Pubdate: Fri, 20 Sep 2013
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Jason Nark

HIGH TIME FOR ANOTHER PROTEST

Pro-Pot Group Given a Tokin' Warning

THERE'S LIKELY TO be more handcuffs amid the haze of marijuana smoke 
this weekend, when legalization proponents plan to blaze by the 
Liberty Bell again.

The ninth "Smoke Down Prohibition" is scheduled for Saturday at The 
People's Plaza at Independence Mall National Historic Park, and 
recent rallies held there have resulted in several arrests, including 
one in May when activist Richard Tamaccio, a comedian who uses the 
stage name NA Poe, was arrested. A recent sentencing memorandum filed 
by the U.S. Attorney's Office is asking that Tamaccio be forbidden to 
enter Independence Mall without permission from a probation officer.

The government, according to the sentencing memorandum, is also 
seeking community service for Tamaccio, in the hopes it will 
enlighten him "to the disparate needs of a democratically established 
society which has pressing problems beyond the ability to smoke 
marijuana freely."

Chris Goldstein, an activist with Philly NORML who was cited for 
marijuana at two Smoke Down events, said in a statement that more 
than 2,000 people have smoked pot during the events and that won't 
stop until the "draconian" laws change.

"That is the only way to stop the 750,000 marijuana possession 
arrests that continue to happen each year - more than 4,000 right 
here in Philadelphia," he said.

The government is not seeking incarceration for Tamaccio, who pleaded 
guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, but they want his 
probation to send a message.

"It will serve as a deterrent to future crimes by this defendant and 
others," the memorandum stated, "and thereby protect the public."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom