Festival Overview
- The Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival is the longest-running cannabis rights festival in the US.
- Initially held annually in Madison, Wisconsin since 1971 and organized by Ben Masel until his death in 2011.
- In 2021, the festival was rebranded to focus on education and advocacy, renamed The Great Midwest Hemp Fest, managed by R&R Productions.
Venue Information
- The 44th annual festival was held at Library Mall in 2014 and 2016.
- The golden anniversary festival was deferred to 2021 with a new focus on Equity, Sustainability, Advocacy, and Agribusiness.
- The festival is set to return to Library Mall on October 1st, 2023, aiming to dispel misconceptions and promote evidence-based information.
References
- Event Archives: Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival.
- Articles from Wisconsin Gazette, The Badger Herald, WMTV.
- Coverage by Sounds Magazine, The Capital Times, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Ladybud.
- Information on activist Ben Masel’s involvement in the festival.
External Links
- Cannabis portal on Wikimedia Commons.
- Official website for the festival.
- Information on the term ‘420 Friendly’.
- Legal history of cannabis in the US and globally.
- Details on major legal reforms and significant cases.
Legacy and Impact
- The festival’s role in promoting cannabis rights and influencing public perception and policy.
- Historical significance as a long-standing event.
- Ben Masel’s contributions and activism.
- Continued advocacy for cannabis education and reform.