Oregon News
C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n
1st Annual Jefferson State Hemp Expo a Huge Success By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection The month of august brings many events, but the festival winning best NEW event was the Jefferson State Hemp Expo, organizeed by The State of Jefferson band. Held in Selma, Oregon, the venue was beautiful Lake Selmac on August 27th & 28th. Even the 7,000 acre Oak Flat Fire, only a few miles north east, couldn't keep the attendees away. Although the fire camp providing coverage
information, and of course everything hemp. The bands that performed were great, especially Pato Banton and The New Generation, singing marijuana songs The Frankie Hernandez performed with his band, and involving always supporting the hemp the crowd in and cannabis movement. their jam provided an uplifting vibe. Indubious also played to a very attentive crowd. They got the place rocking and raised the largest roars of the fest. Of course, The State of Jefferson also played, and got a raucous reception. Not only did they organize a great event, they got everyone singing and smoking, and having a great time. Many other performers entertained the crowd the entire time. A beer cart was there provide a selection of beers, including Hemp Ale. A variety of different food vendors provided food and drink, but there was a shortage of coffee in the morning Saturday for the large number of attendees and vendors looking for that morning jolt.
A large crowd filled the provided space at the JS Hemp Expo. Thousands of people shopped, ate and listened to great music
of the fire took over the original location of the expo, there was enough room near the lake to provide space for vendors and people. Erik, the State of Jefferson band, and the rest of their crew did a great job scrambling to provide everything that was needed. No problems arose, and luckily most of the fire crew left on Saturday morning. Starting on Friday afternoon, there were 2 stages providing music all day and into the waning hours of the nights. Camping was provided for vendors and attendees at the site, although campfires were not allowed (obviously). At least 50 vendors were there providing clothing, jewelry, pipes, tye dyes, food and beer, medical marijuana
Erik indicated that over 3,000 attendees had arrived by Friday afternoon, and 5,000 or more attended over the 2 days. He said "were looking for 500 acres for next years fest", so they can provide they space, parking, and amenities they need. More space will definitely be needed if the festival gets a foothold, which is likely here in Southern Oregon. The only minor drawbacks were the portable toilets being a bit full, and people, mostly vendors, awaking in the morning and letting their dogs out to do their morning business where ever they liked. But, Shit happens! I give the JS Hemp Expo kudos for a great event. Looking forward to next year.
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Portland's Hempstalk is Still Going Strong
Cont. from Page 4
By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection
reported that Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca said the exact same thing, and just like the Clatsop County duo, presented no facts to support their claims.
The Portland Hempstalk was held this year in Kelly Point Park, where the Willamette and Columbia converge, on September 11th and 12th. As usual, The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation organized the festival and this year moved it to the new location, which allowed substantial parking (though a long walk or shuttle was involved) and plentiful space.
Kelly Point Park, at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette, provided a great venue for Hempstalk.
Although I didn't get an exact count, there were at least 75 vendors there, providing all the usual festival wares, with an addition of hemp, cannabis and marijuana everywhere. The vendors were arranged into "alleyways" named after prominent marijuana activists, such as Keith Stroup, Jack Herer, Willie Nelson, and others. There was an overriding tribute to Jack Herer for the entire event, due to him suffering a heart attack at last year's Hempstalk, and also his passing this past April. One prominent stage provided the entertainment,with bands playing late into Saturday night and speakers interspearsed throughout the day. The bands included The Herbivores, Los Marijuanos, The State of Jefferson, and Folk Uke. Speakers included locals such as Oregon legend Dr. Phil Leveque and Paul Stanford Dr. Leveque is introduced of THCF. A by Bonnie King, publisher few speakers of Salem-News.com travelled quit a distance, such as former Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico, and Robert Platshorn, author of The Black Tuna Diaries. A few speakers pushed Measure 74, many encouraged simply liberating your mind, and all seemed to agree on one thing, hemp is good! The Hemposium tent hosted a number of imformative panels. They covered many subjects, including industrial hemp and our future, cooking with cannabis, and Paul Stanford, Hempstalk organizer, medical – OMMP on stage anouncing Folk Uke 101, and an informative session called "Know Your Rights". The speakers provided information and fielded questions from listeners. The Hempstalk is very popular, and the new venue should be a good location for the event. More shuttles may need to be provided, since there is a very long walk involved, but the overall locale seemed great. I saw no cops and no one was hassled the entire weekend, either. The Hempstalk is still doing well, and getting bigger every year. I will definately return for next years event.
To begin refuting the misinformation we must understand what has been misconstrued as legalization. Apparently the two opponents do not believe the herbal remedy should treat severe pain. To take this position insults over 90% of Oregon Medical Marijuana Patients and 3200 doctors because the vast majority of patients suffer from severe pain, and roughly one third of patients qualify for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) for more than one qualifying condition. The truth is, Oregon has one of the most strict medical marijuana programs in the nation. Doctors must see that a patient has multiple visits to doctors and specialists and the documentation to prove treatment, not just complaints of pain. Because there is a registry system, doctors are held accountable. The media seems to believe that the 32,614 patients out of 3,825,657 Oregonians, less than 1% of our population, is too many. They never mind the fact that the 32,000 severe pain patients often qualify for another reason besides severe pain. Doctors have to check all that apply. 17,591 other conditions out of 36,380 patients qualify for medical marijuana for other reasons. Cancer is painful. Nausea is painful. Someone with muscle spasms is in immense pain. To question a patient’s diagnosis of severe pain is insensitive and arrogant. The Oregon Pain Management Commission stated in September of 2006 that they believe 20-30% of Americans suffers from chronic pain. Very few of these patients seek to be treated with cannabis. Oregon’s media coverage of medical marijuana is about as effective at covering a recent amputation with masking tape. Oregon media outlets such as The Oregonian, The Mail Tribune, The Bend Bulletin, network television news casts, and Clear Channel radio stations also perpetuate the myth that most OMMP patients are not legitimate. The Oregonian wrote an editorial about Measure 74, calling it a smokescreen to achieve legalization putting patients and medicine in quotes. August 31st on KXL’s Lars Larson Show, John Sajo, co-writer for Measure 74, was asked why there are so many severe pain patients when marijuana has not been proven to be an analgesic, or pain reliever. John responded there are numerous studies like the one published August 30, 2010 by the Canadian Medical Association. This double blind study concluded that smoked marijuana is an effective analgesic, and that marijuana smokers were in better moods and slept better than those who received placebos. Not to be outdone, the Bend Bulletin printed “We don’t need pot dispensaries” September 08, 2010. “Ballot Measure 74 would open Oregon to a torrent of marijuana dispensaries. These are necessary, the thinking goes, because it’s simply too hard for ‘medical’ marijuana users to supply their needs under current law. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.” I suppose no one let me in on their joke. Voters should not let law enforcement and media bought by interests like the pharmaceutical industry decide what medicine a doctor’s recommends. This issue is about Alice Ivany who had never used medical marijuana until after having a horrific industrial accident where she lost an arm and discovered her body did not tolerate pharmaceutical pain medicine. She didn’t know a grower and refused to support the black market. She went 17 months without medicine. The time has come to allow regulated dispensaries. Also, it’s time to let the corporate news go out of business. Sarah Duff is the Assistant Clinic Director for Oregon Green Free Clinical Services and serves on the Board for the Institute for Cannabis Therapeutics