DdC

Weedstock is going north of the border this summer to escape the legal runaround in Sauk County. The pro-marijuana rally will join forces with the Planetary Pride Hempfest in Ophir, Ontario, from Aug. 22 to 24. Ophir is located outside Sault Ste. Marie, just north of the Canadian border above the upper peninsula of Michigan.

With Weedstock's court case still under appeal, its director, Ben Masel, said the group decided to take the event to a place where the government isn't cracking down so hard on marijuana.

Under some circumstances, it is presently legal to smoke marijuana in Ontario; the law there is being re-evaluated.

"They still have freedom of assembly in Canada," Masel said.

Sheriff's deputies stopped the 2000 Weedstock because organizers did not obtain a permit for the event in Fairfield, Wis. The Sauk County's ordinance governs open-air assemblies.

Masel argues the permit process denied his right of free speech.

When authorities arrived at Weedstock 2000, most attendees left without incident. However, about a dozen participants, including Masel, were arrested for contempt of court or resisting arrest.

Masel contested the ordinance, and a Columbia County circuit judge ruled for Sauk County in 2002. Masel has appealed. His attorney, Jeff Scott Olson, told a state appeals court in February that the Sauk County law governing large gatherings was subjectively used to "censor" the event.

Lower penalties: Canada is a more cannabis-friendly country than the United States, advocates say. The northern country's justice minister recently introduced legislation to ease its marijuana laws. Punishment for possession of the drug would be reduced to something on par with a traffic ticket, but penalties would increase for growing and trafficking the drug.

The Canadian bill would not legalize or increase production of marijuana. It would, however, decrease penalties for possession of small amounts of the drug.

"Our message to Canadians and especially to our young people is clear: Marijuana is harmful and it will remain illegal," said Canadian Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who introduced the legislation.

Canadian Senator Pierre Claude Nolin said Canada doesn't intend for its potential new policy to clash with the United States' stricter anti-drug position.

He said he hopes that it will open up the line of dialogue between the two countries on the subject.

A Madison Police Department spokeswoman says it's unlikely Canada will become the next great supplier of contraband to the United States.

"If it has an effect, it'll be a slight one, because we're so far from Canada, actually," Officer Jennifer Krueger said. "I don't think it'll increase the amount of marijuana we see."

The source of production won't switch sides, from Mexico to Canada, she said. Weed coming into Wisconsin from Canada still would have to either cross Lake Superior or enter through a bordering state.

Mexican marijuana has to travel much farther, she said, but "decriminalizing and producing are two different things. With any hopes we'd see a reduction, because people would go to Canada" to smoke it.

Masel has other hopes: "I'm hoping that seeing the roof not cave in in Canada will make it an easier sell."

Note: Festival moves up to Canada.

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16664.shtml" target="_blank">Weed stock Seeks Northern Exposure</a>
Source: Capital Times, The (WI)
Author: Aaron Nathans and Emily Dagostino
Published: Thursday, June 19, 2003
Contact: tctvoice@madison.com
Website: <a href="http://www.captimes.com" target="_blank">http ://www.captimes.com</A>

Related Articles & Web Sites:

Weed Stock
<a href="http://www.weedstock.com" target="_blank">http ://www.weedstock.com</A>
<a href="http://www.planetarypride.c om" target="_blank">Plan etary Pride</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14373.shtml" target="_blank">Pot Festival Draws 400</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14370.shtml" target="_blank">Fest ival Allows Voice for Marijuana Defenders</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14348.shtml" target="_blank">Fest ival To Highlight Marijuana Legislation</a>


<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com " target="_blank">http ://www.cannabisnews.com </A>

June 21, 2003

Pot Growers No Worse Than Martini Drinkers
Get a Handle On Pot
Pothead With a Purpose
Shops Fearful of DEA's Wrath
Victory in Tulia, But Not in Drug War

June 20, 2003

* Weedstock Seeks Northern Exposure
* NORML's Weekly News Bulletin
* City Police Follow Pot Ruling
* Attorney Files To Dismiss Pot Case
* Crown Attorney Stays Charges in Cases of Marijuana
* New Anti-Drug Law Leaves Room for Abuse
* The Decriminalization That Wasn't
* Federal Government Not Protecting Ontarians
* Feds Follow Canada Marijuana Proposal

June 19, 2003

* The Missoula Study
* A Quarter Ounce a Day
* Will RAVE Act Stomp Out Drugs -- Or Dissent?
* Toronto Police Ignore Pot Party in Front of HQ
* Prince of Pot Says, Like, Come To Toronto
* Dozens Smoke Pot at Toronto Police Station
* Cannabis Drug Set for End of Year Release
* Woman Defends Cannabis Use
* Smoked Out
* Differing Minds
* Canada's First Cannabis HIV/AIDS Study Suspended
* Marijuana Proposal Sparks Debate
* More To Sea of Green Than Meets The Eye
* Legalize It
* DEA is Out of Touch
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.

We Will Never Forget Tom and Rollie!
Thank You Michigan Activist!
The Ganjawar openly violates the freedoms to even discuss...
It fines, forfeits property, murders and cages those who try...
Now once again the D.E.A.th wishes granted, riding on,
hiding behind another fears for the children bill.
Giving aid and abeding the Liberty pilagers.
Will they fine the Baseball Collisiums a quarter mil.
if one of the fans gets caught with not legal drugs...
under this fascist RAVE legislation?
D.E.A.th Ganja War Criminals must be brought to Justice!
DdC
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.

VANDALIA, Mich. Rainbow Farm Massacre
<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/find?200" target="_blank">http ://www.mapinc.org/find?200</A>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1657/a07.html?200" target="_blank">FOND MEMORIES OF RAINBOW FARM</a>
Supporters Recall Slain Pair, Their Ideals And Good Times
Scores of mourners grieve the deaths of Rainbow Farm Campground
owner Grover "Tom" Crosslin and his friend, Rolland Rohm.

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n691/a08.html?1754" target="_blank">Sat, 15 Aug 1998 US MI: Hemp Aid 98!</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n515/a02.html?1754" target="_blank">Sat, 15 May 1999 US MI: County Wants To Stop Hemp Fest</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n947/a10.html?1759" target="_blank">Mon, 21 May 2001 US MI: PUB LTE: Campground Raid Was Heavy-Handed</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1624/a06.html?1768" target="_blank">Mon, 03 Sep 2001 US MI: Wire: Campground Owner Shot Dead By FBI</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1625/a08.html?1788" target="_blank">Tue, 04 Sep 2001 US MI: Wire: Campground Standoff Claims 2nd Death</a>

<a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1655/a08.html?200" target="_blank">Sat, 08 Sep 2001 US MI: Rainbow Farms Standoff Sparks Talk, Opinions</a>

Tue, 11 Sep 2001...
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.

<a href="http://www.luminist.org/Archives/marijuana.htm" target="_blank">John Sinclair Marijuana Revolution</a>
<a href="http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35602.gif" target="_blank">http ://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35602.gif</A>
<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread9280.shtml" target="_blank">30th Hash Bash To Fill Diag This Weekend</a>

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread9273.shtml" target="_blank">Time is Now To Push for Pot Legalization</a>
PRAyes
<a href="http://www.prayes.com" target="_blank">http ://www.prayes.com</A>
Ann Arbor Hashbash
<a href="http://www.hashbash.com" target="_blank">http ://www.hashbash.com</A>
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.

It ain't fair, John Sinclair
In the stir for breathing air
Won't you care for John Sinclair?
In the stir for breathing air
Let him be, set him free
Let him be like you and me

They gave him ten for two
What else can the judges do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta set him free

If he'd been a soldier man
Shooting gooks in Vietnam
If he was the CIA
Selling dope and making hay
He'd be free, they'd let him be
Breathing air, like you and me

They gave him ten for two
What else can the judges do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta set him free

They gave him ten for two
They got Ali Otis too.
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta set him free

Was he jailed for what he done?
Or representing everyone
Free John now, if we can
From the clutches of the man
Let him be, lift the lid
Bring him to his wife and kids

They gave him ten for two
What else can the bastards do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta set him free

10 for 2 by John Lennon
Songs about Michigan Ganja activist John Sinclair
receiving 10 years for 2 joints!!!
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14795.shtml" target="_blank">Gras s: Ron Mann Chronicles Pot Prohibition</a>
Grass The Movie (10 for 2 stage performance by John and Yoko)
<a href="http://www.grassthemovie.co m" target="_blank">http ://www.grassthemovie.co m</A>
The soundtrack
<a href="http://www.grasssoundtrack. com" target="_blank">http ://www.grasssoundtrack. com</A>


,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,.,.,.
Professor Hemp newagecitizen@aol.co m
<<<<<<<<+>>>>>>>>> >
New Age Citizen Website, eZine & Online Store
<a href="http://www.newagecitizen.co m" target="_blank">http ://www.newagecitizen.co m</A>
<<<<<<<<<+>>>>>>>> >
PO Box 419
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

__________________