TALK SPIRITED AT MUSIC FEST

SAN BERNARDINO - Marijuana activism met music Saturday at the
appropriately titled "Dr. Greenthumb and Tommy Chong's The Spring
Gathering: Music Festival and Medical Marijuana Expo" at the National
Orange Show Events Center.

Chong, half of the famous marijuana advocating comedy duo of Cheech
and Chong, missed the discussion about a ballot measure legalizing
and taxing marijuana.

It almost seemed appropriate given the stereotype of marijuana users
as being lazy, but his absence didn't stop the seriousness of the
discussion or the event.

Panelists Dale Clare, a medical cannabis advocate and consultant from
"pot college" Oaksterdam University, "radical" Russ Belville,
associate director of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws Oregon, attorney Jennifer Soares and former High Times
editor in chief and celebstoner website founder Steve Bloom engaged
in a spirited 45-minute discussion.

"It will stop putting people in jail," Clare said.

If passed on the November ballot, the measure would also leave
marijuana taxation up to local governments, not the state, and allow
the cultivation of hemp.

But Soares, who was for legalization but against the measure because
of its language, noted that cities that don't allow medical marijuana
would be skeptical.

"How many do you think would be OK with recreational marijuana?" Soares said.

Clare said that while not all cities would embrace the measure if
passed, "there will be cities that do," such as Oakland.

Belville said that while not perfect, at least marijuana would be
considered legal.

Roberto Slauson, 22, of San Bernardino said he was at the event for
the music, in particular to watch hip-hop artists Redman and Method Man.

"I didn't come to smoke at the event. I came to chill," said Slauson.

Jim Turner, 37, of Mira Loma said he came to the event with the
intention of handing out fliers from his medical marijuana collective
but everything was confiscated at the door. He said the festival was
a good way to try to get new people involved.

Turner's cousin, Justin Turner of Rubidoux, enjoyed 1990s hip-hop
music with his friend, Jennifer Wheeler, in the Hookah Lounge, where
people enjoyed smoking flavored tobacco out of a water pipe.

Early in the afternoon, Short Dawg Tha Native, a member of the San
Manuel Band of Mission Indians, performed on the main stage.

Gary Lyons, 39, of La Puente said he enjoyed Short Dawg's sound
because of its "good vibe."

"He didn't sound like a gangsta." Lyons said. "He looked like one but
didn't sound like it."

Icehole, a three-man rock group, jokingly noted that "this place is a
lot more fun than the medical cocaine rally" while performing an
energy-filled set on the main stage.