cannabisnews.com: Burnout in Billings Burnout in Billings Posted by CN Staff on June 12, 2003 at 12:33:25 PT By Jed Gottlieb Source: Missoula Independent Working under the premise that there’s no smoke without a fire, in April Congress passed The Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act, better know as the Rave Act. Tacked on to the Amber Alert bill by Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), the Rave act holds any concert promoter, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner responsible for third-party drug violations at any host’s event. Even modest benefit concerts are potential targets, as the Billings chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) learned last week. Twentysomething Adam Jones of Billings NORML had planned on raising money for a campaign to decriminalize medical marijuana in Montana with a benefit concert at the Eagles Lodge. “This was his first big event and he was really excited,” says John Masterson—the director of the Montana chapter of NORML. “We even shipped him our big NORML banner.” The event had strong momentum—four live acts and a simulcast on community access TV were lined up—but maybe the momentum was too much. A day before the event, Jones was arrested for changing jobs without informing his probation officer, according to an e-mail sent by Jones’ father to Masterson (Jones is on probation for the possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms). Then, on the day of the event, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approached the Eagles Lodge warning the venue of a $250,000 fine if drugs or paraphernalia were found at the event. “Seems like they were just trying to nip things in the bud,” says a representative of the Eagles Lodge. In an e-mail distributed after the event was cancelled, Jones wrote: “Not only did this cause us to lose money, hope, and face, but it will seriously endanger the chance of trying anything like this again in Billings. What the hell happened to my first amendment?” This is the first example of the Rave act being put to use as a preemptive strike, says national NORML representative Gretchen Hilmers. “We seem to think that the smaller concerts and benefits will be targeted, as opposed to the venues where thousands of people will be attending, because they don’t want to turn this into publicity for NORML,” she says. But publicity is just what NORML is getting. In addition to the ubiquitous potential lawsuits, reporters from all over the U.S. have been banging on Jones’ and Masterson’s doors—including the Los Angeles Times and a Rolling Stone freelancer. As for Jones, who has so far declined to talk to press, Masterson says the rookie told him the whole experience has convinced him to get out of the NORML activism game for good. Source: Missoula Independent (MT)Author: Jed GottliebPublished: June 12, 2003 Vol. 14 - No. 24 Copyright: 2003 Missoula IndependentWebsite: http://www.everyweek.com/Contact: http://www.everyweek.com/News/Letters/LetterTo.aspRelated Articles & Web Site:Montana NORMLhttp://www.montananorml.org/The RAVE Act Has Landed http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16589.shtmlWhen Holding a Party Is a Crime http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16458.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Trekkie on June 12, 2003 at 13:40:25 PT Here in Billings... and still nothing from our local newspaper, radio or TV stations. Death Enforcement Agency must have real stranglehold on the media in Billings...I work two jobs (the economy is that bad, here), and I tell everyone I can to listen to the tale of evaporating civil rights... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by afterburner on June 12, 2003 at 13:19:38 PT: Hey, Raves Are Underground. We live underground because of your harsh and irrational laws demonizing the Holy Herb. If you want more outlaws and more outlaw events, this law is the way to your fondest prohibitionist dreams. "He who lives outside the law must be honest," said Bob Dylan.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, and all your mind games cannot erase the truth. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment