FREEP HEROES

Marc Emery

In between producing Pot-TV and publishing Cannabis Culture magazine,
Canadian marijuana seed magnet Marc Emery somehow finds time for his
unique brand of in-your-face activism. Most recently Emery has been on
a cross-country college speaking tour promoting the cause of cannabis
legalization. After his March 22nd speech in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Emery was arrested and charged with drug trafficking for the two
joints he was smoking with the crowd. Emery was jailed for three days
before finally being granted bail. Emery remains unfazed by the ordeal
and has promised to come back to Saskatoon 'a lot, and not just for
the trial.' Emery continues to be a major force for cannabis law
reform on this continent.

THE FREE PRESS SALUTES

Todd McCormick

The Freep salutes patient/activist Todd McCormick for his unbreakable
resolve to make medical marijuana available to those in need. When
California legalized medical marijuana in 1996 McCormick joined forces
with fellow patient and author Peter McWilliams to write a book on how
to produce medical marijuana. They were both subsequently charged and
prosecuted by the federal government for trying to implement
California's medical marijuana law. Peter McWilliams died choking on
his own vomit while awaiting trial because he wasn't allowed access to
medical marijuana. McCormick received a five year sentence. Because of
his medical condition there was no guarantee that he would make it out
alive. Unlike some who face the grave prospects of a long prison term
McCormick never testified against his associates or expressed regret
for his actions. Last month Todd was released from prison and is now
back with family and friends and is ready to continue the fight for
medical marijuana. Todd's commitment is an inspiration to us all.

ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE

Congressman Mark Souder

It's hard to imagine a bigger threat to the cannabis community than
Representative Souder. As the sponsor of the infamous Higher Education
Act Drug Provision, Souder is personally responsible for denying
financial aid to over 150,000 potential college students. But that
wasn't enough for the congressman from Indiana, so this year Souder
authored legislation to substantially increase penalties for
cultivation of 'high THC' cannabis and to create a new crime called
'drugged driving'. If these bills are passed into law we will see more
innocent Americans rotting in prison. This man must be stopped.