Seattle, Washington–(ENEWSPF)–August 21, 2011.
It is the third weekend in August 2011 and of course, this is the 20th Anniversary of Seattle Hempfest!
Hempfest started 20 years ago in 1991 when a humble gathering of supporters came together to peacefully protest the government’s prohibition of marijuana. Every year the protesters have returned in solidarity seeking a change in the nation’s marijuana policy. Hempfest grew exponentially in size from some 500 attendees in 1991 to an expected crowd topping 300,000 people this year.
Over the past 20 years, Hempfest has proved to have a profound impact on the region’s marijuana policy. Washington passed medical marijuana legislation in 1998. Seattle made marijuana the lowest police priority within the city in 2001. Seattle has stated that they will no longer prosecute simple possession cases in 2008. And this year, Washington State approved patient cannabis gardens and the City of Seattle passed an ordinance allowing for cannabis collectives.
Hempfest has not only grown in duration, attendance and area over the past 20 years, but it has also grown in its effect on local politics, nationally and locally. This year, Hempfest boasts several key speakers who are major players in today’s politics including Washington State representatives Mary Lou Dickerson and Roger Goodman, United States Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes.
And while Hempfest has changed drastically over the past 20 years, one key factor has remained consistent: The Volunteers. Seattle Hempfest is fueled solely on more than a thousand volunteers every year.
In the past 20 years, Hempfest has changed cannabis attitudes and policy. Beginning in the Bush era in 1991, Hempfest now takes place in a city with regulated cannabis collectives, virtually no possession arrests, and approved medical marijuana gardens. After witnessing so much change over the past 20 years, one can’t help but wonder what will the next 20 years bring?
Source: hempfest.org
