Instead of handing out tickets, Seattle police will be handing out Doritos at this year's Hempfest. With marijuana becoming legal in Washington state, the police will be supplying to munchies for revelers while explaining some of the details about Seattle weed laws.
Hempfest is a 22-year-old festival in which tens of thousands typically gather in a protest to smoke weed and listen to music. With weed now being legal in Washington and Colorado for those 21 and older, this year's Hempfest will be a little different.
The police will be having a little fun by supplying Doritos for the revelers, the New York Daily News reports.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said Sgt. Sean Whitcomb, department spokesman. "It's meant to be ironic. The idea of police passing out Doritos at a festival that celebrates pot, we're sure, is going to generate some buzz."
While the idea may be funny, the department is also taking the opportunity to pass around information. Labels have been affixed to 1,000 bags, urging people to check out the department website which has a post called "Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle." The post explains some of the details of marijuana legalization. For instance, adults can possess up to an ounce of marijuana, but they can't sell it or give it away, driving while high is illegal and it cannot be smoked in public, excluding festivals.
About 85,000 people are expected to turn out for the three-day festival which starts on Friday. The event is free but attendees are asked to donate $10 to make up for the $800,000 cost of the festival so it can continue next year.This will be the first Hempfest since the drug became legal.
While marijuana may be legal under state law, it is still illegal under federal law.
"It's going to be the most interesting Hempfest we've ever had because it's going to be part victory celebration," Hempfest executive director Vivian McPeak said according to the Daily News. "That said, we feel it's very important to remind everyone that as long as it's still a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, it's not legal anywhere. The job's not done yet."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
