Templedragon Times
Hempfest FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about Seattle Hempfest
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Q. What is Seattle Hempfest about?
A. Freedom. We believe that adults in a free society deserve the right to make their own educated and informed choices about what they put into their own bodies, and that those choices should be based upon truthful and accurate information. Of course Hempfest is about cannabis...industrial hemp, medical marijuana and recreational use by adults...but since it is a political rally and demonstration against America's laws criminalizing persons who use cannabis, we see Hempfest as about freedom first, and the cannabis plant second.
Q. What is Hempfest trying to achieve?
A. Several things. Seattle Hempfest advocates the decriminalization of marijuana for responsible adults, legal access to medical marijuana for patients who could be benefited by cannabis, and legal domestic hemp production. By producing a king size, world class event, Hempfest is demonstrating that cannabis enthusiasts are as responsible, professional, and successful as anyone else. Hempfest features extensive educational and informational content presented by some of the nation's leading experts in the field of marijuana policy reform. We hope that all of this is contributing to the healthy, informed and energized local and national movement to change America's pot laws.
Q. It's called Hempfest, why isn't it more about industrial hemp?
A. Hempfest features an entire area and stage, the Hemposium, that features exhibits, displays, demonstrations, panel discussions and featured speakers on the issue of industrial hemp and it's many uses. There are many hemp product vendors at Hempfest to choose from. But any serious discussion about domestic industrial hemp production will inevitably end up at the Drugwar. As Americans, we feel equally passionate about industrial hemp, medical marijuana and responsible adult recreational use. If you have hemp information, or something for our displays or demonstrations that pertains to industrial hemp, please contact us.
Q. Is Hempfest a political rally, a concert or an arts and crafts fair?
A. Yes. Hempfest is first and foremost a political protest rally seeking to change America's pot laws and to educate the public on the many uses of the cannabis plant. But it is also the largest collection of free Pacific Northwest (and beyond) music, as well as one of the largest street fairs in the world centering around cannabis. We like to call Hempfest a "protestival", and think that we have created a new concept in political protest. Hempfest allows artists, speakers and even vendors to make a statement for pot reform by their involvement in our event.
Q. Why is Hempfest Free? Couldn't you make more money if you charged?
A. We would never do anything that might potentially prevent someone from coming and hearing our message of freedom, liberty and responsibility. By being free, Hempfest retains its status as a Constitutionally protected free speech event, and allows everyone to come and participate, regardless of income.
Q. Is Seattle Hempfest the biggest pot rally anywhere?
A. As far as we can tell, it is, and it dwarfs it's closest counterpart.
Q. Does Hempfest's staff get paid? Where does all the money go?
A. No. Hempfest is completely staffed by volunteers. There are a few sub-contracted employees, like the security people at both entrances, that are required by law. But essentially all Hempfest personnel are unpaid. Every dime that Hempfest makes goes directly back into Hempfest, so we can continue to increase the quality of the event, and bring you our message of reform and responsibility. Nobody is getting rich off of Hempfest.
Q. Where does all the money come from?
A. Hempfest is produced by revenue from arts, crafts, food and organizational vendors, non-tax deductible contributions, merchandise sales, benefit events, program ad sales and sponsorship sales. Seattle Hempfest costs around $150,000 to produce.
Q. Do the bands get paid?
A. Very, very rarely. Every so often we have a headliner that requires partial compensation, but 95% of the acts are there to show their support. If a band is coming from the other side of the country, occasionally we will be able to reimburse for travel or lodging, but that is a rare occurrence.
Q. Can anyone join Hempfest's staff?
A. Just about. Persons 18 years or older who are dependable and reliable, serious about cannabis reform and willing to refrain from any form of intoxication for the entirety of their shifts is welcome to participate in producing Hempfest. Hempfest staff are expected to abide by the rules and guidelines of Seattle Hempfest, and be reasonably presentable, courteous and helpful to fellow staff and attendees.
Q. Can I get in trouble for attending or participating in Hempfest?
No. Hempfest is totally legal, and protected by the United States Constitution under our right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. However, Hempfest is not a "free zone". All local, state and federal laws are in full effect at Hempfest, and Seattle parks are designated "Drug Free Zones" increasing penalties for selling and buying controlled substances. Hempfest is the worst place to attempt to buy or sell illegal substances of any kind. Please don't do it.
Q. How did Hempfest get started?
A. Seattle Hempfest was conceived during a 6 month long peace vigil at Gasworks park to oppose the Persian Gulf War, in 1991. When a scheduled Washington NORML organizing meeting never materialized at the park, a few local activists decided to throw an event. See the history section of this website for the full story, which is now Hempstory!
If you would like to become a member of the Seattle Hempfest organization, and you have specific activist skills and experience and wish to apply for our core group you can contact us at: hempfest@hempfest.org, and give us your details and background. We are all volunteer.
Others who are new to activism but feel it's time to get to get involved and want to join our event staff can click on our volunteer section at the top left of your screen. This is an exciting time in America for marijuana law reform, and despite the current political mood in Washington DC the movement has enjoyed many victories in recent months and years. The Hempfest family is a great group of dedicated and passionate Americans, with terrific morale and a real sense of community in purpose.
If you want to enjoy Hempfest during the weekend of the event but still have to be involved in one of the most important civil rights issues of your time, you can help us promote the event by distributing fliers and posters within your community. E-mail us at the address above and we'll set you up as the event draws near.
Q. Why should I support Hempfest?
A. Hempfest is an all volunteer organization comprised of people just like you, and working hard to insure that Hempfest continues to be an effective, safe and legal political protest rally. Nobody gets paid to work in the Hempfest organization, so your support goes 100% to work towards your freedom. The cost in donated time, money, artwork, musical performances, etcetera is intense.
Q. How does Seattle Hempfest promote my freedom?
A. Seattle Hempfest contributes to the movement to guarantee your freedom in a variety of ways. Firstly, Hempfest is a Constitutionally protected First Amendment freedom of speech event, and the act of bringing tens of thousands of people together on a regular basis demonstrates and reinforces the freedoms we already possess.
Secondly, We offer a cadre of the nation's leading drug and marijuana policy reform activists who offer a smorgasbord of educational information and political literature. Hempfest serves as a national convention for reformers. The community is "activated" by the infusion of political awareness, focus on pot issues, and prime time media reporting that Hempfest enjoys.
Seattle Hempfest has played a role in influencing the outcome of both State Initiative I-692 and Seattle City Initiative I-75. In 1998 I-692 made medical marijuana legal in Washington State and in 2003, and I-75 made simple possession of marijuana lowest enforcement priority in Seattle.
Hempfest continues to be on the front lines of both the regional and national movements for safe, legal access to medical marijuana for patients who qualify to benefit, legal domestic production of industrial hemp, and decriminalization for responsible adult marijuana users.
Q. Do you think pot will ever be legal?
A. We believe that it is only a matter of time before marijuana is taxed, licensed and regulated and available to responsible adult Americans.
Whether or not marijuana will ever be "legal", as in unregulated and free from any governmental oversight, well that's a more complicated question. But no other American political movement that has won in the court of popular opinion, like cannabis reform has, has not seen victory shortly thereafter.
Recent government efforts to criminalize edible hemp seed products were unsuccessful, and prove that sensible policies are possible. As we continue to demonstrate diligence in our quest for freedom to choose, we are laying the foundation that a successful movement builds upon. Our future victories will only come from work that we do here today and tomorrow. Join us or make a contribution, we need everybody to pitch in the quest to gain your freedoms.
Hempfest F.A.Q.'s
Despite the current mood in Washington, the movement to change America's marijuana laws has enjoyed many victories in recent months and years. Cannabis decriminalization is an issue that's time has come, and American history proves that when the court of public opinion supports a cause, it's only a matter of time before change happens.
Americans have seen the images of medical patients, some dying, not only being denied relief and medication but being arrested and imprisoned for seeking relief on their own. We have observed tens of thousands of good, decent responsible adult pot users incarcerated for marijuana, with families broken up and citizens made felons for pot use. Some are spending more time in jails and prisons than rapists, robbers and even murderers, because of federal minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines. Tens of thousands of people just like you are in prisons and jails right now.
As if the denial of our civil liberties is not enough, the issue expands to our global heritage. Americans are witnessing the final vestiges of the old growth forests and their habitat being harvested for timber, when many of us know that hemp can not only replace most woods, it can nourish and feed us as well with its nutritious seed.
People are getting the information now, and it's only a matter if time before we see our next victory. But that victory will only come if we continue our work for change. Seattle Hempfest contributed to the passage of State Law I-692, that made medical marijuana legal in the State of Washington. Hempfest also helped create an environment where seattle city law I-75 could pass with ease, making simple possession lowest police priority within the city limits.
The largest and most sophisticated pot rally anywhere, there is another aspect of our event that is unique. Seattle Hempfest is almost entirely produced by people just like you. Hempfest is an all volunteer event, and the staff has the benefit of working along side nothing but people seriously dedicated to the cause of pot law reform.
Hempfest is protest that is fun, educational, informative and entertaining, as opposed to confrontational and angry. We support all forms of responsible activism, but we found that we can include more people in the cause by producing a "protestival".
Make no mistake about it, Seattle Hempfest is fiercely political. The leading experts in marijuana law reform from the whole nation comprise most of our speaker line-up, scores of organizations working towards change participate, and even the musical acts come forth just for the cause.
We found a way to go about protest that contributes to the local economy, enhances our community, educates tens of thousands of people annually and served as a national convention of pot law reformers.
Please join us by either making a non-tax deductible contribution by clicking "donate here" or becoming a member of our organization. United, Americans have won our freedoms one at a time. We've come a long ways, but we aren't done yet. Seattle Hempfest will make sure someone is fighting for your freedom to choose.
Q. Why should I support Hempfest financially?
A. Hempfest is an all volunteer organization comprised of people just like you, and working hard to insure that Hempfest continues to be an effective, safe and legal political protest rally. Nobody gets paid to work in the Hempfest organization, so your non-tax deductible contribution goes 100% to work towards your freedom.
Producing Hempfest requires nearly $200,000 annually, and contributions make up about (BREAKDOWN) 20% of that revenue.
Q. How does Seattle Hempfest promote my freedom?
A. Seattle Hempfest contributes to the movement to guarantee your freedom in a variety of ways. Firstly, Hempfest is a Constitutionally protected First Amendment freedom of speech event, and the act of bringing tens of thousands of people together on a regular basis demonstrates and reinforces the freedoms we already possess.
Secondly, We offer a cadre of the nation's leading drug and marijuana policy reform activists who offer a smorgasbord of educational information and political literature. Hempfest serves as a national convention for reformers. The community is "activated" by the infusion of political awareness, focus on pot issues, and prime time media reporting that Hempfest enjoys.
Seattle Hempfest has played a role in influencing the outcome of both State Initiative I-692 and Seattle City Initiative I-75. In 1998 I-692 made medical marijuana legal in Washington State and in 2003, and I-75 made simple possession of marijuana lowest enforcement priority in Seattle.
Hempfest continues to be on the front lines of both the regional and national movements for safe, legal access to medical marijuana for patients who qualify to benefit, legal domestic production of industrial hemp, and decriminalization for responsible adult marijuana users.
Q. Do you think pot will ever be legal?
A. We believe that it is only a matter of time before marijuana is taxed, licensed and regulated and available to responsible adult Americans.
Whether or not marijuana will ever be "legal", as in unregulated and free from any governmental oversight, well that's a more complicated question. But no other American political movement that has won in the court of popular opinion, like cannabis reform has, has not seen victory shortly thereafter.
Recent government efforts to criminalize edible hemp seed products were unsuccessful, and prove that sensible policies are possible. As we continue to demonstrate diligence in our quest for freedom to choose, we are laying the foundation that a successful movement builds upon. Our future victories will only come from work that we do here today and tomorrow. Join us or make a contribution, we need everybody to pitch in the quest to gain your freedoms.