Pubdate: Sun, 16 Sep 2007
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2007 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: O'ryan Johnson
Cited: Boston Freedom Rally http://www.masscann.org/freedomrally01.shtml
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

HEMP ACTIVISTS GET THE JOINT JUMPING

Two of the nation's leading advocates for legalized marijuana were 
arrested on Boston Common yesterday for lighting up a joint during 
the Boston Freedom Rally, a pro-hemp event that promotes 
decriminalizing the drug.

R. Keith Stroup, 63, founder of the National Organization for the 
Reform of Marijuana Laws, and Rick Cusick, 53, an editor at High 
Times magazine, were charged with possession of marijuana, a 
misdemeanor. "We were smoking a joint behind the booth here," Stroup 
said. "I'm sure the police would rather be chasing real criminals. 
We're both productive, hard-working taxpayers."

High Times and NORML are co-sponsors of the annual rally that 
celebrates pot culture and traditionally results in dozens of arrests 
of addle-brained youths who mistakenly believe it is legal to toke up 
for just that day.

"A lot of them said they thought it was an amnesty," said one of the 
cops at the makeshift booking area where plainclothes police led the 
shame-faced youths who were caught smoking reefer. The 60-plus 
arrested found it was not only not legal for that day but would cost 
them a day in court.

Despite the number of arrests, while Stroup was onstage telling the 
crowd about his own arrest he also prompted the audience to "stand 
up, light up and let the world know how you feel." The advice was 
heeded by men who identified themselves as Anthony Martins, 22, of 
West Bridgewater, and Josh Hatfield, 22, of Weymouth, and passed a 
joint back and forth during Stroup's speech.

"No, I don't think it's legal," Martins said, when asked if he 
thought there was an amnesty. "It's something I'm proud of. It's not 
like I'm a heroin addict."

Asked why he was smoking pot, Martins said, "To fight the power."

Stroup, who was arrested once before 24 years ago, said he and Cusick 
were relaxing and smoking a joint in the park, an activity he said 
was no harm to anyone.

Both men said police treated them well and professionally during the 
booking process.

"I've been waiting 33 years to get arrested," said Cusick, chuckling. 
"When it happened I was calm, like a monk. I told them I'd call my 
lawyer, but he got arrested with me." 
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