Locals buzzing over Tacoma’s first Hempfest

No, it is not about abortion or the Iraq War, but it is an issue that is just as divisive. It is medicinal marijuana use and Tacomans from both sides will have the chance to learn more about it during the first annual Hempfest June 26 in Wright Park.  

This event will focus on the medical and industrial uses of cannabis, while acting as a platform to gather support and signatures for Sensible Washington’s Initiative 1068.

I-1068 would remove state civil and criminal penalties for persons 18 years or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell or use marijuana. Restrictions and penalties for persons under 18 would be retained. The campaign has until June 30 to collect 241,153 valid signatures and turn them in to the secretary of state’s office.

Campaign Director Philip Dowdy said the process has been an uphill battle.

“We’ve had every possible obstacle,” Dowdy said. The former alternative weekly newspaper journalist noted that banks have refused to process donation money and American Civil Liberties Union of Washington formally declared its non-support of the campaign.

“They’ve been playing dirty,” Dowdy said. “It’s just dirty Seattle politics.”

For the most part, public response in Tacoma has been positive for the initiative and toward campaign volunteers, he added. However, the weather has been a challenge in collecting signatures and event planning.

“I don’t know what to expect (of Tacoma Hempfest),” Dowdy said. “There’s been a lot of buzz about it, but it’s a brand-new show, so I just don’t know.”

The campaign provided just the catalyst for locals to organize Tacoma’s first event. Organizer Justin Prince said the timing of the campaign helped everything else fall into place.

“Tacoma doesn’t really have anything close to this,” Prince said. “The initiative campaign helped jump it into action.”

Organizers have worked closely with city officials to ensure the event will be safe and organized.

No doubt there will be plenty of recreational marijuana users in attendance, however organizers hope to project a deeper message through this event and break down stereotypes associated with marijuana and patients who use it.

“We can use this forum to get people to see that medical patients are not just hippies in the park,” Prince said. “There’s a different face put on medical marijuana users. They can be any person, and you might not even know about it. We want people to see that it’s not a life-damaging choice.”

The event will feature local and national speakers, who will touch on a variety of topics surrounding cannabis. Vendors will sell hemp products, such as lotions and clothing.

Guests can also enjoy plenty of local musical performances including Big Wheel Stunt Show, Sweet Kiss Momma, Legend of Bigfoot, Q Dot, Vile Red Falcons, Mr. D.O.G, Voxxy Vallejo, Fun Police, Deborah Page and State of Murdoch.

Visitors can also enjoy balloon animals, face painting, magicians, speakers from National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, and nearly 30 vendors. Organizers for Hempfest also encourage everyone to bring dry and/or canned goods for a food drive that will benefit local food banks.

“There should be a pretty decent turnout,” Prince added, “if everyone manages to behave themselves.”

Tacoma Hempfest is a free event that takes place June 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Wright Park (316 S. ‘G’ St. in Tacoma). For more information, visit http://www.Tacomahempfest.com. To learn more about I-1068, visit http://www.sensiblewashington.org.

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