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If you checked the Weather Channel or your local weather radar on Saturday,
June 2, you probably asked yourself if you really wanted to venture out in
the rain on a hot and humid morning. There is a logic to that thinking, but
the less-venturesome do miss special days. Such was the Ohio Hempfest
annually held on the South Oval of The Ohio State University. The rain may
have dampened attendance, but the event came off as well as any in the last
six years of OPN's existence.
Hempfest was clean, orderly, and well-managed. OSU Students for Sensible
Drug Policy, the organizers for the event, maintained the well-known vending
and display areas along with three stages. The stages rotated speakers and
bands all afternoon and evening, even during the brief torrential downpours.
OPN's booth lay a bit away from the main vending area where North Ohio
NORML's booth, as well as the glass-blowers and jewelry vendors, could be
found. We still flourished there as a stopping point on the walkway to the
main stage. Booth traffic was brisk and we signed up a number of people as
new members and subscribers to OPNews.
OPN had two Hempfest speakers: Mary Jane Borden at 1:15 and Brandy Zink at
3:30 (video).
Borden introduced the audience overlooking Mirror Lake to the concept of Chemical
Bigotry, a growing civil rights issue for medicinal cannabis users. On the stage
overlooking the much larger audiences in the vending area and by the campus
dormitories, Brandy Zink needed no microphone loudly admonish the government's
ongoing war on patients. Ironically, as she spoke a storm could be seen gathering
in the distance complete with lightening and thunder. Could the gods be summoned
on such a day to finally render powerful and permanent social change?
Because of the work that goes into planning, staging, and operating a booth
at events like Hempfest, OPN would like to recognize the following
individuals who helped make the day a great success. OPN's Hempfest Heroes
include:
--> Brandy Zink. For her powerful speech (video),
detailed planning, volunteer
recruitment, and oversight of the event's many component parts, Brandy
deserves a warm and heartfelt thank you from all of us for the time and
caring she has devoted to OPN and the Hempfest.
--> Neil Perin and Matt Truesdale. The energy they brought to setting up
and
manning the OPN Hempfest booth is contagious. They helped put up two tents,
converse with event-goers, sell merchandise, and man the booth virtually all
day. Comfest will be their next target, and with their energy and devotion,
it will be even bigger and better than Hempfest.
--> Cher Neufer. Cher knew just what OPN needed in sellable merchandise:
a well designed and attractive t-shirt. Networking with her established vendors,
she found shirts with just the right look and feel. Made of high quality cotton,
the white shirts with the blue OPN logo are particularly attractive. If you
are interested in purchasing one for the low price of only $20.00, please e-mail
Mary Jane Borden at mjborden@ohiopatient.net.
We'll include a free membership.
Rain or shine -- both recurred frequently at Hempfest this year -- Saturday,
June 2, proved to be a notable day for OPN. Recalling that OSU is the
largest university in the country, what a loud, powerful, and provocative
(literally!) message the Hempfest sends to Ohio and the nation with regard
to medicinal cannabis reform! Thank you, OSU SSDP!
Mary Jane Borden
OPN President |
