60 attend pro-pot rally in Warsaw
August 8, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
The event included an array of speakers, many of whom advocated for the state of Indiana to adopt medical marijuana policies, while others called for the legalization for recreational use of the drug.
The rally was sponsored by Higher Fellowship, a group based in Beach Grove, just outside of Indianapolis.
The group is in the midst of a 92-county tour, said co-founder Bobbie Jo Young.
The rally was peaceful and nobody appeared to be openly smoking at the rally.
Plenty of people at the rally wore pro-pot shirts and hats. One woman wrote on her chest “#420matters,” a reference to marijuana.
Young said their main goal is reaching out to state lawmakers and informing the general public about the benefits of marijuana use.
“Almost every politician we spoke with is in some way or form in support of marijuana, whether it’s decriminalization or medical marijuana,” Young said.
She said they’re hoping to ride the wave of support seen in other states where pot laws have been loosened.
Twenty-five states, including Michigan, now permit the use of medical marijuana. Four states now allow recreational use, and more states are considering changes this year in the Nov. 8 general election.
Numerous people, including Jimmy, a middle-aged man from Warsaw who declined to give his full name, was one of many at the rally who would like to see the state embrace medical marijuana.
Jimmy said he suffers from chronic pain as a result of a degenerative bone disease.
He said he’s used edibles, which is food infused with the active ingredient in marijuana. He thinks edibles are a better option than prescription drugs.
“You wouldn’t believe how it takes pain away,” Jimmy said. “It equals the prescription I?take, which would be a Percocet 5, but the effects last longer.”
Young estimated about half of the crowd at the rally were there in support of medical marijuana.
Higher Fellowship is separate from another Indianapolis group, First Church of Cannabis, which advocates for marijuana rights and contends the use of pot is part of a religion.
Young said they have no interest in mixing religion with their lobbying effort because the state is too conservative.
The group has a Facebook page and uploaded a photo of the Warsaw event in which about 60 people gathered for a group picture on the steps of the courthouse.
The event included an array of speakers, many of whom advocated for the state of Indiana to adopt medical marijuana policies, while others called for the legalization for recreational use of the drug.
The rally was sponsored by Higher Fellowship, a group based in Beach Grove, just outside of Indianapolis.
The group is in the midst of a 92-county tour, said co-founder Bobbie Jo Young.
The rally was peaceful and nobody appeared to be openly smoking at the rally.
Plenty of people at the rally wore pro-pot shirts and hats. One woman wrote on her chest “#420matters,” a reference to marijuana.
Young said their main goal is reaching out to state lawmakers and informing the general public about the benefits of marijuana use.
“Almost every politician we spoke with is in some way or form in support of marijuana, whether it’s decriminalization or medical marijuana,” Young said.
She said they’re hoping to ride the wave of support seen in other states where pot laws have been loosened.
Twenty-five states, including Michigan, now permit the use of medical marijuana. Four states now allow recreational use, and more states are considering changes this year in the Nov. 8 general election.
Numerous people, including Jimmy, a middle-aged man from Warsaw who declined to give his full name, was one of many at the rally who would like to see the state embrace medical marijuana.
Jimmy said he suffers from chronic pain as a result of a degenerative bone disease.
He said he’s used edibles, which is food infused with the active ingredient in marijuana. He thinks edibles are a better option than prescription drugs.
“You wouldn’t believe how it takes pain away,” Jimmy said. “It equals the prescription I?take, which would be a Percocet 5, but the effects last longer.”
Young estimated about half of the crowd at the rally were there in support of medical marijuana.
Higher Fellowship is separate from another Indianapolis group, First Church of Cannabis, which advocates for marijuana rights and contends the use of pot is part of a religion.
Young said they have no interest in mixing religion with their lobbying effort because the state is too conservative.
The group has a Facebook page and uploaded a photo of the Warsaw event in which about 60 people gathered for a group picture on the steps of the courthouse.
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