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August 20, 2006

Revival celebrates many uses of hemp

By Nammi Bhagvandoss

nbhagvandoss@joplinglobe.com

Legalizing marijuana for industrial, medicinal and recreational uses was the burning issue at the annual Cannabis Revival Saturday in Schifferdecker Park.

Sponsored by the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the 3 to 11 p.m. festival included guest speakers, seven bands and various vendors. And Terri Zeman, chairwoman of the St. Louis chapter of NORML, was on hand to demonstrate the Hempmobile, a 1984 Volkswagen Quantum that runs on a hemp-derived, biodiesel fuel.

NORML has been around since the 1970s trying to decriminalize and legalize marijuana for medical, recreational and industrial uses, said Nick Baker, 25, president of the NORML chapter in Springfield.

Derived from the marijuana plant, hemp has many industrial uses. But the U.S. has restrictions that makes it nearly impossible to grow hemp for industrial use, Baker said.

"Almost every other industrial nation is allowed to grow hemp except the U.S.," Baker said.

Dan Viets of Columbia, Mo., a former president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and vice president of the national NORML Foundation, served as one of the guest speakers at the Cannabis Revival.

Viets told the crowd that in November 2004, voters in Columbia passed two marijuana reform laws.

"Both passed overwhelmingly," Viets said.

One measure directs misdemeanor cases of possession involving less than 35 grams of marijuana to city court and possessors are not arrested. Viets said that measure passed by more than 60 percent.

Another measure legalized the medical use of marijuana if a doctor recommends or supports it for a patient, Viets said.

Before the law went into effect, individuals convicted in either type of case might have received up to one year in jail and been fined $1,000, Viets said.

Viets also spoke about individuals' rights when dealing with police.

"Don't deal with them," Viets said. "You're never going to win an argument with a cop."

He advised invoking one's right to remain silent if arrested. If an officer asks to search a vehicle, he advised never to give consent.

As far as police "knock-and-talk" tactics go, an approach by which officers knock and try to talk to individuals, Viets said, "Don't open the door to the police."

If an officer has to knock on the door, that means the officer does not have a warrant, Viets said. If an officer has a warrant, then the officer does not have to knock and can just knock down the door, he said.

Viets also told the crowd that police often will set up signs that suggest there is a drug checkpoint ahead when in actuality the checkpoint is at the next exit.

"Don't take the next exit," Viets said.

Viets suggested that people also check their car frequently for malfunctioning lights and defective equipment.

Marena Collins, 49, of Clinton, Mo., said she came to the festival because it is always a nice atmosphere.

"Good people, good music, the people are peaceful," Collins said. "It's just a nice place to be. NORML is a wonderful organization. Everybody should log on."

NORML

For more information about the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, you may access the organization's Web site at www.norml.org.

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