/tags/weed.rss en-us The world’s largest pro-marijuana legalization rally, Seattle’s annual Hempfest is a mixture of concert, dance party, political rally, and arts and crafts fair. The organizers, almost all volunteers, call it a “protestival,” which seems about right. Since it’s founding annual event has grown prodigiously, now hosting hundreds of thousands of people from six stages spread across Seattle’s three waterfront parks. This year, Hempfest runs from August 17th through 19th, and as always it’s free to attend. In 1991, Hempfest started with 500 people as the Washington Hemp Expo, run by volunteers from the Seattle Peace Heathens Community Activist Group. By 1994 it had 15,000 people show up for a concert that included 7 Year Bitch and El Steiner. Today, Seattle’s Hempfest takes volunteers ten days of set up, show, and tear down to put on the event, with planning happening year-round. The political context has changed dramatically over the years. Police issued 60 citations for marijuana use in 1997, but arrests have dropped drastically over the years as the city elected officials, included the Mayor, have supported the event. Enhanced creativity can lead to great music, and Hempfest is no exception. Artists who work in genres ranging from reggae and hip-hop, to rock and acoustic songwriting play all weekend. 2012’s line-up included Average Mammal, Bakelite 78, C-Leb and the Kettle Black, Diemonds, Jellybread, Highlife, The Human Revolution, Jake Nannery, Rocker T and Adrian Xavier, Tip to Base, The Rallies and many more. Like the staff, the bands play for free to show their support for the cause. Hempfest also draws an astonishing range of speakers, including national and local activists, doctors, and even elected officials. In past years, actor Woody Harrelson, Dallas Cowboys center Mark Stepnoski, and travel writer and TV host Rick Steves have all lent their support for marijuana legalization. In 2012 guests included Libertarian candidate for U.S. President Gary Johnson and Sarah Lawrence College Professor Dominic Corva, a scholar of cannabis geography. Though recreational pot use is still illegal in the United States, Hempfest has scored major local victories, including the 1998 legalization of medical marijuana in the state of Washington and a 2003 initiative that made arrest and prosecution of marijuana offenses the Seattle Police Department’s lowest possible priority. If you’re in Seattle in August, bask in the music, freedom, and atmosphere of Hempfest. As the world’s largest pro-marijuana rally, it's a party, a concert, and an education all rolled up together. See Seattle’s music and politics at its best, while being part of the movement towards sane drug laws in the United States. Who knew that politics could be this much entertainment? Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:54:43 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/seattle-hempfest http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/seattle-hempfest Ever wonder how the name 420 came to be associated with smoking pot? Some say it’s the number of ingredients in the herb, while others believe it to be the police code for a pot bust. Either way, if this kind of debate interests you then the Cannabis Cup is the place for you. For the liberal at heart that may not get to exercise the right to smoke pot legally in their home town, the Cannabis Cup is all that is marijuana liberation. Every November Amsterdam is home to the Cannabis Cup for a week. It’s no change from the ordinary for locals, but for those not able to partake in pot back home, the competition is the opportunity to visit various coffee shops competing intensely in different categories such as best marijuana, hashish, seed store and best hemp products, sample various pot based food such as hemp burgers, and find the latest paraphernalia. Started in 1987 by High Times editor Steven Hager the Cannabis Cup following has grown to attract thousands of tourists every year. Festivities include opening ceremonies, 4:20 parties both in the am and pm, tones of live music from blues to reggae, awards, friendly chit chat with other cup connoisseurs and of course a nonstop orgy of pot smoking. One misconception of some who attend is that weed consumed here is only be means of smoking, but all methods are fair game for the cup. No matter how you end up participating, may your Cannabis Cup runneth over! Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:25:08 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/cannabis-cup http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/cannabis-cup