Seattle police officials are set to “deal” Doritos bags at this year’s Hempfest in an effort to educate pot enthusiasts about legal marijuana use.

The Associated Press reports that following the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Washington State, the 22-year-old Seattle “protestival” will attract local law enforcement for reasons other than arrests and tickets. This year, the Seattle Police Department intends to distribute 1,000 bags of Doritos — not to cure the munchies of festival-goers, but to alert them to its new pot information portal “Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle.”

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said department spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb, speaking to The Associated Press. "It's meant to be ironic. The idea of police passing out Doritos at a festival that celebrates pot, we're sure, is going to generate some buzz."

Using a question-and-answer format, the new portal is designed to educate marijuana users about the subtleties of the state’s new pot legislature. For example, although adults 21 and older are permitted to possess up to one ounce of the drug, it cannot be sold or given away, and stoned drivers will be ticketed for operating a vehicle under the influence. In addition, public use remains illegal — with the exception of festivals.

Last year, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use.

"It's going to be the most interesting Hempfest we've ever had because it's going to be part victory celebration," said the festival’s executive director Vivian McPeak.

"That said, we feel it's very important to remind everyone that as long as it's still a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, it's not legal anywhere. The job's not done yet," she continued, referencing the paradoxical fact that marijuana remains prohibited by federal legislature, and is thus “illegal” in Washington and Colorado too — state legislature notwithstanding.

Besides the Doritos, Hempfest officials will hand out special “gut check” cards prepared by Roger Roffman, a University of Washington School of Social Work professor and marijuana dependence expert. The cards will remind smokers that while marijuana can be used safely and without adverse health effects, the drug may still impair temporarily driving abilities and short-term memory. In addition, chronic use may cause dependence.

"We hope people will take it more seriously coming from us than from a traditional messenger," McPeak said.

Hempfest, the world’s largest event advocating cannabis law reform, is held every summer in Myrtle Edwards Park in Seattle. Its organizers seek to educate the public on the potential industrial and personal benefits attending the legalization of marijuana use. The weekend-long event is expected to draw 85,000 pot enthusiasts each day.

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