Learn all about hemp at Salem Hemp Fest

This item was extracted from the July 22 edition of Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch. Click here to read the day’s entire Holding Court.

Shane Lemco, who is known as the Voice of Independence, stopped by to share his enthusiasm for Salem’s first Hemp Fest, which is coming up Saturday, Aug. 29, at Salem’s Riverfront Park.

Lemco was unwavering in his support for hemp, (he’s building a house from it), and cautioned that the “laws that made marijuana legal have made it harder for industrialized hemp producers.”

“Hemp isn’t marijuana, and it can create jobs,” Lemco said. “This festival is about supporting industrial hemp.”

And while it is a cause for celebration, he said, it will have “absolutely nothing to do with getting high.”

He said there will be booths for folks to learn more about hemp and its many uses as a crop. Lemco said hemp can be grown as a fiber, seed or other dual-purpose crop, and its fibers are used in products such as fabric, textiles, yarns, paper, carpeting, home furnishings and construction and insulation materials. Its seed and oil-cake are used in foods and beverages, industrial oils, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The festival will include artists, sponsors, vendors and speakers. Musical entertainment will be provided by more than a dozen artists. The event is free.

Click here to read the entire July 22 Holding Court.

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