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| Hemp Focus of New Melbourne Museum |
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Posted by FoM on September 08, 2001 at 18:01:26 PT By Brad Buck, Florida Today Source: Florida Today 
You could make a soldier's uniform from hemp, but don't try smoking it at the new Hemp Museum in downtown Melbourne. The Florida Cannabis Action Network will open its Hemp Museum today, which will coincide with the "Our Voice Street Festival" on New Haven Avenue downtown. The museum features educational materials about hemp, including the fact that George Washington used it to make textiles during the Revolutionary War. It was used for Army uniforms in other wars and for industrial purposes, according to Kevin Aplin, president of the cannabis network. But the group's purpose goes a little further. "We're going to raise awareness in Melbourne," said Jodi James, executive director of the cannabis group, which promotes the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The group also supports voter registration and education efforts. Melbourne police will stand guard in front of the cannabis network's new offices and museum, at 703 E. New Haven Ave. today to ensure traffic and crowd control. Aplin said he expects hundreds to attend. "We have a very good rapport with the Melbourne Police Department. We're not controversial any more," James said. Melbourne police Cmdr. Mark Laderwarg said uniformed officers will be at the festival to keep the peace, and non-uniformed officers will be there to look for violations. "We're not anticipating any problems there. We've had events like this before," said Laderwarg. "They are welcome to have free speech. They can talk about marijuana, they just can't smoke it. This isn't Woodstock. I hope I'm right about not having any problems." That wasn't always the case. The cannabis action network sued Brevard County for permission to hold the Hemp Awareness Festival in 1996, and the group won. This year, they expect four bands, two disc jockeys and a professional comedian to provide entertainment. "We still get a lot of giggles," James said. "People aren't sure if we're serious." Rest assured, they are, said Aplin. The group has a library upstairs from the museum to help people with legal research, not just about marijuana, but most legal issues. And as for today, "We hope to register as many people as possible to vote and get them more educated on drug laws," Aplin said. Source: Florida Today (FL) Related Article & Web Sites: Florida's Cannabis Action Network FTE's Hemp Links Hemp Group Moves Office To Melbourne Cannabis News - Hemp Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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