MARIJUANA-LEGALIZATION SUPPORTERS LAUNCHING NEW CAMPAIGN

Sensible Washington, the group that sponsored a
marijuana-legalization bill that didn't make it on the ballot this
election season, plans to launch its 2011 legalization campaign at
Seattle Hempfest this weekend.

Sensible Washington, the group that sponsored a
marijuana-legalization bill that didn't make it to the ballot this
election season, plans to launch its 2011 legalization campaign at
Seattle Hempfest this weekend.

The group will be among the variety of musicians, artists, vendors
and activists at the annual August festival and political rally at
Myrtle Edwards Park.

Sensible Washington chairman and Seattle medical-marijuana attorney
Douglas Hiatt said I-1068, the proposed bill, didn't get enough
signatures to qualify for this year's election, but he hopes things
will improve for the group next year.

The past year has been a tough one for marijuana-legalization
proponents. In the last legislative session, the state House of
Representatives killed a legalization bill. Then, a bill that would
have reclassified marijuana as a civil infraction rather than a
misdemeanor never made it to a vote.

"We've learned a lot from our experiences earlier this year and are
coming back better organized and with many more volunteers committed
to the legalization cause," Hiatt said in a news release.

Sensible Washington representatives will speak to festival attendees
about their campaign at 3:50 p.m. Saturday at McWilliams Memorial
Stage and at 3:45 p.m. Sunday at Share Parker Memorial Main Stage at Hempfest.

Among the speakers will be Jodie Emery, wife of Canada's "Prince of
Pot" Marc Emery, who is expected to be sentenced in Seattle next
month on one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Emery, an outspoken activist who claims to have given $4 million over
the years to political and legal groups fighting to decriminalize
marijuana, was originally charged with money-laundering and
manufacturing (or growing) and distributing marijuana seeds. He faces
up to five years in prison.

Hempfest, which began in 1991 as a 6-month-long peace vigil opposing
the Persian Gulf War, is a large-scale protest rally advocating the
medical, recreational and industrial use of marijuana and hemp, organizers say.

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If You Go

Seattle Hempfest

Where Myrtle Edwards Park

When 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Cost Admission is free.

More information www.hempfest.org