Report from Tucson
On May 7th thousands of people in over 180 cities worldwide marched to support the decriminalization of marijuana. The Global Marijuana March reached from Albany to Zurich, and I’m pleased to declare that my current city of residence, Tucson, Arizona, had a turn out of supporters to represent the cause. Local band Por La Gente and Phoenix’s Herb`n Life rocked out for the sparse true believers who shared a toke and played some frisbee on the lawn at the UofA Mall.
Tucson residents began their protest on the corner of Speedway and Mountain at 4:20, holding up signs and acknowledging the traffic’s honks of approval. Leading the march was Arizona`s NORML (National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws) that provides a support group for many patients suffering from cancer, depression, HIV and chronic pain. NORML stands strong to reform the laws that deny patients safe access to herb.
Among the protesters was my good friend Ronni, who held up a sign that read: “Happy Mother’s Day Mom! Miss You! RIP! My mom suffered needlessly from cancer because her doctors could not authorize her use of medical marijuana – yet they could provide prescription drugs that made her depressed and delusional. Thanks state and federal Gov’t for deciding what’s best for my mother! LEGALIZE IT!”
The march ended at the UofA Mall where Herb`n Life jammed out to some bad-ass acoustics until all the pieces of the PA system came together. The band sounded awesome, and I have to give them big props for not only coming all the way from Phoenix to support the cause, but for sounding so fine without any vocals. Some of the crowd sang the words to Down At The Pawn Shop to carry the song, but before too long the PA was up and running and Herb N’ Life had us dancing up and lighting up.
Por La Gente came on next with horns and a funky ska freshness that pleased the last of the group that lingered past dark. The local band brought many of its own groupies, and the vibe was mellow-kickin-it-in-the-grass to Marley covers and original Latino ska. It was the perfect desert summer night to chill to some live music, and even though the crowd was down to less than a dozen, we were all having a cool time.
Before the night was completely over, a winning raffle ticket was drawn and the lucky winner took home an African Djembe drum donated by a Tucson man who has chosen to remain anonymous.