Students march to change national drug policy

Charles Couch

Contributing Writer

The VCU chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy will co-sponsor a march supporting the reform of marijuana laws on May 8.

The event is part of the Worldwide Marijuana March. Similar events will be held in more than 300 cities around the world, said Devon Tackels, the president of the SSDP chapter in Richmond. The closest march outside Richmond will be in Washington, D.C.

“The event is going to essentially be a festival that brings awareness and education from the numerous, different perspectives of why marijuana laws should be changed from what they are now,” Tackels said.

Live musicians, artists, poets and disk jockeys will be featured at the festival to support the cause along with SSDP speakers, Tackels said.

Also, co-sponsoring organizations will bring their own political messages to the marijuana festival and present them at information stands, Tackels said. The event will also feature student-run workshops.

As the speakers and musicians finish at the peak of event, Tackels said festival attendants will march the streets of Richmond in peaceful protest.

The 2010 Richmond Marijuana March and Festival will be held in Monroe Park from 1-5 p.m. on May 8.