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There's likely to be more handcuffs amid the haze of marijuana smoke this weekend, when legalization proponents plan to blaze by the Liberty Bell again.
The ninth "Smoke Down Prohibition" is scheduled for Saturday at The People's Plaza at Independence Mall National Historic Park, and recent rallies held there have resulted in several arrests, including one in May when activist Richard Tamaccio, a comedian who uses the stage name NA Poe, was arrested. A recent sentencing memorandum filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office is asking that Tamaccio be forbidden to enter Independence Mall without permission from a probation officer.
The government, according to the sentencing memorandum, is also seeking community service for Tamaccio, in the hopes it will enlighten him "to the disparate needs of a democratically established society which has pressing problems beyond the ability to smoke marijuana freely."
Chris Goldstein, an activist with Philly NORML who was cited for marijuana at two Smoke Down events, said in a statement that more than 2,000 people have smoked pot during the events and that won't stop until the "draconian" laws change.
"That is the only way to stop the 750,000 marijuana possession arrests that continue to happen each year - more than 4,000 right here in Philadelphia," he said.
The government is not seeking incarceration for Tamaccio, who pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, but they want his probation to send a message.
"It will serve as a deterrent to future crimes by this defendant and others," the memorandum stated, "and thereby protect the public."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: philly.com
Author: Jason Nark
Contact: Feedback - philly.com
Website: Pot advocates planning another protest at Independence Mall - Philly.com
The ninth "Smoke Down Prohibition" is scheduled for Saturday at The People's Plaza at Independence Mall National Historic Park, and recent rallies held there have resulted in several arrests, including one in May when activist Richard Tamaccio, a comedian who uses the stage name NA Poe, was arrested. A recent sentencing memorandum filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office is asking that Tamaccio be forbidden to enter Independence Mall without permission from a probation officer.
The government, according to the sentencing memorandum, is also seeking community service for Tamaccio, in the hopes it will enlighten him "to the disparate needs of a democratically established society which has pressing problems beyond the ability to smoke marijuana freely."
Chris Goldstein, an activist with Philly NORML who was cited for marijuana at two Smoke Down events, said in a statement that more than 2,000 people have smoked pot during the events and that won't stop until the "draconian" laws change.
"That is the only way to stop the 750,000 marijuana possession arrests that continue to happen each year - more than 4,000 right here in Philadelphia," he said.
The government is not seeking incarceration for Tamaccio, who pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, but they want his probation to send a message.
"It will serve as a deterrent to future crimes by this defendant and others," the memorandum stated, "and thereby protect the public."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: philly.com
Author: Jason Nark
Contact: Feedback - philly.com
Website: Pot advocates planning another protest at Independence Mall - Philly.com
