CODE OF CONDUCT

SelassieFest is more than a festival — it is a gathering of the tribes: a one-day immersion into roots reggae, Nyabinghi drumming, Ital living, and the healing herb. We gather on the ancestral lands of the Council of the Three Fires (Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi) and the modern heart of Chicago’s South Side, a neighborhood rich with Ethiopian and Caribbean heritage.

This Code of Conduct is our living agreement. It ensures that every person — regardless of race, age, gender, ability, sexuality, or belief — can experience the festival with dignity and safety. We are collectively responsible for upholding One Love.

• Greet with kindness – Offer “Peace and love” or “Jah blessings” freely. Assume good intentions.
• Consent is king – Ask before touching, photographing, or entering personal space. No means no.
• Leave no trace – Use recycling and compost stations. The Earth is our altar.
• Express yourself, but respect the vibe – Dance, chant, reason, but be mindful of others’ need for quiet in healing zones.
• Protect our youth – The Youth Village is substance‑free; adults model responsible behavior.
• Embrace education – Engage with the Higher Learning Roots pavilions; learn about cannabis literacy, Ital food, and Ethiopian history.

• Violence, threats, or weapons – Any form of aggression will result in immediate removal and a permanent ban.
• Harassment, discrimination, or hate speech – Based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, ability, or appearance. SelassieFest is anti‑fascist, anti‑racist, and pro‑Black liberation.
• Intoxication that endangers others – Including excessive alcohol (no outside alcohol allowed) or impairment from any substance that leads to dangerous behavior.
• Non‑consensual photography or recording – Especially in healing, changing, or private spaces.
• Theft, vandalism, or disrespect to the land – The Ethiopian Heritage Grounds are sacred.
• Disrupting performances or workshops – Including shouting over speakers, blocking views, or interfering with speakers.

If you experience or witness a violation, please reach out immediately. Our Community Care Team wears purple armbands and is trained in de‑escalation, trauma‑informed response, and restorative justice.

You can also approach any volunteer, stage manager, or security. We practice restorative circles when all parties consent — because banishment is a last resort. But safety always comes first.

SelassieFest operates under the laws of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago. Key legal notes:

• Cannabis possession up to 30g is legal for adults 21+, but consumption is restricted to designated areas as per the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
• Smoking (including cannabis) is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance, food tent, or children’s area. E‑cigs/vapes follow same rule.
• No outside alcohol; we serve responsibly. Over‑serving will be refused.
• ADA accessibility: wheelchair ramps, sign language interpreters upon request, and a quiet decompression zone.

Ital Food Policy: While not mandatory, we encourage plant‑based eating. No outside cooking equipment or open fires.

“As a sponsor and educational partner, we stand firmly behind this Code of Conduct. The plant calls us to responsibility — to ourselves, our neighbors, and the Earth. SelassieFest demonstrates how legal, regulated cannabis can be integrated into a cultural festival without exploitation, stigma, or harm. We are proud to support a space where herb is honored as medicine and where consent, safety, and community accountability come first.”

— Conscious Cannabis Coalition (represented by Green Buddha, Herb Ed Institute, Chicago Equity Dispensary, and Roots Cultivation Co‑op)