Pubdate: Wed, 08 May 2002
Source: Paducah Sun (KY)
Copyright: 2002 Paducah Sun
Contact:  http://www.paducahsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/332
Author: Angie Kinsey

MILLION MARIJUANA MARCH OBSERVED IN PADUCAH GATHERING

Rally Seeks Legalized Medical Use

Marijuana is a daily part of Cindy Wimer's life, just like the prescription 
medicines she takes for multiple sclerosis.

"I've got to use the medical cannabis because I've got MS symptoms," said 
Wimer, who is confined to a wheelchair. "Some days I can't even get out of 
bed, and it's not going to get any better. If it weren't for the cannabis, 
I couldn't do half of the things I do."

Wimer joined about 50 other people Saturday at Dolly McNutt Plaza to 
participate in the Million Marijuana March, a worldwide event aimed at 
promoting the legalization of marijuana.

Medicinal use of marijuana is illegal in Kentucky, but Illinois, 25 other 
states and the District of Columbia do have laws and resolutions 
establishing therapeutic research programs, allowing doctors to prescribe 
marijuana or asking the federal government to lift the ban on medical use. 
Federal law has prohibited the use of marijuana since 1937.

Marijuana legalization supporter Gatewood Galbraith, who has lost three 
Kentucky gubernatorial campaigns, spoke to the crowd during a live remote 
broadcast of his Lexington radio show.

"We came down to Paducah today because we're sick and tired of being 
treated like second-class citizens," Galbraith said as spectators cheered 
and yelled, "Way to go, Gatewood."

"They're professionals, they're students, they're retired, they're 
disabled, and they hold jobs. They're normal citizens. This is the best 
beneficial plant God has given us on the green Earth. It's kept people like 
me from drinking alcohol for the last 28 years," Galbraith said.

Galbraith said he is going to present an informational packet on the 
benefits of marijuana to all Kentucky legislators this year. "Once they get 
the packets, if they still say they are ignorant about it, then we're going 
to actively elect people to replace them," he said.

Organizer Cher Ford-McCullough of Gilbertsville, state director of the 
American Alliance for Medical Cannabis, said almost 300 cities around the 
world were participating in the Million Marijuana March on Saturday.

"We're just people who come out to support marijuana," she said. "There are 
not many people who actually use it, but they support it. We want to 
educate and enlighten the public about the fact the drug war is destroying 
our society. It's just crazy."

Ford-McCullough said people from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan attended 
Paducah's rally. Wimer, who met Ford-McCullough through the Internet, came 
from Parkersburg, W.Va.

"It was a 10-hour drive, but I think it was worth it," Wimer said. "I think 
most people don't understand (marijuana). I think they think we're just 
doing it for fun. But if you put people in a room drinking and people in a 
room smoking, who will end up fighting and killing somebody with a DUI?"

Wimer said she realizes the risks involved in smoking marijuana, even if it 
is for medical purposes.

"I've been busted once. I was very fortunate I didn't get a fine or 
anything. But I have to have it. God gave it to us. I have to take all 
these man-made chemicals, and I don't want to."
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