Another week of rain, with one heavenly sunny day in the middle somewhere. When I first moved to Nimbin to live, about forty years ago, we had never-ending wet seasons, as I remember it. Everyone was in gumboots the whole time, we were often flooded in, everything muddy and mouldy. Many early hippies, who grew up in the city, moved from the communes into town, or Lismore, or Byron. The leeches were rampant, and still are.
It’s way easier now, with plenty of solar power, while back then it was candles and kero lamps. The roads, a potholed muddy nightmare then, are now sealed. The community gatherings were stronger, most people had no money and we helped each other. The richer we get the more we separate.
After the dreadful fires in 2019, some smart community-minded people in Nimbin got a $2.4 million grant from that government fellow with all the money, to build a walking track in the village. It was officially opened last week and it’s a fantastic addition to our tiny one pub village, which apparently is the fourth most enquired after by visitors to New South Wales!
The walk starts near Rainbow Power Company and has some terrific artwork and information about the local Aboriginal tribes and the 1973 Aquarius Festival newcomers, Blackfellas and Rainbow fellas. Highly recommended if you are here and it will only get better as the freshly planted trees and shrubs grow and more artwork happens.
I just knew Albo would call the election on the MardiGrass weekend! Totally threatened by the ever increasing Legalise Cannabis vote, he knows we’ll all be here, stoned, for our one weekend of the year when we can all relax together. A gathering of harmless ‘criminals’ from across Australia, who aren’t really criminals at all.
We’ve been getting ready for this election for a year now, interviewing candidates and gathering donations. Now is the time if you can give, or give any more, towards the LC campaign. Your dollar might just make the difference and get a senator elected! How would it be? Surely they’d make a change then? Talk about cost of living, just let us grow our own. You can donate here.
I was in the HEMP Bar, watching Jeremy (live online) chairing the Final Hearing for the Inquiry into the Impact of the Regulatory Framework for Cannabis in NSW. Interviewing senior police about not using discretion like they could, and government bureaucrats about RDT. People from another universe who have swallowed the prohibitionist propaganda hook, line and sinker. Experience really is the true teacher with cannabis, and if you have none, then you really have virtually no idea what we’re talking about.
We love turning lemons into lemonade in Nimbin and so a new event for MardiGrass is taking shape, thanks to Albo's decision. Saturday, 3 May, Election Night in the HEMP Bar, our very own Tally-Ho Room with Jeremy Joe Bogan and Anthony Greenout! Can’t wait. Imagine if we get a senator elected!
We’re sending the 2025 MardiGrass Program and the new edition of the Pot Papers to the printer next week so it’s getting close. There’s an awesome lineup of speakers and performers and entertainment growing daily at nimbinmardigrass.com. It’s the thirtieth Hemp Olympix this year and by popular demand the Growers Iron-Person Event is back, along with the Joint Rolling contests, Correct Weight (28.35 grams), the Bong Throw and Yell, and Dealers Nightmare. I suggest you start training now as there’s new gold, silver and bronze medals being made to celebrate the ‘milestoned’.
Love to everyone.
Michael Balderstone
Nimbin HEMP Embassy Head
Fun Fact!
The effects of edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, as THC must be digested and processed by the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The effects of edibles can last for several hours, sometimes up to 12 hours, and residual effects can persist for up to 24 hours!
Episodes 15 and 16 of Jeremy’s podcast, “Into The Weeds, feature Fiona Patten, lead Senate Candidate for LCPin Victoria, pushing for policies that prioritise people over politics and one of Australia’s most polarising and outspoken political figures, Mark Latham, (respectively).
(Don’t forget to JOIN the Party, it’s free and sends a loud message—we are growing)!
MARDIGRASS
Golden Bud MardiGrass Pass
ALL Events ONLY
(NO Camping) $60.00 per person
Fri 2nd May – Sun 4th May 2025
PLANTS & PERMACULTURE BOOKS
Welcome to the world of permaculture, a sustainable and earth-friendly way of life that will change the way you live. How to Permaculture Your Life by Ross Mars and Simone Willis.
$45.00
MARDIGRASS
PLANTS & PERMACULTURE BOOKS
Bringing into sharper focus the still evolving concept pioneered in the 70s. Permaculture Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren.
The campaign, by the Penington Institute, asks the Victorian community to ‘Take the cannabis test’—a five-question online quiz designed to encourage the community to think about how cannabis can be safely regulated.
Proceeding for people unlawfully searched by NSW Police at all music festivals in NSW since 22 July 2016. Slater and Gordon Lawyers and Redfern Legal Centre. Register here.
A forum for cultivating ethnobotanical plants, knowledge, and community. This is an outdoor, camping-based educational conference where attendees stay among the trees, under the stars, all on one site close to Melbourne, learning and growing together.
The long-dreamed of Nimbin Rainbow Walk became a reality on 21 March with the official opening. Featuring well-formed paths, picturesque boardwalks and sturdy bridges the 750m walk blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape with interpretive signage, locally crafted artwork, comfortable park furniture, a large timber pergola and more than 5,700 new native plantings enhancing the experience.
Since 2013, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters, community volunteers, local councillors, staff and the tourist industry, had a vision to preserve and revitalise 130km of disused rail corridor between Murwillumbah and Casino, converting it to a world class car-free corridor through the region’s spectacular landscapes. Ensuring you have the wheels to explore the trail at your own pace, hire a bicycle here.
The easy place to check what market is on! The Market Guide lists all monthly markets and the weekly farmers markets from around the Northern Rivers and the NSW North Coast.
Find out what’s on in Lismore, Nimbin and Villages. Featuring key events, tours and activities, entertainment, local attractions, markets and much more.
See what’s on from Byron Bay to Murwillumbah, Nimbin to Lennox Head, Kingscliff to Mullum., Tweed to Bangalow, Ballina to Coolangatta, Lismore and beyond. Echonet daily Gig Guide—local pubs, clubs, venues, DJs, bands covered!
Regional Touring Guide
Explore the beautiful Northern Rivers Region with this Tourist Drive brochure. Tourist Drives 24 and 32 stretch from Murwillumbah in the north, to Woodburn in the south, through lush countryside and some of the region’s most amazing natural wonders, charming historic villages and mouth-watering restaurants, cafes and local producers.
The seventh edition of Echonet’s digital guide to the Northern Rivers region is available now. So much diversity at your fingertips—beaches to hinterland, local produce to jazz afternoons—just so many options to explore and experience.
Early Bird tickets, volunteer, stallholder and speaker applications for the 2025 festival are now available at https://myco.tidyhq.com/ We are still working on the lineup but it will be a mix of mushroom growers, foragers, artists and scientists. Accomodation including cabins, powered and non powered sites, is available at the Ballan Caravan and Tourist Park. All
Join me as I get Into the Weeds with Fiona Patten, the lead federal candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party in the upcoming Australian election. A veteran …
Join me as I dive Into the Weeds with Mark Latham, one of Australia’s most polarising and outspoken political figures, to discuss his career, controversies, …
The HEMP Embassy Headlines are a selection of recent articles from news and media services primarily concerning cannabis, the consequences of prohibition and challenges for law reform. If you have any suggestions or contributions please email [email protected]
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