Seattle Hempfest August 17-18-19, 2012

Seattle, WA, April 20, 2012: For Immediate Release. Seattle Hempfest, the world’s largest cannabis rally, Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics (CCSC), an industry group representing more than forty Washington State cannabis businesses and The Washington chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) America’s largest group defending the right of patients to safe access to cannabis medicines issued a joint press release in support of Oaksterdam University (OU).

Oaksterdam University, located in Oakland California, is a nationally known school educating students for careers in the cannabis industry. OU was raided by a federal task force on April 2 of this year under a sealed warrant. Many groups have banded together for a national “day of unity” on April 20th. These Washington groups express their solidarity for the California Institution. “Bottom line this amounts to federal intimidation of legitimate state businesses” explains John Davis the Chairman of Seattle Events, A Non-Profit Corporation the production company that produces Seattle Hempfest.

Joint Statement From Seattle Hempfest, CCSE and WA ASA:

The undersigned members from Washington State stand in solidarity with Oaksterdam University, Richard Lee, Todd McCormick and the employees, students and patients affected by the Federal Raids in Oakland. On April 2nd at 8:00am, Law Enforcement Officers forcefully entered Oaksterdam University armed with sledgehammers and power saws. Federal agents serving a “sealed warrant” raided the University campus. Two and a half hours later seven people were gunned down at Oikos University less than a mile from where the raids were going down. None of the raiding officers left the University to respond to this national tragedy.

Hempfest Central, our new webstore as well as our soon to be open retail location, is your one stop hemp shop dedicated to bringing you a wide selection of hemp products as well as custom Seattle Hempfest merchandise.

While at our humble beginnings, we will be the hemp place to shop!

Visit https://www.facebook.com/seattlehempfest?sk=app_135607783795 to view our product selection

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To stay up to date on our new retail location/office head quarters - https://www.facebook.com/hempfestcentral

for Hempfest news - https://www.facebook.com/seattlehempfest

It takes a while to figure out what’s so different about the crowd of 100,000-plus people basking in the rare Seattle sunshine at Hempfest 2011, which took place August 19 to 21. It’s not the smell of pot everywhere, or the vendors selling bongs and pipes and high-carb munchies, or the familiar leaf imagery slapped on everything from lighters to bandanas to T-shirts, or the uncoordinated hippies playing hacky sack. If you remember the ’70s, or ever went to a Grateful Dead concert, or have visited Amsterdam, you’ve been there, grokked that. Read More...

Seattle Hempfest 2011 would like to thank the following...

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 2003. 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.

Photo credit: Owl Jester

Seattle Hempfest is held the third weekend in August each year. The next Seattle Hempfest is August 17-18-19, 2012. It's open to the public on Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. Admission to Seattle Hempfest is free.

The event spans three Seattle waterfront parks: Centennial Park, formerly Elliott Bay Park (North Entrance), Myrtle Edwards Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park (South Entrance).

Browse our various Membership levels: Supporter ($30) / Member ($60) / VIP ($200)

In addition to the pride of advancing the cause of legalization by helping produce its largest forum with Seattle Hempfest, our members are rewarded with the following exclusive benefits:

Sign up here to be added to our activist updates mailing list.

2008 Seattle Hempfest Event Programs
Photo Credit: Cyril Bouanna

Each year Seattle Hempfest creates a 32 page Event Program. The Event Program highlights the many exciting partnerships and opportunities for Hempfest attendees. Hempfest goers preserve their programs as memorabilia, offering the advertiser a unique opportunity for long-term branding.

To place an advertisement in the Seattle Hempfest Event Program, purchase an advertisement (click here), and then email in your advertisement image to the Event Program at program2012@hempfest.org crew by July 27, 2012

Seattle Hempfest recognizes the Americans with Disabilities Act. For attendees with a disability Hempfest offers the following:

Hempfest has two dedicated motorized carts just for ADA assistance as available, subject to crowding and ability to navigate the cart among festival-goers. Service may be suspended during peak afternoon hours. A limited number of manual wheelchairs (8) will be available on a first come first serve basis. If you need a wheelchair, you should bring your own, if possible. For those who use power chairs, we will have a battery charging station available at the main First Aid tent as well as tools for simple repairs, and we can fix flat tires, if necessary.

Seattle Hempfest Mission Statement

Seattle Hempfest is founded in the belief that the public is better served when citizens and public officials work cooperatively in order to successfully accomplish common goals.

Objective and Purpose

To educate the public on the myriad of potential benefits offered by the Cannabis plant, including the medicinal, industrial, agricultural, economic, environmental, and other benefits and applications. In particular, Seattle Hempfest seeks to advance the cause of Cannabis policy reform through education, while advancing the public image of the Cannabis advocate or enthusiast through example.

We welcome all levels of Donations, whether it's a one-time gift, a monthly donation or the establishment of a matching gifts program. Or join our Membership program, which rewards your contribution with insider access and events.
Thanks again for your generous support of our efforts to legalize Cannabis.