cannabisnews.com: Billing Is Bummer For Hemp Group! Billing Is Bummer For Hemp Group! Posted by FoM on July 02, 1999 at 16:08:39 PT Always Good Information! Source: Drug Sense Weekly The Florida Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws Event Is Taking Place In Zephyrhills, Says An Organizer. So Why Did The City Hang A Dade City Event's Banner Higher? ZEPHYRHILLS -- The Florida Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws wanted to get its banner high, but the city of Zephyrhills decided the sign was a downer. Two months ago, the marijuana proponents arranged to hang a banner over Sixth Avenue promoting their Fourth of July Hemp Revolution at Zephyr Park. But when the city finally hoisted the sign Monday, one week later than planned, FORML members noticed their banner hung below a larger advertisement for Sparklebration, Dade City's July 4 fireworks extravaganza. FORML president Mike Palmieri was none too pleased at what he considers an intentional slight. As a Zephyrhills event, the hemp fest deserved better than second billing, Palmieri said. He also complained the sign, which featured marijuana leaves superimposed on an American flag, was wrinkled and poorly hung. "Sparklebration is going on in Dade City," Palmieri said. "That's Dade City. It's not a local event." The festival, which runs Sunday from noon to 10 p.m., will celebrate the many uses of hemp, the stringy plant whose leaves are smoked as marijuana. There will be a hemp seed spitting contest, ice cream made from hemp seed extract, hemp clothing, hemp ropes, even a hemp American flag. Musical performers will include Billy Bongster, Republican Hippy and Salami Mommy. Pot proponents will pass around a petition favoring marijuana legalization. Donning a suit, his ponytail spilling from under a baseball cap, Palmieri raised a fuss about the banner at Monday night's Zephyrhills City Council meeting. He argued the city continues to deprive his group of its rights, pointing out how FORML was denied a place in the Zephyrhills Founder's Day celebration last March. "Some of these people in Zephyrhills are getting preferential treatment," he said. "If you belong to Main Street or the Chamber of Commerce and make a contribution you never get the short end of the stick." For the Independence Day frivolities, FORML has reserved the B.Y. Wickstrom Stage at Zephyr Park. The city is tolerating the event on the assumption only hemp fibers, and not marijuana, will pass hands at the park. As for the banner raising, City Manager Steve Spina said that's a courtesy the city extends to non-profit groups in the area. "We don't guarantee top billing," Spina said of the FORML banner. "They've not been treated differently than anyone else." Palmieri is expecting a brisk turnout, despite holding the festival in a town best known for retirees. "I'm hoping for at least 1,000 people, man," he said. "Only 10 percent chance of rain. It looks good so far." Click the link below to read:Drug Sense Weekly News Digest!http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/1999/ds99.n104.html Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 02, 1999 at 16:56:19 PT: Floridians for Medical Rights Upcoming Events! Upcoming Events July 4, 1999Zepherhills Hemp Fest12 noon til 10:00pm - Zepherhills ParkContact FORML 813-782-2164 Click the link to read:Floridian's for Medical Rights Upcoming Events! Floridians for Medical Rights Upcoming Events! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: