Park permit denied for Eugene hemp festival

EUGENE, Ore. – The Emerald Empire Hempfest has been denied a permit to host a gathering in a city park because of drug use at last year’s event.

Festival coordinator Dan Koozer objected, saying there were no arrests at last year’s event and little drug use, and that he had hoped to expand this year to a two-day festival that would celebrate the many legal uses of hemp.

The festival promotes nondrug aspects of the marijuana plant, from foods made with hemp seeds to clothes made from hemp fiber. Those products come from a strain of the plant that has no THC, among the chemicals that create a high. The festival also recognizes those who use the marijuana medicinally, a legal practice in Oregon for those who register with the state.

“We’re trying to show that the cannabis plant is simply a plant with many benefits that’s been demonized,” Koozer said.

Eugene police confirm that they made no arrests last year but say officers witnessed drug sales at the festival and that undercover officers bought marijuana there.

In addition, the private security staff hired by festival organizers told participants who the undercover officers were, said police spokeswoman Pam Olshanski.

“That ends up producing an officer safety issue as well,” she said.

Koozer said the only complaint he heard from police along those lines was that someone on the festival staff had identified the undercover officer and had followed him around during the festival.

Johnny Medlin, director of parks and open space, said he decided to deny the permit after meeting with Police Capt. Steve Swenson.

Festival organizers said the denial discriminates against them, and they plan to appeal it. They have asked the American Civil Liberties Union to look into the matter.