NH Magazine asks “Is the Live Free or Die State Ready for Legal Weed?”

The current (January 2012) edition of New Hampshire Magazine prominently features Bob “Weeda Claus” Constantine in the cover story, “Up In Smoke: Is the Live Free or Die State Ready for Legal Weed?” In addition to being Weeda Claus, Bob is an advocate for jury awareness at NHJury.com and will launch the “Just Say Know” campaign with other Fr33 Agents in 2012. Along with Bob, Kirk McNeil of the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy, John Tommasi of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), State Senator Jim Forsythe and State Representative Evalyn Merrick – someone who personally benefitted from medical marijuana – all represent the view that the prohibition of cannabis should end.

The following is the “Waging War” section from NH Magazine’s “Up in Smoke” article:

Photo of Bob Constantine by P.T. Sullivan for NHMagazine.com

If asked to name the longest war on record that was declared and fought by the U.S. government, what would you answer? The Revolution? World War II? Vietnam? Iraq and Afghanistan? Not even close. This is the 40th year of the “War on Drugs,” first declared by President Nixon in 1971. The Obama administration declared it was dropping the term “war” in 2009 but, linguistic quibbles aside, the same basic battle strategy continues.In most discussions about crime and its consequences, everyone involved is usually careful to first cite the plight of the victims of the crime: the beaten child, the grieving mother. Alongside the victims are the law enforcement officers who have performed their duty in pursuit of justice. But here’s where it gets sticky. (more…)

Keene Crackdown at Pumpkin Fest

420 rally at City Hall during Pumpkin fest

Six individuals were arrested by police this afternoon at Pumpkin Fest.  The daily 420 event was moved to the area directly in front of City Hall due to the massive pumpkin display at Central Square.  Rich Paul of Keene took to the megaphone in front a large crowd and at the proper time lit a pipe presumably containing marijuana, a plant.  Police quickly surrounded Mr. Paul and placed him under arrest.  Noah Wood and Evan Pierce were also seen lighting up and were arrested as well.

Three other individuals were also arrested at city hall, when asked about the charge officers indicated that they did not know why they were arresting the three.  A witness reportedly saw one of the individuals attempt to enter the city hall building prompting police to arrest him.  It is unknown at this time exactly what happened.  Ryan Maddox, Dan Steward and Yadra, all from the Keene area.

Latest update:  Rich Paul, Noah Wood and Dan Steward have been released; Ryan Maddox, Evan Pierce and Yadra are reported to be at the Cheshire County Correctional Facility.

October issue of the Free Keene Press

Click here for the .pdf with pictures

Keene, the Peaceful Civil-Disobedience Apex

James B Schlessinger Jr.
October 5th, 2009

Words on paper are not stopping activists and locals from living like free people in Keene, New Hampshire.  Whether it is marijuana consumption on the Commons or a young woman going topless on Main Street, Keene has become the place to challenge unjust, immoral, and simply foolish laws.  This has naturally rankled many state and local civil servants.  The Keene City Council voted against sending a resolution to the state house begging for marijuana decriminalization legislation–instead individuals on the council were encouraged to send a personal message.  The Keene Police Department has shown both professionalism in its dealings with the 420 events and violence though Police Prosecutor Sergeant Eliezer Rivera.

April 13, 2009, was the day that David Ridley, of Grafton, was to be arraigned for videotaping in the second-floor lobby of the Keene City Hall.  Sam Dodson was arrested on that date, while videotaping there; his charges changed several times over the following months.

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Good times at 4:20 in Keene Commons

The announced cannabis smoking event went as planned with no intervention from the state.  As many as a hundred people showed up at Central Square in Keene to live as free men and women.  Many cameras and cigarettes were seen in hands of an upbeat crowd of people.  The smell of marijuana wafted in the air for a few moments here and there as I passed through the throng.

In between fits of laughter and cheering, people were heard pointing out the Keene Police cruisers circling the center.  Officers did not step upon the center but instead stayed on the street and were seen talking with activists and locals; no arrests were made or summons handed out.  Reporters were on hand from both the Union Leader and the Keene Sentinel as well as a video crew from the Obscured Truth Network.

This event is scheduled to take place everyday at 4:20pm.