I am exhausted, and yet I can’t stop working.
We went to the Hempfest in Seattle this past weekend. While there, I observed amazing culture during a festival unlike any I have ever seen in the United States. We had the privilege of all access to this event and it was a bird’s eye view into an amazing culture, and a peaceful gathering full of people freely expressing their marijuana lifestyle.
Rarely does my critical tongue go and commend authority, but I found the Seattle Police’s tolerance for the smokers to be very respectful, and hopefully a guiding light for future states to give up the aggressive enforcement of marijuana policy. Sincerely, without sarcasm, I appreciate how civil and respectful the whole event was with regard to Police presence and attendees. If we’re lucky, a new law will be passed that proposes Denver make marijuana enforcement the Denver Police Department’s lowest priority.
Interestingly, there was no beer or alcohol of any kind available on the festival grounds. I couldn’t find ANY alcohol, and would have been drinking had the opportunity been there. However, I understand that the absence of alcohol was probably not a coincidence. In fact, I can see why it’s a good idea to keep it peaceful and also make a well defined statement about how masses of people involved in a weed fest behave properly. The same size event would be riddled with far more violence if booze were in the mix. How do I know? I don’t know, this is just what I suppose.
I barely witnessed any disturbances at Hempfest over a two day period. I only saw one occasion when a man was stopped by police for shoplifting, and another when attendants were arguing with a religious protester picketing the event. I never once saw police giving anyone a hard time, and this is fascinating, and dare I say, the way things should be in more of the United States.
I also learned a ton about business at Hempfest. We had the chance to observe a multitude of company owners who are working hard to build a brand and an identity. We’re looking at an array of products that are unique to start out our own online store. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to go back next year with a bigger marketing plan in place, perhaps even produce some live media and broadcasting from Hempfest itself, and this same plan, we hope to implement at other types of festivals.
I really can’t believe all the different hats I’m wearing in my professional life. I’ve had to learn a plethora of skills to make my business work the way it’s starting to work. I’ve by happenstance fallen into doing many things professionally. I have managed to have built a rather respectable book of photography with the access we’re getting. To go along with this new found profession, I’ve started learning much more about digital photography so that my skill can continue to grow. The same can be said about shooting video. I’ve fallen into this role of producing, and doing so has forced me to set the bar high. I can’t understate my ‘hatred’ for my current video camera. It’s makes me want to throw an artistic temper tantrum. I should go sell my car tomorrow and buy a new one. I hate my video camera. How many times do I have to say it? I hate it.
The core pieces of a starting company are vital. I am really working hard on so many things that it’s hard to break it all down to make sense. I need a Production Assistant, I need some help with much more sophisticated web development, and we’re going to get another part time sales person, a marketing person, and search for more talent to fill up will hopefully be a partly live internet tv station 24/7.
I have a handful of things that I can’t bring up yet. I’m really exited about them and hope that they come to fruition soon so I can announce what’s going on.
Marijuana Radio was nominated for best ‘Mature’ podcast in the Podcast Awards, but lost out to a seasoned Keith and the Girl. It was pretty groovy to get the nod. The biggest reason I’d like to win is to thank the people who deserve to be thanked for helping us get where we are.
I’m trying to make better working relationships with various businesses to grow in a direction where we get to make more content, and also capitalize in different areas.
I’m sleepy and I’m going to go to bed. I’m practically sure that nobody reads this. But does someone?
Thank you to Ken for the custom glass pipe! It’s totally rad!
Dragon By JW
