Lauren E Hernandez

Statesman Journal

Thousands of cannabis aficionados filled the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center for the Hemp & Cannabis Fair on Saturday.

More than sixty percent of the 87 vendors were Salem businesses showcasing herbal remedies, marijuana strains and edibles.

"We want to have a platform for the local shops to get out there and in front of more people than they can through regular methods of advertising," said Naomi Forkash, director of the Hemp & Cannabis Fair.

Forkash said the fair, which has made an appearance in Salem for semi-annual events in the past, offers an opportunity for people of all demographics to attend, learn something new and buy products ranging from hand-blown glass pipes and bongs to lighting for home growers.

She said the fair's brand is to provide a safe and educational place for people to learn about hemp products and marijuana.

"You can have somebody like a PTA member in the same place as someone who has been a hemp advocate for 20 years," Forkash said. "This gives people the place to talk about cannabis and about industrial hemp, and kind of coming out of the closet so to speak."

Although marijuana or cannabis infused products were not available for purchase at the fair, Carl Christofferson, owner of Going Green West Coast Inc., made sure to display some of his strains in glass jars for passersby to get a closer look and sniff.

"Last minute we were told we can't bring any infused products or anything with any THC - a little misleading but hey!" Chistofferson said.

Chistofferson said he spoke with many people who attended the fair out of mere curiosity and with an open mind to learn more. He said it's important for the community to have opportunities to attend events that showcase the various advantages to using hemp products, cannabis or THC infused products.

"If you don't have this and people don't get the information, then they're just going to stay close minded for ever and not know what is available to them," Chistofferson said.

Andrew Sawyer, of Salem, works for West Salem Cannabis and attended the fair to hand out fliers for his dispensary, but took time to explore the fair's vendor products.

"It's cool to see how everything has advanced between functional glass art, grow products, nutrient lines and seed production," Sawyer said.

Sawyer, a first-timer to the fair, said he was happy to see the variety of products for sale and visitors snaking through the cramped line of vendors.

"Some of them look like they go to church, some of them look like they're in a rock band," Sawyer said.

Forkash said her favorite part of directing the cannabis fair is meeting families of multiple generations that all share the curiosity, or the love, of marijuana or cannabis-infused products.

"My favorite thing is when there are people coming here saying 'hey I'm here with my daughter and my mom," Forkash said. "Three generations of people coming in and bonding, which is cool."

If you go

The Hemp & Cannabis fair continues Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2230 17th St. NE.

Cost is $15 for a weekend pass.

For information, call 541-201-8497 or go to thcfair.com.

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