To the Editor,

As more people get victimized by this criminal injustice system,
anger and discontent towards it grows. We must stress the PEACEFUL and
NON-VIOLENT nature of our ACTIVE DISSENT. Events like "Hempfest" are
absolutely essential to the 'legalization' movement if, and only if,
they stress the importance of POLITICAL ACTION (voter registration,
petitions, volunteering, etc.). Otherwise they amount to little more
than 'hemp' trade shows with lots of music and mindless pot smoking
(neither of which I have anything against, but there's a time and place
for everything).

As an activist promoting drug policy reform I think it's very
important to set certain standards. Standards based on the same
proposal we're making to society, CONTROL & REGULATE DRUGS. For
example, the Anti-Prohibition League's private parties are for adults,
21 and over only. We suggest that all "Hempfest" organizers institute
minimum ages for attendance unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

The drug law reform movement, made up of many decentralized locally
based groups, runs the political spectrum. We have radicals like the
Green Panthers who intend to establish the "Stoner Homeland" after the
"Revolution" and we have staunch conservatives like William Buckley
screaming out of his Ivory Tower for an end to this insane "war." Be
that as it may, we still need certain standards and we need to learn
how to communicate those standards to other groups, like the police for
example. Doing so gives us the clear moral high ground (no pun
intended) in this struggle for justice and freedom.

That said, it should become obvious that a "Hempfest" does not
adequately define what we are coming together for. If it is truly the
intention to make an impact, a POLITICAL impact then organizers must
stress that from the get-go; put it together, bring the people in and
register them to vote, get them to sign petitions, to volunteer.
Sounds more like a "Drug Peace!" RALLY, doesn't it?

In solidarity for "Drug Peace!"

Floyd Ferris Landrath - Director
American Anti-Prohibition League