Northern Ireland is an often overlooked part of the UK but the cannabis community there have been working hard to build themselves a home to raise their numbers and provide the support that their local people need.
The Belfast Hemp Market brought a number of local businesses, some with their own shops and others who are just starting out or running their businesses from home. We saw CBD products available from bath bombs to balms and even buds, CBD e-liquids and an assortment of edibles that were getting some serious attention due to the high quality of them all.
Kama Hemp were there with their juices and powders. This couple Marcus and Kate have their own hemp farm right on the border and the produce from the farm is turned into foods. Not the usual, though. They harvest the plants and fresh juice them, fill them into ice cube packs and freeze them up. They also do freeze dried powder so that the goodness of their hemp crop can be delivered anywhere and added to any drink. The couple who farm with permaculture methods and have been vegan for 20 years told us they were 15 days into a 90 day raw juice fast/feast which we are now following the progress of with The Quarter Leaf magazine.
The atmosphere was buzzing and the footfall was busy. Over 400 people came through the doors and took part even if it was just to be there to socialise and do what happens when 400 members of a cannabis social club get together. Herbs were inhaled, dabs were had and edibles were discussed and tucked into. I even got gifted some gluten/dairy/gelatin free gummies medicated with 300mg of BHO.
Marty Giles, founder of Hemp NI and organiser of the Belfast Hemp Market told us: “A lot of the people here would have been brought up to hate each other due to historical differences between their local communities but cannabis naturally teaches people to put their differences aside.
“There is a real need for a voice for the cannabis people in Northern Ireland. It wasn’t long ago, well… it still happens, if a paramilitary group found you dealing a bit of weed you would either be chased out the area or recruited to join them and sell their product, or worse. It doesn’t have to be like that.
“Hemp NI Market in Belfast is a way to bring people together with a common love of cannabis, a need for like-minded friends and on this occasion a love of glass blowing.”
West End 710 made their way over from Glasgow with a selection of their collection of fine borosilicate glass acquired from all around the world. The glass scene has completely blown up internationally now and Josh from West End 710 showed us some of the recent new additions. Straight into the world of dabbing and rigs Josh pulls out a Kovaks Glass directional spiral flow barb cap that when you look at the formation of the piece kind of melts the mind. We aren’t sure how he does it but it does the trick, check out the force of the pull that you can create in a banger in this video of some terp pearls under influence of the Kovaks carb cap. West End 710 are hosts of Scotland’s Highland Flames glass festival weekend which will be returning on 18 September 2019.
It was great to see Josh there too. Several years ago, he was put away in prison after being found making oil for his mother who had cancer. The Judge said he passed the sentence “to send a message to other people who want to live your lifestyle”. Josh is a testament to not being able to keep a man down. He told us that when he was in prison he was getting sent lots of pictures of new glass which he put up on his wall. “I was known as the guy with all the bong pictures on my wall, the other in-mates loved it. Some of the guards were like, ‘I’m not sure we are allowed to allow you to have those’ but they did anyway.” I don’t think there is anyone I know in the UK who loves glass as much as Josh.
Mellow Glass, Hive, Burtango and Sick Note spent the day teaching lessons to the locals who got to try their very first go at glass blowing. In fact, this was the first time any UK Glass artists had touched down in Ireland to do any work – something Marty Giles is extremely proud of.
Many glass heads came out with their collectors’ pieces including an alien egg series by Irish Plug and a super heady dragon by Scoz Glass.
Northern Ireland is currently facing the longest government shutdown in its history with Stormont being closed, meaning there are no ministers to make important decisions for the people.
Marty who is full of energy and ideas told us that the next stage was to keep the events coming, grow the membership and use the time they have wisely to become stronger. “There’s a lot that can be done if the community realises what it is capable of.” Judging by the spirit that was shown and the good time that was had, we think that his aims are achievable.
If you want to join in with the good times in Belfast and Northern Ireland next time please send an email to [email protected] with the subject “Hemp NI” and we will notify you of the next event.
You got to pump a lot of power for events like this, prep is key. 
Sicknote Glass and Burtango Glass clearing the pipes for the torch. 
Burtango Glass and Sicknote Glass showing Marty their skills. 
Hive Glass taking keen interest in the methods of Burtango Glass. 
A glass blowers torch. 
There’s some really spectacular cut glass on offer in the UK glass scene. 
Anealing the glass to make it hard involves a kiln. 
All hands on deck. Pulling off an event takes a team of people. 
West End 710 
Burtango Glass. 
Some pieces deserve a little stare. 
Marty having a heady day! 
The UKCSC stall where Greg and Darren gave away the Quarter Leaf for free. 
All manner of hemp products were on offer. 
Some tasty CBD vape on offer. There were a few flavours available. 
Sweet tooth, you were well catered for. 
You can choose to not have any taste by using caps. 
Fine line work on this small piece. 
A couple are interested in the club model and Greg is there to spell it out to them. 
Nearly everyone wants to know about CBD and there’s no shortage of people willing to advise. 
A closer look at CBD products. 
Flicking through the Quarter Leaf. 
Whatever your style and budget there’s a rig to suit you. 
Many colours coming through the designs of the UK glass scene. 
Filling a vape bag with the Volcano and using CBD flowers, tasty. 
Burtango Glass actually creating the bubble that he will eventually turn inside out after decorating it. 
You got to keep the glass moving. 
The end of a rod of glass. Some are solid, depends if it’s getting blown or not. 
Here’s some macro shots by Darren of Mark Horners fine work, aka Burtango Glass. 
It takes skill to know how to get a uniform look. 
The glassblowers usually can’t see the orange light from the flame as they wear purple lenses to cut it out so they can see their work. 
Making a pattern Mark has a very steady hand. 
This is some time later, it melts into itself. Glass is sometimes counter intuitive with how it moves, it pulls itself together which you don’t expect. 
You can see Marks pattern starting to form. 
Decisions decisions, making your choice from the array on offer. 
Once you’ve used hemp in your diet for a while you can’t ever leave it out again. 
Skin care products are also popular, also with CBD in it. 
Some Alien Eggs, from Irish Plug. 
Functional glass art has been getting better all the time. 
400 people rolled through the gates on the day, there were two main spaces, indoor and out. 
There was such a great atmosphere in the marketplace, all seemed to rejoice in the wonders of the plant. 
Some people are completely on side as soon as they know what The Quarter Leaf stands for and are proud to show it. 
Raffle Time, there was a surge to see who’s going to walk away with some wonderfully donated items from the vendors. 
Having lessons, the team from Little Green Bag learning about glassblowing. 
At the end of the day, the sauce came out. Ice cream on offer, there was a gifted batch of some tasty sauce to put on your ice cream. 
Getting things done. You need many hands sometimes. 
Mark always got a smile on his face, and who wouldn’t when you’re gearing up for a day of creativity with good friends. 
Bling your bud! 
It’s not to everyones taste, so, a spoonful of sugar and all that! 
Even people that don’t consume cannabis can still enjoy the wonderful benefits of the plant. 
Some wait in the wings to offer help, with only health and your well being in mind. 
Taking lessons for the first time. 
Keeping the glass moving on your first lesson is not that easy, you got to keep the heat dispersed well. 
Paradise Seeds salesman Arjan never has a dull moment. 
Top Notch Edibles #ifyouknowyouknow… well, in Belfast if you know, you defo know! 
The lessons went on well into the evening. 
After the marketplace was starting to pack up the treats came out, medicated ice cream. 
Chocolate with a twist. 
Smiles all round for the last treat of the day. 
Someone showed us the error of their ways. An ISO extraction accident. Take very careful precautions when doing extractions. 
The Bag Lady enjoying some fine sauce. 
Does anyone ever see The Bag Lady without Blaze? 
A typical scene in the suburbs of Northern Irelands Belfast. 
We headed into town for some food. 
The stonework was definitely reminding us all of the lovely hospitality of the Irish. 
Belfast has a lot of graffiti on these boxes in the street. 
Spectacular artwork to fond in Belfast. 
Simply the best piece we came across. 
We hope you’re doing it for the love, and not for the money. 
The leaning tower of Belfast is called The Albert Memorial Clock. 
A performer in St Georges Market getting the whole crowed whipped up into a singalong. 
Bonding time after the show the next day in St Georges Market. 
UKCSC Team bumped into Little Green Bag and we went to the river for a smoke. 
After a smoke we felt like the munchies so Marty took us to the oldest shop in town, 200 year old sweet shop. 
All you old school flavours were there, and then some.
