cannabisnews.com: 600 Paraders Want Marijuana Legalized 600 Paraders Want Marijuana Legalized Posted by FoM on May 06, 2001 at 08:05:42 PT By Andrew Webb, Journal Staff Writer Source: Albuquerque Journal Nineteen-year-old Mary Thompson was married about a month ago and is expecting a baby. This would be one of the happiest times of her life, she said, if not for one thing. Her new husband — she calls him "a prisoner of the drug war" — has been in jail for the last three weeks. "I'm here to educate people," she said. "It's our God-given right to have marijuana legalized." Thompson joined about 250 people Saturday at Freedom Fest — a celebration of marijuana sponsored by The Hemp Coalition and several other organizations. The event began with a parade down Central Avenue followed by a festival in Roosevelt Park, which featured music, food and other events. Hemp Coalition spokesman Ben Tucker said Freedom Fest was part of a nationwide May 5 celebration and campaign for marijuana legalization. "It's to get people to take notice of the freedoms we don't have, and to remind them that there's still a struggle," he said. Most of the attendees said they were there to support campaigns for the legalization of marijuana. "I think it gets a bad reputation because people associate it next to heroin and cocaine," 19-year-old UNM student Daniel Patron said. "Alcohol and tobacco have caused so much more damage. The government has wasted billions on this drug war and hasn't accomplished anything." Thomson said her husband has been in the Bernalillo County Detention Center since a urine test turned up traces of marijuana. He is on probation for a previous arrest for receiving stolen property. She said he had turned his life around after the arrest and used marijuana to ease the pain of a case of walking pneumonia. "He had just started a new job — he was totally humbled and wants his life back," she said. "He's never done anything violent or hurt anybody." Many at the event said they supported Gov. Gary Johnson's drug policy reform proposals, which include decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. Johnson has been sharply criticized by lawmakers who disagree with his assertion that the drug war has failed. Police kept a visible presence at the event but had not issued any citations as of Saturday afternoon, said APD Sgt. Les Brown. He said event organizers had secured permits for use of the park, but police would not tolerate blatant drug abuse.Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: Andrew Webb, Journal Staff WriterPublished: Sunday, May 6, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque JournalContact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/CannabisNews Articles - Million Marijuana Marchhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=mmmCannabisNews Articles - Governor Gary Johnsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=gary+johnson Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Jaylor on May 07, 2001 at 15:40:24 PT Marijuana March in ABQ I am glad to hear that there was such a turnout for the march this year. I live in ABQ and am out of the country for the year. I wish I could have been there with you all. I was with you in spirit and I just wanted to say well done. Keep the issue fresh in peoples minds and there soon will be change. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by nick on May 07, 2001 at 10:43:02 PT government sucks i think the government and the cops all suck major ass! they don't even know why weed is illeagal.it's only a drug because they classified it as a drug. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Violent J on May 07, 2001 at 06:27:51 PT MARIJUANA I think that marijuana should be legalized. If the government want make something illegal it should be ciggerettes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Imprint on May 07, 2001 at 00:27:01 PT: Prisoner of war I sure feel real bad for Mary Thompson. About to give birth and her husband is in jail for pot. He should be at home helping his wife and enjoying this wonderful event in their lives. She really said it all; "He's never done anything violent or hurt anybody." Yet, there he is in jail. The heartless government strikes again. Let’s examine just how this helps us.1. A pregnant woman placed under a great deal of stress. 2. A soon to be father in jail instead of earning money to get their family under way. 3. A non-violent citizen using up space in a detention center. 4. Judges, prosecutors, police officers, councilors, drug testing facilities and who knows what else are being distracted from real work.Where is the justice, where’s the freedom, where’s the pursuit of happiness and where’s the prudent use of tax dollars?This kind of stuff makes me sick. This guy is a prisoner of war. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by sm247 on May 06, 2001 at 08:40:54 PT Way ta go! Yes we sure do support Gov. J he is right.Glad you all had a cool event. Too bad about the police presence. They had no reason to be there unless there was a COMPLAINT. They should have been out looking for vandals thieves murderers,molesters, People defrauding old people, the list could go on forever in ways better to use law enforcement. I hope the officers attending this event enjoyed wasting the taxpayers money while they jerked around at a festival for peace .... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: