cannabisnews.com: Harvest Fest Participants March for Smoking Rights





Harvest Fest Participants March for Smoking Rights
Posted by CN Staff on October 06, 2008 at 05:29:06 PT
By Julie Strupp
Source: Badger Herald 
Wisconsin -- An enthusiastic crowd gathered under “Smoke ‘em Bucky” banners for the 38th annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival in downtown Madison last weekend to protest the prohibition of marijuana and foster solidarity among fellow dissenters. The three-day-long festival began Friday night with a benefit concert at the Cardinal Bar and continued through the weekend. Speakers and bands vocalized their support Saturday in Library Mall to “end the war on drugs” and urged listeners to vote for change.
Madison Police Lt. Joe Balles acknowledged marijuana smoking does go on at the event, and while the protesters have every right to assemble peacefully, he noted the act is still illegal. “Smoking at this event is illegal, just as it’s supposed to be illegal on State Street or in dormitories,” Balles said.However, Balles said actual enforcement can be difficult because the UW football game required police attention. “Any problems at this event will be dealt with, but we [had] a larger priority with 100,000 people coming to town for the Ohio State game,” Balles said. On Sunday, protesters paraded from Library Mall to the Capitol to show support of legislation that legalizes — or “de-criminalizes” — marijuana. Protesters listed a multitude of reasons as to why they thought marijuana should be legalized, including medical purposes, personal rights, helping solve global warming and stimulating the economy. “I think they should legalize marijuana to eliminate national debt,” said Linda Ellen, a festival volunteer of 35 years. “Right now, pot sales are unregulated, but we could tax it and prison costs would also go down.” Speakers also noted the many useful aspects of the cannabis plant. Agua Das, who runs a business that sells legal, THC-free hemp ice cream and hemp-based baked goods to health stores, said the plant provides “food, fiber, fuel and freedom.”“Canada has had a hemp agriculture for the last seven to eight years,” said Susan Squibb, Das’ co-worker. “If their teenagers had started sitting destitute on the streets, I think [Canadians] would have done something about that law by now.” Peter Steinburg, a leading attorney and advocate for marijuana rights in the Madison area, said one of the main reasons for marijuana being illegal is that it cuts down on social productivity.“It would make much more sense to outlaw alcohol,” Steinburg said in his speech at the rally Saturday.Steinburg also declared that it was “an outrage” that legalized marijuana was not part of the Democratic platform and insisted “the time to demand the end of the drug war is today.” This year’s theme for the festival was “Vote,” which veteran organizer Ben Masel said is important in every election year, both nationally and at the state level.“For students, we are really pushing them to vote [for a marijuana-friendly assembly] in their parents’ district,” said Masel. “While we have a friendly assembly here, we’re focusing on flipping it in other areas of Wisconsin.”According to Masel, who was a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the time, the festival first started in the fall of 1971 in response to a series of marijuana raids and has been going ever since. Source: Badger Herald (Edu, Madison, WI)Author: Julie StruppPublished: Monday, October 6, 2008Copyright: 2008 Badger HeraldContact: editor badgerherald.comWebsite: http://www.badgerherald.com/Madison NORMLhttp://www.madisonnorml.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 07, 2008 at 06:31:05 PT
Just a Note
I haven't found any news to post so far. I'm looking forward to tonight's debate. I think it's interesting that the last debate will be in Hempstead, NY. I got a call from a friend last night that made me smile. She registered to vote for Obama. She is 46 and never voted before. I didn't think she would but she did and it makes me happy. Have a great day everyone.
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Comment #7 posted by Gary Storck on October 06, 2008 at 09:35:12 PT
decrim in Madison over the years
It was striking watching the culture clash as Harvest Fest wound down and progressively drunker and rowdier students hurried off to Camp Randall for the nationally televised Badger-Ohio State football game at 7pm. HF was so mellowe and the football fans were very rowdy. Cops were very busy screening 80,000 fans at the stadium, too, and dealing with drunks inside. 86 people were ejected from the game and a total number of 39 citations were issued.Next year, HF is Oct. 2-4, 2009!
http://MadisonNORML.org
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Comment #6 posted by Gary Storck on October 06, 2008 at 09:25:43 PT
decrim in Madison over the years
I have only lived here since 1995, but I'm told enforcement has varied over the years, despite 23.20. These days the DA has adopted a blanket all cases involving less than 25 grams or paraphernalia receive a County Ordinance Violation. It is otherwise up to the officer's discretion to abide by the city, county or state laws, but if a case is brought and involves under 25 gs, it's currently a ticket. Madison is having a lot of more big city problems, and cannabis is a low priority. There were no arrests all weekend that we know of, and that includes 3 agencies, City, UW and Capitol. 
http://MadisonNORML.org
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Comment #5 posted by ekim on October 06, 2008 at 09:02:16 PT
Ann Arbor has one too
Thank you -- i have wondered how many tickets have been given and how that has saved the taxpayers money from less jail time - less court time- less LEO time - plus the impact on the person receiving the ticket and not a permanent criminal record.http://cannabisnews.com/news/24/thread24196.shtml“Decriminalize it all the way, recognize that it’s an individual liberty to enjoy activities that impose no harm on anyone else,” said Harvard Law School professor Charles R. Nesson ’60, who in the past has admitted that he often smokes marijuana before classes. “Legally, I think it’s a very good idea to moderate the Draconian application of drug laws.” 
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Comment #4 posted by Gary Storck on October 06, 2008 at 08:29:00 PT
Ord. 23.20
Madison NORML held a 30th birthday party for Ord. 23.20 in April of 2007. I did a lot of research into it and prepared and deliverred a Power Point presentation on how it happened. Should have written an article then, when it was all fresh in my mind!
Madison NORML's new site!
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Comment #3 posted by ekim on October 06, 2008 at 08:03:46 PT
has anyone ever wrote a doc paper on this Ord?
23.20 Regulations Concerning
Marijuana and CannabisSection 23.20 Cr. by Ord. 5833, 4-18-77(1) Purpose. The people of Madison specifically determine that the regulations herein contained concerning marijuana and cannabis are necessary to serve the ethical purpose of providing just and equitable legal treatment of the citizens of this community and to preserve the respect of such citizens for law, its process, and its administration.
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Comment #2 posted by Gary Storck on October 06, 2008 at 07:32:54 PT
A larger crowd for Parade!
The parade was close to 2000 this year! Nearly twice the last few years. As far as we know, there were no arrests. This HF was a return to its Smoke-In roots, it seemed! Cloudy skies and rain before the parade kept things iffy on Sunday, and while mmj patients were not as visible, the large enthusiastic parade was a highlight!
Madison NORML's new site!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 06, 2008 at 05:30:45 PT
Marijuana Enthusiasts Gather at Harvest Fest
October 6, 2008 http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/20720
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