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Blues Traveler Perform for Marijuana Policy Project Benefit at Playboy Mansion
Blues Traveler Perform for Marijuana Policy Project Benefit at Playboy Mansion
Brian Miller
May 18, 2007Artisan News Service
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) held their 2nd Annual Benefit at The Playboy Mansion on Monday May 14th and invited guests were treated to a special performance by Blues Traveler, who played their set on top of the infamous 'Grotto!' at the mansion. Joe Rogan of Fear Factor fame was on hand as the Master of Ceremonies as MPP honored comedian and political activist Bill Maher for his hard work and dedication to the Marijuana Policy Project and their on going cause. With more than 21,000 dues-paying members and more than 100,000 e-mail subscribers, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1995, MPP works to reform the current marijuana laws state by state that intend to prohibit our freedom and civil liberties.
Showing up at the mansion to lend support for The Marijuana Policy Project was Adam Carolla, Dangermouse of Gnarls Barkley, members of Cypress Hill, The Crystal Method, Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry, DJ Pooh, Ray Benson from the Grammy Award winning band Asleep at the Wheel and cast members from Miami Ink and Weeds, to name just a few. We caught up with Blues Traveler's lead vocalist and harmonica aficionado, John Popper to discuss his thoughts on MPP and performing with his band for thousands of party goers on top of the Grotto!
"I think it's an excellent policy (MPP) and I'm happy to be a part of The Project. We get behind anything that makes sense. I think criminalizing anything that is more of a health issue is kind of silly. It's a very good place to start and I think it's also fun. Not that I'd know. I've never played on top of a grotto before and we hope that we don't crack the grotto or scuff it up to bad. I got new shoes so there's a danger of that but that's the chance you take when you come to the Playboy Mansion. You might be on the grotto."
We also talked with the MC for the evening's festivities, Joe Rogan and Radio and TV personality Adam Carolla, to discuss the importance of MPP and the fact they are the true heros that are fighting for something that helps so many people and hopefully the time is coming when the government gets smart and taxes medicinal marijuana.
"(Rogan) The fact there's a bunch of people telling someone that there's something that doesn't kill you, never has killed anybody, helps people in a lot of ways. Medically, it helps them relax, it helps them enjoy life, it grows naturally in the ground and we'll put you in a f**kin' cage if you sell it. That's crazy and the fact that that exists in 2007 anybody who wouldn't support coming out and helping people that are trying to stop that and trying to put an end to that you'd have to be crazy. You have to help that. These people in my opinion, they're heros. I mean, this is something that can help a lot of people! (Carolla) The idea that we're well past the year 2000 and we're still arguing over this retarded issue is just, we really have bigger fish to fry as a society. If people want to smoke the pot, let them smoke the pot. Let's not give the money to the criminals. Let the man tax it."
We also caught up with Ray Benson, who is also on the MPP Advisory board to share his thoughts on wishing he had more time to do more for the cause and we also stopped to talk with MPP founder Rob Kampia, who has been at the forefront of the Marijuana Law Reform Campaign since starting MPP in 1995 to discuss his thoughts on how much progress he's seen in the 12 years of fighting the fight!
"(Ray Benson) I wish I could do more and a lot of people say the same thing in business. A lot of the guys, like Willie Nelson wanted to be here tonight but he's busy and he just couldn't but he said to tell everybody about his support of The Policy that we're trying to pursue. Also to tell the Feds to get off our butts because the states have made it clear what they want to do on this issue and the feds need to butt out."
Rob Kampia also talked about the progress he's seen in 12 years.
"(Rob Kampia) Well twelve years ago when I co founded The Marijuana Policy Project medical marijuana wasn't legal in any state and now after 12 years medical marijuana is legal in 12 states including California. Also there was no legislation pending when I co founded MPP and now we have legislation that's co sponsored by dozens of members of congress. In fact, since the November elections we now count that we have 185 House members who support medical marijuana. You only need 218 votes to pass the House, so we're talking about getting very close to changing Federal Law to get the DEA to stop raiding medical marijuana patients in states like California."
Also apart of the gala event was a silent auction, which included a signed guitar by Blues Traveler, paintings from well known artists like Dali, Renoir and Miro and Playboy memorabilia, which undoubtedly raised more generous donations from the thrilled party goers who were more than happy to be partying at one of the worlds premiere party locations, The Playboy Mansion. The money raised at the event will be used to fund MPP's current projects, like lobbying state legislatures in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York to pass medical marijuana legislation. To find out more information or to lend your support to the cause just visit mpp.org for more details on what you can do to help!
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