The city has agreed to allow Hempfest to go forward this year, reaching a settlement in a federal lawsuit; Hempfest had sued the city in federal court earlier this year after the city refused to issue a festival permit because of planned construction at the annual site, Myrtle Edwards Park.

But everybody's chillaxed about it now, man. And even groovier, the festival is adding a third day.

In a press release, the city announced:

Under the March 18 agreement, the City will issue a permit for Hempfest 2011 to occur at the waterfront park on Aug.  19, 20 and 21 ...

Planned construction of the Thomas Street Overpass project in Myrtle Edwards Park this summer created a potential conflict with the festival, prompting Hempfest to file a lawsuit. The City and Hempfest quickly reached a compromise where Hempfest agreed to postpone its request for immediate relief from the Court and the City agreed to solicit alternative bids for the project that would allow Hempfest to be held in the park.

When the bids were announced on March 16, it was clear that the construction timetable would not interfere with the festival. The City and Hempfest then entered into a memorandum of understanding that will allow the festival to proceed at Myrtle Edwards Park in August 2011.