Sending Good Thoughts to Activist Ben Masel

DdC · 03-18-2011, 11:53 AM

Well-known marijuana legalization advocate upbeat despite terminal lung cancer diagnosis

This is very unwelcome news about Ben Masel. My thoughts are with him.

I had a great time the one time we got together — for coffee and Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans.

Ben is a tireless advocate and has been a powerful political influence in Wisconsin. I hope that every day for him is a good one.

This article seems to be very poor reporting by Samara Kalk Derby. How can you merely repeat “the jury’s out” language from Dr. Fiore regarding marijuana and lung cancer, and not mention the largest ever study done on the issue, funded by the U.S. government?

Ben Masel and Pete Guither

Activist Masel files suit over permits for Capitol demonstrations

Daily Kos: Thoughts For Ben Masel

Sending Good Thoughts to Activist Ben Masel

farmergiles · 04-30-2011, 11:51 AM

RIP

DdC · 04-30-2011, 11:54 AM

Thanks, Ben dwr
MADISON: Sad news this morning as we learn that longtime Madison cannabis activist Ben Masel passed away shortly after 9am today from complications of cancer at hospice care in Fitchburg. Today’s Global Cannabis Freedom March, scheduled for noon on Capitol Square, will be dedicated to Ben’s memory.

Being · 04-30-2011, 06:23 PM

This was actually in my local news

Prominent marijuana activist Ben Masel, 56, dies of cancer

Quote:

Ben Masel, prominent marijuana activist and professional rabble rouser, died Saturday from complications due to lung cancer. He was 56.
Diagnosed in January, Masel had recently made it through 25 radiation treatments for the disease, but was too weak to face chemotherapy. He died just before 9 a.m., surrounded by family at a nearby hospice center.
"He made a point of living at the front lines and fighting for his rights," said Semilla Anderson, Masel's daughter. "He will be remembered for that."
Masel was born in the Bronx and grew up in New Jersey. He moved to Madison in 1971 and quickly became a fixture of the counter-culture, known specifically for acts of civil disobedience in the cause of legalizing pot.
For the past 10 years he served as the vice president of the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Masel was the state director for six years in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
And in truth, when news broke last month that Masel had lung cancer, there were many who thought it made sense. After all, he spent a lifetime smoking cigarettes and was, by his own admission, a "heavy" marijuana smoker.
But friends and family hope that people will remember that Masel stood for a lot more than just one controversial cause.
"He wasn't just some pothead," said Sal Serio, a longtime friend. "He respected the constitution. He respected the system. And he fought to make sure others did too."
In fact, Masel made his living fighting those who tried to limit personal freedoms and rights. He was, for lack of a better term, a professional activist.
Jeff Scott Olson, Masel's attorney for the past 20 years, said his client focused mainly on challenging limitations to free speech and right to assemble. Whenever police departments or cities tried to stop him from collecting signatures or protesting, he would sue. And according to Olson, he almost always won.
Said Amy Gros-Louis, a friend of 25 years, "Ben knew the laws better than the police did."
Masel often joked that his method of making a living offered a "great hourly rate if you can wait forever to get paid." Masel joked a lot; it's one of the things people say about him most.
He was a perennial candidate for elected office. He ran for Dane County Sheriff once; governor and senator too.
And he was a protester to the end. Even in his weakened state, Masel managed to show up at the Capitol during the month-long protest in March.
But behind all of that was a funny and decent man. He may have looked like a graying lion, but friends said he was a gentleman.
"He was always courteous and reasonable," Olson said. "And that was because he was always ready to give someone the chance to change his mind."
Said Serio, "He was a special person. He will be missed."

Being · 04-30-2011, 06:24 PM

YouTube - This is a test of the emergency free speech system. Capitol Building. Madison, Wisconsin.

03-18-2011, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
DdC Decade Yahookan Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Santa Cruz,CA,USA Posts: 2,117 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 51 Thanked 607 Times in 399 Posts	Sending Good Thoughts to Activist Ben Masel Well-known marijuana legalization advocate upbeat despite terminal lung cancer diagnosis This is very unwelcome news about Ben Masel. My thoughts are with him. I had a great time the one time we got together — for coffee and Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. Ben is a tireless advocate and has been a powerful political influence in Wisconsin. I hope that every day for him is a good one. This article seems to be very poor reporting by Samara Kalk Derby. How can you merely repeat “the jury’s out” language from Dr. Fiore regarding marijuana and lung cancer, and not mention the largest ever study done on the issue, funded by the U.S. government? Ben Masel and Pete Guither Activist Masel files suit over permits for Capitol demonstrations Daily Kos: Thoughts For Ben Masel Sending Good Thoughts to Activist Ben Masel

04-30-2011, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,802 Thanks: 2,281 Thanked 3,748 Times in 2,553 Posts	RIP __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

04-30-2011, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
DdC Decade Yahookan Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Santa Cruz,CA,USA Posts: 2,117 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 51 Thanked 607 Times in 399 Posts	Ben Masel RIP Thanks, Ben dwr MADISON: Sad news this morning as we learn that longtime Madison cannabis activist Ben Masel passed away shortly after 9am today from complications of cancer at hospice care in Fitchburg. Today’s Global Cannabis Freedom March, scheduled for noon on Capitol Square, will be dedicated to Ben’s memory.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)