Press Release: Protest the current federal and Wisconsin marijuana laws in Oshkosh, WI on 7-29-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHAT:        Protest the current federal and Wisconsin marijuana laws

WHERE:    Streets of Oshkosh around the general area of Target (1900 S Koeller St)

WHEN:        4:20pm Start Time

WHO:        Statewide Cannabis Activists, Green Man and local supporters.

WHY:        To help end marijuana prohibition by making public awareness of
HR – 2306 ‘The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011’

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced bi-partisan legislation on June 23, ending the federal war on marijuana and letting states legalize, regulate, tax, and control marijuana without federal interference. Other co-sponsors include Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) [Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) signed on after initial release]. The legislation would limit the federal government’s role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or inter-state smuggling, allowing people to legally grow, use or sell marijuana in states where it is legal. The legislation is the first bill ever introduced in Congress to end federal marijuana prohibition.  Leading critics of the war on marijuana explained its significance for state and national marijuana policy at a national tele-press conference

The legislation also comes on the heels of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which released a report on June 2 calling for a major paradigm shift in how our society deals with drugs, including calling for legal regulation of marijuana. The report sent a jolt around the world, generating thousands of international media stories.  The commission is comprised of international dignitaries including Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations; Richard Branson, entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin Group; and the former Presidents of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Switzerland. Representing the U.S. on the commission are George P. Shultz, Paul Volcker, and John Whitehead.

Supporters of for the reform of the current marijuana laws are gathering for a peaceful demonstration calling for our leaders in Wisconsin to join in the coalition of forces working to change our our approach of criminalization and abandoned and replace the the ‘war on drugs’ with a more sophisticated and cost effective program of rehabilitation, such as the one in Portugal.

Members of the Northern Wisconsin chapter for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and an the Cannabis Activist Green Man will be assisting area supporters in this rally.

For further information or media inquiries, please visit our website at http://www.NorthernWINORML.org,  email jay@northernwinorml.org, or contact Jay directly at 920-410-2920.

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