Raining this evening, as I write this, which seems normal, two days out from MardiGrass. However, we’re not expecting too much more, and the tents are up and stages built.
It’s almost unbelievably our 33rd MardiGrass and we’re still not allowed to grow a plant! Over the decades certain practices have developed for the first weekend in May. Like we’ve always relied on volunteers, mostly backpackers and travellers. These days they register on the website and help us set it all up for a fortnight or so before the big weekend.
Tonight we have a dozen from all over the world playing music together in the big vollies tent. Magic happens at MardiGrass. It’s a unique gathering of several thousand people who love mystical cannabis. The fact that we are all criminals gives us a special bond maybe, certainly there is a tribe of sorts, the weed tribe. Many stoners from across the country meet each other every year at the MardiGrass showgrounds camp, to swap the year’s stories and try each other’s harvest.
Then there’s the Election. I wait three years for it and it’s on the MardiGrass weekend! Albo’s plan has worked well, I’ve been so busy I haven’t been on the prepolls at all. A very special thank you to those who have been and you all have a free ticket to MardiGrass, if you want and if you can get here!
We’ve never run so many people before and Saturday night will be very revealing. Congratulations and good luck to all the Legalise Cannabis candidates and a big thank you from the weed tribe for putting your hand up for us. I’ll be watching it unfold in the Hemp Bar Saturday night with Jeremy ‘Joe Bogan’ commentating on ‘Antony Greenout’, who hopefully doesn’t choke on the words Legalise Cannabis Party.
Happy MardiGrass Everyone!
Michael Balderstone
Nimbin HEMP Embassy Head
Fun Fact!
The term ‘Protestival’ is obviously shorthand for a Protest Festival, which is defined as a way to express dissent or raise awareness for a cause while creating a vibrant and engaging event.
Episodes 27, 28 and 29 of Jeremy’s podcast, “Into The Weeds”, feature Stephen Lawrence MLC, barrister, former mayor and current member of the NSW Legislative Council; Meredith Burgmann AM, trailblazing activist, academic and former President of the NSW Legislative Council; and, George Mladenov, widely known as ‘King George of Bankstown’ (respectively).
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.
Solutions, Growth & Opportunities for Hemp in Modern Construction. Hemp-based materials offer exceptional benefits—fire, pest and mould resistant, superior thermal properties and a strength that rivals steel—all while being lightweight and environmentally friendly!
25-27 June, 2025. La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, Melbourne.
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.
Since 2013, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters 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
Northern Rivers Region Tourist Drive brochure. Tourist Drives 24 and 32—Murwillumbah in the north to Woodburn in the south—some of the region’s most amazing natural wonders, charming historic villages and mouth-watering restaurants, cafes and local producers.
Seventh edition of Echonet’s digital guide to the Northern Rivers region. So much diversity at your fingertips—beaches to hinterland, local produce to jazz afternoons—many options to explore and experience.
Discover how the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH) provides critical care to injured and orphaned wildlife across the Northern Rivers of NSW. Learn about Emergency Wildlife Care, our services, and how you can support our cause.
Watch the new trailer for Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, opening at Regal theatres on April 25. A documentary about the hippie stoner duo, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Director:Read More
Just a reminder, if you are coming from Kyogle-way to Nimbin, be aware, Stoney Chute Road is completely closed due to landslips. Please take one of the three alternate ways from Kyogle to Nimbin:
Lillian Rock Road, part gravel and very windy, best avoided if you have a trailer or caravan
Blue Knob Road, which is sealed
From Kyogle toward Lismore. Turn off at Tuncester and across to Blakebrook.
In New South Wales, mostly, it is a criminal offence to possess or use or supply or cultivate cannabis.
Cannabis is listed on the schedule of “prohibited drugs” under the NSW Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. It is listed separately for leaf (flowers and buds), resin, oil and growing. There are different offence categories based on weight (or number of plants).
So, except as allowed under prescription, any activity involving cannabis – possessing it, using it, growing it or supplying it – is illegal. Police can issue a caution for possession of 15 grams or less.
A caution means there is no charge, so no court and no criminal conviction. There are some rules about who qualifies to receive a caution – such as not having a prior record, and not having more than two previous cautions – a discretionary decision for the police officer.
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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Nimbin HEMP Embassy, 51 Cullen St, Nimbin NSW 2480, Australia
