BILLING IS BUMMER FOR HEMP GROUP!

The Florida Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws Event Is
Taking Place In Zephyrhills, Says An Organizer. So Why Did The City
Hang A Dade City Event's Banner Higher?

ZEPHYRHILLS -- The Florida Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws wanted to get its banner high, but the city of Zephyrhills
decided the sign was a downer. Two months ago, the marijuana
proponents arranged to hang a banner over Sixth Avenue promoting their
Fourth of July Hemp Revolution at Zephyr Park.

But when the city finally hoisted the sign Monday, one week later than
planned, FORML members noticed their banner hung below a larger
advertisement for Sparklebration, Dade City's July 4 fireworks
extravaganza.

FORML president Mike Palmieri was none too pleased at what he
considers an intentional slight. As a Zephyrhills event, the hemp fest
deserved better than second billing, Palmieri said.

He also complained the sign, which featured marijuana leaves
superimposed on an American flag, was wrinkled and poorly hung.

"Sparklebration is going on in Dade City," Palmieri said. "That's Dade
City. It's not a local event."

The festival, which runs Sunday from noon to 10 p.m., will celebrate
the many uses of hemp, the stringy plant whose leaves are smoked as
marijuana.

There will be a hemp seed spitting contest, ice cream made from hemp
seed extract, hemp clothing, hemp ropes, even a hemp American flag.

Musical performers will include Billy Bongster, Republican Hippy and
Salami Mommy. Pot proponents will pass around a petition favoring
marijuana legalization.

Donning a suit, his ponytail spilling from under a baseball cap,
Palmieri raised a fuss about the banner at Monday night's Zephyrhills
City Council meeting.

He argued the city continues to deprive his group of its rights,
pointing out how FORML was denied a place in the Zephyrhills Founder's
Day celebration last March.

"Some of these people in Zephyrhills are getting preferential
treatment," he said. "If you belong to Main Street or the Chamber of
Commerce and make a contribution you never get the short end of the
stick."

For the Independence Day frivolities, FORML has reserved the B.Y.
Wickstrom Stage at Zephyr Park. The city is tolerating the event on
the assumption only hemp fibers, and not marijuana, will pass hands at
the park.

As for the banner raising, City Manager Steve Spina said that's a
courtesy the city extends to non-profit groups in the area.

"We don't guarantee top billing," Spina said of the FORML banner.
"They've not been treated differently than anyone else."

Palmieri is expecting a brisk turnout, despite holding the festival in
a town best known for retirees.

"I'm hoping for at least 1,000 people, man," he said. "Only 10 percent
chance of rain. It looks good so far."