POT SUPPORTERS PARADE SATURDAY

RAPID CITY -- More than 300 marchers took to Sixth Street in Rapid City
Saturday afternoon to show their support for efforts to reform marijuana
laws and legalize its use.

Proponents said that people in more than 160 cities around the world would
stage similar marches in parades collectively known as the Million
Marijuana March.

Rapid City's event was organized and led by marijuana/hemp proponent Bob
Newland of Hermosa, president of SoDakNORML, an affiliate of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

"Our position is that public policy concerning marijuana is a disaster,"
Newland said before the march. "If we stimulate people to voice their
fears, angers or misgivings on public policy dealing with marijuana, we'll
succeed. By that definition, we've already succeeded. And we won't stop
until we get them to stop putting people in jail simply for trying to feel
better."

Marchers carried posters urging reform of marijuana laws. Messages
included, "Educate and regulate, don't incarcerate." Newland led chants
such as, "Here to keep cops off kids."

And despite earlier concerns by Rapid City School District officials over
the starting point of the march -- at Sixth and Columbus streets in front
of Dakota Middle School -- no protesters were seen.

This was the sixth year for the march but the first for Rapid City. Newland
said it's the best-known single international event centered on the
cannabis plant, and he called Saturday a day of protest against putting
people in jail.

"Its timing served us well," he added, referring to legislative efforts the
coalition is sponsoring and petition signatures being gathered Saturday.

"We have to turn in enough signatures Tuesday to get the issue of
legalizing industrial hemp on the ballot for the November election."

Marchers were more than happy to share their views on why they want hemp
legalized -- although most chose to share only their first names.

"Vince" was visiting Newland from Florida, so he joined the march. He said
he feels most politicians choose to fight the marijuana issue simply to
give an impression that they're doing something.

"They've chosen to fight something that goes against what most people say
is not a battle to be fought," Vince said. He added, "A good percentage of
people have smoked pot or do it now, so if those people are fighting this,
then they are hypocrites. At least there's a few individuals that will
still stand for something."

Another marcher, who identified himself as Garry, said he thinks marijuana
has good points and bad points. "I believe it's useful to a certain extent
if you don't abuse it. If you abuse it, it'll use you."

Marchers represented a cross-section of the population, some with children
in tow. The march ended without incident at Memorial Park.