It feels like a festival, but it’s actually a political protest rally calling for law reform and the legalisation of cannabis.

The 29th annual Nimbin MardiGrass is already underway and the program for this weekend is full of music, events, talks and activities.

Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the kombi convoy will be coming from Byron on Saturday and there will be lots of talks.

You can also look forward to the usual activities such as the HEMP Olympix, which kicks off at 11am today (Saturday), featuring the famous bong throwing competition.

Saturday highlights

From 10am until 4pm, the Hemposium Conference features talks, workshops, demos and forums on cannabis law reform, medicine, culture, and history.

Speakers include solicitor Steve Bolt, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann and Mullaways medical cannabis maker Tony Bower.

Michael said he was excited that the newly elected Legalise Cannabis WA Party candidates Brian Walker and Sophia Moermond are coming from Western Australia to speak during the weekend. 

“They are our first elected pollies whose platform is to legalise cannabis – Sophia is a naturopath and they will talk about what they hope to achieve,” he said.

4 pm Kombi Konvoy & 420 Smoke-In

5 pm HEMP Olympix  Joint Rolling First Heats

6 pm Safer Roads or Bigger Brother? Roadside Drug Testing Q&A with ex-magistrate David Heilpern

7.55 pm : Ganja Faeries Burlesque Performance

8 pm : Saturday Night Comedy Live

10 pm : Harvest Ball featuring dub reggae band Kurilpa Reach

Sunday highlights

The Pot Poet’s Breakfast kicks off at 10 am, flowed by another heat of the Hemp Olympix at 11am.

The annual Cannabis Law Reform and protest will march down the main street at 2.30pm– and yes the big joint will be there.

“Wearing green is good for the event and don’t forget it’s a protest,” Michael said. “Think about and bringing a protest banner.”

The industrial hemp expo will be happening all weekend, as will the healers tent and chai tent.

For full details of the program and events, visit https://nimbinmardigrass.com/

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