The organized execution of the event (which seemed so easy) took 5 months of diligent and focused effort to produce. The many successes of this year’s event were possible because of the contributions and dedication from the talented women who comprised the 2015 Mother’s High Tea Committee.  Meet nine other brilliant women of cannabis business and legalization in Colorado.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford, Co-Chair. Christie Lunsford returns to Mother’s High Tea Committee as Co-Chair and Event Master of Ceremonies. Christie, a skilled professional speaker, is a pivotal figure in the Colorado cannabis business community.  I first met Christie in 2010 at early meetings of an (now defunct) infused product manufacturing group. (This was before the first wave of marijuana business legislation.) In the verbal fray of chaotic and charged meetings, Christie would be a voice guiding the discordant group to decisions and offering practical solutions to contribute to the goals of the developing group.

Mrs. Christie Lunsford. Photo courtesy of 5280 Magazine.

In our introductory conversations, Christie described herself as an advocate. Not a recreational consumer herself, Christie advocates for medicinal cannabis via infused topical and oral (sublingual) products blended with other synergistic and therapeutic herbs. Among Christie’s early industry accomplishments was her role as marketing and media manager for Dixie Elixir & Edibles.  Christie formulated the therapeutic hemp and marijuana products for the botanical line of Dixie products. She also linked the mainstreaming company to the grassroots medical marijuana community and was a pioneer in professionalizing the Denver cannabis community.

Christie has a long legacy of mentoring women and fostering the community within cannabis business and medical circles.  She was an organizer and facilitator of a regularly scheduled women’s networking breakfast, a founding board member of the Women’s CannaBusiness Network (WCBN) created in 2012.  As WCBN changed and developed into Women Grow, Christie was a founding member and even was the keynote speaker at the first meeting in 2014. Many women in the community, myself included, have been encouraged by Christie.

For Mother’s High Tea, Christie developed, sparked and rolled out the Facebook historical women and tea photo campaign to create and reinforce the classy feel of the event. In production, Christie primarily served as advisor. In her performance as MC, her thoughtful tribute to the members of the audience who had dedicated five or more years of service to cannabis legalization was heartfelt and memorable.

2015 Mother’s High Tea MCs and Speakers, L to R.
Ms. Susan Squibb, Mrs. Kristi Kelly, Senator Beth Martinez Humenick, Mrs. Christie Lunsford, and Ms. AC Braddock. (Not pictured, Ms. Diane Fornbacher) Photo courtesy CliquePics.

Currently, Christie’s professional advice and development services are sought after by investors and emerging cannabis companies across the country looking to gain a knowledgeable edge in license application process and by startup companies working on cannabis product development.  In addition to her consulting company, Christie is a health and wellness writer for Ladybud.com, a hemp education writer for The Hemp Connoisseur and THC Radio co-host.

Publishers of The Hemp Connoisseur: Mr. David Maddalena and Mrs. Christianna Brown. Christianna holds the primary event graphic she designed for Mother’s High Tea. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.

Mrs. Christianna Brown, Graphic Design Chair.  Christianna is a tour de force at The Hemp Connoisseur, the Denver based cannabis culture magazine. As Publisher, Art Director and Graphic Designer, Christianna photographs and designs the monthly covers and designs the content layouts. She also directs sales and marketing. Christianna additionally consults and designs compliance labels for cannabis packaging.  For Mother’s High Tea, Christianna set the elegant tone for the event by designing the graphics for Mother’s High Tea.  She created images for the Facebook page, designed the beautiful postcard invitations, monthly advertisements, 11 X 17 posters, event program and round event stickers for the craft table.

Ms. Caren Kershner and Ms. Sara Conrad.
Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.

Ms. Sara Conrad: Social Media Chair. Sara Conrad, comes to the cannabis community from a career background in technology. She became an active volunteer in the cannabis community during the Amendment 64 campaign and currently is a booster for NORML, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and Marijuana Business Association (MJBA). Sara is a social media strategist and adept at social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Pinterest Tumbler, Instagram and Facebook– (of course).  For Mother’s High Tea, Sara focused on frequent posting, tweeting and sharing Mother’s High Tea on social media to increase presence and drive awareness (and ticket sales). Sara added value to the event promotions by interacting with the sponsoring companies.

Ms. Susan Squibb and Mrs. CiCi Dunn. Photo Courtesy of Cannabis Camera.

Mrs. CiCi Dunn, Ticket Chair. CiCi joins the Colorado cannabis community by way of Amsterdam, where she has been an integral part of the well-established hemp clothing store, Hemp Works and notable hemp clothing company, Hemp Hoodlamb (HHL).  CiCi established the North American hub for HHL with the innovative art and lifestyle concept store, Hoodlab.  Additionally, CiCi has significant production management experience from producing the yearly fashion show at the Amsterdam High Times Cannabis Cup. For Mother’s High Tea, CiCi was in charge of guest services, managing ticket sales, organizing guest name tags and directed the check in table.

Miss Miss Kara Janowsky. Photo courtesy of Kara.

Miss Kara Janowski, Volunteer Chair. Kara, an enthusiastic, kind and ambitious college graduate, has proven leadership skills developed from CU Boulder chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and as Boulder Chapter organizer of Women Grow. Kara additionally is an established event volunteer for NCIA and The ArcView Group. Post graduation, Kara is developing her career in cannabis business and is set to develop and accomplish her goals. For Mother’s High Tea, Kara developed the day of production time schedule and coordinated volunteers at the event.

Ms. Caren Kershner and Ms. Sara Conrad. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera

Ms. Caren Kershner, Craft Chair.  Caren is the Executive Director of the Colorado Industrial Hemp Coalition. Caren is a familiar face to the residents of the San Luis Valley and she smartly utilizes her local educational authority as a retired science and art teacher to advocate for hemp agriculture in the valley.  For Mother’s High Tea, she is a dedicated, helpful and kind contributor. Caren developed the multiple activities at the art table, including the tea time word search and coloring pages. Caren contributed a letter to the letter writing table for New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez regarding recent hemp legislation she vetoed from the widely supportive state legislature.

Ms. Jill Lamoureux.
Photo courtesy LinkedIn.

Ms. Jill Lamoureux, Letter Writing Chair. Jill Lamoureux began in the cannabis community as owner of the first licensed dispensary and grow in Boulder County.  In the initial development of cannabis business in Colorado, Jill served on the first state task force for the development of regulations.  Currently Jill is a legislative liaison and regulatory consultant with development accomplishments with Americans for Safe Access, Denver Relief Consulting and Carbon Bond Holdings.  For Mother’s High Tea, Jill, coordinated the event letters written to federal, state and local representatives by the Mother’s High Tea Committee and assembled guests. The purpose of the letter writing table is to continue and foster communication with elected officials on the various topics related to legislative reform. Jill coordinated the event letter writing efforts from notable nonprofit organizations, SSDP and Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and brought in the inspiration voice of recent DU Economics graduate, Caitlin McKennie for the rousing letter to President Obama. Jill, excitingly was unable to attend Mother’s High Tea this year because she accepted a great opportunity to consult in Israel!

Ms. Belita Nelson speaking at launch of Womens Marijuana Movement, 2010. Photo Courtesy of SAFER.

Ms. Belita Nelson, Speaker Chair. Belita, a former drug warrior (a debate coach for DEA!) has experienced catastrophes of the Drug War first hand and now advocates for cannabis legal reform as a lobbyist in Colorado.  Belita’s heart felt speech  helped the launch of Women’ s Marijuana Movement in 2010. In her home state of Texas, Belita ran her own large scale event production company.  For Mother’s High Tea, Belita with her Republican party contacts, persuaded and confirmed our surprising keynote speaker, Senator Beth Martinez Humenik.

Miss Katie O Block, Ms. Sara Conrad and Ms. Susan Squibb. (Mother’s High Tea selfie)

Miss Katie O Block, Sponsorship Chair. Katie, a relative newcomer to the cannabis community, is full of fresh energy as Marketing Director for Surna, an efficiency engineering company for cannabis grows. Katie was effective and professional at communicating and coordinating the event sponsors prior to the event.  She is a fantastic young talent!

These are the amazing women that contributed to the many successes of this year’s Mother High Tea. Everyone, of course, did more than what is specifically featured here, their efforts are significant and appreciated. A toast to the 2015 Mother’s High Tea Committee!

Mother’s High Tea 2015. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.

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.

 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

http://issuu.com/thcmag/docs/august_issue_2013_web

Ask Lady Cannabis

Dear Lady Cannabis, How do I join a smoking circle? Shy Smoker 

Dear Shy Smoker, Simply say “Excuse me, I have some herb I’d like to share, may I join this circle?”  Context is important.  Usually cannabis smokers are relaxed and friendly, unless they are being paranoid for security reasons.  So, assess the situation.  Are you in a public place or a private gathering?  Is everyone over 18? Do you know anyone in the group or are they all strangers?   Do you feel relatively safe and comfortable?  If yes, approach someone in the circle, start a conversation and ask to join the fun.  Have some cannabis to share, or offer something to the group that might be appreciated like cold drinks, snacks, and pleasant conversation.

Dear Lady Cannabis, How do I tell the mother at my preschool with the brain tumor that cannabis can cure her?  Caring Mother

 Dear Caring Mother, The topic demands more discretion than the usual chit chat you’ve encountered when picking up or dropping off your child. Create some time to speak with her more privately, go for coffee or drop off a nourishing dish at her home.  Prepare your thoughts for a brief conversation, and give her a resource for further information.

The You Tube video, “Evidence That Cannabis Is An Extremely Nutritional Vegetable,” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxJmFSmOrqo) is a great 13 minute summary of medical research and the legal status of marijuana.

Temper your desire to be helpful with respect for her medical privacy and your own privacy.  This is a conversation because you care about a community member, not because you need to proselytize and convert someone to be a marijuana patient.    In your conversation, tell the mother you care about her and her family. You are sharing some information about a promising treatment option that could be helpful during this difficult time.  Give her a printout of a recent overseas medical study that discusses the promise of plant compounds in medical marijuana for effective treatment of cancer.  Mention the evidence of cancer patients, in the US,   experiencing pain relief and appetite stimulation from medical marijuana. Mention the variety of ingestion methods, other than smoking, that are now available.  Reiterate you are sharing this information to be helpful because you care.   Do not promise a complete cure from the medical use of marijuana or bash other cancer treatment options she may be considering. Tell her you respect her privacy and understand this is a challenging time for her family. Give her a reassurance unless she initiates the topic, you will hold the conversation in confidence and, depending on your comfort level, ask her to do the same for you within your shared preschool community.

Dear Lady Cannabis, When you meet someone you like, how do you broach the subject of cannabis use?   Dating Toker 

 Dear Dating Toker, In the dating scene, it is important to look for partner compatibility and for you, this includes cannabis use.  One way to indirectly discuss use is to initiate the conversation as a topic of current political or medical research trends. Usually people eagerly share their opinions and additionally indicate their experience, comfort, and knowledge.  Sometimes people are tightlipped, quiet, and unwilling to engage out of fear, or a greater need for privacy.  From this conversation, you should be able to get a good idea of where they stand on the general subject and if you share similar habits and preferences.

If you are planning a date and want to include cannabis use, directly suggest enjoying cannabis as an addition to the main activity of the date. Have a safe setting in mind, allow time to enjoy and be age appropriate.  You don’t want to act like a kid, hurriedly packing a bowl, in the alleyway outside the theatre, unless this is the agreed plan and is comfortable and fun for both of you.

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Dear Lady Cannabis, I am a CO resident and my red card is expiring towards the end of the year. Is there any benefit to renewing my red card, or should I just buy from the new marijuana retail stores starting at the beginning of next year? Medical Muggles 

Dear Medical Muggles, The adage “it is better to be safe than sorry” are words of wisdom for your situation. If you receive health benefits from cannabis, don’t be in a rush to leave the medical registry. The rules and regulations for recreational centers are being discussed and decided right now. The specific differences between the two markets will be seen after January 1.

There are several benefits to renewing your state issued medical marijuana card. One benefit is continued access to edibles and flower strains you have come to rely on in your favorite dispensaries.

Knowing the product costs and tax rates for your medical cannabis purchases is another benefit to maintaining your medical card.  In recreational centers, the product prices might be higher to capitalize on the newly legal market.  Also, the tax rate for recreational cannabis has yet to be determined which is a big point of contention, among supporters of Amendment 64.  The upcoming ballot issue AA sets the excise and tax rates for cannabis and includes a 15% excise tax and a 10% special sales tax plus local taxes.

With these important factors to be determined, the best choice is to visit your doctor and get your annual recommendation.  Be content knowing you have the right to medical marijuana and have good access to it. This is a hard won right for patients.

Dear Lady Cannabis, If you are traveling, and both places are legal pot states, what can or what should you bring with you? Traveling Toker 

Dear Traveling Toker, Although Colorado and Washington are the only two legal pot states at this time, packing cannabis safely for travel is an important skill to have for any responsible adult living within the twenty medical cannabis states. Careful packing practices will ensure successful traveling.

In terms of what to bring with you, for any length of travel trip, pack only a sensible amount of cannabis for personal use.  Pack clean paraphernalia and place separate from the cannabis.

If you are traveling by airplane, rest assured the federal Transportation Security Agency, has bigger concerns for airport safety than the cannabis they find in the carry-on luggage of travelers.  The agents are screening for bombs, not buds. If you are a medical patient in state that allows medical marijuana, place your issued card or relevant documentation with your cannabis. Keep your travel supply of cannabis simple, clean and contained. You and your supply of cannabis for personal use should have no problems on your flight.

When driving, one doesn’t have the same packing restrictions for vehicle travel as airline travel. The general rules still apply, pack a personal amount of cannabis and store clean paraphernalia in a separate place. Keep cannabis stowed away, ideally in the trunk of the vehicle.  Careful packing eliminates the plant aroma.

Responsible use means not driving and smoking cannabis. This is not appropriate and can lead to expensive legal problems, among other serious predicaments, if stopped by a police officer or state trooper and cited for intoxicated driving.  Be sensible, have your cannabis items packed. This prevents police from finding a reason or probable cause to further delay your travel plans. Be responsible, unpack and partake when you no longer need to drive for the day.   Enjoy your upcoming trip.

Dear Lady Cannabis, What do I do when an acquaintance smokes around me and I don’t like the smell?  Super Lungs

Dear Super Lungs, Second hand smoke is a sensitive subject. Fortunately, cannabis smoke is not as toxic or dangerous as second hand tobacco smoke. Any kind of smoke can be an uncomfortable irritant.  Anti-smoking tobacco laws and ordinances have been shaping and refining public spaces where cigarette smoking is acceptable since 1995. Additional public service announcements have refined our awareness to tobacco smoking in private spaces.

What is the best practice for cannabis smoke?  This depends on the environment. Ultimately, cannabis smoking needs to happen in spaces where it’s permissible to smoke.

If you are bothered by cannabis smoke, you need to talk to your acquaintance and find a reasonable solution that works for both of you. Ask yourself what are the circumstances around the smoking? What aspect of the smoking is bothering you? What is the frequency, does this happen every time you see this person or on occasion?  If the cannabis smoking is a social activity, your acquaintance is socializing in a way you don’t prefer. Suggest some nonsmoking cannabis alternatives, like a table top vaporizer, something that maintains the social aspect of the circle but won’t irritate your air space. If you don’t want to be involved with the smoke circle at all, schedule a different activity to do with your friend at a different time of the day.

The smoking may not be happening at your friend’s home, but in your home, instead. Maybe your acquaintance is a roommate who is disturbing you with smoking in your shared living space. Whatever the situation, create time to have a conversation. Discuss the specific problem and find solutions that will be comfortable and mindful for the both of you.  Remember to express  appreciation with aspects of your acquaintance you enjoy and the parts of your relationship that are working well to balance out the conversation.