CAPULIN --- About three miles northwest on Conejos County Road 6, an 18-hole disc golf course named El Rancho covers 14 acres bordering east on the Alamosa River.

On private land owned by a founding member of the CannaPower Educational Foundation, a tournament will be held Sunday, September 2, to celebrate the nonprofit group’s first anniversary in existence. The purpose of the gathering is not just for fun or athletic competition in a “hip” new sport, but to raise funds to further the group’s mission. CannaPower helps financially challenged people who are often in ill health to realize an improved life from medical marijuana.

The sale of medical marijuana is legal in Alamosa County outside Alamosa city limits, but those who want to obtain what they feel are adequate quantities may not be able to, if they don’t have insurance or money to cover the cost.

CannaPower has even received a donated limousine to provide help to those of inadequate means an ability to reach medical offices, social agencies and medical marijuana outlets. It was repainted to provide a clear message regarding the purpose, but Foundation President Diana Hubbard, Vice President Wilene Hubbard, plus the group’s Director of Information Services Shanna Hobbs, noted that was necessary when operating a Colorado state-authorized nonprofit. A 501(c)(3) application for federal tax purposes as a nonprofit is in the process of being completed.

The September 2 event on the somewhat remote property of Carla Rodriguez, that she described would “Put Cap [ulin] on the map in a POSITIVE way,” is not just disc golf. Michael Bruce, band member and an accompanying musician to Alice Cooper (a veteran rocker going back to the 1970’s) will play and testify to the positive effects of medical marijuana. Besides his group, Texas Chainsaw Ballet, eight other bands will entertain. Also, Bruce will be recording an album live on scene.

Hobbs, a CannaPower founder and manager of a medical marijuana store in Alamosa County on U.S. Hwy 160 at the west edge of Alamosa, is enthusiastic about Michael Bruce, and also Genghis Jon, known as the “Human Firecracker” who will also have a testimonial “Healing Story” to give to attendants at the event. Hobbs related that Bruce is not charging anywhere near the rate he and his group normally receive for nationwide appearances. He is a Rock-and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Hobbs emphasized.

Rodriguez said the El Rancho Disc Golf course was initially set up in February of this year. A walking trail connecting the holes was cut both for players’ convenience and her three small dogs, who had a problem with tall, prickly grass plants. While not a problem for humans of ordinary height, trees and numerous angles to the baskets’ locations certainly present interesting challenges, whether one is an ace player or not! The beginning of the course has picnic tables to offer a place to get a few bites or casual meal, and restroom facilities are on the course site.

Rodriguez describes El Rancho as taking up 14 acres of her 40-acre property, and as 3.5 miles northwest of Capulin, accessible by County Road 15, then a turn north on CR 6 (unavoidable because 15 ends basically at that point) to 21431 address on the paved road’s west side. The disc golf course is available on an almost everyday pay-to-play basis, and information is available at 719-298-0550, through Carla Rodriquez.

The distance to the disc golf course and CannaFest venue is approximately 12 miles from La Jara, 27 miles from the center of Alamosa, approximately the same distance from Antonito, and about 15 miles from Monte Vista.

SLV CannaFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2, with eight or more live bands, food, vendors, fishing, on-site overnight camping, games, prizes and of course the fundraising disc golf tournament. The event is for those ages 18 and over. Bring a chair.

Cost is $30 for an all day pass or $25 in advance. Tickets may be purchased online at thecannapowerfoundation.org

Caption: Property owner Carla Rodriguez, right, welcomes CannaPower Founder Diana Hubbard, left, to the site of CannaFest and a fund-raising disc golf tournament./Courtesy photo