Nimbin’s annual MardiGrass weekend, their 34th cannabis law reform protest and gathering, is on this coming full moon (1–3 May), and organisers say there is plenty of anticipation is in the air.
“I’m not sure why but there is plenty of interest in MardiGrass this year”, said Michael Balderstone, speaking for the MOB, the MardiGrass Organising Body.
“Maybe with legal medical cannabis so popular now and easily available over the phone the stigma around smoking pot is fading a bit. Definitely there is renewed interest in cannabis as more and more people discover what an awesome safe medicine it is for so many ailments, and the hippies weren’t so mad after all.”
“Then there’s the enormous frustration over the completely unfair and ignorant roadside saliva testing rules and the simple fact that people want to be allowed to grow their own cannabis. Why do we have to buy our overseas grown cannabis from a chemist when we can easily grow it in our own backyard?
“Then there’s the wider drug war which continues to look more and more ridiculous with gangs shooting each other every weekend over the huge profits to be made and now school age kids joining gangs and learning the ropes as well. No wonder no one wants to join the police, people want a life that makes sense. Just how far does this drug war have to go before we question what we’re doing?
US drug policy leader, Ethan Nadelmann
“The special guest at MardiGrass this year is New Yorker Ethan Nadelmann. He was described in Rolling Stone as “the real drug czar“ and is widely regarded as the outstanding proponent of drug policy reform both in the United States and abroad. He founded the Drug Policy Alliance, the world’s leading drug policy reform organisation which is working to end the war on drugs. We are extremely grateful Dr Alex Wodak is bringing him to Nimbin this year.
“A special event at this years MardiGrass is a Women In Cannabis Morning Tea at the Bush Theatre which has brought together an impressive list of activists, healers, growers, storytellers and educators. Including, Kyla de Clifford, Fiona Patten, Melanie Wentzel, Bee Mohamed, Rachel Payne, Chrissie Butler and Christina McMullen. Also not to be missed is the panel on Saturday afternoon in the Town Hall, “HIgh on Hormones – Women, Sex & Cannabis”.
“This is just a couple of spots in the extensive Hemposium, the MardiGrass program of speakers which can all be viewed now on nimbinmardigrass.com
“There are dozens of sessions on cannabis and other entheogenic plants in this unique gathering of minds.
“Aside from that is all the MardiGrass traditional favourites like the Hemp Olympix, the Kombi Konvoy and 420 Blaze on the Saturday, the Big Rally on Sunday, the Great Green Cabaret on Friday night and the very special High Vibes stage program.
“There are six stages in all to accommodate the plethora of speakers and musicians and comedians. It’s a huge program and we refuse to change the price. Come help us spread the word that drug use is really a health issue and the war is actually a relentless pursuit of profit by a few people that is causing massive suffering for many and essentially trying to stop us from having a relaxed and good time on our own terms”.
For more info visit https://nimbinmardigrass.com/
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