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Byron Shire
June 20, 2026
Local NewsFeatured

Clouds part for MardiGrass parade

By David Lowe

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Uncle Gilbert Laurie leads MardiGrass 2026 Parade. Photo David Lowe

On the weekend, the rain stopped just in time for the climax of MardiGrass 2026, the epic street parade, although there were still a few clouds around the streets of Nimbin.

In the town hall, a non-stop cavalcade of legal, medical and plain old pot experts appeared at the Hemposium organised by Kath Williamson. The event was professionally covered via multicam video, streamed live on Facebook and soon to be archived on YouTube, via the Hemp Embassy.

Notable speakers this year included legal eagles Steve Bolt and David Heilpern, Ethan Nadelmann from the USA (who provided some fascinating insights into the transformation of the American war on drugs), Greens senator David Shoebridge, NSW Legalise Cannabis MLC Jeremy Buckingham, his WA counterpart Dr Brian Walker, wine tester turned cannabis tester Gabriel Younes, the legendary Dr Alex Wodak, and Dr John Teh and Chlose Jean from PlantMed.

An all-female panel led by Kyla de Clifford discussed hormones, sex and cannabis, while Fiona Patten provided some insights into her unique political journey.

Comedians S Sorrensen and Alan Glover led the joint-rolling section of the Hemp Olympix, with an international field lining up to complete before a packed house in the Nimbin Town Hall.

Check out a photo gallery from the Hemposium and street parade, below:

 

 

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