Pubdate: Tue, 21 Sep 2010
Source: Daily Utah Chronicle, The (U of Utah, UT Edu)
Copyright: 2010 The Daily Utah Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.utahchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3072
Author: Brandon Brown

FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE HEMP

Group Aims To Dispel Misconceptions About Substance

Sustainability is a prevalent topic of discussion at the U, and the 
Students for Sensible Drug Policy are promoting another method of 
sustainability-hemp.

The third annual Hempfest begins Sept. 29 on the Union Patio.

"Hempfest is dedicated to promoting the sustainability and 
versatility of hemp and marijuana," said Valerie Douroux, director of 
SSDP at the U and a film and media arts major.

Douroux wants students at the U to know the difference between hemp 
and marijuana and how they could be used to better the community and 
world, she said.

"Hemp has a bad reputation," said Caylee Gabbott, a senior in 
psychology and the music coordinator for Hempfest.

Hemp can be used to make fuel, fibers, rope, clothing, food, and even 
insulation for houses.

Murphy is in charge of coordinating all the vendors and tables at the festival.

There will be a good mixture of vendors selling hemp products and 
informational tables on the uses of hemp.

One of the vendors Murphy is most excited about is a chocolate 
company that makes their chocolate with hemp seeds.

Hempfest will also have two stages playing music.

One stage will have a variety of different local musicians and the 
other will feature different DJs. Every musical genre, except 
country, will be represented, Douroux said.

There will also be a hemp fashion show, featuring clothing made 
completely out of hemp, held on the stage.

Multiple speakers, including Utah governor candidate Andrew 
McCullough and local attorney Rob Latham are set to attend the event 
to discuss possible effects

of hemp of the community and country as a whole.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international organization 
that aims to replace current drug policy and drug wars with harm 
reduction and science-based laws.

"(The current drug laws) are outdated and need to be changed," Douroux said.

SSDP is also involved in promoting the Good Samaritan policy at the 
U, an initiative that would help prevent or lessen charges from being 
pressed on people who call for emergency help for overdose victims.

"We want people to be able to call for help without the fear of being 
prosecuted," she said.

Hempfest will be held Sept. 29, from noon to 5 p.m. on the Union 
Patio and Plaza.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart