High Times in Oreganja

A few thousand people gathered in Oregon this summer, to participate in the High Times "World Hemp Expo Extravaganja" held on a private farm near Eugene. 

The event was more of a Northwest pot-fest than a World Hemp Expo, with Fishbone and a number of local bands providing the musical backdrop to three days of getting really high and wandering amongst booths selling glass pipes, hemp clothes, food and countercultural knick-knacks. 

Since the event was held on a private farm there was nary a copper in sight, and the gange flowed plentifully. A rare respite from the paranoid undertones that often accompany CC visits to the USA. 

Our photographer Barge had the brilliant idea of putting a sign on our booth saying that he would photograph any buds brought before him. We were soon swamped with proud growers eager the show off the cream of their harvest. Fine colas of all shapes and sizes were being swapped across our table. 

Gawking onlookers gathered round, trying to catch a glimpse or possibly a rare toke of the amazing variety of herbs being placed under the photographic lens. Oregon growers are proud of their quality buds, and from the look of their product they have good reason to be. 

We've culled the best buds from Barge's stack of photos, and present them here for your envy and enjoyment. Comments are from Barge and Sean of the Little Grow Store. 

Strange American Customs  

Getting into the states was a bit of a challenge for the CC crew, as US customs initially stopped our car at the border and refused us entry. A dour customs agent told us that our few CC magazines and T shirts made it "obvious" that at least one of us had a criminal record. No entry for us unless we could prove otherwise. 

Never ones to give up, we drove to the nearest RCMP station and asked for criminal record checks. Within an hour we were on our way, clutching official forms showing us to be as innocent as babes in the eyes of Canadian law. US customs agents reluctantly let us through. 

CC at the RCMP  The HempBC & Cannabis Canada team waiting for their criminal record checks. From left to right: Sean (Little Grow Shop), Shell (Cannabis Cafe), Barge (Photographer), Dana Larsen (lying down, CC Editor), Sister Ice (HempBC), Suzanne Gracan (CC Managing Editor).

A few weeks later I tried to fly to Seattle to attend their Hempfest. When US customs asked me where I was going and who my employer was I answered truthfully, having crossed over many times before and never having had any problems. 

I was asked if I smoked marijuana and I answered that I have indeed done so. I was then flatly refused entry and told that I should not try to re-enter for one year. The customs agent said that he would not permit me to "promote narcotics" in his country, and that he had "lost friends to marijuana". Apparently new directives give agents more discretion to refuse entry to people with political beliefs deemed to be dangerous.  

By Dana Larsen