STATEHOUSE RALLY

Editor:

Several local committees of the Vermont Grassroots Party will be hosting an
event to provide education about and advocacy for the legalization of
cannabis. The rally is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, from noon-4 p.m. on
the State House lawn in Montpelier.

The Millennium Marijuana March, as this year's gathering is called, is an
international affair involving gatherings from New York City and Washington,
D.C. to San Francisco and Seattle as well as Amsterdam, Belgium to Auckland,
New Zealand. The annual event is an offshoot of over 30 years marching,
protesting and pushing for legalization of the cannabis plant by many
groups. More information may be had on the web by visiting
homepages.together.net/~agrarab.

This drug and alcohol free event is meant to be family friendly with good
music, speackers, fun and plenty of time to network with those of like
minds. Kicking off the festivities at noon will be the rock/blues band
"Pickled Beats" after which an hour is set aside for speakers on a variety
of subjects.

Speakers will be from 1-2 p.m. (come on, you can handle one hour). We're
expecting politicians to talk about lawmaking efforts and state police
representatives to discuss concerns from the law enforcement view. Most
importantly will be folks arguing for the need to end the cannabis
prohibition so folks may grow industrial hemp, use marijuana for medicinal
purposes and relax in the privacy of one's home in a socially non-intrusive
manner.

There is no charge to attend the Millennium Marijuana March, but if you plan
to eat bring your own food.

Please note that absolutely no commercial activity is allowed on the State
House grounds per instruction of Buildings and General Services Commissioner
Torti.

Rama O.A. Schneider, Williamstown