Smokin Js at Seattle Hempfest 2013

Seattle Hempfest is the largest annual cannabis law reform event where cannabis enthusiasts of all kinds gather to educate the public of the many products and benefits that the cannabis plant can provide. It was founded on the belief that the public is better served when citizens and public officials work cooperatively in order to successfully accomplish common goals. This year was definitely one for the history books with over 250,000 people coming out to show their support and with the recent Washington legalization laws, we are finally starting to make headway. It's definitely exciting, but it's only the beginning.

This year there were over 105 speakers, 110 bands, and 400 vendors! It's every stoners paradise. Pipes from high end glass to Chinese imports, the latest smoking gadgets, good music, and any kind of information you could want, whether it be how to obtain your MMJ card or grow tips from the Grow Bible expert, Jorge Cervantes himself.  Stretched along the waterfront for a mile and a half in downtown Seattle, the view alone is worth the trip.



Nicole and I ventured into the big city on Saturday to check out the action, and supply the good people of Hempfest with our Smokin Js hemp papers and coupons. We got to drool all over some incredible pieces and learn about some new products. The current variety we have available to us is unbelievable.

I have to say that after this weekend, I love my Cloud Pen even more (if that was possible). One of the highlights of our trip was definitely being allowed to kick it up on the rooftop of the Further bus and blow some bubbles.

As always, Seattle treated us very well. Anyone who hasn't checked it out, I recommend you put it on your bucket list. The most amazing part about Hempfest is that it's completely powered by volunteers and donations. What's sad is that the average donation per person is about thirty eight cents. If the cops are going to hand out Doritos to the stoners of Seattle, I think we can do better than that.

For more information on how to get involved go to http://www.hempfest.org/

Slightly Stoopid @ Crystal Ballroom

Recently Slightly Stoopid visited Portland, Oregon and headlined at the Crystal Ballroom.  Being a Slightly Stoopid fan is a prerequisite for employment at Smokin Js!  We had to be there.  Josh and Megan were sent to represent Smokin Js, hand out some free swag, and enjoy the show.

Josh & Megan @ Slightly Stoopid Jan 2013

It was a sold out show! The Crystal Ballroom had a solid line up: Sindicate followed by Marlon Asher aka the Ganja Farmer to get the crowd pumped up for the main attraction. And they did a damn good job. Normally I hate crowded places, but if I had to be shoulder to shoulder in a crowd, and get real close and personal with some strangers, I couldn't have hand-picked better people. The ballroom buzzed with feel good vibes from the stage to the balcony to the sidewalks of Burnside.

The Sindicate, local to Vancouver Wa, were stoked to be kicking off the night. Lead singer, Dominic got a good reaction from the crowd when he puff puff passed his joint into the crowd. Of course, in Oregon our good friend maryjane is still illegal so it was eventually confiscated. ;) The Ganja Farmer kept the momentum going. The Crystal Ballroom has what is referred to as a "floating floor" and I LOVE it. For me to be able to actually feeeel the music, no psychedelics required, is so cool to me. When Slightly Stoopid took the stage, it was on! They started it off with songs from their new album "On top of the World" and of course had to throw in some of the older favorites. By this time, you could see the steady glow of a burning joint being passed along the crowd. At one point, I was getting them from both sides. 8D .

Fearing the end, "Encore" was chanted until they returned to the stage. Sightly Stoopid thrives on their live shows, and they didn't let us down with a multiple song encore finish. But like all good things, the night had to come to an end and we left the smoke filled Crystal Ballroom.

I do have to admit that I'm a little bummed that they didn't play "Mellow Mood", but I can't complain. It was a killer show! I learned that I could jam out to a saxophone all day long, met some awesome people, and got to see some BEAUTIFUL dreads. This was my first time seeing them live, but I know it will surely not be my last.

 

Thanks to everyone psyched to get Smokin Js freebies and say hello;)

 

Washington: Marijuana Legal

Tonight Washington voters made an emphatic vote to legalize marijuana.  With 55% of voters casting their ballot in favor of Initiative Measure #502, Washington has truly become the Evergreen State.

Voters in Colorado also approved a similar measure, joining California as the most progressive states regarding marijuana laws.  However, a lot of questions now enter the public forum:

1.  Federal Law:  Marijuana will still be illegal under federal law.  Sporadic and seemingly random federal busts in California in the past few years have left its citizens wondering where the line in the sand is that puts a marijuana marketer or producer on the federal radar.  The supreme court ruled against the state's right to legislate medical marijuana laws ... Will there be a new court battle over the recent Washington measure?  How will Washington State seek safeguards against federal crackdowns?
2.  Regulated Guidelines:  Although marijuana is now legal, the Washington measure puts in place a regulatory system that attempts to separate cultivation and marketing, or production and retailing.  Licenses would be purchased through the Liquor Control Board as the law is currently written.  Does this agency have the manpower and know-how to regulate this new industry?  The Washington State Liquor Control Board would also be set with the task of rule making and enforcement.  The law does not legalize the growing of marijuana for person consumption.  Will police now be directed to seek and arrest illegal personal grows, or does the new system allow for people to pay for the license to grow without the intent to sell to a licensed retailer?
3.  New DUI limits:  The Washington measure creates a new blood test guideline that confirms marijuana intoxication.  Many medical marijuana patients believe this limit is far too low.  Who will be the deciding legislative authority on the marijuana DUI level, and will it be studied and debated?
4.  Cost:  The new Washington measure seeks to separate the production and retailing of marijuana with a 25% tax at each step along the chain from production to purchase.  Will the new price of legal marijuana be able to compete with grey/black market marijuana?
5.  Law Enforcement:  The new law is expected to save law enforcement time and money by freeing them from enforcing petty marijuana crimes.  This premise is met in stark contrast from the very fact that the new law will only be successful if law enforcement is involved in helping with regulation.  The new Washington State measure alleviates one enforcement task, but it creates another.

In the end this is a historic vote for Washington State.  On December 6th, it will be legal for citizens to possess an ounce of marijuana.  Nobody can take that away from the citizens of the Evergreen State.  However, now begins a year long process where the state will try to adjust and finalize the rules behind the marketplace it is trying to create and regulate.  Many people thought the new measure was horribly written and wrong-headed, but it is now law.  There will be many twists and turns ahead, much like a well rolled joint. 

2012 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup

What's so cool that its ready for the history books after only one year?

Seattle's very own HIGH TIMES Medical Cannabis Cup!  This epic event left nothing to the wayside. This cannabis cup is what it's all about. It's the true pinnacle of medical marijauna and where the future will take us with newer technologies and a standard of pure quality that says "this isn't some stoner hippy shit..." It's not pot at this cup. It's legitimate medication and it was in every kind and medium you could imagine. 

Hi, my name is Tmo. I have been a medical patient for a hand full of years.  I live with a

neuroligical disease that leaves me in great medical need. So if the meds aren't phenominal, they aren't very effective. That being said, even Reggie is better than a pill.

 

High Times kicked off the Medical Cannabis Cup with a party for all VIP ticket holders, AKA .. ME!  Thank you Smokin Js!! It was a Friday night concert that started late evening and went through the night. There were a great variety of musical guests, and all were enjoyable.  Conspirator headlined the evening and blew the doors off.  Since the "official ceremonies" haden't started yet, a wide variety of personal stashes being blown to the medicinal Gods made the "atmosphere" just right. Any smoker, medical or not, this was just the best way to break ice and get into the idea of what was to come throughout the weekend. Dorothy, it was obvious we weren't in Kansas.  This was a Cannabis Cup Evergreen Sate style!  On the monitors (where sports usually play) were all the Medical Cannabis Cup entries, in high definition photos of buds, concentrates, medibles, and more. Eye candy everywhere.

 

Does it look smoky?  HT Med Can Cup 2012 Kick Off Concert

 

From Saturday on, there were true pro's that gave seminars on extraction, bringing the typical home body grower, up to dispensary quality and reducing vital waste loss. Trash to stash.  There was glass blowing, new products, and activism seminars. Everywhere you could see "the movement" happening. Dread locks and white collars doing the same thing. Together even! The weekend's activities were very well organized, clean, and professional. I haven't been to a HIGH TIMES event before, but I was a VIP for this one.  VIPs with current medical papers were treated like Gods! Tshirts, gift bags, easy access to everything, no security hang ups. They rolled the carpet out.

 

Have you ever wondered, who judges what, who's the lucky people that get to say "this is better than that other one", the judging, taste testing and use of new products? That was me! And every other VIP! So yes it was very hard work for me to try everything and get my votes in. Am I bragging right now? Hell yes! I said it was epic. No lie. So it's not one person's vote on winners of the competitions. It's us, the people, and we are heard.

 

I hope I get to go next year too, but I have to thank Smokin Js for sending me to this event. It lets us see what's out there and who's out there on a much more personal level than just business as usual. We want you to know and see us in the forefront of what's new and best in quality. Not only that, but I just had a ton of fun.