COME TO FESTIVAL FOR REALISTIC PORTRAYAL OF MARIJUANA

Dear Editor:

It was preposterous to include "marijuana plants growing in a back
yard" among a sampling of police calls to properties on West Main and
West Doty that were apparently meant to depict genuine threats to
public safety ("Despite recent murder, residents still committed to
Bassett neighborhood," Aug. 20).

Cannabis plants do not push past people to gain access to secure
buildings or drunkenly bang on doors, nor do they murder people.
Cannabis is not part of why this area is troubled. And far too often,
the only mention of marijuana in the media is in a negative manner, as
in your unwarranted linkage to violent incidents.

For a more positive and realistic portrayal of the cannabis plant and
its many uses, including food, fuel, fiber and medicine, come to the
38th Annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival in downtown
Madison from Oct. 3-5. The traditional parade from Library Mall to the
State Street steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol departs at 3:40 p.m.
on Sunday, Oct. 5, arriving at Capitol Square about 4:20 p.m. for a
rally and concert. A Friday night medical cannabis benefit at the
Cardinal Bar from 5-8, and a day of live music at Library Mall on
Saturday, set the stage for Sunday's festivities.

For more information and a full schedule, visit: MadisonNorml.org, or
our Community Pages site at www.madison.com/communities/madisonNORML/events/.

Gary Storck

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Madison chapter