Texas NORML Presents: The 2013 Texas Marijuana March on Cinco de Mayo!

HIGH all, it’s that time of year again! Texas NORML hopes you’ll join us for the 2013 Texas Marijuana March on Sunday May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). Speakers will include Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson returning from last years March as well as our own Vincent Lopez, Texas NORML’s Director of Patient Outreach and editor of local quarterly magazine, The Austin 420. We’ll also hear from local activist Heather Fazio from Texans for Accountable Government. The Austin music scene has always been very supportive and local musician Gregory Moreno of the Contrabandits will play an acoustic set on the Capitol steps, including a song he wrote just for this event! Additionally, this year we are happy to provide 2 sign language interpreters for our march and rally!

Let’s meet at City Hall by 3:00pm on Sunday May 5th. We’ll get everyone ready and organized to march to the Capitol by 3:30pm. We’ll arrive loud and proud at the Capitol by 3:50 and will begin the Rally at 4:00! (Please contact [email protected] if you need more information on the availability and access at City Hall to the interpreters for coordination to march to the Capitol.) Let’s show that we can celebrate our favorite time of day by being responsible and coming together to show our support for common sense change. We hope you will join us in marching for our fellow Texans’ right to legally access a safer, more responsible choice. If you prefer to meet us at the Capitol for the rally, please get to the South steps before 4:20pm to welcome us! (You will need to enter on the North side of the Capitol for wheelchair ramp access.) Also, remember you can park at the Capitol Visitors Garage for free on weekends (12th and San Jacinto). Read on for additional information on this year’s speakers and musical guest. With Colorado and Washington leading the way, this is an opportune time to show the public, the media, and our legislators that it’s not political suicide to support common sense reform and “Why not Texas?”

Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson

Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson has researched and taught about cannabis policy in the United States and in Great Britain and has founded a NORML chapter in East Texas. Through research and activism he has become convinced that the healthiest approach to the presence of cannabis in society is the path of legalization

Heather Fazio of Texans for Accountable Government.

Texas NORML is happy to welcome Heather Fazio as a speaker for this event. Activism is the lifeblood of true change and Heather has been making a name for herself in local circles and beyond. An activist since 2008, she now serves as Executive Director of Texans for Accountable Government, a trans-partisan political activist group focused on local and state issues. From privacy to property rights, Heather and TAG work to protect the individual rights of the free people of Texas.

Joshua Schimberg, Vincent Lopez and Shaun McAlister at the 41st Annual National NORML Conference

Vincent Lopez is Texas NORML’s Director of Patient Outreach and  began his advocacy for medical cannabis in 2009 when he created and began publishing The Austin 420. In 2011, Vincent joined forces with Texas NORML to represent patients in our community. An Austin native known for his work in previous publications, concert booking and promotions, he has always been a strong supporter of community interaction and involvement. Vincent’s mission is to further public awareness of the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis and take a stand in obtaining the protection patients in Texas are seeking and truly deserve! Vincent suffers from Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and understands first hand the toll that illness has on patients suffering with debilitating conditions. Still he works tirelessly to bring us a new and more amazing Austin 420 every quarter. With his visits to the Capitol, building relationships while educating lawmakers, there is no doubt that he will be instrumental in bringing medical cannabis to our state. We are proud to know him and have his support and perspective in our work.

Gregory Moreno, Lead Singer/Guitarist for the Contrabandits and friend of Texas NORML

Gregory Moreno is a friend and cannabis activist, he has donated his time and talents to the movement often over the years. We are grateful to have him here performing for all of you. For the past 15 years, Greg has been mixing it up in the local/regional/national reggae scene, spreading awareness to the movement along the way. From world music, to rock/blues, and now to reggae, he is truly a homegrown talent. His guitar screams,”I’m from South Austin”. Greg has been heating up the Austin Reggae scene with the Contrabandits and numerous others around town. With the debut of his original song for this event, you do not want to miss a local artist pouring his heart into his music for a cause that’s near and dear to all of us.

This is going to be an event you do NOT want to miss! We have an opportunity to show the public and (through the media), our legislators that cannabis reform advocates are respectful and responsible citizens AND voters who want common sense cannabis law reform. That Texas is ready for and needs a change and that we are willing to march for it, even at 4:20! Yes We Cannabis!

Capital parking and accessibility information:

Parking(remember that it is free to park in the Capitol garages during the weekend): http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/Plan/Parking.htm

Accessibility: http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/Plan/Access.htm