HEMP LOVERS FIND HOST IN ZEPHYRHILLS

(Zephyrhills)-A blowout honoring the miracles of marijuana might not be the
city leaders' first choice, but citing freedom of speech, Zephyrhills won't
challenge a pro-marijuana group's right to hold a Hemp Revolution at Zephyr
Park on the Fourth of July.

The Florida Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws will begin the day
with an electric guitar version of The Star Spangled Banner, performed by a
musician who calls himself Billy Bongster. FORML also has invited a
pro-marijuana group called the High Times Freedom Fighters. Hemp vendors
will sell clothing made of the fiber. People will gather signatures for
petitions pushing marijuana legalization.

"It's going to be really awesome, man," said Mike Palmieri, FORML's 38
year-old president and chief executive officer. "It's Pasco County's first
hemp fest."

Zephyrhills relative tolerance for the festival contrasts with the attitude
during the city's Founders' Day celebration in March, when organizers denied
the pot proponents a place in the local parade.

"It's more trouble than it's worth to make a big deal out of it," City
Manager Steve Spina said.