CANNABIS EXPO IN BERLIN SATURDAY

BERLIN - The timing may be a little off for a hemp and cannabis expo
in Berlin Saturday, coming on the heels of a major drug bust of some
30 illegal drug manufacturers and dealers in the city, but the
coordinators of the event make no apologies.

The T.H.C Expo is being held to tout the wonders of medical marijuana
and the economic potential of hemp farming.

"We planned this before the big drug bust," said Narin Selthofner of
Green Lake.

Selthofner and her activist husband Jay Selthofner helped plan the
exposition at the public library to put the spotlight on the benefits
of the cannabis plant as medicine and an agricultural crop. Green
Lake, Dodge and Fond du Lac counties were once important hemp-growing
areas and the plant still grows wild in the region, Narin Selthofner said.

The T.H.C Expo, which stands for Talking Hemp and Cannabis, aims to
"openly and honestly" discuss the Medical Marijuana Act and the hemp
farming bill being debated this year by state lawmakers, she said.

Hemp can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, clothing and
textiles, cosmetics, paints and cleaners, paper and building
materials. An important part of the local economy was stifled when
the federal government banned hemp cultivation, Narin Selthofner said.

The Selthofners expect a big turnout Saturday, including protesters,
for the expo-style event that is bringing in experts to discuss the
issue. Among them are James E. Gierach of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition, and Mieko Hester-Perez of California whose autistic son
has benefited greatly from the use of medical marijuana. He was
wasting away before her eyes and at death's door before she began
feeding him small doses of marijuana-infused brownies, according to a
news release.

Mayor Dick Schramer said some local residents have questioned holding
the expo in a public building, but there are no grounds for library
personnel to refuse the gathering.

"It's just another bill in the legislature. It's within library
policy to allow that," he said.

The exposition will include representatives of organizations such as
Is My Medicine Legal Yet?, Wisconsin NORML, Madison NORML, Americans
for Safe Access, MJ2 Media, and the American Civil Liberties Union of
Wisconsin.

IMMLY Founder Jacki Rickert, namesake of the Wisconsin medical
cannabis bill, is expected to attend along with state and regional
activists Gary Storck and Ben Masel.

The Selthofners said exposition is set up to give everyone who wants
a chance to speak an opportunity to do so.

Printed educational materials will be available from the experts.

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IF YOU GO

What: T.H.C Expo, Talking Hemp and Cannabis

When: 12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Berlin Public Library, 121 W. Park Ave., followed by a
reception at Berlin Bowling Lanes, 123 N. Pearl St.