MELLOW TIMES AT FIRST HEMPFEST

From a stage, the comedian Leaf tried to get a rise out of those
gathered below at the first Sacramento Hempfest, technically situated
at Rio Ramaza in Sutter County.

"Come on, Sacramento, make some noise," he exhorted.

The muted response, almost as if attendees were under the influence of
a calming drug, was a sign the event at least didn't look like it
would get rowdy.

An estimated 20,000 people are scheduled to attend the three-day
festival, which appeared to be a low-key mix of medical marijuana
advocacy and partying outdoors on the banks of the Sacramento River.

Though big-name rappers such as Warren G and Bone-Thugz-n-Harmony were
scheduled to perform at nightfall, a DJ spinning what one might call
upbeat stoner music was the only soundtrack Friday. There was also the
occasional overhead jet landing at Sacramento International Airport.

Security was plentiful, and a handful of officers from the Sutter
County Sheriff's Department also roamed the grounds. Apart from some
people parking in the wrong place, they reported, the event was
trouble free, though they believed the situation could change at
night, especially with alcohol also being sold.

In a designated area where medical marijuana cardholders could get a
little herbal relief, Richard Martinez of Sacramento said between
puffs the event should only focus on the positive.

"The point is it's good to let the public see how it is when we come
together," said Martinez, 35. "Its good for the community. It's not
all like they say, with drug dealing and all that."

Actually, for a marijuana event, there wasn't any drug dealing at all,
even of the legal kind. No dispensaries sold on-site pot, though many
had fliers and other products for sale to drum up business later.

Other vendors peddled services and businesses tangentially related to
marijuana, such as glassware and jewelry. A handful seemed to have no
connection: bail bonds, adult toy parties and limos for rent.

Then there were about a half-dozen food booths, though as the
afternoon wore on, some of them weren't exactly seeing waves of the
munchies yet.

"We've been ready since noon," said Jose Marin, owner of Smokin' Joe's
barbecue restaurant in Yuba City, his grills silent at about 3 p.m. "I
hope they get hungry. They usually do when they're smoking."

Marin said he'd bought about 120 extra burger patties, figuring hungry
pot smokers would cover his excess.

"If we get 10,000 people a day, I'll be happy with that," he
said.

Like other vendors, Marin said he wasn't put off by medical
marijuana's controversial status, legal in the state but frowned on
federally. "There's worse things people can be doing," he said.

Promoter Steve Maki said the Hempfest should be considered simply as a
push for alternative medicine, not a celebration of getting high.

"There's testimonial after testimonial about how well it works," he
said. "This is medicine that should be mainstream."

Maki said he hoped Sacramento Hempfest would become an annual event,
and would likely return to Rio Ramaza, which hosts several other
summer music events and festivals.

As she left, Nancy Spradley, 51, of Yuba City said the event wasn't
what she thought: She expected more dispensaries on hand to discuss
their offerings.

"But I'm not disappointed," she said, as she made a long walk along
the river levee back to her vehicle. "It broke up my day."