Oakland to host nation's 1st marijuana street fair

[n2doc]

Matthai Kuruvila, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, September 2, 2011

Oakland -- Oakland has stayed at the forefront of the cannabis legalization movement, with advocates and city government working hand in hand for more than 15 years.

Now, folks will finally get the chance to light up outside City Hall. Legally, that is.

A cannabis street fair touted as the first in the nation is set for this weekend, featuring speakers, music, booths and vendors. But perhaps the most unusual attraction will be the "215 area," a designated spot directly in front of City Hall where those with a valid medical cannabis card will be able to ingest, smoke or vaporize their pot. There will be devices to help folks make their own hash, a marijuana derivative. The open-air lounge, so to speak, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

The "215" in the name is a reference to Proposition 215, the 1996 state ballot measure that legalized personal use of medical marijuana.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/01/BA8V1KRCA5.DTL

[trumad]

1. Damn---wish I was a food vendor at the event.

[Arctic Dave]

2. I happened to be in Seattle a couple weekends ago when they had Hempfest.

Smoking MJ in public didn't seem like a frowned upon action. SPD didn't seem to mind either. They were mostly just keeping people out of traffic.

TThe hotel's manager where we were staying at said they expected 400,000 people. That's a hell of a lot of revenue for a city.

[reggie the dog]

4. in seattle you can deal pot with impunity

i met a guy on the street in broad daylight who pulled out his cell and said "what, and ounce, 200 dollars I will be there in 20 minutes. I looked at him and said how much for an eighth and he said 25 and pulled it out and sold it to me on the street in broad daylight downtown, he was in his 50's and said he moved there to deal in safety. pot is the lowest priority for the cops and people walk around smoking all over the place from what i saw

[mulsh]

3. This is the first I've heard of this & I'm in downtown Oakland

nearly every week day.

Maybe I can get an Oaksterdam University t-shirt and an "I hella heart Oakland" sweatshirt.