Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jun 2003
Source: The Week Online with DRCNet (US Web)
Contact:  http://www.drcnet.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2514
Author: Phillip S. Smith, Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rave+act (Rave act)

RAVE ACT REVERBERATIONS

In the wake of the cancellation of a Montana NORML/SSDP benefit by the 
venue's owners after a DEA agent warned them they could face a $250,000 
fine under the RAVE Act if anyone used marijuana at the event 
(http://www.drcnet.org/wol/290.shtml#dearave), organizers of some drug 
reform-related events have begun to cancel events or relocate them to 
friendlier territory. At the same time, national drug reform and civil 
liberties organizations are mobilizing against the RAVE Act, now officially 
known as the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act.

The Sonoma Health and Harmony Festival (http://www.harmonyfestival.com) in 
California has cancelled plans to have a medical marijuana smoking area due 
to fears of RAVE Act prosecutions, California NORML has reported. And the 
Wisconsin Weedstock festival (http://www.weedstock.com) is relocating 
across the border to Canada -- to Sault, Ontario, where there currently are 
no laws against marijuana possession, let alone anything like the RAVE Act. 
Weedstock will become part of the Planetary Pride Hemp Fest 
(http://www.planetarypride.com/comingsoon.html), an Ontario-based event now 
in its fifth year.

(US citizens thinking of attending but who have an arrest record should 
make sure they can get into Canada. Visit 
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/individuals/visitors-e.html and go to 
the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's web pages to get more information 
about entry.)

As some groups change plans under RAVE Act prosecution pressures, the drug 
reform movement is mobilizing to roll back the law, which was stalled under 
stiff opposition in the Senate last year, but which passed easily once it 
was stealthily inserted into the popular Amber Alert by RAVE Act sponsor 
Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE). Drug Policy Alliance has made repealing the RAVE Act 
one of its action priorities (http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/), 
and other major reform and civil liberties groups continue to plot 
strategies to kill the law. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake