C
CT Guy
Went to Hempfest this past weekend to check it out. Was pretty bothered by the whole experience so I just sent them this letter through their website. We'll see if I get a response....
Thoughts?
To Whom It May Concern,
I attended Hempfest this past year and have gone in years past. I have a couple of things that I'd like to bring to your attention for future events and also for the future of the legalization movement that your organization champions.
To let you know where I'm coming from, I have an organic hydro shop in ___________ and also have an online business selling organic gardening products. I've been in the industry for over 10 years and work with all types of growers on how to grow healthy plants without using chemicals. One thing I noticed about Hempfest, is that there is very little emphasis on growing plants, but rather more on food vendors, glass, getting medical cards, and memorabilia. Those things are fine, but are people even aware of the dangers associated with buying cannabis from growers or dispensaries they don't know? I know of many growers that are using products like 'Gravity' by Humboldt Nutrients, which contains known carcinogens. It's only allowed for use on ornamental plants, yet is being marketed to the cannabis industry and a bud hardener. The dept. of Agriculture has started to go around and pull these off the shelves, however I know some hydro shops that are just listing them on Craigslist for even more money.
Another product being used is called 'Eagle 20' and it's a systemic pesticide, meaning it remains in the plant and continues to prevent disease (in this case powdery mildew). This makes it much easier for the grower, however it also means that some of it will be in the final product, which people are then inhaling or ingesting.
If people need 'medicine' they shouldn't be subjected to plant matter that contains known carcinogens and recreational users shouldn't be putting their lives at risk unknowingly. I think there needs to be a greater education on this subject, as I've only listed a couple of examples above. There's also the issue of mold or other microbes on the bud. This is why testing or regulation is so important in my opinion. Right now, there's no way for the average consumer or patient to know what they're consuming. If you would like to chat further or want more information on this subject, please don't hesitate to contact me. We sell a water-only soil mix so that if a person with a medical condition came in and wanted to grow a plant, they wouldn't be overwhelmed with all these bottled nutrients and fancy marketing. They could literally just get the soil, and then water their plant, and not worry about chemicals, pesticides, and other poisons in their 'medicine.'
My second issue is of an entirely different nature. I have so say that when I was walking through Hempfest, rather than enjoying the experience I had trouble not getting angry or upset. I stood in line with a pregnant mother who was smoking next to me, and watched a 10 year old boy roll a joint. It seemed like it was predominantly teenagers this year, that were using the opportunity to get stoned in front of the cops. I think that if people want cannabis to gain legitimacy as a medical alternative, or even as a recreational option, then it is important that events reflect a level of public responsibility and don't condone underage drug use. I think that Hempfest should be an adult-only event. You would never have an event like this with alcohol, or allow a 10 year old boy to be drinking opening in front of police officers. Why not step up and regulate yourselves before public pressure or complaints force the city to do it for you?
To be clear, I'm all for the legalization of cannabis, I just wanted to bring these issues to light. Any response would be greatly appreciated, as these things have been weighing on my mind since the weekend. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
Thoughts?
To Whom It May Concern,
I attended Hempfest this past year and have gone in years past. I have a couple of things that I'd like to bring to your attention for future events and also for the future of the legalization movement that your organization champions.
To let you know where I'm coming from, I have an organic hydro shop in ___________ and also have an online business selling organic gardening products. I've been in the industry for over 10 years and work with all types of growers on how to grow healthy plants without using chemicals. One thing I noticed about Hempfest, is that there is very little emphasis on growing plants, but rather more on food vendors, glass, getting medical cards, and memorabilia. Those things are fine, but are people even aware of the dangers associated with buying cannabis from growers or dispensaries they don't know? I know of many growers that are using products like 'Gravity' by Humboldt Nutrients, which contains known carcinogens. It's only allowed for use on ornamental plants, yet is being marketed to the cannabis industry and a bud hardener. The dept. of Agriculture has started to go around and pull these off the shelves, however I know some hydro shops that are just listing them on Craigslist for even more money.
Another product being used is called 'Eagle 20' and it's a systemic pesticide, meaning it remains in the plant and continues to prevent disease (in this case powdery mildew). This makes it much easier for the grower, however it also means that some of it will be in the final product, which people are then inhaling or ingesting.
If people need 'medicine' they shouldn't be subjected to plant matter that contains known carcinogens and recreational users shouldn't be putting their lives at risk unknowingly. I think there needs to be a greater education on this subject, as I've only listed a couple of examples above. There's also the issue of mold or other microbes on the bud. This is why testing or regulation is so important in my opinion. Right now, there's no way for the average consumer or patient to know what they're consuming. If you would like to chat further or want more information on this subject, please don't hesitate to contact me. We sell a water-only soil mix so that if a person with a medical condition came in and wanted to grow a plant, they wouldn't be overwhelmed with all these bottled nutrients and fancy marketing. They could literally just get the soil, and then water their plant, and not worry about chemicals, pesticides, and other poisons in their 'medicine.'
My second issue is of an entirely different nature. I have so say that when I was walking through Hempfest, rather than enjoying the experience I had trouble not getting angry or upset. I stood in line with a pregnant mother who was smoking next to me, and watched a 10 year old boy roll a joint. It seemed like it was predominantly teenagers this year, that were using the opportunity to get stoned in front of the cops. I think that if people want cannabis to gain legitimacy as a medical alternative, or even as a recreational option, then it is important that events reflect a level of public responsibility and don't condone underage drug use. I think that Hempfest should be an adult-only event. You would never have an event like this with alcohol, or allow a 10 year old boy to be drinking opening in front of police officers. Why not step up and regulate yourselves before public pressure or complaints force the city to do it for you?
To be clear, I'm all for the legalization of cannabis, I just wanted to bring these issues to light. Any response would be greatly appreciated, as these things have been weighing on my mind since the weekend. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
