Texans Convene to Support Legalization of Marijuana

[Herb Fellow]

Amid the incense aromas and reggae beats, several hundred Austinites rallied at the Capitol on Saturday for the legalization of marijuana for personal and medical use. The Texas branch of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and Outgrow Big Bro, a cannabis-user advocacy organization, hosted Sunday's Texas Cannabis Crusade.

Josh Schimberg, director of Texas NORML, said the Texas Cannabis Crusade was part of the 2008 Global Marijuana March. More than 200 cities worldwide registered for rallies at the Global Marijuana March Web site. "We're trying to get everybody that agrees with us to come together at the Capitol and show people that we want the laws changed," Schimberg said. "And we will get together and congregate to show the politicians, show the public that there's a group of people out here in the public that are being persecuted and we want it to stop."

Event attendee Julian Ward said he gave written testimony last year for medical marijuana use, but the bill did not pass. "I'm on a lot of drugs that are dangerous drugs, legally, and was told that if I could be on marijuana, that I wouldn't need to take these drugs," Ward said.

Starting Sept. 1, 2007, Texas police officers could legally issue citations instead of arresting people in possession of four ounces or less of marijuana. The officer can only issue a citation if the individual is a resident of the county where the offense occurred, according to the policy.

Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Ron Paul, R-Texas, on April 17 introduced a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives that would eliminate most federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use.

The bill is in committee and defines personal use as 100 grams or less or the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce or less of marijuana between adults. According to the bill, a civil penalty for public use of marijuana may still be imposed.

The same day, April 17, Frank, Paul and three other legislators introduced the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, which is also still in committee. The bill would prohibit federal law from interfering in states with laws protecting the possession, transportation and manufacture of medical marijuana to prescribed patients.

Sarah Newton, a philosophy and English student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, spoke at the rally as Miss High Times 2007. She said legalization of marijuana is a pressing issue in the U.S. and strongly believes that it is a right for which people need to fight. "We have people that need it, not just to get high but for medication. Some people need it to survive," Newton said. "Not to mention, in college, we all know we're stressed out, and it definitely helps out."

Source: The Daily Texan Online
Copyright: 2008, The Daily Texan
Contact: Teresa Mioli
Website: Texans convene to support legalization of marijuana - Top Stories

[DaMagoMan]

Thanks BubaHerb, I'm tryin' to round up some pics
It was a Lovely thang !!!!

Sarah Newton,
a philosophy and English student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

That Darlin' showed up while I was rollin' doobs in Buba's car about 10am
(seems most folks cain't roll a joint anymore,
they have to get the Ol'Man to help them out)
and she stayed till the very end.
She brought tears to my eyes when she spoke at the Capital.

[Boss]

Fantastic man, I am glad you could attend and it went off without a hitch.

[DaMagoMan]

Here's another link,
'Crusade' calls for legal marijuana in Downtown Austin

One jaywalkin' ticket and 1 parkin' in a Handicap spot ticket.

And a Great Time was had by All.

[bharrist]

wish i would've been there.

[DaMagoMan]

Plenty good stuff always goin' on in Austin.
and
yeah, we let Aggies into Travis county, Sometimes!
Most of the time they just sneak in

6th Street smoke out in Sept.
To be Exact
"3rd Annual 6th St Smokeout scheduled for Saturday, September 20th"
I'll add it to the calendar when I know All the details.

[bharrist]

i'm not an aggie at all lol. don't get along with them. i will add that smoke out to my calendar and let my sister and her fiance know.

[DaMagoMan]

Who's that Ol'Hippy with the Go Green sign, Ya' Recon'?


I knew one would surface.
Yeapper, I let my hair down that day

[Herb Fellow]

Is that you front and center or far back to the left? I have long hair also, but if it continues to fall out I am going to look like a bearded Ben Franklin.

[DaMagoMan]

front and center

I brought up the rear,
didn't want anybody sneakin' off
and I got a few folks to join us along the way.

The other side of the sign has the full TCC schedule on it.

Good thang my hair is gettin' plenty sun,
it's almost bleached out enough to cover the grey

[Herb Fellow]

My beard is graying, my hair is leaving. :(