Pubdate: Fri, 5 Feb 2010
Source: Oshkosh Northwestern (WI)
Copyright: 2010 Gannett Co., Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/kGGzeQnS
Website: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2640
Author: Patricia Wolff, of The Northwestern
Cited: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition http://leap.cc/
Cited: Is My Medicine Legal Yet? http://www.immly.org/
Cited: Wisconsin NORML http://www.winorml.org/
Cited: Madison NORML http://www.madisonnorml.org/
Cited: Americans for Safe Access http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/
Cited: American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin 
http://mapinc.org/url/lZfrqvIf

CANNABIS EXPO IN BERLIN SATURDAY

BERLIN - The timing may be a little off for a hemp and cannabis expo 
in Berlin Saturday, coming on the heels of a major drug bust of some 
30 illegal drug manufacturers and dealers in the city, but the 
coordinators of the event make no apologies.

The T.H.C Expo is being held to tout the wonders of medical marijuana 
and the economic potential of hemp farming.

"We planned this before the big drug bust," said Narin Selthofner of 
Green Lake.

Selthofner and her activist husband Jay Selthofner helped plan the 
exposition at the public library to put the spotlight on the benefits 
of the cannabis plant as medicine and an agricultural crop. Green 
Lake, Dodge and Fond du Lac counties were once important hemp-growing 
areas and the plant still grows wild in the region, Narin Selthofner said.

The T.H.C Expo, which stands for Talking Hemp and Cannabis, aims to 
"openly and honestly" discuss the Medical Marijuana Act and the hemp 
farming bill being debated this year by state lawmakers, she said.

Hemp can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, clothing and 
textiles, cosmetics, paints and cleaners, paper and building 
materials. An important part of the local economy was stifled when 
the federal government banned hemp cultivation, Narin Selthofner said.

The Selthofners expect a big turnout Saturday, including protesters, 
for the expo-style event that is bringing in experts to discuss the 
issue. Among them are James E. Gierach of Law Enforcement Against 
Prohibition, and Mieko Hester-Perez of California whose autistic son 
has benefited greatly from the use of medical marijuana. He was 
wasting away before her eyes and at death's door before she began 
feeding him small doses of marijuana-infused brownies, according to a 
news release.

Mayor Dick Schramer said some local residents have questioned holding 
the expo in a public building, but there are no grounds for library 
personnel to refuse the gathering.

"It's just another bill in the legislature. It's within library 
policy to allow that," he said.

The exposition will include representatives of organizations such as 
Is My Medicine Legal Yet?, Wisconsin NORML, Madison NORML, Americans 
for Safe Access, MJ2 Media, and the American Civil Liberties Union of 
Wisconsin.

IMMLY Founder Jacki Rickert, namesake of the Wisconsin medical 
cannabis bill, is expected to attend along with state and regional 
activists Gary Storck and Ben Masel.

The Selthofners said exposition is set up to give everyone who wants 
a chance to speak an opportunity to do so.

Printed educational materials will be available from the experts.

[sidebar]

IF YOU GO

What: T.H.C Expo, Talking Hemp and Cannabis

When: 12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Berlin Public Library, 121 W. Park Ave., followed by a 
reception at Berlin Bowling Lanes, 123 N. Pearl St. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake