Seattle Hempfest, a cornerstone of cannabis culture, traces its roots back to 1991 when it was first held in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. Initially a modest gathering aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of hemp, it has since blossomed into the largest annual cannabis policy reform event globally. The festival, now held at Myrtle Edwards Park, attracts a diverse crowd of cannabis enthusiasts, activists, and industry professionals. Over the decades, Seattle Hempfest has mirrored the shifting landscape of cannabis legislation, evolving from a grassroots protest to a mainstream celebration of cannabis culture. The event features a vibrant mix of live performances, educational panels, and a marketplace for cannabis-related products. As the cannabis industry continues to expand, Seattle Hempfest remains a vital forum for discussing legalization, social equity, and environmental sustainability. For further details, you can explore the Seattle Hempfest website or consult reputable sources like Wikipedia and cannabis-focused publications.
Seattle Hempfest was an annual event in the city of Seattle, Washington, United States, (and the world's largest annual gathering) advocating the legalization of cannabis. It was held every summer for 19 years, from 1991 to 2020, after which permission for vendors to use an access road was revoked and the logistical problems of getting vendors into and out of the park became an insurmountable obstacle. As of 2025, its future appears uncertain.
| Seattle Hempfest | |
|---|---|
 Seattle city council member Nick Licata speaking at the 2009 Seattle Hempfest | |
| Genre | Political |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Locations | Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Years active | 34 |
| Inaugurated | August 1, 1991 |
| Previous event | 10 October 2020 – 11 October 2020 |
| Attendance | 100,000 |
| Budget | $1,000,000 |
| Organised by | Seattle Events, a Non-Profit Corporation |
| Member | Hempfest Central Seattle Peace Heathens Community Action Group |
| Website | www |
Vivian McPeak serves as the organization's executive director. Founded in 1991 as the Washington Hemp Expo, a self-described "humble gathering of stoners" attended by only 500 people, and renamed the following year as Hempfest, it grew into a three-day annual political rally, concert, and arts and crafts fair with attendance typically over 100,000. Speakers included Seattle City Council member Nick Licata, actor/activist Woody Harrelson (2004), travel writer and TV host Rick Steves (2007), (2010), 2012 Green Party speaker Jill Stein, Dallas Cowboys center Mark Stepnoski (2003), and former chief of the Seattle Police Department Norm Stamper (2006). Hempfest also in recent years attracted such well-known performers as Fishbone (2002), The Kottonmouth Kings (2004), Rehab (2006), and Pato Banton (2007) to its five stages spread throughout Myrtle Edwards Park and Elliott Bay Park, on Seattle's waterfront.