Sun, Jul 05 2009
|
|
Published August 20, 2006 12:00 am - Legalizing marijuana for industrial, medicinal and recreational uses was the burning issue at the annual Cannabis Revival Saturday in Schifferdecker Park. Revival celebrates many uses of hemp The Joplin Globe 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." 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Discontent brews at 'tea party' Area communities celebrate holiday with food, music and fireworks |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
    : Special Offer For New Subscribers :   
|
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
