic’s James Fallows. They shared with Dominick personal anecdotes from Ferguson, Baltimore and beyond, describing how the landscape has changed over the years.

The final interview on Stand Up from Aspen was an incredibly candid conversation about legalized recreational marijuana in the state of Colorado. Governor Hickenlooper explained, “I opposed it when it came out just because you don’t want to be in conflict with federal law… but now two and a half years later, I’ve got to say, looks like it might work.” He continued by addressing concerns by the public that kids miay think marijuana is OK since it’s legal, but studies have shown there “hasn’t been a giant spike” in usage since its legalization.

To take full advantage of being in Colorado, Dominick traveled to a dispensary to see budtenders in action and learn about buying legal pot.

Gun control and the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School was the topic of conversation at a panel and film screening which included Perri Peltz.

Peltz also spoke with Piper Kerman who wrote “Orange is the New Black,” which inspired the hit Netflix series. The two discussed women and the criminal justice system.

Many other insightful and interesting guests joined Dominick and Peltz throughout the week at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

You can listen to the entire rebroadcast from Dominick’s coverage of the event, as well as other compelling panels, including one with Secretary of State John Kerry, this 4th of July weekend on SiriusXM Insight (Ch. 121)

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