cannabisnews.com: Weed Wedding Weed Wedding Posted by FoM on December 04, 2001 at 14:08:48 PT By Pete Brady Source: Cannabis Culture Two of North America's most prominent marijuana activists were married in a quiet coastal village near Vancouver, Canada on December 2.Renee Boje, a US drug war refugee who has received favorable international mainstream media attention in her quest to gain political asylum in Canada, married Chris Bennett, a scholar, author, and director of the Marc Emery Pot-TV network. The event was attended by hundreds of friends and relatives; many of them were prominent activists and members of the international cannabis coalition. The hour long "heiros gaimos" marriage ritual featured original music, a surrealistic, rave-quality light show, a ganja-infused wedding ceremony conducted by author and reverend Chris Conrad -- http://www.chrisconrad.com/ -- dozens of costumed dancers and actors, and memorable moments of high emotion and gentle humor.Bennett and Boje met in 1999 after Boje traveled to Canada to avoid having to testify against California medical marijuana advocates Todd McCormick and Peter McWilliams.McCormick, McWilliams and Boje had earlier been accused by federal officials of growing marijuana in Southern California, and each of them was facing sentences that could have totaled 20 years.McWilliams later died because federal officials refused to allow him to use medical marijuana while he was awaiting sentencing on cultivation charges.Because Boje was especially articulate, photogenic, and courageous, the US government's efforts to extradite her from Canada and force her to testify against her friends made her an ideal symbol of the drug war's cruelty. She hosts her own Pot-TV show -- http://www.pot-tv.net/ -- and is petitioning the Canadian government to recognize that the US drug war is a violation of human rights that requires the Canadian government to grant her asylum.Bennett is the author of several pioneering books that contain startling revelations about the role of cannabis in religion, history, and the future. His work on the use of cannabis by Jesus and other Biblical figures has been lauded as containing significant new discoveries about the role of marijuana in attaining spiritual perfection.Cannabis featured prominently in the ceremony. Cannabis seedmeister Marc Emery, founder of the BC Marijuana Party -- http://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/ -- and publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine, was the best man. Boje was escorted to the podium by an entourage of bridesmaids dressed in colorful pot-leaf fairy costumes, bearing magic wands made of joints.During the height of the marriage ritual, Conrad instructed Emery to pack a bowl of bud in a three foot high ornate glass bong. Both Bennett and Boje took hits off the bong and exchanged the holy smoke during a kiss.Boje told the crowd that she was several months pregnant with Bennett's baby. Indeed, the fugitive's swollen stomach, painted with ancient fertilty symbols, was bare during the ceremony.After the official ritual was over, guests drank bhang and ate ganja-laden sweets, smoked bubble hash, danced to a superb house-trance DJ, and congratulated the couple on their union and their activism."This is a joyous day for our culture," commented Marc Emery, who provided logisitical and financial support for the event, along with 3,000 hand-rolled joints containing nearly two dozen distinctive varieties of locally-produced cannabis. "These two people are examples of what we can achieve if we work hard to throw off the mantle of oppression and have fun while we do it!"Bennett, who waited onstage nearly half an hour after snafus prevented Boje from arriving on time at the wedding hall on the remote Canadian coast, injected a defiant political coda to the ceremony when he spoke to the wedding guests from the stage.Referring to US efforts to incarcerate his new wife, Bennett said, "This wedding shows that love is stronger than death, even DEA death." Note: Drug-war refugee Renee Boje and cannabis author Chris Bennett wed in a unique ceremony on BC's Sunshine Coast.Newshawk: Ethan Russo M.D.Source: Cannabis Culture Author: Pete BradyPublished: December 4, 2001Copyright: 2001 Cannabis CultureEmail: ccmag cannabisculture.com Website: http://www.cannabisculture.com/ Renee Boje's Home Pagehttp://www.reneeboje.com/CannabisNews Articles - Renee Bojehttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=boje Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 05, 2001 at 19:38:23 PT Yes and No el_toonces, Once in a while I think it would be nice to move to BC but in 73 we packed up and moved from our home state where we were both raised and moved 400 miles and started all over again. It was hard. We were young. I didn't realize how much I would miss things, people and places until they weren't there for me anymore. Our parents and best friend moved out to live near us and that helped. Making new friends, learning about how people are different from area to area was interesting. One of the friends we met always waved at people going down the road and we thought it was strange. Where we came from no one ever waved at anyone. Everyone functioned in their own space and when I saw a hitching post at the local IGA Grocery store for the Amish to tie their horses when they shopped I knew life was going to be a whole new experience. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by el_toonces on December 05, 2001 at 17:45:32 PT: Here and There.... FoM -- I know what you mean. I wish I could just convince all those I love and care about to move with me, then I could have (as could my friends and family) the best of both worlds in B.C.~! FoM -- have you ever entertained the "fantasy" of moving to BC and getting all those that keep you here to join you, too?El [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 05, 2001 at 12:54:29 PT herbdoc215 Thanks! I appreciate it. The news is hard to do. It wasn't before 9-11 but it is hard now. If you lived down here you would understand. Life is so different that it's hard to believe it is really happening. I don't want to leave our country. America is my home. My family is here. All the things I love are here. I understand why people would leave but I think I couldn't. Take care of our friends up there. They need help and support and I know you are giving it to them. They are very fortunate to have friends like all of you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dark Star on December 05, 2001 at 12:16:00 PT A Tale of Two Wars In the '60's, many conscientious objectors went to Canada during the Vietnam War.In the '90's and '00's, many have had to go north due to the War on Drugs.Our leaders have propagandized that this exodus is a case of good riddance. They are wrong. We are losing bright, creative people with strong moral values. Condidering Amerikan behavior, Canada deserves their greater trust. I merely hope that the exile and isolation from family and friends is not too great for them.Amerika: Love it or fix it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by herbdoc215 on December 05, 2001 at 12:07:45 PT: It was nice to watch something affirming! Hey, it was truly a healing moment for me and many others whose lives and families have been stomped into the dirt by the government. All we have seen for quite some time has been fear and represion. This was a very powerful night and event because we had folks from all over world, and all of us saw there is hope and this place has given us all so much in the way of sanctuary. Canada and the freedom we now live with is a breath of fresh air, we are making a difference here by showing the world that the culture that surrounds cannabis is about healing and love. I would love to come home and see my family at christmas like everybody who is reading this while living a normal life. The US gov't is trying everything it can to keep you from knowing just how many of us have fled for our lives to Canada and BC in a last ditch effort to stay alive. Me, Renee, and Steve Kubby are just the three who are open about it, There are more and even more planning to come. If those who can don't stand up soon we will all be up here before long? We will be ready for you. Steven Tuck ps. FoM, thanks for all you do here, it's only by more normal, middle class folks like you to stand up and articulate the truth to break the back of this beast that's devourering our freedom, and stop this wearing away of our sense of "masters of our own destiny and domains" [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Lehder on December 05, 2001 at 05:33:12 PT mountaineers Through all the pleasant meadow-sideThe grass grew shoulder-highTill the shining scythes went far and wideAnd cut it down to dry.These green and sweetly smelling cropsThey led in wagons home;And they piled them here in mountain topsFor mountaineers to roam.Here is Mount Clear, Mount Rusty-Nail,Mount Eagle and Mount High;--The mice that in these mountains dwell,No happier are than I!O what a joy to clambor there,O what a place for play,With the sweet, the dim, the dusty air,The happy hills of hay!--Robert Louis Stevenson [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 04, 2001 at 20:29:04 PT My Wishes I wish Renee Boje & Chris Bennett a long, healthy and joyful life together. Now Renee is Renee Bennett! Mrs. Bennett. That sounds good! I'm sure she will love it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by The GCW on December 04, 2001 at 20:26:15 PT WOW We are all Green Collar Workers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by CongressmanSuet on December 04, 2001 at 19:47:48 PT I wish them the best.... but what about us? Stuck here in pleasentville, USA. I just read about a beautiful iddylic wedding, shades of Cannabis EVERYWHERE, the bridesmaids had big joints as wands, the couple exchanged "holy smoke" , the fact that there were different, potent varieties all around was emphazised, hell the limo they probably had was hemp powered, and had hemp champagne in the back frig. And Rene's belley was painted with fertitlity symbols. Red paint? colored mud? Inquiring minds want to know... Oh forget it, I guess alittle excapism is good for us... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 04, 2001 at 18:42:36 PT: All the Best I wish them all the joy in the world. I sincerely hope that this will end the legal fiasco that Renee has faced. I hope that that legendary Canadian bravery will show through at this critical time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on December 04, 2001 at 16:22:44 PT: Dulce et decorum est The Bennett/Boje nuptials have just handed the Canadian government a double whammy. To extradite a de facto Candian citizen now would be the height of folly. I can just imagine the seething, pinched-nosed, joyless faces of those self-righteous scumbags who had been hoping to get their slimy mitts on her, to punish her for standing up to them. Now they'll have to find another target. Unfortunately, that means you and me. Ms. Boje may well be amongst the first of many 'colonists' who will bring their expensive talents to BC, shifting the balance of gravity for the economy...not just there, but here as well. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by freedom fighter on December 04, 2001 at 15:40:19 PT Wishing all the best for the couple! peaceff [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Robbie on December 04, 2001 at 14:42:15 PT DEA protest I just attended the Hemp protest in front of the Oakland Federal Building. There wasn't a huge activist turnout, but quite a few people were there to point out to the throngs of people going in and out of the building that banning hemp and hemp products was wrong. Quite a few people got to try some Hempzel Pretzels (the roasted garlic was very tasty) and quite a few hempen "power-bar" or "granola bar" kinds of snacks. I tried the "Hemp n' Java" bar, and it was quite tasty. Although I never would have expected to see myself munching on seeds. The turnout was positive and I'm glad I could attend.So Renee Boje is married now, eh? I hope that this will, at least, stifel efforts to extradite Ms. Boje back to the US. Vote Hemp! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment