Seattle Hempfest 2012 Is Rapidly Approaching

Seattle Hempfest Is August 17, 18, And 19

It’s less than a week away from the 2012 Seattle Hempfest, and I can hardly contain myself! It was up in the air as to whether The Weed Blog would be able to make it, but alas, we found funding at the last second! Well, I did, Jay Smoker has to stay home, sad face. But I assure everyone that I will smoke enough that weekend for the both of us. Confession – this is my first Seattle Hempfest ever. What in the world is wrong with me you ask? I have been asking myself that same questions :)

I have obviously always heard about Seattle Hempfest, and I have seen the videos on YouTube, but I have never been in attendance. As loyal readers know, I live in Oregon, so making the trek up to Seattle for the Hempfest is long overdue. I hope to see some of our readers there. I will be walking around in my Weed Blog shirt, so if you see me, make sure to say hello! Also, I hear it gets quite crowded there, and I’m short, so make sure to look down (and please don’t trample me!). I e-mailed the legendary Vivian McPeak for some pointers, and he said to be prepared to do a lot of walking, bring water, and show up early. Below is information about Seattle Hempfest 2012, taken from the Seattle Hempfest website:

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.

Seattle Hempfest 2012 Speakers:

Matthew Abel Michigan NORML Executive Director, Attorney
Wes Abney The NorthWest Leaf Magazine Editor and Founder
Jared Allaway Sensible Washington State Volunteer Coordinator
Adam Assenberg Owner of Compassion 4 Patients and a D.J./Reporter with KRFP 92.5 FM
Ngaio Bealum Cannabis Comedian
Dr. David Bearman, M.D. American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, Vice President & Board Member; ASA, Board; Patients Out of Time, Advisory Board Member; Author ‘Demons, Discrimination and Dollars: A Brief History of the Origins of American Drug Laws’
Radical Russ Belville National Cannabis Radio, Host of ‘The Russ Belville Show’
Leland R. Berger NORML Legal Committee, Attorney
Allison Bigelow Volunteer Sensible Washington
Kurt Boehl Attorney Law Office of Kurt E. Boehl, PLLC
Kari Boiter Local Activist and Legislative Advocate
Cyril Bouanna Seattle Hempfest (Board of Directors) Sponsorship & Membership Director
Hilary Bricken Attorney Canna Law Group, a practice group of Harris & Moure, pllc
David Bronner Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Hemp Industry Association Board of Advisors
Bruce Buckner MendoBruce Activist
Greg Campbell Author of ‘Pot Inc: Inside Medical Marijuana, America’s Most Outlaw Industry’, published April 2012.
Greta Carter Executive Director WA Coalition of Cannabis Standards and Ethics (CCSE)
Jorge Cervantes Author of Marijuana Horticulture
Sam Chapman National Cannabis Coalition, Outreach Director, and Social Media Consultant
Stephen Collett California Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Initiative, Treasurer
John Conroy Conroy Company, President Lawyer; NormlCanada, Founder
Alex Cooley Vice President Solstice Cooperative
Dominic Corva Sarah Lawrence College, Professor of Cannabis Geography
Dr. William Courtney, M.D. Cannabis International Founder
Cara Crabb-Burnham MassCann/NORML Director, Co-Founder NWANE, Co-Host Boston Pot Report Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, NORML Women’s Alliance New England, Boston Pot Report
Rick Cusick High Times Associate Publisher
Dawn Darington Choice Wellness Center CEO
John B. Davis Seattle Hempfest, Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics, National Cannabis Industry Association, NWPRC
Tonya Davis Ohio Patient Network, President; Miami Valley NORML; NORML Womens Alliance, Executive Director
Phillip Dawdy Safe Access Alliance media director
Steve D’Angelo Harborside Health Center, Executive Director
Christine Renee’ Delk Washington State Medical Cannabis patient recently raided by federal law enforcement
Aaron Dixon Former Black Panther Party Captain, Author ‘My People Are Rising’
Jared Dunn Compassionaite Idaho
Adam Eidinger Hemp Activist Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Public Affairs Director; Capitol Hemp Owner, Washington DC
Steve Elliott Journalist of “Toke of the Town/Toke Signals” online zine
Jodie Emery Wife of “Prince of Pot” Marc Emery; Cannabis Culture Headquarters & Magazine, Director
William Esbensen 45th Parallel Compassion Group, LLC Director/Co-Founder
Dr. Jake Felice, ND Naturopathic Physician
Omar Figueroa Attorney Law Offices of Omar Figueroa
Denny Finneran Crucial Hemp Owner
Bonnie Fong Hempfest Film Coordinator; Coalition of Cannabis Standards and Ethics Vice Executive Director; The Joint Cooperative Manager
Diane Fornbacher Vice Co-Chair NORML Women’s Alliance, HIGH TIMES Magazine Freedom Fighter Jan. 1999
Morgan Fox Marijuana Policy Project Communications Manager
Serra Frank Moms for Marijuana Founding Director
Matthew Gavin Frank Author of ‘Pot Farm’
Debby Goldsberry United Cannabis Collective Executive Director
Rep. Roger Goodman Washington State House of Representatives (D46)
Judge Jim Gray Libertarian Vice-Presidential candidate with Gary Johnson2012
Jeremy Griffin Cannabis Defense Coalition, member and an organizer of Cannabis College
Pam Haley Cannabis Defense Coalition BoD, Washington State Potline “Report A Bust”
Mark Haskell Smith Author of Heart of Dankness: Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers, and the Race for the Cannabis Cup and the novel Baked.
Alison Holcomb Campaign Director for I502 New Approach Washington
Pete Holmes Seattle City Attorney and New Approach Washington I-502 Initiative Sponsor
Aaron Houston Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Executive Director; SAFER, Cofounder and Board Member
Gloria Kalteich President/Pastor The Continuum, et. al
Rob Kampia Marijuana Policy Project Executive Director
Jeanne Kohl-Welles State Senator Washington State Senate
Steve Kubby RegualteMarijuana 2014 Chief Officer and Campaign Manager
Ron Lawson City of Lacey Councilmember, Cannabis Healthcare Association, founder
Martin Lee Director Project CBD, Author of ‘Smoke Signals’
Monte Levine Board member Peoples’ Harm Reduction Alliance; Coordinator for Ostrich Bay Exchange
Steve Levine Hemp Industries Association (HIA), President; Vote Hemp, Director; Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Trade Show Mgr.
Nick Licata Seattle City Council Councilmember
Ben Livingston Cannabis Defense Coalition
Dr. Frank Lucido, M.D. Doctor of Medicine, Medical Cannabis Consultant
John Lucy IV Attorney at Law, Founder Law420.com
Charles Lynch Software Developer Marijuana Freedom Fighter
Madeline Martinez Oregon NORML; World Famous Cannabis Cafe; Chief petitioner of Sensible Oregon
Martin Martinez Lifevine Collective Network, Executive Director
Vivian McPeak Seattle Hempfest, Executive Director
Doug McVay Common Sense for Drug Policy
Robert Melamede Associate Professor, CEO/President CBIS UCCS, Cannabis Science
The Moss Family Greta, Lauriene and Eve; Victims of the Drug War, Father and husband imprisoned 20 years for marijuana conspiracy.
Kristin Nevedal Emerald Growers Association
David Nott Reason Foundation, President
Kevin Oliver Washington NORML, Executive Director
David G Ostrow, MD, PhD NORC at University of Chicago, Senior Scientist; American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine , VP for Community Research; MACS, Director
Tim Pate Seattle Hempfest, Port Astordam Hemp Festival
William G. Panzer NORML, Board of Directors; Attorney; Coauthor of California’s Prop 215
Aaron Pelley Attorney of Pelley Law, PLLC
Robert Elliot Platshorn People United for Medical Marijuana PUFMM , Founder of Silver Tour , NORML of Florida, Director
Josh Rettie Plantbuilder
Lindsey Rinehart Compassionate Idaho; Idaho Medical Choice Act, Chief Petitioner
Ed Rosenthal Author of ‘Marijuana Grower’s Handbook’ Official Course Book for Oaksterdam University
George Rohrbacher Member of the Board of Directors of NORML
Julia Rose The Curator of the Peter McWilliams Online Museum
Ed Rosenthal Guru of Ganja; Executive Director of Green Aid: The Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund
Dan Rush United Food and Commercial Workers International Union- Director, National Medical Cannabis and Hemp Division
Keith Saunders NORML Board of Directors, Host Boston Pot Report Massachusetts
Dave Seber Hemp Shield Company LLC, President
Lynette Shaw Former owner of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, licensed for 15 years.
Cheryl Shuman Beverly Hills Cannabis Club, RFMK — CANNAcig, Cheryl Shuman Inc., Hearst Digital Media Corporation
Don Skakie I-514 The Cannabis Child Protection Act, Campaign Director
Aaron Smith National Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director
Jacqui Spruce Australian advocate for the use of medical cannabis and former skin cancer patient.
Scott Stafne Attorney Stafne Law Firm
Paul Stanford THCF Medical Clinics, President; chief petitioner OCTA2012
Jill Stein Green Party 2012 Presidential Candidate for The United States of America
Jeffrey Steinborn NORML legal committee, NORML board of directors, PotBust.com Founder
Rick Steves Travel Show Host and New Approach Washington Sponsor I-502
Brian Stone Cannabis Defense Coalition, Board Member
DeMaris Strohm-Hughes The Wormhole, Minister
Keith Stroup NORML, Founder
Cody Swift Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
Oscar Velasco-Schmitz Director Dockside Coop
Clint Werner Author of the book “Marijuana Gateway to Health: How Cannabis Protects Us from Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Don E Wirtshafter DrugSense; Media Awareness Project, Chair
Jackie Woerlee Belangen Stichting Effectieve Medicinale Cannabis Head of Foundation
Henry Wykowski San Francisco tax attorney in landmark case of CHAMP V COMMISSIONER
Richard Zuckerman