Senator Beth Martinez Humenik

Our keynote speaker is Republican Senator Beth Martinez Humenik of Adams County.  Senator Humenik is a freshman senator, and fourth generation Coloradan.  

A former teacher for elementary schools and college students, Senator Humenik joins us as a freshly  elected official getting her first legislative experience with marijuana law and regulation.

She serves on the Health and Human Services Committee and Local Government Committee.  

Ms. AC Braddock

Ms. AC Braddock, a career entrepreneur, is currently CEO of Eden Labs in Seattle Washington.  Ms. Braddock has guided and transformed the extraction technology company into the highly respected multi-million dollar company.  Ms. Braddock is regarded as a thought leader in cannabis business and supports community organizations as a member of two of Washington’s Cannabis Business Women’s groups; WOW (Women of Weed) and the MJBA’s Women’s Alliance. Ms. Braddock is determined to create a new corporate structure in the emerging cannabis industry.

Mrs. Kristi Kelly

Mrs. Kristi Kelly is principal and founder of Good Meds Network, a medical marijuana company in the Denver area. Mrs. Kelly has founded several marijuana business organizations; served on state and local rulemaking committees and workgroups and has been a voice for the community as a business owner, association leader, and patient advocate.  She is currently a board member of Marijuana Industry Group; a sustaining member of National Cannabis Industry Association; and founding board member of The Fourth Corner Credit Union, the world’s first marijuana financial institution.     

Mrs. Kelly grew up under the influence of strong and empowered women.   From this foundation, she has a developed an enduring passion for helping those in need and investing in areas that benefit women and children. 

Ms. Diane Fornbacher, is  founder of Ladybud Magazine, a lifestyle site for politically engaged women who enjoy cannabis. Ms. Fornbacher  is co-founder of the NORML Women’s Alliance and recipient of the NORML Pauline Sabin Award in 2012,  has contributed nearly 20 years of activism to local grassroots and national drug policy reform organizations.  Her role as mother to two sons inspires her to create a more compassionate and sensible world for them. 

Mrs. Christie Lunsford. Photo courtesy 5280 Magazine.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford is a Denver based cannabis business consultant,  specializing in license applications and infused product business development.   Since the beginning of her first cannabis company, she has encouraged women’s development in cannabis business. Mrs. Lunsford is a founding board member of the Women’s CannaBusiness Network (WCBN), Co Chair and MC for Mother’s High Tea in 2012 and founding member of Women Grow in 2014. 

Ms. Susan Squibb

Ms. Susan Squibb, Cannabis Maven, is currently Director of Operations at Steep Hill Colorado.

She is a legalization advocate and  hemp and marijuana business trailblazer since her days as a CU-Boulder student.  

Ms. Squibb founded the event Mother’s High Tea in 2011, for the growing community of women in legalization and business.  

Join us for Mother’s High Tea this year. Tickets are purchased on Eventbrite.

Mother’s High Tea celebrates the accomplishments of women on the forefront of cannabis reform and business. The biennial event creates speaking opportunities for accomplished women to share their perspective on the changing cannabis times.

The 3rd Biennial Mother’s High Tea is May 14 from 2-5pm at the History Colorado Center in Denver.   Join us for tea!

The first Mother’s High Tea began in 2011 as a community event featuring inspiring speakers around Mother’s Day for women and mothers in cannabis business.

In 2012, Mother’s High Tea was the launch of Women’s CannaBusiness Network, a project of the National Cannabis Industry Association, the women’s group that developed into Women Grow in 2014.

In 2015, with the generous sponsorship from a growing community of businesses,  Mother’s High Tea continues making history with a beautiful venue, an expanding audience of women and an exciting program of speakers. Special thanks to Mary’s Medicinal’s, Julie’s Natural Edibles, MiNDFUL, Steep Hill, The Farm and Ideal 420 Soil.

Accomplished cannabis educator and entrepreneur, Mrs. Christie Lunsford is returning  Master of Ceremonies, along with myself. This year’s speakers will be announced next week!

Children and well-dressed gentlemen are encouraged to attend! Event activities include a craft table, letter writing and photo booth.

We suggest buying tickets early as the event will most likely sell out. Purchase Eventbrite tickets here!

Join the community and like the Mother’s High Tea Facebook page!

Click  here  to  read the February  issue of THC.

 In Good Taste

With Colorado legalization, cannabis events are attracting more people of all ages and incomes. In this emerging market are the new private monthly events with changing culinary and party themes by Jane West’s company, Edible Events, at Space Gallery.

Edible Events premiered with an End of Prohibition event in late January that featured gourmet munchies in a posh venue. West, a former corporate event organizer, said the inspiration for her inaugural event came from a pleasurable dining experience. She shared an edible cannabis treat before a delicious meal at Old Major. She had an uncommonly relaxing evening without paying for it with a hangover the next day. Fast forward to this gallery setting, a 420-friendly upscale event.

Jill Gomez, a Denver area resident is “super tickled” that marijuana is legal. “I’m a baby boomer. I’d rather have my children smoke than drink,” she said. The event was “BYOC,” or Bring Your Own Cannabis. Attendees used vaporizers and nibbled edibles in the gallery. Guests could smoke in comfort inside a Sunset limo bus parked in front.

Wendy, 67, a Colorado resident, has never been a smoker of cannabis. Only recently, when she tried an edible, did she come to appreciate the relaxation cannabis can bring. With a smile and a slight fit of giggles, she remarked how much she enjoyed meeting others “on the bus.” The limo was stocked with chocolates and soft drinks to satisfy immediate munchies.

Jeff, who lives in Denver and Milwaukee, said he enjoyed the event because, “I like smoking with people my own age.” Aside from the smoking limo, there were three spaces to explore; two galleries with food stations, and a loft area with couches and crafts for drawing and Connect 4 games for fun. DJ Desire was spinning dance tunes, favorites including Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines” and an early 1980s Michael Jackson hit or two. Gorgeous flower and feather arrangements in shades of blues added consistent natural beauty to all the separate spaces.

The guests largely were baby boomers, fashionably dressed women of all ages and dapper looking young men. Candy, 59, a daily cannabis consumer from Kansas, remarked she felt refreshingly different for not needing to hide her appreciation for cannabis. CynDee, 63, another Kansan, was having a wonderful time. She used to smoke cannabis in her younger days, but no longer consumes because of employment drug screening. “Legalization needed to happen,” she said. Her favorite part of the event was “all the people I’ve met.”

Food was catered by Three Tomatoes Catering, who provided a thoughtful and flavorful menu that included mouth watering poblano quesadilla, peppered beef skewers, pulled bourbon braised short rib sandwiches, and much more. Drinks included red and white wine, local craft beer and custom event drinks, an Old Fashioned and a Fresh Apple and Ginger Elixir.

Jon, 54, from Seattle, was enjoying sour diesel, flo and golden goat cannabis strains. He would like to see similar events with delicious food in his hometown.

None of the cuisine was infused with cannabis. That might change in the future. Edible Events is working with Melissa Parks, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, to create an epicurean line of infused sweets. “I was against the industry for a long time,” said Parks. After evaluating her promising business relationship with Organalabs, Parks is now ready to develop her passion for food chemistry into a successful cannabis industry business.

With top quality food to complement the upscale cannabis experience, Edible Events puts together a winning combination.

Christie, Genifer and Susan having fun in the photobooth, January debut of Edible Events.

Christie, Genifer and Susan having fun in the photobooth, January debut of Edible Events.

Links  to my historical event coverage below  and more photos from 3D.

New Years Eve End of Prohibition Party! http://issuu.com/thcmag/docs/january2014_issue13/41?e=0

First Sale at 3D http://issuu.com/thcmag/docs/january2014_issue13/53?e=0

Photos courtesy The Hemp Connoisseur 

Mason, Betty and Brian at the start of the press conference.

Sean smelling the Bubba Kush.

Toni helps Sean select his strain.

An edible, a Dixie Elixir & Edibles truffle, is part of the historic first purchase.

Sean paying cash. Sean’s Mom is beside him, recording with her smartphone.

Sean smiles as his purchase is put in the bag AKA exit packaging.

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, the Neil Armstrong of marijuana.

On Wednesday at 7.30AM, Mason Tvert, co-director of the campaign to legalise marijuana in Colorado, was speaking at a press conference held just before the state’s first ever legal recreational pot sale. “The media keeps describing what’s starting today as an experiment,” he explained, “when the real experiment was actually marijuana prohibition, an experiment that failed terribly, just like the so-called ‘great experiment‘ known as alcohol prohibition.”

Mason’s comparison served as the theme of Tuesday night’s New Year’s Eve cannabis industry fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Hemp Association. It was a high-class affair that featured elaborately costumed flappers and bootleggers, plus oversized newspaper clippings from the day back in 1933 when Denver’s taverns finally re-opened to the public. One anti-prohibition Denver Post editorial of that era called on status-quo lawmakers to “turn over a new leaf”.

Just before midnight struck, I caught up with Susan Squibb, newly hired as the Post’s first-ever marijuana advice columnist. In pot terms, Squibb has paid her dues. Previously author of the “Ask Lady Cannabis” column in a local weed-culture newspaper, Squibb actually first started dispensing marijuana advice during a six-year run selling hemp ice-cream sandwiches from an officially licensed stand inside Red Rock’s Amphitheater in Golden, Colorado.

 We spoke with Susan Squibb, new marijuana advice columnist of The Denver Post, on the eve of Colorado legalizing the recreational use of the drug.
Tell us about your new job as the marijuana advice columnist with The Denver Post.

It’s a freelance position, starting in January. For the past year, I have been writing a marijuana manners column, “Ask Lady Cannabis,” for The Hemp Connoisseur.

What are your major duties in this role?

I will write a weekly column answering questions related to marijuana use, appropriate social use and changing cannabis laws and regulations. The challenge is keeping current with the social reality and the local ordinances that are guiding this societal transition from marijuana consumption being an illegal activity to being legally recognized.

What kind of training and background best prepares someone considering a career in legal cannabis?

The legal cannabis world has an increasing number of career opportunities. Now that the largest cash crop in America is legal, every profession is needed. Lawyers are needed to know the intricate laws and regulations and guide businesses in compliance. Service industries for building warehouse production, kitchens and dispensaries. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and security systems are in high demand. Horticulture specialists, soil and hydroponic growers, crews of trimmers are needed to process the flowers. Chemists and lab techs are needed in emerging lab-testing facilities. Sales and marketing positions are needed, and I expect to see agricultural markets and commodities trading, and industrial Hemp develop in the next few years.

Read the rest of the interview at the link below,

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/12/31/denver-posts-first-marijuana-advice-columnist/

Dear Lady Cannabis,  My question is inspired by a recent Denver Drug Policy Alliance conference panel, is the joint obsolete? Policy Geek

Dear Policy Geek, No, the joint is not obsolete. In the cannabis culture, several practical aspects of the joint make it enduring. For one, older cannabis consumers smoke joints because joints were the most common way of consumption. There were few ways to consume cannabis for some period of time. Second, joints are very portable. Roll a few joints and take them along with you. Third, joints can mimic cigarette smoking. In places with unnecessary prohibition, joints have been smoked in a similar fashion as cigarettes in public places. Lastly, joints are very disposable, when burned down to a small roach. Unlike, pipes or other smoking accessories, joints are lightweight and easy to conceal. Joints are great on the go for recreational fun.

In terms of consumption, smoking joints is one of the harshest ways to ingest cannabis.With the growing awareness and acceptance of medical use cannabis, the cannabis market has adjusted. Patients want the health benefits and the best way to get them is to reduce the harm associated with smoking. Smokeless alternatives are available at cannabis centers and use has increased drastically. Four years ago in Colorado, majority center sales were buds or flowers. Today, nearly half total purchases are edibles and portable smokeless vaporizers.

Nevertheless, the joint is a classic. Even immaculate hostess Martha Stewart has professed that she is a good joint roller. Continuously giggling in response to the question, Martha Stewart stated in an interview, “Of course, I know how to roll a joint, not that I ever do. We used to roll cigarettes, it’s the same thing”.

Dear Lady Cannabis, My regular optometrist is an older, established doctor. I get my medical marijuana recommendation from a different doctor. My regular doctor knows I use medical marijuana, but we’ve never had a conversation about it. How do I talk to him? Glaucoma Gordon

Dear Glaucoma Gordon, It is good you are informed and empowered. It must feel isolating to not have full support or understanding from your doctor when you have reliably and safely experienced the benefits from medical cannabis for years. To renew this discussion with your doctor, find the best way to introduce new information to him in a manner that respects his authority as a doctor. Find information sources that will speak to the doctor in his professional language, peer reviewed studies and articles in medical journals on glaucoma research and treatment. A week or so before your appointment notify his nurse and send the article. Mention you’re sharing a study related to your treatment and would like to sometime during your upcoming appointment to discuss the topic. This approach gives him a chance to read, respond and be prepared for a discussion and the topic won’t catch him off guard. Both you and your optometrist share a mutual concern for your health. Explain how you benefit from medical cannabis and tell him your patient experience. Write back with an update, please.

Dear Lady Cannabis, How do you make sense of the Pres. of A Basin taking ski passes away from boarders smoking? It’s part of ski culture, WTF! Boarding Brad

Dear Boarding Brad, Al Henchworth, COO of Arapahoe Basin ski resort, laid down the law on his October 19 blog; Al’s Blog and sparked a huge controversy among skiers. Al pulled a few patrons’ passes because they were publicly smoking cannabis. They are being used as an example to remind patrons it is illegal to smoke in public. The fury of response has helped shape the public conversation of what is reasonable and appropriate for cannabis use on the slopes. Many people voiced outrage over the harsh penalty.

Many people noted the hypocrisy of alcohol being so accepted with open consumptionnot only in the lodges but in the lift lines at A Basin. Many people were happy with the crackdown because not everyone wants to be around the smoke.

Cannabis smoking is part of ski culture. Instead of laying down the law and threateningto call the cops on this issue, as Al originally stated, A Basin needs to take a cue from Seattle Police earlier this year and put together a funny public gimmick to educate patrons to the law. Some clever giveaway with the PR messages- Have fun, we want you to enjoy the A Basin vibe. This is a reminder; public cannabis smoking is not legal. We ask for your cooperation and definitely do not smoke around children, in the lift lines at the top of the lift or the sides of runs.  A public message will go farther.

On the next powder day, the best way to be a more appropriate cannabis user on the slopes is go into the trees, not on a kiddy run and take a discrete smoke break away from minors and nonsmokers.

Photos, shot on location in Denver at two locations; mid century modern furniture store,  Mid Mod and More and 1950’s rockabilly revival bar, Rock A Billies.  Wardrobe credits to  Phoebe Jones Vintage, Wishlist Vintage, and Boss Unlimted.    Hair makeup and wardrobe styling by Angie DeFrancis-Cox of A/K Studio and photos by Laura Leathem of Imitate Life Photography.   Acme420 and Northern Lights Natural RX MMC provided the cannabis. Special thanks to Kim Sidwell and Christianna Lewis.   Photos courtesy The Hemp Connoisseur. 

Lady Cannabis answers questions related to appropriate use around town and being a  good hostess for out of state guests. 

Dear Lady Cannabis, The headlines about the odor of marijuana being made illegal in Denver has me thinking about where to smoke marijuana when I’m around town.   I don’t want to offend, but I’m not going to quit either. I usually pause for an afternoon break and take a puff. What do I do now?  Hustlin’ Harder

Dear Hustlin’ Harder, We are living during interesting times. Voters legalized recreational cannabis use and then elected officials unsuccessfully try to make the smell illegal, thereby making cannabis illegal again.

We are at the forefront of addressing and creating what appropriate use for cannabis looks like. In the past, as an illegal activity, public cannabis use was never considered appropriate. Now with cannabis consumers coming out of their closets, so to speak, and openly smoking, we are creating the guidelines for socially appropriate use.

One appropriate rule is make sure children are not involved or nearby.  Another sensible recommendation is avoid smoking in your vehicle.

For a personal smoke break in your day, choose places that offer relative privacy.  It’s advisable to maintain a somewhat reserved awareness.  No need to hide, just be private and discrete and you’ll likely be fine.

Dear Lady Cannabis, I have lived in Colorado for several decades.  I am not a marijuana smoker myself, I was never interested in it, but I am supportive of the changes and making it legal.  I have out of state family coming to visit in January. It would be fun to offer my guests some newly legalized marijuana during their visit.  I think they would get a kick out of it! What do I do?  Sally Voter

Dear Sally Voter,  Out of state tourists are frequently in amazement at the presence and openness seen here in Colorado.  Still, not every Coloradan smokes cannabis. In offering cannabis as a novelty, for out of state and adult guests, be a knowledgeable hostess.

First create a designated activity and time.  Pick a time when everyone is in the mood to relax.  A nice group activity is visiting a nearby park on a warm afternoon during their winter visit.  Offer cannabis either before or after a park visit or nature walk. Other nice possibilities are watching a comedy or crafting a creative art project.

Your home, most likely, will be the most comfortable and private spot to share cannabis. Provide a couple options, joints and brownies are classic and easy.   The joint is very easy and familiar to most people.  Brownies are familiar and appealing to people who would rather not smoke.

Both prerolled joints and brownies are available at state licensed cannabis centers.  Cannabis centers are stocked for  connoisseur consumers, the options are numerous.  For joints, select from hybrid varieties either a classic strain or a strain with a creative and appealing name.

Joints are easy to smoke. Light it, inhale and pass it. Have a little tray nearby to catch the ashes.  Smoke and pass the joint until everyone feels satisfied.

For brownies, buy ones produced with the cannabis dosage determined by lab tests for each lot. This is important for accuracy, consistency and enjoyment of your experience.  As a general guideline, a single serving size contains 20-50 mg activated THC for a normal sized adult.

In serving cannabis infused brownies, conservative portion sizes are important.   If needed, recut the brownies in approximate 20mg pieces.  Begin with 20 mg portions and wait an hour before offering more cannabis brownies.

Cannabis infused food is not recommended for mindless snacking.  If the cannabis brownie portions are small, serve other snacks or desserts to satisfy hunger.   With some planning and preparation, your guests will enjoy their experience and have a delightful   story to share when they return home.

This version includes a Best of Vendors coverage with unpublished event photos.I Lo

Seattle Hempfest is the largest cannabis event in the world. This year’s Hempfest was the first since the passage of I-502, Washington’s marijuana legalization law, and a quarter of a million people came to celebrate. During the third weekend of August, with hot and sunny weather, Hempfest occupied a mile and a half of Myrtle Edwards Park in downtown Seattle. Within the safety of Hempfest, people smoked, vaporized and consumed cannabis in public. Occasional cooling sea breezes wafted along the beautiful waterfront, joining the hovering cloud of freshly smoked marijuana. With a hundred bands and a hundred speakers entertaining and informing from six stages, and four hundred booths of vendors and nonprofits to visit, there was plenty to see and do at Seattle Hempfest this year.

Sit on the grass and smoke some grass.

The grass in Myrtle Edwards Park is a comfortable spot for a smoking sesh with friends. Hempfest’s crowd was reveling in public pot smoking as people with 4, 6 and 12 foot bongs sat toking up with a little help from their friends. Others were walking around flashing their newly purchased pieces. Stony and relatively subdued, the crowd enjoyed the surreal and liberating experience of not having to publicly hide their appreciation of cannabis.

Marijuana tshirt at Hempfest.

The waves of people walking were decked out in fancy and casual hemp and pot leaf fashions. Wearing a pot leaf or cannabis message T shirts, or pot leaf accessories, is practically ubiquitous in this scene (my personal favorite T shirt message was “This veteran is medicated for your protection.”)  Other cannabis enthusiasts were decked out in bright necklaces, hats, sunglasses, scarves, socks, everything in their wardrobe adorned with pot leaves. Occasionally, someone was dressed in formal wear or fantasy fairy and animal costumes. Topless women sported pot leaf pasties and young families walked through the festival site with strollers.

Everlast jams onstage at Seattle Hempfest.

Boris and the Waterboarders protest with vicious humor at the Hemposium stage.

Samba music from Seeley Stage.

Listen to Music.

Area bands and musicians made up most of the musical entertainment at Seattle Hempfest. Bands played short sets and the genres were ever changing, going from reggae, to salsa, rock, punk, country rock, hip hop and electronica. Bellingham rockers Boris and the Waterboarders played songs of political protest and personal despair to the amused delight of the carefree crowd. Friday’s main stage afternoon acts were the Seattle Hempfest favorites, The Toyes, originators of song “Smoke Two Joints” and reggae groove house band, The Herbivores. Hempfest’s main stage featured nationally known acts Everlast and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. Hiphop rock fusion artist Everlast played to a crowd of “the most stoners I’ve ever seen in one place”. The mellow crowd pumped their fists and sang along with notable songs, I Get By”, “What Its Like” and a record scratching version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”.

Soft serve hemp ice cream served at Munchie Market

Corn on the cob dipped in hemp butter for Hempfest

Get the munchies and eat hemp food. 

There were plenty of food options to satisfy the munchies of everyone at Hempfest. Make it hempy by sprinkling on a tablespoon of Hemp Hearts, or order hemp protein powder added to a fresh fruit smoothie. Food booths offered typical festival food hotdogs, bratwurst, burritos, and French fries and meals with a hemp twist with hemp burgers, corn on the cob dipped in hemp butter or hemp coffee.

For dessert, fresh mini donuts, or scoops of Ben & Jerry’s and Baskin Robbins were tasty dessert options. Make it hempy with a waffle cone of soft serve hemp ice cream from Munchie Market.

Another snack option was provided by the Seattle Police Foundation. Seattle Police were giving away snack bags of Nacho Cheese Doritos with an attached informational sticker at Hempfest.  The stickers humorously explained the new regulations under I-502 with  funny reminders of “Don’t give, sell or shotgun weed to anyone under 21” and encouraged the crowd to enjoy Hempfest and “listen to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at a reasonable volume”.  Warning, The chips are as delicious as they appear!

Seattle Hempfest attendees excited to get bags of Nacho Cheese Doritos from Seattle Police Department

The sticker attached to the Nacho Cheese Dorito given out by Seattle Police Department during Hempfest

Hemp fashion show

The daily fashion show was a Hemposium highlight. I co-produced Fashion with a Passion for Freedom featuring garments from established hemp clothing companies across the country and exciting pieces made by fresh design students at the Seattle based NY Fashion Academy., featuring stylish, well designed clothes from experienced hemp clothing companies. Hemp Hoodlamb, Earth Creations, Taos Hemp Company and Conscious Clothing shared the runway with innovative cannabis lifestyle garments created from four Seattle based NY Fashion Academy clothing designers.  Premium hemp fabrics were shaped into trim aprons and high society smoking jackets with inside pockets for carrying a now legal stash. Other innovative outfits, like hand painted hoodies and boldly colored and delicate hemp silk garments are redefining hemp in eco-fashion.

The bustling marketplace at Seattle Hempfest featured 400 vendors selling the gear and equipment required to consume, grow and live a cannabis life. These are the best hemp and cannabis lifestyle clothing options currently available.

HempMania, a fair trade and eco-friendly company since 1997, makes durable hemp bags and wallets for men and women. The wide variety of back packs, purses, market totes, wallets and accessory bags are available in pleasing earth tone colors and black.

Hemp bags for all at Hemp Mania!

Seedless Clothing was set up with a bright green booth and stacks of street art savvy t-shirts, shoes, hats, hoodies, jackets, belts, jeans and stickers. Seedless, a California based cannabis lifestyle clothing company, with its sprouting leaf logo is worn by the cool kids.

Love Seedless design zippered jacket by Seedless Clothing Company

I love Pot Lifestyle Clothing makes bold signature “I love pot” screen-printed T shirts and other fresh designs. They also carry green teddy bears with hidden stash pockets.

Popular teddy bears from I Love Pot Lifestyle

Urb Age Designs, is owned by Urb Thrasher, hard rocking DJ on 420Radio.org. Urb Age Designs has a variety of Rasta inspired screen-printed T shirts, barware, a Frisbee and disc golf line, and other lifestyle products to show off your love of the herb.

Urbage Design, an activist run business.

Kill Your Culture has clever pop culture brandalism images on soft fabric t-shirts, hats, bong pads, pipe coasters, ipad cases, and stickers. The irreverent images are stony and dabbed out version of characters we know and love like Darth Vader, Captain Crunch, Urkle, Frankenstein, and Keebler Elves.

Pop culture brandalism from Kill Your Culture

Good Life Roots is a Los Angeles based artist collective. Artists create original screen-printed T shirts and decoupage art on wallets, flasks and purses. The Good Life Roots crew then heads out on its summer vending tour going to a medley of festivals and markets throughout the season.

Good Life Roots, an artist collective with a seasonal vending calendar across the country

Seattle Hempfest merchandise booth In addition to being a general store, event merchandise sales is a fundraiser for Seattle Hempfest to cover the event production costs. This year’s event image, to celebrate I-502, was Uncle Sam passing a blazing joint. This iconic image is available on cotton or hemp shirts, posters and magnets.

The Hemp History Roadshow for college campuses had its informational hemp tutorial, open for education, showing the many applications for hemp in foods, building materials, fashion, body care, home goods and sporting goods. Visitors could see hemp in raw fiber materials, plastic composites, hemp food, and hemp clothing.  A small store of T shirt and hats and educational DVDs was on display in the hemp hut.

The Hemp Hut housed the Hemp History Roadshow display outside the Hemposium

Cannabis Culture 

Seattle Hempfest had some notable cannabis culture on display. The cross country  adventures of the painted psychedelic Further (original spelling “FURTHUR,”) bus driven by Neal Cassady, captained by Ken Kesey and boarded by psychedelic pioneers the Merry Pranksters was parked near Hempfest’s main stage.  This hand painted magic bus is part of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Furthur, at night Seattle Hempfest.

A fleet of Fishy Foods/ Label GMO foods/ art cars from Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

Other art cars onsite was the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps sponsored fleet of cars topped with giant fishy GMO frankenfoods. These fishy food cars came from WashingtonDC to Seattle for Hempfest to raise coast to coast awareness for labeling GMO foods and to educate voters on an upcoming GMO ballot issue in Washington.

Speakers, encourage, engage and inform the crowds in between band setups.  

Here’s a list of the notable hemp speakers at this year’s Hempfest:

Hemp educator David Piller of Hemp History Roadshow

Authors Chris Conrad (Hemp: Lifeline of the Future), and Todd Dalloto (The Hemp Cookbook: From Seed to Shining Seed)  

Hemp legislative advocates Steve Levine  Director of Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp  and Paul Stanford, Director of the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp.

Business owners David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and Adam Eidenger  of Capitol Hemp.

Crowd favorites included legendary growers Jorge Cervantes and Ed Rosenthal and cannabis comedian Ngaio Bealum.

This year’s Seattle Hempfest was a liberating and fun experience, but beyond that, it was educational. For one magical weekend Seattle’s Myrtle Edwards park was alight with music, food, vendors, speakers, and endless opportunities to learn and appreciate the cannabis plant.

Seattle Hempfest 2013