Press Release: Denver's Rally to Free Marc Emery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Re: Denver’s Worldwide Rally to Free Marc Emery

Contacts: Mile High NORML, Cannabis Therapy Institute

Denver, CO – Join Mile High NORML in its Worldwide Rally to Free Marc Emery! The Rally will be held at the Denver Federal Courthouse at 1823 Stout Street Saturday, May 22^nd from 2-5pm. Support the cause and have your voice heard! Anger and indignation should be channeled against the governments that allow the drug war to exist everywhere on Earth, and towards the politicians that makes these injustices and cruelties happen!

Marc Emery is a Canadian political prisoner about to be extradited to the United States for selling cannabis seeds on the Internet and using the money to fund marijuana legalization groups. The DEA wanted him, and now they’ve got him ordered and extradited thanks to Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada. Marc is just one of the hundreds of thousands of North Americans imprisoned for marijuana. Now is the time to STAND UP and demand an end to the destructive DRUG WAR and the imprisonment of non-violent cannabis growers and consumers!

Protest banners, signs, etc. are permitted and encouraged at this event. Sign suggestions include “Free Marc Emery,” “Google Marc Emery,” “Canada Must Bring Marc Emery Home,” “End Prohibition,” “No More Drug War,” etc. The purpose of the signs is to stir the mind of any passerby who might Google “Marc Emery,” “Prince of Pot,” or “Drug War.”

In the words of Marc Emery, “One person can undo the evil of several thousand people. You should never underestimate your power.” Expand awareness, be heard! Join Mile High NORML and the Cannabis Therapy Institute in their support of Marc Emery on Saturday, May 22^nd, at the Denver Federal Courthouse from 2-5pm. For more information please visit www.milehighnorml.org

VETO MARCH against HB-1284

Saturday May 15^th 2010

Civic Center Park 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

East Side, between Colfax & 14^th @ Broadway

For those able to participate in the march, we will walk south on Broadway to 7^th and then walk east 4 blocks to Logan.

Governor’s Park 12:15 to 3:30

Northeast corner of 7^th & Logan

For those individuals that are sick and disabled and not able to make the 11 block walk, please meet us at Governor’s Park. This will allow time for you to get situated and be as comfortable as possible.

Peaceful gathering to OPPOSE HB10-1284

This is a gathering to actively demonstrate to our Governor that

“We the People of Colorado”

Are asking for a VETO on HB10-1284 and SB10-109

1. It is Unconstitutional; It destroys what the voters passed in 2000 for Patients and Caregivers

2. It is Monopolistic; Due to State and local fees and numerous other guidelines

3. It is Exclusionary; Caregivers and Dispensaries that provide medicine at low cost or no cost will not be able to continue helping their patients. A 5 patient limit was adopted, L.140 for caregivers that are not a dispensary model. This undermines the caregiver’s ability to produce enough to meet the needs of their patients. Caregivers will have to pay licensing fees as well as deal with Armed Revenue Auditors according to Sen. Romer.

Please bring what you need to be comfortable! Water, Chairs, Blankets & Food. Please bring something with you to contain anything you will need to throw away. Please be responsible and leave the parks as we found them! This is a ZERO Waste Event! Please bring everyone possible that you can! It’s time for our voices to be heard!!! Thank you for your time and efforts!

NO MARIJUANA ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT!!!

WEAR GREEN!!! BRING your VETO HB10-1284 SIGNS and whatever else you need to say!!!

STRONG DRUM CIRCLE * BRING YOUR DRUMS * Coalition for Alternative Healing Access

If it is raining on Saturday, everyone assemble at The Governor’s Park at 12:00 PM

Ken Gorman Marijuana Legalization Memorial Rally

Ken Gorman was a marijuana activist who was shot and killed in his home on February 17, 2007 when he interrupted a burglary inside his marijuana garden and his killers have never been brought to justice. We remember Ken the best way we know how. By continuing his monthly rally at the capital. A rally that has been a proud part of our community in Denver for the last 15 years

Join us this Saturday March 27 and every last Saturday of the month after from 3-5pm @ Colorado State Capitol Building on the West Steps. Its conveniently located at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln in Denver. Signage and Costumes are always welcome!

PRESS RELEASE 03/03/2010

Protest against HB-1284 at the Capitol

Event Coordinators:

Scott Greene 720-495-0766: scott@milehighnorml.org

Miguel Lopez 720-338-8766: mpedrolopez@yahoo.com

WHO: Mile High NORML, the Denver 420 Rally, the Cannabis Therapy Institute, and

the Colorado Coalition for Patients and Caregivers (CCPC)

WHAT: Protest Against HB1284

WHEN: 12PM, Thursday, March 4, 2010

WHERE: West Steps of the Capitol , 200 East Colfax Avenue

WHY: HB1284 would create an unnecessary state bureaucracy,

raise patients’ costs, and restrict their access to medicine

“My clients' lives literally depend on their access to medicine, and

we will fight any government proposal that would restrict supply

and raise costs, such as this proposal. “ Robert J. Corry

Assembly:

11:30AM Mingle with other activists

Speakers:

12:00PM Rob Corry, Cannabis Crusader and Defense Attorney

12:20PM Dr. Robert Melamede, Assoc. Professor at UCCS, CEO of Cannabis Science Inc.

12:40PM Miguel Lopez, Executive Director of Denver’s annual 4/20 Rally

1:00PM Robert Chase, Founder of CCPC

Action:

1:30PM Join us as at the House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB1284

in the Old Supreme Court Chambers on the second floor of the Capitol

to show our opposition to the bill.

4:20PM Don’t want to spend all afternoon (and evening) in the Capitol?

Come march on the 16^th St. Mall!

Several important upcoming events this week

TODAY MARCH 1

(After) 10AM: Second reading of SB109 in the House. This will be the first time there will be floor debate in the House on this bill.
This is an opportunity to hear Representatives' opinions about SB109, which infringes on the doctor-patient relationship.
Assemble in the House Galleries on the third floor. The Bill is 6th on the agenda but it should move though rather rapidly.

5PM - 6PM: Join Mile High NORML and others as they will Protest Against Denver City Council's Medical Marijuana Ordinance & Closure of Hundreds of Dispensaries in front of the Denver City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St.

The Denver City Council convenes at 5:30PM, so let's make some noise!

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

(after) 1:30PM: House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB1284 in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.
This is the first public hearing on this bad legislation.

I have been told that all obnoxious provisions have been taken out of or soon will be removed from both bills -- I'll believe it when I see it!

Ken Gorman Memorial "420 Rally"

Ken Gorman was a marijuana activist who was shot and killed in his home on February 17, 2007 when he interrupted a burglary inside his marijuana garden and his killers have never been brought to justice. We remember Ken the best way we know how. By continuing his monthly rally at the capital. A rally that has been a proud part of our community in Denver for the last 15 years

Join us Today from 3-5pm @ Colorado State Capitol Building on the West Steps. Its conveniently located at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln in Denver. Signage and Costumes are always welcome!

Attention Colorado Patients Rally Today!

The President is coming to town and we will joining Sensible Colorado today across the street from the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver at High NOON in Protest of the latest DEA raids in Colorado...

According to SensibleColorado.org

Medical Marijuana Patients and Supporters to Rally at President Obama Event

DENVER, CO — On Thursday, February 18, at an event to be attended by President Obama, medical marijuana patients and supporters will participate in a protest of the continuing federal raids of medical marijuana patients and providers in Colorado. This event is a response to the recent Drug Enforcement Administration raids of two front-range medical marijuana testing facilities and the Feb. 12 raid of a licensed medical marijuana grower in Highlands Ranch.

“These DEA raids are out of compliance with both the will of Colorado voters and that of the White House,” said Brian Vicente, event organizer and director of Sensible Colorado. “In particular, the recent, armed raid and arrest of licensed medical marijuana provider Chris Bartkowicz, highlights the rogue nature of the regional DEA office. “President Obama needs to be made aware of this agency’s miscreant actions.”

Colorado voters passed a medical marijuana law in 2000. In October, 2009, the Department of Justice issued a memo instructing federal agents to refrain from focusing resources on the arrest and prosecution of individuals following state medical marijuana laws. That memo is available here.

WHAT: Medical Marijuana Protest at Event Attended by President Obama
WHO: **PHOTO-OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE** with Sign-Waving Medical Marijuana Patient, Providers, and Supporters.
WHEN: Thursday, February 18 from Noon - 1:00 PM
WHERE: Across from the Fillmore Auditorium, at the corner of Colfax and Clarkson in Denver, CO.

See Everyone There!

January Rally Tomorrow

Please join Mile High NORML and The Denver 420 Rally group this Saturday January 30th on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol from 3-5pm for our Monthly Marijuana Legalization Rally!

Marijuana advocates blast lawmakers at Denver rally

We had to rebound quick and I think we did. Since our ass kicking the other night at the Denver City Council (13-0 vote to regulate dispensaries in city limits) we couldn't stand around and let State lawmakers change and or regulate any part of Amendment 20 and the Colorado Constitution.

The State would love to CAP all caregiver limits to 5 patients thus attempting to wipe out the dispensary business and several other individuals who have invested there life savings into so 250 marijuana advocates expressed there anger today over lawmakers and there decision to regulate.

Denver Post Coverage:
Marijuana advocates who rallied across the street from the state Capitol today had sharp words for lawmakers considering regulations for Colorado's booming medical-marijuana industry.

"Keep your grubby hands off of medical marijuana!" activist Robert Chase shouted toward the Capitol.

Fox 31 Pics

About 200 advocates attended the rally — which was timed to begin once Gov. Bill Ritter finished giving his State of the State speech. Many of the speakers at the rally blasted legislative proposals to strongly regulate or effectively outlaw the state's growing number of retail medical-marijuana dispensaries. A number of speakers urged cannabis advocates to contact elected officials to lobby for their cause — though they often cast the relationship between advocate and lawmaker as an adversarial one.

"We deserve a seat at that table," prominent medical-marijuana attorney Robert Corry said. "And if they don't give us a seat at that table, well, I've got a flame-thrower we can use to deal with that table."
Marijuana advocates blast lawmakers at Denver rally


AP Coverage:
Medical Marijuana Advocates To Rally At Capitol

DENVER (AP) ― Medical marijuana advocates want to let Colorado lawmakers know what they think about proposals to regulate or limit the booming pot industry.

Advocates rallied on the Capitol's West Steps at 11:30 a.m. Thursday — just as Gov. Bill Ritter should be wrapping up his annual State of the State speech inside the building.

Lawmakers are considering legislation to prevent dispensaries from paying doctors who determine who can become legal medical users of marijuana in Colorado.

Another proposal could limit the number of people a medical marijuana caregiver can supply. Attorney General John Suthers supports that approach.
Medical Marijuana Advocates To Rally At Capitol

Letter from Pat Steadman State Senator, District 31 to one of our members re: our Jan 14 Off the Steps and into the House Rally

Hello Mr. Chengelis:

Thanks for contacting me to advise me of this event. Several things you should know:

First, Thursday the 14th is the day of the Governor’s annual “State of the State” address. That’s why the media will be all over the building. It also means the House and Senate will be meeting in joint session that morning to hear his address, and we won’t be able to interact with constituents during the speech. The building is always quite crowded on the day of this speech, and security is heightened. Neither chamber usually conducts business on the floor after the conclusion of the speech, and the speech sometimes extends into the lunch hour. I’m not sure why you’ve selected this date for this event, but you’re going to face some logistical challenges and the news media will be focused primarily on the Governor and your event will likely be portrayed as a side-show. You’ll get press, but the event will likely be upstaged by other news.

Importantly, I’m a strong supporter of Amendment 20 and will be working to ensure that legislation to regulate caregivers, dispensaries and growers does not restrict access or violate the terms of our state constitution. I hope you will count me as an ally. I also support de-criminalization, but I don’t see the legislature going that far this year. Instead, I will be carrying sentencing reform legislation for drug possession offenses that eases some the criminal penalties by increasing the quantities that determine the severity of the offense (e.g. increases the amount that is a petty offense up to four ounces and a misdemeanor from 4 to 16 ounces). A small step perhaps, but in the right direction.

Finally, I appreciate your instructions to the people attending this event to be prepared to be respectful and professional. I hope that will be the case. I’m sensing a certain skittishness among many of my colleagues in the legislature about the topic, and I hope this event doesn’t push people in the wrong direction. At a time when the right to medical use is facing a serious threat, I worry about overloading the legislature with messages concerning legalization or hemp.

Hope I’m not coming off as too much of a Nervous Nellie, but I thought you might like to know the context for the event and the potential for it to not be effective, or worse, backfire.

I am the state senator for downtown, so please make a point to try and find me while you’re there next Thursday and introduce yourself. I’ll look forward to our conversation.
___________________________

Pat Steadman
State Senator, District 31
1257 Corona St.
Denver, CO 80218
303-866-4861 (Capitol)
303-861-1514 (home)
720-530-7047 (mobile)
http://www.PatSteadman.com

January 14th Rally: Off The Steps & Into The House

Cannabis re-legalization activists have been rallying on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building, also known as the State House for years. This year, the state legislature is going to try and restrict medical marijuana patients' access to their Constitutionally protected cannabis medicine. Now normally we hold our Rallies on the West Steps. We had the permit for said area but the state moved us across the street to the Veteran's Memorial in Civic Center Park (between Lincoln and Broadway to the East and West with Colfax Ave and 15th Ave to the North and South). Their reasoning being it was media day at the Capitol and our normal rally area would be full of media satellite vehicles. It's all good! We are only been moved across the street and with the media on hand, we have been basically handed the Golden Apple massive "free media!"

This rally has it's usual litany of Colorado Pro-Marijuana Speakers
Rob Corry, Brian Vicente, Mason Tvert, Dr Bob Melamede, Tim Martin, Paul Saurini, Warren Edson, and others, however here is the twist.

After the rally we are going "INTO THE HOUSE" and do a meet and greet with our elected representatives. En masse, can you dig it. We will be making marijuana history.

Now although everything I have written so appears to be medical marijuana driven, not...!!!

This event is open to all. If you are a Medical, Recreational, and Commercial (Hemp) marijuana activist, believer, voter, concerned citizen, etc, please attend. This is it folks, the stars are in our favor and the time is NOW...!!!

Rules of Engagement:

1. Come dressed to impress - Remember you will be meeting your legislators or their representatives.

2. Know your talking points when you do meet whoever.

3. Have you wants and demands in writing with your name and address so they can get back with you.

This is not a drill but the real deal!

Legalize, Regulate, Tax, medical, recreational, and commercial (hemp) marijuana with the self determination to grow your own marijuana.

This rally is sponsored by:

Mile High NORML
Cannabis Therapy Institute
Denver 420 Rally Team
Yippie
US Marijuana Party of Colorado

INVITE, INVITE, INVITE

Strength in numbers and numbers do speak...!!!

Also this is not your typical marijuana rally, kids unless you are going in to see your representatives this is not an open invitation for a pot party and a chance to skip school. We want responsibility to rule the day, the whole world is watching. Adults, plan ahead to leave or miss work...!!!

Attention We Need Your Support...

Three weeks before the 2008 4/20 Rally, Miguel Lopez and Team 420 were soliciting contributions for the 420 rally in front of the Denver Pavilions in Downtown Denver when Security Guard Gus Rupel came out to complain about there presence on the 16th Street Mall. Security Guard Rupel ridiculously claimed to Denver Police that the group was "trying to get kids high." Later On April 8th of that same year. Miguel Lopez went into the Pavilions to purchase some rolling papers when Rupel physically assaulted Lopez and charged him with trespassing. Miguel was not soliciting nor had he been warned not to enter the Pavilions, so his presence there was legal; he did not trespass.

Rupel commented false arrest and lied to Denver Police. He targeted Miguel because of his political views and violated his civil rights in an attempt to silence him. The Pavilions still employs Rupel and has failed to repudiate his outrages conduct.

PLEASE CALL TODAY THE GENERAL MANAGER REED BENNETT at 303-260-6001 AND DEMAND THAT THEY FIRE RUPEL AND APOLOGIZE FOR ASSAULTING ONE OF ITS PATRONS. PLEASE BOYCOTT ALL BUSINESS IN THE PAVILIONS UNTIL THERE MANAGEMENT COMPLIES.

PLEASE COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR MIGUEL!!!
WHERE: COURTROOM 150F, DENVER CITY HALL, 1437 BANNOCK ST.
WHEN: WEDS. SEPT 23 AT 8:30AM. PLEASE ARRIVE AROUND 8:15

Sept 19th World Wide Rally for Marc Emery

Marc Emery is a well-known activist, Vancouver retail store owner, and editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine. He was raided by Canadian police and the US DEA on July 29th, 2005, and arrested for selling marijuana seeds over the Internet.

Marc is expected to be sentenced in the Seattle Federal Court of Ricardo Martinez on or around Monday, September 21. The plea agreement is for a 5-year sentence in US Federal Prison. The global rallies in support of Marc will be on Saturday, September 19th @ Skyline Park (16th Street Mall and Arapahoe) Downtown Denver from 3 - 5 pm with guest speakers and great music Skyline Park Info

July 16th Rally for Caregivers!

Dear Marijuana Activists, Caregivers, and Patients:

If the city gets there way, they will limit the number of patients that a caregiver can have to 5. And in a time where the economy needs any and all the help it can get, it will then destroy almost 100 business throughout the state and it will cost more than a hundred people there jobs. All they want to do is provide a valuable, and much needed service!

If you are like us and find this absurd please show up on July 20,2009 and show your support.

Hearing Location:
Tivoli Student Union
Turnhalle Conference Room 250
Auraria Campus, 900 Auraria Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
9am - 4pm

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PATIENT TO ATTEND & SUPPORT!

The Colorado Coalition of Patients and Caregivers is demonstrating next week, Thursday, July 16 at the CDPHE and the Attorney General's office to publicize their attack on Amendment 20 of our Constitution (the Medical Marijuana Amendment). Please read and make copies of the attached press release and flyers and go viral: we need your help to turn out as many people as possible to our protest! Please help by posting notice on any websites, blogs, boards; tell all your friends, patients, loved ones; anything and everything you can do to help us get the word out is much appreciated. I realize that this is short notice, but if we work together we can really help set the stage for and complement what Sensible Colorado and NORML will say to the Board of Health on July 20.

Directions and Time to follow shortly!

Happy Independence Day !

July 4 1776, 233 years ago our country DECLARED it Independence. We have come along way. Help us carry her over the hump. Mile High NORML's Independence Day Rally at the Capital from 3:30pm - 4:30. Come Celebrate your freedom of speech by DECLARING that the Federal/State agencies CEASE its war against adult cannabis consumers. See you there!

Sunday @ the Capital

Here are a few pictures from a good crowd on Sunday. We go there kind of late and i heard that the Troopers were messing us for a little bit but they left before 4:20. Remember last weekend of the month @ 4:20 at the west end of the capital! Feel free to come and join us. Now is the time the wind is at our backs.

Rally at the Capital

Hello to all.

On the last Saturday of every month at the State Capital People have been gathering since the mid 90's to express there First Amendment rights and protest for legalization/decriminalization of Marijuana not only in Colorado but the rest of the Country as well. Feel free to come join us next month!