Pubdate: Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Jamie Hale

MARIJUANA GIVEAWAY AND SMOKEOUT EVENT WILL CELEBRATE LEGALIZATION IN PORTLAND

On July 1, recreational marijuana will officially be legal in Oregon. 
Some kind of celebration, a commemoration of the occasion, was inevitable.

But that party won't come from the usual suspects in Portland. 
Hempstalk, the time-honored yet controversial cannabis fair, was 
denied a permit this year. High Times, which brings its Cannabis Cup 
events to cities around the world, has struggled to set something up locally.

Instead, Portland will get a locally-sourced marijuana 
free-for-all  a sharing and sampling party that all but guarantees to 
generate cloud thick plume of smoke in celebration.

The July 3 event will be called Weed the People  the patriotic poster 
features an eagle clutching a branch of marijuana leaves in one 
talon, a bunch of joints in the other  organized by local cannabis 
extractors The CO2 Company alongside the Portland Mercury and 
Oregon's Cannabis Concierge.

Attendees can pay $40 for a ticket to the event, which promises up to 
7 grams of free samples from growers in addition to industry swag, 
educational opportunities and a "Vaporizer Lounge."

"We are focused on responsible adult usage, and helping the community 
usher in legalized cannabis," organizers write. "Whether you partake 
regularly or haven't touched the stuff in years, this event will 
[offer] something for you! Don't be afraid of your freedom!"

It sounds a bit surreal, but Weed the People is staying with the 
soon-to-be mainstream, following the new recreational marijuana laws to the T.

According to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which will oversee 
the recreational market, Oregonians 21 and older will be allowed to 
consume marijuana at home or on private property as of July 1. Since 
a retail marketplace is not yet in place, people are only allowed to 
share or give marijuana away for free.

To comply, organizers of Weed the People will only allow people 21 
and older into the event, which will take place at Metal Craft 
Fabrication in north Portland. Growers there will give everything 
away for free, or else "share" with attendees.

Once inside, attendees will be free to exercise their new right to 
light up, or else take their score home.

Security guards will enforce a strict ban on outside cannabis, as 
well as alcohol and marijuana edibles, going so far as to search 
bangs at the door.

"This is more than free weed. This is more than vendors, food and 
vapes," organizers write. "This is history in the making! Join us for 
a day to remember!"

[sidebar]

WEED THE PEOPLE

When: Friday, July 3, from 2 to 9 p.m.

Where: Metal Craft Fabrication (map it)

Admission: $40 ($43.33 with fees), buy online
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom