Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2013
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2013 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463

HEMPFEST ATTENDEES WANT FEDERAL WEED LAW CHANGED

Thousands streamed into a Seattle waterfront park Friday for the 
opening of a three-day marijuana festival - an event that is part 
party, part protest and part victory celebration after the 
legalization of pot in Washington and Colorado last fall.

The free, annual event was expected to draw as many as 85,000 people 
per day. Hempfest is in its 22nd year of advocating for the 
legalization of marijuana, and this is the first time it's been held 
since last fall, when Washington's voters approved Initiative 502 and 
Colorado's passed Amendment 64, legalizing the possession of up to an 
ounce of pot by adults over 21.

Both states are developing systems of state-licensed growers and 
processors, along with stores where taxed, regulated weed will be sold.

Vivian McPeak, Hempfest's executive director, said this year's event 
was dedicated to reforming federal marijuana laws - specifically, the 
removal of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning a drug that has no 
medical benefit and a high likelihood of abuse.

"What we've seen with the historic passage of I-502 and measure 62 in 
Colorado is that change is definitely in the wind," she said.

- - FROM WIRE REPORTS
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom