Long known for its brewed coffee, grunge music, and rainy weather, Seattle has also plays host to Hempfest, the nation’s largest annual “protestival” seeking to change national marijuana laws through a celebration of cannabis culture.
Hempfest 2013 is the first installment of the 22-year old Seattle tradition since Initiative 502 legalizing adult marijuana was ratified by the state last November and the Seattle Police Department will be trying out a new crowd control strategy for the event this year. Under the code name “Operation Orange Fingers,” members of the police department will be planting one ounce bags of the highly addictive substance known as Doritos on 1,000 lucky attendees this weekend. Each bag comes with a FAQ on the current legal status of marijuana in the state known as Marijwhatnow?, a handy guide to Washingtonians new civil liberties.
Seattle Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Sean Whitcomb stopped told the Seattle-area alt-weekly The Stranger, “We’ve said all along that this is a momentous period in our history. We only get to do it once,” and that “We want to make sure people learn the rules and that they respect the vote.”
Organizers are expecting a record turnout of around 250,000 to enjoy three days of music, food, and generally indecisive aimlessness.
The surprisingly amazing Seattle PD Twitter account has been lighting up since “Operation Orange Fingers” got the green light. Here are some of the best:
