Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Government officials in and around Gary know of Jim Nowacki, a one-time Chicago resident who now lives in Gary and is oftentimes a government critic.
But by sometime next week, Nowacki expects to be in Indianapolis, lobbying for medical marijuana in the Statehouse.
Nowacki, who does not own an automobile and is often seen walking from place to place in Gary, said he plans to make the trip to Indianapolis on foot.
Planning on a pace of about 30 miles per day, Nowacki, 62, said he will leave the former downtown Gary office building of the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. on Broadway at 6 a.m. Sunday, and said he expects it could take about five days to complete the trip.
"I'll admit it, walking there is in part to gain publicity, but the issue is serious," said Nowacki. "I think people should be able to use marijuana if there's a legitimate medicinal benefit."
Other organizations, including Higher Fellowship and Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis have their own plans to urge Indiana lawmaker to legalize a medical cannabis. David Phipps and others with Higher Fellowship began in the spring to travel to one of Indiana's 92 counties each week to hold rallies in support of medical marijuana.
Voters in four states legalized medical cannabis in the November election, and Illinois and Michigan already passed their own programs. Ohio is in the process of setting up its own program after lawmakers legalized it in the state this year.
The Lake County Council narrowly passed a resolution, proposed by Councilman Jamal Washington, D-Merrillville, in September saying they would support the state legislature considering a law allowing medical marijuana use.
For years, State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, has drafted marijuana legalization bills, and in more recent years, she has specifically tailored them for medical marijuana. Going into the next session, Tallian said she plans to propose a program again.
Nowacki said that all too often, people in Indiana trying to gain access to marijuana for their personal relief are forced to resort to sources that have a criminal tinge to them.
"I don't think anyone should have to go through that kind of experience," Nowacki said, while also stating that it has been about 35 years since he last used marijuana.
Nowacki has been walking more to places like Hammond, Crown Point and Hobart to build up his endurance, but he said he has twice before walked from Gary to Indianapolis.
On those occasions, he was trying to get the state Legislature to intervene with the Gary Community School Corp. to retain old paintings that used to be in now-shuttered schools.
Nowacki said he has talked about his walk with now-retired Gary Sen. Earline Rogers and newcomer Eddie Melton, both of whom he said offered to introduce him to people at the Statehouse. He expects to run into some hostile reactions as well, he said.
Common Council President Ronald Brewer, who often spars verbally with Nowacki over issues, shook his head "no" when asked if he thought Nowacki would be able to influence legislators.
"He gets so very aggressive when talking to people about his issues," Brewer said.
As for his walk itself, Nowacki would not specify his route, except to say it will sort of follow Interstate 65, and he expects to pass through Roselawn, Rensselaer, Lafayette and Lebanon before reaching Indianapolis.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Gary Man Plans To Walk To Indianapolis In Support Of Medical Marijuana
Author: Gregory Tejeda
Contact: Post-Tribune
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Post-Tribune
But by sometime next week, Nowacki expects to be in Indianapolis, lobbying for medical marijuana in the Statehouse.
Nowacki, who does not own an automobile and is often seen walking from place to place in Gary, said he plans to make the trip to Indianapolis on foot.
Planning on a pace of about 30 miles per day, Nowacki, 62, said he will leave the former downtown Gary office building of the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. on Broadway at 6 a.m. Sunday, and said he expects it could take about five days to complete the trip.
"I'll admit it, walking there is in part to gain publicity, but the issue is serious," said Nowacki. "I think people should be able to use marijuana if there's a legitimate medicinal benefit."
Other organizations, including Higher Fellowship and Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis have their own plans to urge Indiana lawmaker to legalize a medical cannabis. David Phipps and others with Higher Fellowship began in the spring to travel to one of Indiana's 92 counties each week to hold rallies in support of medical marijuana.
Voters in four states legalized medical cannabis in the November election, and Illinois and Michigan already passed their own programs. Ohio is in the process of setting up its own program after lawmakers legalized it in the state this year.
The Lake County Council narrowly passed a resolution, proposed by Councilman Jamal Washington, D-Merrillville, in September saying they would support the state legislature considering a law allowing medical marijuana use.
For years, State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, has drafted marijuana legalization bills, and in more recent years, she has specifically tailored them for medical marijuana. Going into the next session, Tallian said she plans to propose a program again.
Nowacki said that all too often, people in Indiana trying to gain access to marijuana for their personal relief are forced to resort to sources that have a criminal tinge to them.
"I don't think anyone should have to go through that kind of experience," Nowacki said, while also stating that it has been about 35 years since he last used marijuana.
Nowacki has been walking more to places like Hammond, Crown Point and Hobart to build up his endurance, but he said he has twice before walked from Gary to Indianapolis.
On those occasions, he was trying to get the state Legislature to intervene with the Gary Community School Corp. to retain old paintings that used to be in now-shuttered schools.
Nowacki said he has talked about his walk with now-retired Gary Sen. Earline Rogers and newcomer Eddie Melton, both of whom he said offered to introduce him to people at the Statehouse. He expects to run into some hostile reactions as well, he said.
Common Council President Ronald Brewer, who often spars verbally with Nowacki over issues, shook his head "no" when asked if he thought Nowacki would be able to influence legislators.
"He gets so very aggressive when talking to people about his issues," Brewer said.
As for his walk itself, Nowacki would not specify his route, except to say it will sort of follow Interstate 65, and he expects to pass through Roselawn, Rensselaer, Lafayette and Lebanon before reaching Indianapolis.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Gary Man Plans To Walk To Indianapolis In Support Of Medical Marijuana
Author: Gregory Tejeda
Contact: Post-Tribune
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Post-Tribune
