FREE CONCERT OFFERS MORE THAN MUSIC TO PUBLIC

Joplin will play host to the mid-west region's biggest marijuana
reform event on Sept. 22.

The ninth annual Cannabis Revival will be held this Saturday at
Landreth Park from 2-11 p.m.

Kelly Maddy, president of the Joplin Chapter of NORML (National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), said he has only been
a part of the event for the past three years but every year it grows
and this year he expects between 5,000-10,000 people.

The event has always provided guest speakers and free, live music all
day long but this year's focus is on 'restoration to acceptance and
freedom.'

This year's event will feature the launch of the 2008 Joplin Sensible
Sentencing Initiative. This initiative would decriminalize marijuana
in the Joplin area by removing the arrest and lowering the penalty for
small amounts of under 35 grams or less. Columbia, Mo., recently
passed a similar initiative.

Maddy said he is aiming to get the initiative put on Joplin's 2008
presidential ballot. But first, he needs 4,900 signatures, or about 15
percent of registered voters in Joplin.

Southern student Kyle Maddy, freshman undecided major, and acting
president of the Missouri Southern chapter of SSDP (Students for
Sensible Drug Policy) said he expects to get plenty of signatures from
younger voters but the real challenge will be to get the older
population of Joplin to vote for a change in policy.

The brothers believe the chief of police will approve the measure. A
former resident of Oregon, a state that has had decriminalized and
medical marijuana since the 1970s, he may have a more open
perspective.

"As far as we know he's like minded so I don't think he opposes it,"
Kyle Maddy said. "If we pass this initiative, police will be able to
focus on more serious issues."

Many Southern students agree with the initiative even if they don't
smoke.

"I don't smoke weed," said Darrell Sour, senior marketing major. "I've
never even smoked a cigarette but I still support them.

"They're wanting to take minor drug offenses and put them in traffic
court instead of criminal so if someone gets caught with one joint one
time they won't be stripped of state and financial aid. It doesn't
affect our laws against drug dealers and hard drug users, and they're
the bigger problem"

Even some students who oppose marijuana altogether agree possession of
small amounts should be decriminalized.

"The nation would be better off if it were never grown, but the
prohibition of marijuana has caused more damage than the drug itself,"
said Grant Bricker, senior political science major. "This nation
imprisons half a million people and spends $70 billion a year on
non-violent criminals just to keep them from getting high."

Shelly Peavler, president of the College Democrats, said she won't
endorse the petition itself but she will be present at the Cannabis
Revival to get voters registered.

"Open political discussion is essential in our country, and College
Democrats support any open political discussion whether we agree with
the issue or not," Peavler said. "We want to get politically involved
and we'll reach out to groups that may have political opinions."

Kris Krane, executive director of SSDP, will speak about the
initiative at the event on Saturday, Joplin's courthouse and on campus
today.

The event will also feature several bands: Cinna the Poet, The Ben
Miller Band, Jah Roots, The Sociables, Lye Bye Mistake, Ominous Words,
Greedy Fleet, The Flipoff Pirates, Revolution Red, By Hook or Crook,
Daysleeper, The High and Lonesome, Mannequin Kill Appeal, the D-Boyz
and Woodbelly headed by Cas Haley a recent second runner up on
America's Got Talent.

Several speakers at the event will talk about the benefits of
decriminalization and the medical and industrial advantages of using
hemp.

There will also be vendors selling everything from T-shirts and
jewelry to candles, soaps and artistic glass. There will be a "sack"
race and a "joint" rolling contest using tobacco. The prizes for the
"joint" rolling contest include a glass tobacco water pipe, a pack of
rolling papers and Joplin NORML t-shirt.

But the event isn't just all about the legalization of marijuana music
is another reason to go out and watch the festivities.

"You'll be surprised at the diversity of the people that go there,"
said Ben Miller, lead vocalist of the Ben Miller Band. "Some are there
to support marijuana and its pharmaceutical uses. Others are there
just to legalize it. But everyone gets along. It's not like we're some
fringe group of criminals. It's a family friendly environment."

Although SSDP is helping with the event, it isn't just a club trying
to legalize pot.

"SSDP is a pro financial aid organization, where NORML is pro pot,"
said Kyle Tucker, English instructor and adviser for the Southern
chapter of SSDP. "We're tired of students losing federal financial aid
for misdemeanor drug convictions. When students lose financial aid it
hurts the student and the school. It hurts everybody."

Tucker and his group of students started the club last
year.

"We want to get our student body involved in this war on drugs," Kyle
Maddy said. "We don't promote drug use. We're policy oriented. So how
can you argue against a more sensible policy? We just believe current
policies aren't working. We need more effective and sensible policies."

SSDP plans to have its officer elections before the end of the month.
And is also planning a film festival in late September or early
October. The group will be showing Grass, Busted and Penn and Teller:
Bullshit! on campus.

For band profiles or information on the Cannabis Revival please visit
www.cannabisrevival.com or the Cannabis Revival Myspace page.