April 2, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2001 EXPO PANEL TOPICS ANNOUNCED

Panel topics have been selected for the upcoming fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo. The 2001 Expo is Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, 10am to 6pm at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California. Admission is $6 per day, or $10 for both days.

Five panels are scheduled for Expo weekend:

Saturday
12:30 - 1:30 "Hemp Legislation Update"
2:00 - 3:00 "Hemp Industry Quality Control"
4:30 - 5:30 "Hemp Product Marketing 2001"

Sunday
2:00 - 3:00 "A Critique Of Hemp Reintroduction Activism"
4:30 - 5:30 "From A Hydrocarbon To A Carbohydrate Economy"

Panelists will be announced when confirmed. For the first time panels will be held in the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers, which is just across the street from the Civic Auditorium. Also for the first time, panels will be cablecast live on local channel 27 by Community Television of Santa Cruz County.

The complete 2001 show schedule will appear on Expo website cruzexpo.com, and in The Connection Magazine May 3rd issue Official Expo Program Guide.

Open to the public, the Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. The dominant trade show for the developing hemp industry, vendors, buyers and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths feature wholesale and retail sales, with a 2-set hemp fashion show, live music indoors and outdoors, educational and historical displays, raffles, speakers and panels.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at 831-425-3003, or visit on the web at http://www.cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call 831-466-0500.

March 18, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEMP FLAG DISPLAY PRESENTATION AT 2001 EXPO

Hemp US Flag of Mesa, Arizona, in conjunction with its "50-Flags For 50-States Project," will present a display of their 100% hemp American flags arranged on the Main Stage of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium for the upcoming fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo. The 2001 Expo is Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, 10am to 6pm at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California.

The Hemp US Flag hand-made in the USA quality crafted flags are sized according to federal specifications, measuring 3 feet by 5 feet, 8 inches. They feature the 7 red and 6 white rows sewn together, sewn to the blue union corner with 50 stars on each side. A hemp canvas wear protective hem is sewn along the hoist edge of the flag, and heavy duty brass mounting grommets are hand pressed to this for strength and durability.

It is likely that the first American flags were made with hemp fabric. Cotton had not gained the popularity it enjoys today, while hemp was a common fiber crop with a long and established history in the textile and cordage trades. Hemp is one of the longest, strongest natural fibers know to man. The term "canvas" is a derivative of the latin "cannabis" and Dutch "canefas." Ships of the sailing era depended on 40 tons or more of hemp rigging each.

A collectable, numbered Hemp Us Flag can be purchased for $99.00 at their website http://www.hempusflag.com or from their site-listed dealer network, and at the Hemp Us Flag booth at the 2001 Expo.

Open to the public, serving both wholesale and retail interests, the Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. The dominant trade show for the developing hemp industry, vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths are featured, with educational and historical displays, live music from 2 stages, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels. General admission is $6.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at 831-425-3003 or visit on the web at http://www.cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call 831-466-0500.

March 1, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLYMEMBER VIRGINIA STROM-MARTIN TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT 2001 EXPO

California Assemblymember Virginia Strom-Martin (D-Duncans Mills) will give the keynote address for the 2001 Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo. Strom-Martin is scheduled to speak on "Industrial Hemp Reintroduction" at 11:30am Saturday, May 12 from the Main Stage of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. The upcoming fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo is Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, 10am to 6pm at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California.

Virginia Strom-Martin introduced Assembly Bill 448 that would legalize the production of industrial hemp in California on February 20, 2001. "Industrial hemp could be of immense benefit to both the economy and the environment of the North Coast, and rural California in general," Strom-Martin said. "We simply have to deal rationally rather than hysterically with a crop whose promise is great and time has come." Strom-Martin's AB 448 would allow growth of industrial hemp through a licensing program.

In 1998, Assemblymember Strom-Martin successfully authored House Resolution 32 which urged the California Legislature to reconsider its position on the status of Industrial Hemp. The production of industrial hemp is currently legal in more than 25 countries including Canada, France, Germany, and China. More than twelve states have passed or are in the process of passing legislation to legalize industrial hemp. At present, only Hawaii has a permit from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to grow industrial hemp. For research purposes only, the first test plots were planted in December 1999.

"Today Industrial Hemp offers a very real and immediate solution to deforestation, the abuses of the petrochemical industry and the destruction of our topsoil," Strom-Martin said. "Hemp is an untapped source of revenue for the state and it is absolutely ridiculous that the sole reason for its illegality is because of absurd claims made at the height of this nation's 'yellow journalism' era."

The 1970 UC Berkeley graduate, married, mother of two was first elected to the State Assembly in 1996. Strom-Martin's policy interests range from education reform and environmental stewardship to transportation and economic development. She was named Legislator of the Year by the California County Auditors' Association, Assemblymember of the Year by the California School Board Association, Legislator of the Year by the California Middle School Association, Legislator of the Year by the California Parks & Recreation Society, Fisheries Legislator of the Year by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and given the Land Conservation Achievement Award by the Trust for Public Lands. Assemblymember Virginia Strom-Martin's website is http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a01/.

Open to the public, serving both wholesale and retail interests, the Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. The dominant trade show for the developing hemp industry, vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths are featured, with educational and historical displays, live music from 2 stages, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels. General admission is $6.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at 831-425-3003 or visit on the web at http://www.cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call 831-466-0500.

February 18, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2001 EXPO PANELS TO BE CABLECAST LIVE

Community Television of Santa Cruz County has confirmed that the 2001 Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo panel series will be cablecast live on local channel 27. Five panels are scheduled for Expo weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13 at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California.

The upcoming fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo will hold its panel series in the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers for the first time. Seating up to 100, it is located immediately across Church Street from the entrance to the Civic Auditorium.

The panels forecast on the global industrial hemp market and discuss hemp industry manufacturing concerns, hemp product marketing trends, current hemp consumer issues, and recent industrial hemp legislation and enforcement actions. Specific topics and participants will be announced when confirmed. The complete schedule will appear on Expo website cruzexpo.com and in The Connection Magazine Official Expo Program Guide.

Open to the public, serving both wholesale and retail interests, the Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. The dominant trade show for the developing hemp industry, vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths are featured, with educational and historical displays, live music from 2 stages, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels. General admission is $6.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at 831-425-3003 or visit on the web at http://www.cruzexpo.com. For Sponsor and vendor inquiries, contact Bob Lamonica, producer 831-466-0500 fax 831-466-0510

January 1, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHRIS CONRAD TO EMCEE 2001 EXPO

Author, internationally recognized spokesperson and court-qualified expert on cannabis hemp, Chris Conrad will be emcee for the fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo, Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13 at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California.

A quick-witted, internationally known expert on the history, medical, social, economic and ecological aspects of cannabis hemp, Conrad advocates full restoration of industrial hemp, medical marijuana with a doctor's supervision and setting a legal age of consent for marijuana use by responsible adults in a regulated market.

Chris Conrad is founder and director of the Business Alliance for Commerce in Hemp (BACH), director of the Family Council on Drug Awareness (FCDA) and a member of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA). He founded the American Hemp Council in 1989, was a chief proponent of the 1992 and 1994 California Hemp Initiatives and portrayed "Johnny Marijuanaseed" in the PBS classic The Nineties "Hemp Show #1."

In 1994, Mr. Conrad helped found and was elected the first president of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA). He was state community action coordinator for the petition drive that launched the 1996 California Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposition 215, which passed with 56% of the vote. He provides expert testimony, both in court of law and for legislators and their staff.

Mr. Conrad has appeared on television news and talk shows including Goodnight America and California This Week, and syndicated radio programs including Art Bell, Talk Radio Network, Talk America and the College Radio Network. He has been quoted by The Washington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times, Atlantic Monthly, Vegetarian Times, Earth Island Journal, High Times, Capitol Reporter, AP, UPI, Pacifica News, Radio Netherlands News, Canadian Broadcast Co. and many other national and international news sources.

Born in 1953, Conrad is a former seminarian who holds an honors degree in fine art and communications from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Chris Conrad is author of four groundbreaking books: "Hemp, Lifeline to the Future", "Hemp for Health: The Medicinal and Nutritional Uses of Cannabis Sativa", "Shattered Lives, Portraits From America's Drug War" (With Mikki Norris and Virginia Resner) and "Human Rights and the US Drug War" (With Mikki Norris and Virginia Resner).

The Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. Vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths are featured, with educational and historical displays, live music from 2 stages, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels. General admission is $6.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at (831) 425-3003 or visit on the web at http://www.cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call (831) 466-0500.

November 12, 2000 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO BE SITE OF PANEL AND SPEAKER SERIES FOR 2001 EXPO

The fourth annual Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo, Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13 at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California will hold its panel and speaker series in the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers for the first time in 2001.

The 2 day Expo, which includes about two thirds of Church Street alongside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, will expand to include the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers for the 2001 event.

The Council Chambers is located immediately across Church Street from the entrance to the Civic Auditorium. It seats up to 100 and is equipped for live cablecasting by Community Television of Santa Cruz County.

The Hemp Expo has lobbied since 1998 for access to the Council Chambers for its panel and speaker series. On September 12, 2000, the Santa Cruz City Council passed Council Policy 7.2 which provides for rental of the Council Chambers concurrent with weekend rental of the Civic Auditorium.

Now in its fourth year, the Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction. Vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz. Over 75 booths will be featured, plus educational and historical displays, live music from 2 stages, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels.

General admission is $6.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at (831) 425-3003 or visit on the web at cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call (831) 466-0500.

July 16, 2000 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOURTH ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ INDUSTRIAL HEMP EXPO SCHEDULED FOR MAY 12-13, 2001

The 2001 Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo is slated for the second weekend in May, Mother's Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13 at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California.

The 2 day Expo Complex includes about two thirds of Church Street alongside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium at 307 Church Street. Over 75 booths will be featured, plus educational and historical displays, a hemp fashion show, speakers and panels.

Booth fees and indoor/outdoor floor plan continue as set for the 2000 show. Last year's booth locations for returning vendors can by arrangement be reserved for the 2001 Expo. A Vendor Advisory is being formalized for input on show development issues, including a dedicated effort to attract additional wholesale buyers to the Expo. Buyer registration information will be made available to all vendors after the event closes.

The Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo provides a positive basis for public support of hemp reintroduction, with an open to the public trade show based setting that is well organized and effectively promoted. Now established as the dominant trade show for the developing hemp industry, vendors and hemp reintroduction advocates are drawn from around the world to Santa Cruz.

For more information call the Expo's publicity voicemail at (831) 425-3003 or visit on the web at cruzexpo.com. Sponsor and vendor inquiries may call (831) 466-0500.