cannabisnews.com: Protesters Hope To Snuff Out Law Against Marijuana Protesters Hope To Snuff Out Law Against Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on May 03, 2003 at 17:46:36 PT By Mike Belt, Journal-World Reporter Source: Lawrence Journal-World They smoke marijuana, and they don't care who knows it.Friday evening Chase Cookson stood along Massachusetts Street in South Park and waved a sign that said "Marijuana User -- Not Criminal." Nearly two dozen fellow Kansas University students stood with him, waving signs with similar phrases. "We're just trying to let people know there are different kinds of folks who are consumers of marijuana," said Cookson, a Wichita junior. "We could be your brother, son, father or next-door neighbor."The students, members of the KU Chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, dubbed their protest of marijuana laws "cannabis liberation." They later walked down the sidewalk along Massachusetts Street so people downtown could see them.Cookson said he disagreed with those who say smoking marijuana leads to use of more dangerous drugs such as crack cocaine or heroin."I know plenty of people who have smoked marijuana and did not move on to other drugs," said Cookson, who favors legalized use of small amounts of marijuana. Steve Ducey, an Overland Park sophomore, agreed. He held up a sign that read "Pot Smoking Does Not Make Me a Criminal."Several passing motorists gave the group the thumbs-up sign and honked their horns in a show of support."We're getting great response," Ducey said. "It makes me feel pretty happy about that."Ducey said one of the supporting motorists had a military veteran's license tag and another was a woman driving a minivan with children in it.Coming by to give his moral support to the students was attorney David Whinery, who also favors some legalized marijuana use.Whinery said he'd seen a lot of young people "get ruined" because they got caught with a small amount of marijuana. They couldn't get jobs or student loans, he said.Whinery said he understood strong laws against crack and other harder drugs, but said "marijuana is pretty innocuous."Complete Title: Protesters Hope To Snuff Out Laws Against Marijuana Use Source: Lawrence Journal-World (KS)Author: Mike Belt, Journal-World Reporter Published: Saturday, May 3, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Lawrence Journal-WorldWebsite: http://www.ljworld.com/Contact: http://www.ljworld.com/site/submit_letter SSDPhttp://www.ssdp.org/Million Marijuana Marchhttp://www.millionmarijuanamarch.comCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 03, 2003 at 18:29:54 PT Thanks afterburner I have it posted now! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by afterburner on May 03, 2003 at 17:55:27 PT: Another Story, FoM SENATOR NOLIN COMES TO WASHINGTON http://www.mapinc.org/newscc/v03/n641/a06.html?397 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment