HEMP FESTIVAL CROWD DIVERSE

ZEPHYRHILLS - A marijuana festival attracted the young, the old and the
curious. It was a trip back to the 1960s as families, teens and seniors
united to celebrate anything to do with cannabis at the July 4 Hemp
Revolution at Zephyr Park Sunday.

About 150 people turned out for the event, which offered everything from
signing a petition to legalize marijuana to trying a green hemp ice cream
cone. Live music played as people meandered through a line of shaded vendor
tables along the lake. A large variety of marijuana lifestyle items were
offered, including tie-died T-shirts, hemp and beaded jewelry, and art and
clothing items displaying the likeness of the five-leafed plant.

The Cannabis Action Network of Gainesville sponsored the event.

``We want to educate the public on their rights and to change marijuana
law,'' said Kevin Aplin, Cannabis Action Network president.

He said the group needs 435,000 signatures by next June to include the
amendment in the November 2000 election. They have slightly more than
50,000 petitions, not including signatures from the event, Aplin said.

Barbara Wilkinson, 35, of San Antonio, attended the event with her family.

``I just wanted to know what's going on; I was curious,'' said Wilkinson.
``I think it should be legalized for medical purposes for sure. The
government would save money, instead of spending money putting people in
jail.''

The Zephyrhills Police Department was on hand, but officers said they did
not expect trouble.