WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — The National Cannabis Festival is back for its third year in the Nation's capital.
The event will take place at RFK stadium grounds from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Cypress Hill is also scheduled to perform during the event.
Caroline Phillips founded the festival. She said it will include an education pavilion where people can spend the day learning about local policy issues.
"(The will be) a grow school where D.C. residents can learn about their right to grow their own cannabis," Phillips added.
She said the event recognizes the efforts of non-profit advocacy groups that have been involved in the cannabis policy debate across the country.
The festival comes at an interesting time in the nation's debate over the use of marijuana.
Senator Chuck Schumer introduced legislation that would decriminalize marijuana Friday. His legislation would also create dedicated funding streams for women and minority-owned marijuana businesses.
Phillips said as more jurisdictions have decriminalized the use of marijuana and introduced medicinal marijuana regulations, women have become increasingly involved in the business aspect of the drug.
"I think that as women, we are caretakers at heart and I think that it's been a very natural transition for a lot of women who take care of sick children or sick family members to transition toward medical cannabis," she said.
Phillips believes there are more women involved in the cannabis industry now than there were five years ago.
If you are interested in attending the National Cannabis Festival, tickets will be available at the gate for $50 while supplies last. All D.C. marijuana laws apply to the event.
