HEMPSTOCK FOUNDER TO HOLD FESTIVAL DESPITE TOWN'S RULING

POWNAL - A marijuana advocacy group that started an annual rock festival
called Hempstock plans to hold a similar festival in Pownal later this
month despite the town's rejection of a mass-gathering permit.

Don Christen of Maine Vocals said after Tuesday night's vote that he would
abide by the decision. But he said Friday that he had changed his mind.

Speaking from his home, Christen said Friday morning that he will proceed
with the festival June 22-24 featuring 28 bands, speakers and educational
booths on Andy Jordan's farm in Pownal.

"This is America and the Constitution says we have a right to gather, not
just if the town of Pownal says we can," Christen said.

Christen's group holds an annual Hempstock festival in Starks in western
Maine each summer. He said he was branching out from Starks to take
advantage of the greater population in southern Maine.

In Pownal, he said he tried to meet the letter of the town's mass-gathering
ordinance. Instead of working with him, the Board of Selectmen chose to
"nitpick" to try to prevent the festival from happening, he said.

The town's ordinance makes specifications about such things as the number
of trash cans, toilets, parking spaces, and medical and security personnel.
It also specifies noise limits.

"We never give up. This is ridiculous. Now instead of fighting for our
rights on the cannabis end of things ... now we're fighting for freedom of
speech and the right to gather," Christen said.