Keem Jones: My time at the National Cannabis Festival, which advocates, entertains

“FREE THE PEOPLE!!! FREE THE PLANTS!!!” screamed a group of marijuana advocates, enthusiasts and consumers gathered in LaFayette Park, across the street from the White House. The 420 Unity Day of Action was held on April 18, just two days before the smoker’s holiday.

The purpose of the vigil was to demand President Joe Biden keep his promise of releasing all cannabis prisoners, according to organizers. The Last Prisoner Project and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, brought together hundreds to call for the descheduling and decriminalization of cannabis. The vigil was a part of 420 week, which concluded with the two-day National Cannabis Festival.

Education, advocacy, entertainment

The festival is about the growth and cultivation of health, wealth and self. Each component is designed to build a better you.

Education, advocacy, and entertainment are the pillars that the National Cannabis Festival sits upon. Caroline Phillips and her group founded the festival in 2015 to celebrate the progress of marijuana legalization. The first festival was held the following year and has grown exponentially since.

Performances by major hip-hop artists are a part of the festival, and past performers include De La Soul, WizKhalifa, Juicy J, and 2 Chainz. This year, the festival was expanded to two days rather than thetraditional one-day festival and Wu-Tang Clan, a legendary hip-hop group closed out the weekend.Other performers included ThunderKatt, Devin The Dude, DC’s own Dior Ashley Brown, Noochie and Backyard Band.

There was a special appearance by Roc-A-Fella signee and Jay-Z protege Memphis Bleek. Bleek ledthe countdown to 4:20 p.m. At that time on April 20, smoke filled the festival grounds as over25,000 attendees lit joints, blunts, bongs and cones in the name of ending marijuana prohibition.To cure the serious case of the munchies, VIP attendees were treated to complimentary food,courtesy of Mission BBQ.

Wu-Tang Clan headlines; Redman appears

Among concert performances, Houston hip-hop legend Devin The Dude took the stage with a thick marijuana cigar and rolled through hits that included 420 anthems like “Doobie Ashtray” and “Highway.” At one point in his performance, Devin acknowledged his maturity after realizing a song he made in his 20s sounds vulgar nowadays in his older age.

Wu-Tang Clan, from the "Slums of Shaolin," came next and the crowd erupted as the New York supergroup took the stage to perform classics in the rap genre, like “Protect Ya Neck,” “Triumph” and “C.R.E.A.M.” In a poignant moment, the late Wu-Tang Clan member ODB’s first-born son joined the group on stage in place of his father.

Another guest appearance: Rapper Redman who is Wu-Tang member Method Man’s partner from the movie and music, "How High." The New Jersey rapper came on stage after being spotted riding around the festival grounds in the back of a golf cart.

Wearing a “Free The Green” T-Shirt to promote the newly-founded United Empowerment Party, Redman paused his performance to deliver a message advocating for the federal legalization of cannabis. Wu-Tang’s performance concluded with well wishes from member Raekwon The Chef, who introduced his new cannabis brand, Hashtoria.

Marijuana acceptance: A slow, deliberate journey in NC

Like Wu-Tang Clan, the process of growth and acceptance of marijuana has been a slow deliberate journey. North Carolina is still one of the 11 states with no form of legalization. However, in the Qwalla Boundary, located in Cherokee, the first-ever medical marijuana dispensary opened its doors. Members of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association spoke in celebration of The Great Smoky Mountain Cannabis opening.

It is a step in the right direction. However, North Carolina remains reluctant to legalize the plant. House Bill626 seeks to legalize and regulate the sale, possession, and use of cannabis. It has not been enacted intolaw.

The National Cannabis Festival and similar initiatives continue to push for legalization on alllevels. To get involved, log on to www.nationalcannabisfestival.com.

Salute to Carolina and every activist getting active. Peace.

Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Education, advocacy, entertainment — and Wu-Tang — headline cannabis fest