WEST CHESTER >> Marijuana activists rallied in West Chester to advocate for cannabis reform, on the corner of High and Market street.
“What we’re here to do is talk about all aspects of cannabis reform in the state,” said Les Stark. Stark was one of the rally’s organizers, and the executive director of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition.
“We want a legal regulated market. We think the farmers of Chester County should be growing hemp. Peoples’ lives are being ruined and destroyed, we think it is wrong to continue to arrest and imprison for marijuana offences,” stated Stark.
Several activists smoked some marijuana at the rally.
According to Stark, the underground market for marijuana is valued at $2.5 billion. With decriminalization, Stark believes the Pennsylvania State Treasury could see a “potential $400-$500 million a year turnaround.”
The Keystone Cannabis Coalition has two industrial hemp bills in Pennsylvania’s State Legislature, Senate Bill 50 and House Bill 967.
David Baker, a Democratic candidate for Congress spoke barefoot to the gathered crowd.
“I’ve smoked marijuana for most of my life,” he stated. “I got six marijuana possessions. I got my drivers license back two months ago.”
Baker wrote a check for the Keystone Cannabis Coalition. “This is my first check as a politician,” he said.
He is running against Joe Pitts for the 16th Congressional District. West Chester is not in the 16th district.
Marine Corps veteran Mike Whiter spoke at the rally. Whiter served in Kosovo and Iraq, and advocates marijuana reform to help suffering veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I was depressed, I was suicidal. I was a zombie. I existed, I took handfuls of pills, now you see me out here talking. That’s the difference between pills and cannabis,” he said.
Whiter took pills to suppress anxiety caused by PTSD. He then smoked marijuana to get his emotions back. “I could have emotions, it allowed me to be a human again.”
Local Downingtown resident Adreinne Lesa spoke at the rally. Lesa has AIDS, and claims cannabis oil, combined with antiretroviral therapy, saved her life.
“I went from the brink of death to an undetectable viral load in nine months,” she said.
Most of the speakers referenced Philadelphia’s decision to decriminalize marijuana in their speeches. “We think Pennsylvania should follow Philadelphia’s lead,” said Stark.
“Pennsylvania arrests 25,000 people a year, at a cost of $200 million,” he said.
The rally drew spectators, and encouraged several dozen drivers to honk as they passed by.
