Pubdate: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA) Copyright: 2009 The Desert Sun Contact: http://local2.thedesertsun.com/mailer/opinionwrap.php Website: http://www.mydesert.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112 Note: Does not accept LTEs from outside circulation area. Author: Will Dean MARIJUANA MARCH PLANNED FOR SATURDAY IN PALM SPRINGS An organizer of Million Marijuana March events and her supporters are headed back to Palm Springs. Aurora Maldonado plans to conduct a march Saturday to celebrate marijuana and protest its "prohibition," according to a press release. She organized a similar march last year in Palm Springs. "It's all about liberating marijuana," Maldonado said in the release. "Marijuana is good medicine for a lot of people and it is time to stop arresting people for using this harmless plant and that's what the march is all about." Marchers will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the parking structure at the corner of Baristo Road and Indian Canyon Drive and march through downtown. They will chant, wave signs, hand out information about marijuana and encourage people to speak to elected officials about ending its prohibition. Maldonado, who grew up in Desert Hot Springs, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia. She said using marijuana, as well as her faith in God, helped relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. "I don't think I should be labeled as a criminal because I take a medication that helps me," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D