Oregon's HempAid a Beautiful Success
- Jul 2, 2018
- 4 min read
It is always so wonderful to walk into a gathering and seeing so many faces that you know amongst you yet don't, and it always proves to be the case when one returns to Oregon for the annual canna-gathering, though this even was a little different, and in a way, more warming to the soul.
Traditionally, in Oregon the event has been known as Portland Hempstalk for over a decade and a half that it's been held in "The Weird city" of "Potland, Oregon" and too it's usually held in September, but this year proves to likely no be so, and the Portland cannabis community took positive strides and action trying to do all they could to secure it's future, even if it costs us this year.
You see, what had happened is that to put on events such as cannabis festivals and hempfests and stalks and such, it takes a shit-ton of money, physical work, and community involvement... to say the Least. There are stacks of paperwork and requirement standards which have to be met in order to obtain as well as maintain the permits necessary to have the event go down from start to finish.
A surprise to many might be in that the events Always prove to lack Volunteer help, even in spite of gifting them a free shirt as well as free food and drink and a position of being tipped some medicinal nuggets from attendees, but in the end, the events for the most part they pull through and always leave the patrons looking forward to the next years gathering and with priceless memories as well as some new friends, cool souvenirs and photographs, and most importantly of all, increased cannabis awareness.
For YEARS we tried to get permission to hold the event downtown Portland at the waterfront, but were always told they wouldn't allow it because they "Didn't want to send the wrong message about Marijuana" so they would intentionally stick us out in an industrial area of the city at Kelley Point Park, which came to be our gathering place, so much so that we were even working toward having a statute of our communities founding father placed there... Jack Herer. Then all of a sudden, the city announced we would Not be allowed to have our annual event at Kelley Point, that they insisted we instead host the event at Tom McCall WATERFRONT Park - where they swore they would Never let us be!
So the picture was painted to reflect it as another small victory for our purpose, that we had Finally "Won" our way into acceptance in downtown Portland, Oregon - but those of us who had been in this Sooo long knew and suspected it was no victory at all, that it would be the cities beginning to END Portland Hempstalk once and for all, and so like with their attempt to destroy medicinal cannabis in Oregon, those of us out on the front lines continue to do all we can think to in effort of ensuring they don't succeed at their obvious agenda.
A handful of the heart of the Portland cannabis community came together and jumped into action. They came up with private land outside of Oregon City and began organizing and reaching out to put on what was called "Hemp Aid for Hempstalk." Though little if any public announcement went out via media, Hemp Aid showed to have enough love and support to put on quite a nice event. Indeed it was much smaller than the Portland Hempstalk, BUT the show of community support once again proved the importance as well as the sincere Need to make sure we do all we can to ensure the Portland Hempstalk continues in and for Oregon, especially beings he entire Nation believes Oregon is he most "legally laxed state" when it comes to cannabis liberation.
What's the Problem...?
The answer is what it all always comes down to when you're dealing with a legal system...Money. In addition to all the monies they require for the event to be allowed to go on for the year, they want well over $10,000.00 more dollars from our having the event the year before (2017). On top of hat, the event's host is under legal struggle trying to stay afloat with his own multiple canna-endeavors including medical clinics which somehow have caused All of his bank accounts and even the ability of using his own Name publicly "Frozen" leaving him unable to not only give toward the Portland Hempstalk but too, give to the many Other events such as Seattle Hempfest who have come to really count and depend on his generous contributions to keep those events running strong as well.
Also too, for those looking around and ye not realizing, we have been losing our true-hearted frontline advocates and activists at a higher rate than we'd like to have to acknowledge and accept we have, some of which were key essential figures within our events flowing on without much hitch or snags. Even scarier is realizing that for every true activist lost, we have at least 3 rabid wolves eagerly jumping to take their places, especially on our stages, eger to lead our people and objective astray, all while we continue to be sold out right along with cannabis for both personal as well as collective profiteering.
That is what brought the loving spirit through at Hemp Aid for Hempstalk, not only did people come from far and wide to be there, but they also GAVE what they could, which turned out to be over $5,000.00 if we heard correctly.Vendors came out with awesome food and treats, medicated and not as well as bringing many cool things all very reasonably priced and worth buying indeed. And of coarse too, there was awesome musicall throughout the three day event. It really warmed our hearts to see the love and support being spread around for a good cause for the whole of our community and purpose.
As always we Thank you for your continued interest and support in all we do. We hope you will stay tuned and too, look forward to sharing your news with the masses! If you'd like to contribute or get involved with supporting the Hempstalk, please check out their social media link provided immediately below, and Thanks again!
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