Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)
Copyright: 2008 The Desert Sun
Contact: http://local2.thedesertsun.com/mailer/opinionwrap.php
Website: http://www.thedesertsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112
Note: Does not accept LTEs from outside circulation area.
Author: Marcel Honore, The Desert Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

FILM CLAIMS DRUG LAWS TOO HARSH

Parts Of 'Smoke Screen' Shot At Desert Horizons

The resort hideaway of Indian Wells might seem an unlikely place for 
marijuana-legalization supporters to host an informational session.

It may seem even less likely that the city's manicured country club 
lawns, lakes and tennis courts would appear in a movie that promotes 
legalizing drugs.

Nonetheless, about 20 Indian Wells residents attended a Tuesday 
evening screening of the new film "Smoke Screen," co-written and 
produced by fellow resident Jean Blake Fleming, at Desert Horizons 
Country Club.

"There is no question there's a drug problem in the U.S.," said 
Fleming's husband, David, as he introduced the film. "The question is 
how to solve it."

"Smoke Screen" argues the nation's drug laws are too harsh and do 
more harm than good. Tuesday was the second time the film has been screened.

The protagonist, played by co-writer Todd Nelson, is a UCLA law 
student who hails from an upscale family. But when several 
marijuana-possession arrests land him in prison, the family is thrust 
into crisis.

Scenes for the movie were shot at Desert Horizons - eliciting 
chuckles from some audience members.

In October, a unanimous City Council vote made Indian Wells one of 
several valley cities with an outright ban on medicinal marijuana dispensaries.

Fleming said the film particularly aims to reach out to affluent U.S. families.

"The upper-middle class is in the closet" about the nation's drug 
problems, she said. "People have been fed the wrong info all these 
years, and they just accept it."

Fleming said she's used medical marijuana in the last year to treat 
polio-related pain. Her late father used medical marijuana to treat 
pain related to glaucoma and later prostate cancer. It profoundly 
influenced her views on patients' rights, she said.

Audience members said they found "Smoke Screen" enlightening.

It's "the first time I heard the penalty for possessing marijuana 
could get you a prison sentence" and not just a jail sentence, said 
Suzy Neimann, a longtime friend of the Flemings who has sat on the 
Indian Wells and Los Angeles planning commissions.

Neimann broke both legs and hips when struck by a car two years ago. 
She said she supported state laws upholding medicinal marijuana 
rights but probably would not use the drug herself.

"Anything that helps anybody that hurts, I could be very 
sympathetic," Neimann said.

Fleming plans to submit "Smoke Screen" to join the 2008 Los Angeles 
and Cannes film festivals.
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