Pubdate: Sat, 16 Aug 2014
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Katharine Schwab
Page: B1

HEMPFEST ENTERS NEW PHASE AS LEGALIZATION CHANGES VIBE

Attendees Urged to Help Make Marijuana Legal Nationwide

Disdain Overheard for How State Is Handling Legal Market

Seattle's very own "protestival" is back - without much to protest.

Hempfest 2014 has the usual tie-dye T-shirt-wearing, dreadheaded, 
high-minded attendees, but with marijuana now legal in Washington 
state, the tone of the 23-year-old festival has shifted from dissent 
to celebration.

Still, the festival's guide urges activists to "soldier on in the 
struggle for full legalization."

"This is the one plant that can revolutionize the world," said 
Seattle resident Jacob Junkman, who spends much of his time 
volunteering at medical dispensaries and was wearing a T-shirt that 
read "Marijuana is safer than alcohol."

Similar to beer gardens at other public festivals, this year's 
Hempfest hosts two areas that allow consumers of legal age to light 
up (away from underage attendees including babies in strollers).

But the festival's official efforts to follow the law didn't stop 
attendees from smoking as they strolled from booth to booth, 
examining the glass, vapes and other hemp-related products for sale. 
Other vendors are local companies like Kush Tourism, which offers 
"renta-vape" services for $10 an hour.

While many locals were marked by their Seahawks gear, a contingent of 
the festivalgoers came from out of town. Dezon Dalberg, owner of a 
dispensary in Bend, Ore., trekked up to Hempfest from CannaCon, the 
marijuana industry's first convention that is also taking place this 
weekend in Tacoma.

"We're at the beginning of an industry, even though it's been around 
forever," said Dalberg, who is in the process of opening three more 
dispensaries in Oregon.

Half-brothers Kyle Mehr and Jory Nielson were hitchhiking through 
California when they heard about Hempfest; Seattle summarily became 
their next destination.

"We're part of the biggest revolution America's ever seen - 
marijuana," said Mehr, 20.

But he had doubts about legalization and the efficacy of recreational 
outlets compared to the black market, a sentiment echoed by many. The 
festival's celebratory vibe was tinged with disdain for how the state 
has handled legalization.

"I wanted to see if it's changed since it's legal," said Sarah Moran, 
a medical patient from Seattle. "They're trying to tax too much for 
something that's already on the black market. I won't legally pay for 
it. I'll go to the dispensaries or grow my own." 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom