BRINNON — A four-day festival exploring the recreational, medical and political aspects of cannabis culture is planned this weekend in a pastoral setting 5 miles from this south county town.
Hempapalooza “will be a great event,” said Nicole Black, its organizer.
“It will be fun, and it will be educational.”
Tickets are $25 per day or $60 for the weekend “camping adventure,” in which attendees can carve out their own campsite on the 50-acre parcel located at 1014 Duckabush Road, which is owned by Black’s parents.
In an effort to connect with the local community, the admission fee will be waived for Brinnon residents, Black said.
“If the people around here want to see what’s going on, we’re not going to charge them to get in,” she said.
Those with a medical marijuana authorization will be able to purchase marijuana on site.
Designated smoking area
Recreational users can bring their own marijuana and consume it in a designated smoking area, Black said.
That area “will be strongly secured” with identification checked to ensure that users are older than 21, she said.
No liquor will be served.
“Hempapalooza does not endorse consumption of alcohol,” she said. “This is about education and awareness, not about partying.
“But if people bring their own stuff, we’re not going to take it away unless there’s a problem.”
Black, who has operated a medical marijuana store in Brinnon for two years, said she hopes the festival will celebrate the “cannabis culture” that is gaining traction as the use of the drug is demystified due to its legalization in November 2012, when voters approved a state initiative to legalize the growing, processing and sale of up to 1 ounce of marijuana to adults 21 and older.
This year’s event has grown considerably from last year, when it was a marijuana “farmers market” that was held in the backyard of Black’s store at 91 Corey St.
This year, Black has prepared space and sanitation for up to 5,000 attendees, along with a full slate of enjoyment, entertainment and education.
As of Wednesday, about 1,000 tickets had been sold, she said.
Attendees can explore forest trails, discover a mountainside plateau and enjoy the sights and sounds of Olympic National Forest, Black said.
Several local musicians are slated to perform along with top names such as Grammy-winning trumpet player Julius Meléndez and guitarist Randy Hansen, who pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
A new movie, “Star Leaf and Midnight Delight,” will have its Washington premiere.
Two cannabis-oriented television shows will be present at the event.
“The Marijuana Show,” which Black describes as “Shark Tank for cannabis businesses,” is filming live auditions for people who seek funding for their marijuana products.
Anyone with a compelling hemp, edible, cannabidiol (CBD) or related product will have two minutes to pitch the show’s producers between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Those pitching should be 21 or older and have a business plan and samples of the product or an explanation of the business.
Medical showcase
“Cannabis in the Olympics” is a medical cannabis showcase hosted by Matt Shotwell from Discovery Channel’s “Weed Country” and medical cannabis expert Lesta Bently that will include a discussion about the medical benefits of cannabis and appropriate usage.
The hosts will spend the weekend talking to marijuana providers and identifying their favorite products, and will present their findings at 2:15 p.m. Monday.
The event also will include information about Senate Bill 5052, which would restructure the medical marijuana industry.
Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com by searching for “Hempapalooza.”
For more information, see www.hempapalooza.com or call 360-301-0844.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
