Pompo

Nelson's Freedom Fest Focuses On Marijuana
8-8-07|Cannibus News|Source: MSNBC (US Web)


USA -- A fundraising concert this week focuses on the benefits of marijuana, and Willie Nelson is using music and some star power to push for relaxing the laws related to usage. Nelson sat down with KXAN Austin News' Michelle Valles at his Pedernales studio to discuss the Austin Freedom Fest.
He is still recording music and still touring with his band, but Nelson's latest project is a first. Nelson came up with the idea for a concert at the Backyard on Friday.


He's the headliner and will give the proceeds to four marijuana policy reform groups.

Nelson helped bring the groups together for the first time to strengthen their lobbying efforts to legalize marijuana.

"I'd like to see it taxed and regulated and looked upon as nothing more or less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes," Nelson said.

Concert promoters focused on the music and barely mentioned the marijuana benefit. Still, advertisers shied away.

"Because it's illegal, and once you admit smoking it, you have committed to a crime," Nelson said. "Somewhere there's a stigma attached to it."

Today Nelson stands up against that stigma.

He said he's given up alcohol and cigarettes but not the pot, but he wasn't always this forthright, especially in his days as a budding musician.

"With age you get a little more nerve," he said. "What's a guy like me who smoked for 50 years. If I'm running into the walls or making a lot of bad decisions, but I do a two-hour show every night and remember 40 or 50 songs, so I challenge anyone out there. You might tie it, but I doubt you can beat it."

Nelson's argument is far from getting the attention of Texas lawmakers.

Twelve states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use since 1995, and Texas is not one of them.

State Rep. Elliot Naishtat sponsored a medicinal marijuana bill for patients with a medical condition such as AIDS, glaucoma or multiple sclerosis.

State Rep. Diane Delisi, the chairwoman of the Public Health Committee, denied the bill a hearing.

"Making it available for medicinal use won't make it any safer than any other drug," said Laurie DeLong, a drug treatment counselor at the Phoenix Academy.

DeLong agrees with Delisi's decision and said making marijuana legal, even for ailing patients, gives it a perception that it's safe.

"I know that any given day I may have 60 kids in my program, and that's what they started with, and that's really hard for me to reconcile," DeLong said. "They started first with marijuana."

Nelson said ditto with any other drug, legal or illegal.

"I don't recommend anything for children, cause you need to let your lungs and mind develop, but once you get to be 74 years old, I don't think anyone should tell you what to do," Nelson said.

Austin Freedom Fest is Friday at the Backyard.

Knowing they have an uphill battle in Texas, marijuana activists plan to spend the concert's proceeds in New York, Illinois and other states that are closer to legalizing medical marijuana.

Victor_vicious

What is this?? I saw apost about reducing the arrests in Texas. I think it was posted in this forum. Possesion of up to a quarter pound isn't jail time. I am confused. VV

Pompo

I'm not sure what and where you read this but I wouldn't put it to the test. Here's a list of Texas State Marijuana Laws
As you can clearly see, there are felony charges that carry possible penalties of 180 day to 2 yrs. jail time and a $10,000 fine that you could be facing in Texas if you're caught with a 1/4lb Of course, they have different penalties for those who are repeat offenders and are busted around school zones etc, etc....... But the fact remains, the charges for possesion/sales of marijuana in Texas are not something to be taken lightly


Incarceration/ Fine

Possession
2 oz or less* class B misdemeanor 180 days $2,000
2 to 4 oz* class A misdemeanor 1 year $4,000
4 oz to 1 lb* state jail felony 180 days - 2 years $10,000
1 to 5 lbs state jail felony 180 days - 2 years $10,000
5 to 50 lbs felony of the third degree 2 - 10 years $10,000
50 to 2,000 lbs felony of the second degree 2 - 20 years $10,000
More than 2,000 lbs felony 5 - 99 years $50,000

Sale
Gift of 1/4 oz or less class B misdemeanor 180 days $2,000
Sale of 1/4 oz or less class A misdemeanor 1 year $4,000
1/4 oz to 5 lbs state jail felony 180 days - 2 years $10,000
5 to 50 lbs felony of the second degree 2 - 20 years $10,000
50 to 2,000 lbs felony of the first degree 5 - 99 years $10,000
2,000 lbs or more felony MMS 10 - 99 years $100,000
To a minor felony 2 - 20 years $10,000
Within 1,000 feet of a school or within 300 feet of specified areas misdemeanor or felony increased penalty increased penalty
Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...)
Paraphernalia possession class C misdemeanor none $500
Paraphernalia sale class A misdemeanor 1 year $4,000**

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