1. California State Grange
3830 U Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
916-454-5805 / fax: 916 739-8189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sara Godley
(916) 454-5805
godleys@californiagrange.org
The Legendary Kris Kristofferson Performs Concert
To Bring Back Industrial Hemp
Sacramento, California, January 9, 2014 --- Three-time Grammy Award winner and film
star Kris Kristofferson will perform a special “Hemp Aide” concert February 22, 2014 at
the Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento. John Trudell and Bad Dog open the show
at 8 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available at www.tickets.com and the
Crest Box Office.
The California Grange, the oldest agricultural organization in the country with 10,000
members serving 215 communities in the state, and Hempstead Project Heart, a group
dedicated to promoting the benefits of hemp for the planet and people, have joined
together to produce the concert.
“We are thrilled to have Kris Kristofferson come stand with us, supporting the
legalization of industrial hemp,” said Bob McFarland, President of the California Grange.
“We want American farmers to be able to grow hemp again.”
Industrial hemp was essential to American prosperity for centuries. During colonial
times, it was mandatory to grow hemp. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of
Independence on hemp paper. Henry Ford built a car from hemp materials and
designed it to run on hemp fuel.
In fact, industrial Hemp has been used for 10,000 years by civilizations around the world
to make everything from clothing to bibles, but in 2014 it is illegal to grow hemp in the
United States.

2. “The demand for hemp products is growing dramatically, but because there’s no
domestic supply, American companies have to import hemp from Canada, China and
other countries. That means lost revenue and jobs here at home,” said McFarland.
The hemp plant has thousands of commercial uses, from building materials to food, and
requires no chemical inputs to grow. “Industrial hemp is a way to renew our rural
economies and our environment,” said Anna Owen, a hemp industry liaison and
organizer with Hempstead Project Heart.
“Hemp offers farmers a robust crop that is kind to the earth and provides many
beneficial uses for consumers,” said McFarland. “Through this concert, we intend to
educate the public about how hemp can help create sustainable farms, jobs and
products.”
The Kris Kristofferson “Hemp Aide” concert is sponsored by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
and co-sponsored by several national and local groups, including Hemp History Week,
Vote Hemp, Hemp Industries Association, Eco-Farm, Earth Island Institute and Lydia’s
Organics.
Photos and interviews available upon request.
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