HTTP/1.0 200 OK
Content-Type: text/html
Harvest Fest Gathers Annual Supporters
Pubdate: Mon, 03 Oct 2005
Source: Badger Herald (Edu, Madison, WI)
Copyright: 2005 Badger Herald
Contact: http://www.badgerherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/711
Author: Darryl Schnell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
HARVEST FEST GATHERS ANNUAL SUPPORTERS
Thousands gathered at the University of Wisconsin's Library Mall to attend
the 35th Annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival this past weekend.
The event, organized by the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws (NORML), typically takes place beneath a well-known cloud of
marijuana smoke. Though police are present during the annual event,
enforcement of drug laws is not common.
"This is the only weekend where you can smoke weed in public and not be
arrested," Jon Tischner, event attendee, said. "Cops are there, and they
know people are smoking, but they don't really do anything about it."
Another event attendee, who wished to remain anonymous for fear he might be
arrested if his name was printed, said police were on the perimeter of the
event, but did not mingle with the crowd.
"The cops were standing up on a hill just watching and trying to move
people along," the attendee said. "They had to know what was going on, but
as long as they didn't actually see you smoking the weed, they didn't do
anything about it. You just have to be good at covering up."
Ald. Austin King, District 8, said the Madison Police Department has never
had a problem with the event.
Madison police were unavailable for comment as of press time.
"My understanding is that there were no arrests this year," King said.
"We've rarely seen any police action taken at the event over the years."
According to King, the event itself does not condone the use of marijuana
in a public forum, although he said he would not be surprised if the drug
was used.
King also said it is probably better police do not get involved if people
are smoking marijuana at the event.
"It's a good policy to not interfere with the event," King said. "The crowd
is peaceful and happy, so it's better to let them go on their way."
The Harvest Festival does advocate the regulated legalization of cannabis
and the Madison chapter of NORML's mission statement reads as follows:
"To uphold Madison's long-standing community standard that the use of
cannabis is not a criminal matter. To show compassion towards our seniors,
disabled and seriously ill; to support Wisconsin's farmers; and to ensure
the personal freedom of responsible adults."
Advocates at the festival argued for the legalization of marijuana so the
government can implement taxation and regulation. A second attendee, who
also wished to remain anonymous for fear of arrest, said taxing cannabis
would serve to mend government debt.
"Taxing ganja would bring in $6 billion no problem [sic]," the festival
attendee said. "Legalizing marijuana would make things so much easier for
everyone. Get down with the brown, keep the money in town. If we grow that
[stuff], we'd be able to keep the money here."
Some state legislators are currently seeking to pass a bill that would
permit the medicinal use of marijuana with a prescription. However, past
attempts at such a bill have failed, and this attempt is still in its
initial steps.