IT'S A WRAP AT HEMPFEST AFTER 9 YEARS

Almost 30 charges were laid when about 800 vehicles were stopped for
RIDE spot checks by Ontario Provincial Police on Poplar Dale Road at
the site the Hempfest weekend.

Police say the results of the checks included:

* two drivers were issued three-day driving suspensions.

* one was arrested for operation of a vehicle while impaired by a
drug.

* 17 charges were laid under the Highway Traffic Act.

* 21 charges were laid under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.

* two charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act.

* one male was arrested for an outstanding warrant from the Sault Ste.
Marie Police Service.

* four unsafe motor vehicles were removed from the highway.

Police also stopped a vehicle and saw what appeared to be a handgun
under the passenger seat.

Further investigation revealed it was a toy gun replica.

Police warn that during incidents such as these, officers have to
assume they are dealing with a real firearm and act
accordingly.

They ask that the public not leave such items in vehicles to avoid
unnecessary confrontation.

Hempfest 2009 The End of An Era, is the ninth annual event and billed
as the last by organizers.

The four-day event takes place in a remote field east of Sault Ste.
Marie and focuses on efforts to make it easier to use marijuana medically.

Organizers have claimed the event is targeted by police with extra
enforcement and RIDE spot programs.

Police respond that the event is treated like all other events of a
similar scope.