Pubdate: Sat, 22 May 2004
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: David Walsh
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

HEMP FESTIVAL AIMS TO HEIGHTEN PUBLIC AWARENESS

AYLESFORD - The bucolic community of Aylesford in the heart of the 
Annapolis Valley is gearing up to stage Atlantic Canada's first-ever hemp 
festival, a two-day event aimed at raising awareness about the use of 
medicinal marijuana.

Fox Mountain Camping Park is the selected venue for a weekend extravaganza 
starting July 31 that will include concerts by some of the province's top 
bands.

The non-profit group Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana (MUMM) plans to 
use the festival to highlight its ongoing concerns about the growth, supply 
and distribution of medicinal marijuana.

MUMM chairwoman and mother of four, Debbie Stultz-Giffin has suffered with 
multiple sclerosis for six years. Five years ago she was deemed unfit to 
continue full-time work. Only when using marijuana medicinally on a daily 
basis does she feel like a normal human being, she said.

"At present, 400,000 Canadians require medicinal marijuana and 86 per cent 
of the population is in support of changing existing laws," she said.

MUMM isn't impressed with recent marijuana decriminalization measures. A 
statement issued by the organization says that "all consumers, distributors 
and growers of medicinal marijuana should be provided with immediate legal 
amnesty. Compassion clubs should be acknowledged for their experience and 
expertise in the medical marijuana arena."

The organization's two-day festival will feature several guest speakers, 
renowned musical artists and numerous vendors offering everything from 
marijuana memorabilia and paraphernalia to on-site chair massage to 
intuitive readings.

Barbecued food will be available both days and a large on-the-spit style 
pork roast barbecue is planned for Saturday evening.

On the entertainment side, headliner The Terry Edmunds Band from Halifax 
will link up with other groups such as blues, rock and country outfit City 
Fish, Muddy Creek and the Blue Marble Band.

Gary Kilburn, in charge of security, said he'll run a tight ship.

"There will be 20 or more trained staff for the duration of the festival. 
We will conduct regular patrols of the immediate grounds while staying on 
top of crowd control, stage privacy, etc. There will be zero-tolerance 
toward the misuse of drugs and alcohol." He reminds festival-goers that the 
park does not allow glass bottles on the premises.

Overnight camping on Saturday is encouraged and the wheelchair-friendly 
campsite is fully equipped with electrical hook-ups, showers and canteen 
facilities.

Festival tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.

To find out more about the festival, go to  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom