Miami 's 12th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert at Tobacco Road

Currently there is a statewide petition drive to get the medical marijuana issue on the ballot to change the laws in Florida. As part of this three stage extravaganza, some of South Florida's top bands, spoken word artists and community activists will join together for patients’ and physicians’ right to use medical cannabis.

As a testament to the diversity of supporters for this cause, there will be a broad variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, reggae, folk, vocal harmonies, hip-hop, funk, experimental, tribal rhythms, traditional Peruvian, flamenco, world beat fusion, psychedelic grooves and various interactive jams.

Johnny Dread, Sweetbone, Kuyayky, Ethreal, UOM, Hoosha, Shawn Snyder, Franklin’s Wheel, Carl Ferrari & Friends, Bodhi, Togen, Bitchfire, The Int’l Language, The Tribe, Deep Water Willy, Val C Wisecracker, Steve Minotti, Andrew Bayuk, Mandy Burgan, J.D. Danner, Brother Lou, Orrin Bolton, Frank Nitts, Chopp Devize and more will be showcasing original music.

Alonso, Angelo Pizarro, Jonathan Rose and other spoken word artists will be presenting innovative spoken word poetry with musical accompaniment.

Mark A.S. will be presenting social satire about the laws concerning medical marijuana and the drug war.

In addition, Stacy Oh, Zuzka and other dancers will be performing a variety of dance and movement pieces to energetic, rhythmic percussion and ambient tones.

Flowing Art Movement will be using light, ribbons and fabric to enhance their dance presentations with live music accompaniment.

Plus Anibal Fernandez, Linx and other creative artists will be rendering a live painting demonstration to visually complement the music.

Irvin Rosenfeld and Elvy Musikka, legal medical marijuana patients and Directors for Patients Out Of Time, will be describing their experiences with obtaining medical marijuana through the federal government.

The 12th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert will also feature a selection of community speakers who will present information about the issues including Norm Kent - National NORML Board of Directors, Sara Yousuf - criminal defense attorney, Jeanne Baker - Florida State Board President of the American Civil Liberties Union, Jayne King from the Florida Green Party, Toni Latino, attorney from Borras & Latino, Michael Minardi P.A., Shawn Heller from the Florida Justice Institute, Ford Banister from Florida’s Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, Robert Platshorn, author and convicted smuggler from the Black Tuna Gang, representatives of PUFMM, South Florida NORML and other concerned citizens.

South Florida NORML, PUFMM, Patients Out Of Time, ACLU of Florida, Florida Green Party and various other organizations will have informational booths with literature and handouts to help educate about community issues and the medical marijuana campaign in Florida.

The event will work to raise funds and awareness for PUFMM, South Florida NORML and Patients Out Of Time’s medical marijuana campaign and the protection of patients’ rights. Previously, a person's right to use medical necessity as a defense to marijuana charges has been upheld by several appeals courts in Florida. Marijuana has proven therapeutically useful in treating numerous medical conditions including muscle spasticity, arthritis, and the nausea related to AIDS and cancer chemotherapy. About 700,000 Florida registered voters need to sign the petition in order for the issue to get on the ballot. Currently there are 14 states that have laws allowing marijuana to be used as medicine.

In addition there will be vendors and small businesses promoting and selling their merchandise, including The Wallflower Gallery, Xango, Ragamufyn, 75rabbit, Between Spirit & Stone Jewelry, Progressive Rags, Emerald City Imports, Crystal Fun Design, Sergio Torres, Alan Glover, Bambooey Didgeridoos, Kokanut Kingz, Roostas No. 5 and selected independent corporations.

Production support provided by Ploppy Palace Productions, Atlas Sound Productions, Anamaze Productions, Turk Masters Cymbals and 7th Circuit Productions.

The 12th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert at Tobacco Road is currently looking for supportive sponsors and unique vendors to help to build up the community outreach and contribute to the cause.

The 12th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert at Tobacco Road is sponsored by Ploppy Palace Productions, OnlineGigs.com, Antidote Productions, Artists For Community Evolution, The Wallflower Gallery, Music Art Love, Borras & Latino, Printed Things & Custom Collectibles and South Florida NORML.

12th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert

Saturday, January 16, 2010
4:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Tobacco Road
626 South Miami Ave., Brickell
305-374-1198
http://www.tobacco-road.com
http://www.myspace.com/tobaccoroad626

21 Years Old + with ID
Admission is $ 12.
Advance tickets available.

http://www.myspace.com/medmj
http://www.ploppypalace.com

For more information, please email Ploppy Palace Productions at events@ploppypalace.com.