Tasty bud, cool babes and a cause you can believe in: Now that's a movement, people. And you can join up this Saturday at 24th Street and Camelback where Phoenix NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) will be rallying locally as part of a worldwide demonstration on behalf of Canadian cannabis guru Marc Emery, the so-called "Prince of Pot."
Emery, the publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine was busted in 2005 by Canadian cops and the U.S. DEA for selling marijuana seeds via the Internet. Though he fought extradition to the U.S. tooth and nail, he's now staring down the barrel at a possible five years in the slammer at an upcoming Seattle, Washington court date. Compare that to the month in the pokey Emery might have gotten if he'd been tried in Canada.
The conviction is political. The U.S. government has admitted to targeting Emery because of his influence as a proponent of and financial supporter for marijuana legalization efforts. Makes you wonder what good it is being Canadian if Uncle Sam can still come mess with you if they don't cotton to the message you're peddling. (Or the seeds you're sowing.)
Phoenix NORML is also collecting signatures to put a medical marijuana initiative on the 2010 ballot. And they've created this calendar of "The Girls of Phoenix NORML," featuring local, ganja-loving gals getting blazed while occasionally going sans top. This genius concept is (was?) aimed at raising funds for a hemp festival locally.
I tried calling Phoenix NORML to find out how much the calendar costs and where you can purchase it, but so far, no callbacks. They must all be out smoking dope somewhere.
Maybe they've sold out of calendars. Even so, you can still check out the Mary Jane pin-ups on Phoenix NORML's Facebook site, here, as long as you're signed up for Facebook.
On Saturday, the get-down gets down at 4:20 p.m. (of course). For more info, check out the info on Phoenix NORML's Web site. (There's also a regular Phoenix NORML meeting at Steele Indian School Park earlier in the day.)Tie-dyes, dreadlocks and patchouli oil are optional. But everyone's responsible for bringing their own jug of water and Funyuns.
