GREEN SCENE: HEMP FEST AIMS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN

Arlene Falcon hopes Moscow's 13th annual Hemp Fest dispels myths and
dispenses facts about the reality of hemp.

"Hemp is such a sustainable plant with so many great attributes that
get lost in the shuffle," the Hemp Fest coordinator said.

She said she hopes Hemp Fest will teach people the difference
between hemp and marijuana. Both are from the same plant, cannabis,
but hemp does not contain enough of the active ingredient THC to get
a person high.

In addition to education, the event is about fun.

Hemp Fest includes arts and crafts that highlight hemp's many uses,
like making rope and clothing. There will be information, speakers
and live music. Live bands performing include Chubbs Toga, Sugar
Cane, Outpost and Luau Cinder. An arts and crafts fair, drumming
and fire dancing are also part of the festival.

"It's mostly just a fun day in the park with arts and crafts and a
chance to meet people," Falcon said.

Idaho State Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow), will speak about medical
marijuana at the event, as well as Ryan Davison, a Boise-based
marijuana lobbyist and several medical marijuana patients/advocates.

Falcon said she hopes Hemp Fest will help encourage the industrial
production of hemp and promote greater acceptance of medical marijuana.

"All the good attributes (of medical marijuana) get lost in the
'drugs are bad' thing," Falcon said.

Medical marijuana can help people with medical problems like
glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome and chemotherapy from cancer
treatments, Falcon said.

"Pot has a high value medically," Falcon said. "That is the part
people really need to open their eyes to."

She said the festival is a combination of playing and learning that
anyone can enjoy.

"Come to our Hemp Fest and you'll be surprised," Falcon said.

if you go

WHAT : 13th Annual Hemp Fest

WHERE: East City Park, Third and Monroe streets, Moscow

WHEN: 10 a.m. to dusk, Saturday