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| Hempfest Promotes Legalizing Marijuana |
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Posted by FoM on August 21, 2001 at 19:19:49 PT By The Associated Press Source: Spokesman-Review 
Turn anywhere at Seattle's 10th annual Hempfest and you could hear talk of marijuana in some form.Hemp products -- in everything from granola to cat food to clothes -- were on display. Drug paraphernalia booths were set up between stands of tie-dyed clothes and silver jewelry. Many in the crowd wore leis of silk marijuana leaves. The smell of pot wafted through the air as tens of thousands strolled through Myrtle Edwards Park on the Seattle waterfront. The two-day Hempfest, which featured speakers including actor Woody Harrelson, aims to educate the public that adults who use marijuana responsibly do not need to go to jail, Dominic Holden, director of Hempfest, said Sunday. "Most marijuana smokers, like the rest of America, work hard, pay taxes, raise families and don't deserve to be treated like criminals," said the 24-year-old Seattle resident. Holden called for treatment, job training and accurate education about drugs as an alternative to jailing nonviolent offenders who get caught with pot. Holden is also the director of Seattle city Initiative 73, which would make busting potheads the lowest priority -- below even jaywalking -- for police officers and prosecutors. I-73 needs 19,000 signatures to get on Seattle's ballot in 2002. Holden estimated that more than 90,000 people had attended the celebration by Sunday morning. The police department, which was closely monitoring the crowd with officers on horseback and bicycles, declined to give an estimate. Dreadlocks, piercings and funky hats were common accessories in the crowd. Among the parked vehicles were several Volkswagen vans covered in bumper stickers proclaiming peace. "Donating is not a crime," shouted 29-year-old Jon Axlen, a Hempfest volunteer holding a bucket as people headed into the gated park. The event was free, although a $5 donation was suggested. Hemp is marijuana, but is cultivated for its fiber -- not to have a high content of marijuana's mind-altering chemical. Authorities say they would have a tough time telling who was growing the plant for its fiber and who was growing it to smoke. Supporters of legalizing hemp say the country's drug laws have robbed farmers of a crop that can be used in a wide range of products, including paper and clothing. "It's a very renewable cash crop," said Dan Scott, 36, of Seattle. Hempfest even featured a car that runs on fuel made of hempseed oil. Terry Ross, 76, of Miami Beach, Fla., was visiting her daughter in Seattle, and the two decided to attend Hempfest for the first time. "It's quite exciting to see so many young people involved in policies that they want to see changed," Ross said. Note: Hemp products on display in waterfront park. Source: Spokesman-Review (WA) Related Articles & Web Site: Seattle Hempfest Hempfest Wafts Distinct Odor of Change City Weeds Out Link To Hempfest Site Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on August 22, 2001 at 07:14:50 PT |
| "Holden estimated that more than 90,000 people had attended the celebration by Sunday morning. The police department, which was closely monitoring the crowd with officers on horseback and bicycles, declined to give an estimate."
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