ADVOCATES GATHER TO PROMOTE CHANGE IN MARIJUANA LAWS

High above the Pecan Street Festival, Texans for the legalization of
marijuana showed their support Saturday night at the Third Annual
Sixth Street Smokeout and 2008 Global Marijuana Music Awards at Momo's.

The Texas branch of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws, hosted the event with proceeds funding efforts to
decriminalize recreational marijuana use by responsible adults. The
diverse lineup ranged from spoken poetry to swing music, country to
reggae, but all advocated legal change.

The Broken Poetz drove their expertly spray-painted van five hours
from McAllen to contribute their hip-hop-psychedelic sound to the
lineup. The group addresses the problems surrounding current
marijuana laws in their original songs. "Mr. Weedy" and "Two-Time
Offender" received cheers of support at the smokeout.

"Too many people are in jail right now just for marijuana charges,"
said Jason Salas, member of The Broken Poetz. "We want to help expose
what's really going on. It's real messed up when an adult can't
possess just for personal use."

The patio overlooking the Austin skyline was lined with information
booths, artists selling blown glass pieces and miscellaneous pro-pot
regalia while roaming advocates dispensed free gear and information
to attendees. NORML members and vendors were eager to answer
questions and shed some light on marijuana misconceptions.

"Even if we can just start by legalizing hemp, it will be so
important to our economy," said Sheri Pogue, local distributor of 420
Energy Drinks and 10-year member of NORML. "In colonial times, they
did their taxes on hemp. It was fundamental to the foundation of our
country, and it has the potential and versatility to help us
immensely now."

Pogue said she joined the organization when she saw her mother suffer
and deteriorate from cancer. The chemo and prescriptions offered no
relief. The only time her mother was not in pain was when she smoked.

"People need to stand up for our rights now and stand up for people
who can't stand up for themselves," Pogue said. "There isn't one
person I know who hasn't had a loved one affected by cancer,
hepatitis, AIDS or depression. We need to stand up for their rights
as human beings. It could be one of us one day."

420 Energy Drinks, "the only energy drink with a universal purpose,"
donates a portion of the proceeds from every can to organizations to
help defend non-violent marijuana offenses in court. Pogue decided
to take on selling the hempseed-based product, available locally at
The Smoking Caterpillar and Momo's, as a way to educate and serve the
community.

"So much would be possible with the legalization of hemp and
marijuana," Pogue said. "God put it on this earth for us to use, not
to destroy or criminalize but to benefit the world."