LEGALIZE-POT RALLY HELD HERE

Pain Sufferers Say It Has Medicinal Qualities

A few hundred people gathered at Fountain Square on Sunday for a rally
to support legalizing marijuana - a scene that played out in many U.S.
cities this weekend.

The crowd listened to music and speeches about why the drug should be
legalized before marching to the federal building a couple of blocks
away.

Young and old sported hemp jewelry and shirts with the plant - all for
a drug they said should be available to "those who need it and those
who want it."

During the march, the group chanted "Free the weed" and played drums
as they showed off posters to passersby.

Supporters say marijuana can be used not only for recreation, but for
industrial and medical purposes as well.

Tonya Davis, clad in a black-and-white jail suit and tan slippers
bearing images of the marijuana plant, urged participants to back a
proposal that would allow people to use marijuana as medicine. The
bill will be introduced this month in Ohio, according to Davis.

Davis, who had handcuffs on one hand and a stop sign with the words
"Stop arresting patients for medical marijuana" in the other, said she
needs the drug to help with pain caused by arthritis, scoliosis and
several other conditions. In all, Davis says she'd have to take 78
pills a day to survive without marijuana.

"I'm not a drug addict. I'm not a criminal. And I shouldn't be forced
to live like one," said Davis, 44, a Dayton resident.

"I'm going to continue to fight this until I have no breath left. I'll
fight this until I die."

Opponents say the drug is dangerous and should not be made legal. No
opponents appeared at the rally.

In Cincinnati, anyone caught with up to 200 grams of marijuana could
face fines of up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail if convicted.
That's strict compared to most of Ohio where fines average $150 and
there's usually no jail time, said Tim Smith, a local attorney who
opposes the city law.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night, about 75 people danced, drank $4 beers
and listened to impassioned speeches about why marijuana should be
legalized. It was the annual Hempfest party, and it was held at the
Riverfront West Sports Pavilion in Miamitown.

Organizers of Hempfest said they almost weren't able to hold their
13th annual fundraiser because the pavilion's owner was warned by
police he might lose his liquor license for renting to them.

Owner Ron Schmidt said that someone from RENU, Cincinnati's Regional
Enforcement Narcotics Unit, called him last week, warning him that he
could be fined and his license revoked if illegal drug activity was
discovered on the premises.

Smith offered to represent him for free should he have trouble with
police. Smith is opposed to Cincinnati's marijuana law, which two
years ago was changed to make it among the toughest in the state, he
said.

Smith said police should not have targeted the party because for the
past 13 years, there has been no trouble at the Hempfests.

"Why do you target something that doesn't create any problem for the
police," he asked. Police wanted to stifle the speeches favoring
legalizing marijuana, Smith claimed.

Police could not be reached to comment on the organizers' claims.