JOPLIN, Mo. — Around this time every year I like to break out my stash of awful marijuana-related puns and deliver a few hits to Kelly Maddy.

It is, to be blunt, not a terribly nice thing to do. And if Kelly were someone with less of a sense of humor, I’d probably get stoned.

(I’ll be here all week, folks. Try the veal. I should also mention that co-worker Greg Grisolano’s suggested alias for Kelly — the Green Lantern — qualifies for “Greatest Nickname Ever” status.)

Whatever your feelings on the issue of reforming our nation’s laws regarding marijuana use, you can’t help but admire  Kelly.

Whether it’s that issue, promoting the creation of an off-leash dog park, or encouraging people to show their support for the great things happening in Joplin’s downtown and to get involved in city government, the guy’s got passion. The kind of passion that goes way beyond armchair quarterbacking and into “roll up the sleeves and get to work” territory. Too few people have that.

After a post on the gloomy prospects for fall color failed to gain traction on our Facebook page on Wednesday, I decided to turn over a new leaf and link to the page for Cannabis Revival 2010, which Kelly organized.

Readers were asked if they planned to attend the event — which included music, food, speakers and informational booths about marijuana reform — that was held Saturday in Landreth Park.

That question really stirred the pot, with more than 200 comments from people on both sides of the debate coming in over the next few days.

“No, but I will drive by and point out all the morons to my children.”

— Patty

“Morons like the former two-term governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson who will be there speaking? Or the thousands of other taxpaying citizens who support an end to this ridiculous policy of marijuana prohibition?”

— Kelly

“I will be there with my children teaching them to voice their rights and utilize their freedoms, in this case speech and assembly.”

— Niki

“I will have to stay away, don’t want to get a contact high.”

— Mike

“Only people of clear, undamaged minds will publicly assemble to show their love for an illegal substance. LOL.”

— Travis

“As opposed to the minds of those who support a thing remaining illegal because ... well, because it is illegal. (I love the circular logic of the opposition.)”

— Vincent

“What is so natural about picking a plant, rolling it up, setting it on fire, then breathing in the fumes?”

— Travis

“Another simple solution is avoid it. Marijuana can tear your own family apart too.”

— Lisa

“I’ll be there in full support of NORML. I’m a recovering addict and haven’t smoked a joint or even drank a beer in 24 years. Because I’m an addict doesn’t make marijuana bad. I’m also addicted to ice cream ... I believe in the theory of freedom and realize that prohibition doesn’t work.”

— Mark

“Wonder how many of you dope heads end up in jail.”

— Cedar

“Are there going to be strippers there as well? Oh yeah I forgot. Missouri said, nope sorry Americans, you don’t have the opportunity to exercise your right if you want to see naked girls ... I could really care less about either matter but I do care that the government is telling us what we can and cannot do.”

— Jason

“I don’t smoke marijuana and I will be there. You don’t even have to smoke it to realize that the law against it is archaic and wrong.”

— Ashley

“Kelly Maddy is a civil rights hero in my eyes!”

— Brandon

“I agree with almost everyone to some degree. I think it should be legal, but to a certain extent. You want to smoke at home, great, to each their own. But out in public, no.”

— Jace

“The war on pot is a giant waste of tax dollars.”

— Tommy

“Are you also in favor of legalizing all recreational drugs? Where do you draw the line?”

— Camellia

“How about a rally for homelessness, unemployed, domestic abuse or child welfare? Those are real issues. Smoking dope? Nope.”

— Hypno

“OK, some of the comments from your buddies on here imply that pot smoking will be taking place and that the police will do nothing about it. WOULDN’T IT BE AWFUL IF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WENT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLOWING ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES TO BE USED AT A PUBLIC PARK ... I personally will have better things to do than drive by trying to get people in trouble but others might.”

— Travis

“If any takes place, it isn’t condoned by the event. ... This event is about organizing and educating the public over this failed public policy, not to smoke pot in public. End of story.”

— Kelly

Scott Meeker moderates the Globe’s Facebook page and is editor of Joplin Metro Magazine.