RALLY BRINGS THOUSANDS TO COMMON

Two Activists Arrested At Marijuana Decriminalization Demonstration

Thousands of marijuana enthusiasts gathered at Boston Common Saturday
afternoon for the 19th annual Freedom Rally to celebrate marijuana
and raise awareness about "Question 2" on the November election ballots.

If passed, "Question 2" would decriminalize the possession of less
than one ounce of marijuana for individuals over 18 years of age,
decreasing the maximum fine for possession from $500 to $100 and
eliminating jail time altogether. Individuals under the age of 18
must complete a drug awareness program and provide community service
along with the fine.

The rally included performances from nearly a dozen musical acts and
guest speakers, and was sponsored by the Massachusetts Cannabis
Reform Coalition and the Massachusetts chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Event organizers
expected 30,000 to 40,000 people to support the rally in the Common,
NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said.

St. Pierre also said he expected between 50 and 100 individuals to be
arrested for marijuana possession and other offenses.

"The Boston police are quite adversarial to this event," he
said.

Boston Police Sgt. William Ridge said a number of people under the
age of 18 had been arrested and projected that there would be more.

BPD spokesman Eddy Crispin said two individuals were arrested at the
rally and 72 were given a court summons.

NORML founder Keith Stroup said the burgeoning number of marijuana
users aged 55 and older will help pass the initiative due to their
higher voter turnout rates. In order for the initiative to pass,
Question 2 needs to get 51 percent. Stroup said he expected voter
turnout to be around 60 percent.

"It's time for this country to move on from this issue," Stroup
said.

Christine Black, the 17-year-old granddaughter of Grammas for Ganja
Executive Director Jeanne "Magic" Ferguson, spoke to the crowd about
her support for the decriminalization of marijuana after seeing
friends being arrested as juveniles for the non-violent crime of
marijuana possession and "throwing their lives away" because of it.