NORML, the largest national organization dedicated to the legalization of marijuana, doesn't advocate irresponsible drug use. But, members say, feel free to...
Tune in,turn on and light up
By Josh Yancey Kansan staff writer
Kathleen Driscoll/KANSAN
ing in 1970 by Mark Creamer, Lawrence resident, stands in front of City Hall almost every Tuesday waving pro-marijuana signs. Keith Stroup, a
Like the resin in a well-smoked bong and the tell-tale odor that sees under residence hall doors, NORML has lingered at the University of Kansas and in Lawrence for several years. NORML, the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws, is the oldest and largest national organization dedicated solely to the legalization of marijuana.
But national law-
makers say that marjiuana is far
from becoming legal. And Mark
Creamer, 47, head of
Lawrence's NORML chapter,
isn't too happy
about that.
Since its found-
lawyer, NORML's members advocated the use of hemp and marijuana for practical and recreational use. Today, the group operates almost 100 local and state chapters.
KU and Lawrence have separate NORM chapters with about 12 members total. KU's chapter, which often sets up information booths at the Kansas Union, has only a president and a few members. Lawrence's group is more visible. Several members, including Creamer, periodically stand downtown waving "Honk for Hemp" and "Save Trees — Plant Hemp" signs, trying to solicit support from passing motorists.
The group says its focus is not simply the quest to get high legally.
"NORML fully supports a discouragement policy toward the abuse of all drugs, including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana," according to its policy statement. "NORML is strongly committed to the concept that growing up should be drug-free."
Medicinal research has shown that marijuana reduces arthritis pain, menstrual cramps and migraines, slows the growth of glaucoma, blocks epileptic seizures, alleviates nausea caused by chemotherapy and helps stimulate the appetites of
"I really want people to realize the bad rap hemp has gotten."
Mark Creamer
Lawrence chapter of NORML
AIDS patients. Some argue that the drug should be legalized solely for these reasons.
"This is not a wrong thing," Creamer said. "There certainly shouldn't be drug abuse of any form, but smoking marijuana shouldn't be illegal."
"I really want people to realize the bad rap that hemp has gotten. What we know about it stands on its own merit, and if science can show that hemp and weed straw paper are nontoxic and good for the environment, then it should be taught in the science classes at school."
Creamer has advocated the legalization of marijuana for 25 years and has worked to make his mes
sage heard. In 1989, he smoked a joint in the Lawrence Police Department and then served six months in jail for the incident.
"I wanted to give the strongest nonviolent message I could send," he said.
Creamer has written to congressmen and the president, and he talks to local people, the school board and the City Commission.
example, is treated the same as a person arrested with an ounce of heroin or cocaine.
Creamer said he had heard that the 10-millionth marijuana arrest was made recently in the United States.
"That's 10 million families disrupted — for what?" he asked.
However, that doesn't stop many KU students and Lawrence residents from getting high. They take a chance, and the majority gets away with buying and smoking not.
Sgt. John Lewis of the Lawrence Police Department said the law did not distinguish between drugs. A person caught with an ounce of marijuana, for
Creamer said that KU and Lawrence NORML groups were considering merging into one group called Hemp of Northeast Kansas (HONK).
"President Bush was right when he said that druglalization decisions won't be made from the top down," Creamer said. "It's going to come from the community, and we just want leaders to address the issue.
"To make peace, you first have to let us at the peace table."
Creamer heard dozens of honks as he stood with his "Honk for Hemp" sign outside Lawrence City Hall Tuesday night.
"I've proven that there is this subculture," he said. "They may not stand with me on the street corners or come with me to speak at commission meetings or school meetings, but they are willing to show their support as they drive by. That has to say something."
Cake takes the cake
While mixing, add two table-
By Robert Moczydlowsky, Kansan music writer
While mixing, add two table-spoons of '70s funk and a pinch of acoustic folk.
Pour into a small, crowded venue and bake.
Grind two cloves of fusion jazz, and season to taste.
Serve at 7 p.m., Wednesday in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
I have some advice for those who plan to attend the Cake show, sponsored by Student Union Activities.
Please don't tie a flannel shirt around your waist or wear a sparkling white KU baseball cap. Don't spend $20 for merchandise after the show.
And for God's sake, leave your Freddy Jones Band T-shirts at home.
we're really up with all of the excesses and materialism of rock 'n' roll," said Vince DIFlore, Cake's trumpeter. "Of course, now that we have a U.S. tour and a hit single, I guess we're kind of becoming a huge double standard," DIFlore said.
If you don't, the band will laugh at you.
Poor Cake. They have to live their own little "Rock n' Roll Lifestyle" now. And thanks to a three album deal.
three-album deal from Capricorn Records, they can definite afford it.
three-album deal
"The success of the album has really boosted our self-esteem," DFiFore said. "Our label has been really great about handling it. And better than their publicity is the total creative control that they have given us for our records."
John McCrea, guitarist, singer and songwriter for the band, assembled Cake from the remnants of his high
school garage band. He added horns and acoustic guitars, and at one point experimented with two drummers. The band played during the early '90s on the Sacramento, Calif., bar scene to three or four drunks and a couple of grouchy bartenders nearly every night.
Now that "Rock n' Roll Lifestyle" is a big radio hit, Cake has embarked on a national tour to promote its debut album, Motorcade of Generosity.
"We're basically a bar band," DIFore said. "We've polished our small-club sound, and we're very comfortable on small stages. You won't need ear plugs to enjoy our show, and I promise that you'll be able to hear all of the words."
When Cake went to the studio to record a selfproduced album, the group had to tame its performance-oriented sound to compact-disc format.
"We put a different spin on the album than we use in our performance," DFlore said. "Since we had complete creative control, we tailored our sound to fit the tape."
"If you expect us to sound like our album, you may be a little surprised. Not that we play the songs with different arrangements, but they do sound different. It's more of a community-type musical experience."
"We aren't the kind of guys to mute words," DIFlore said. "We're concerned about some politics and the environment — even if we do drive hours on ene in a van. And we want people at
And a big part of that community experience is the irreverent and often humorous messages of Cake's tunes.
"There is a reason why we often times cover the stage with plants when we play. The environment is a pretty big deal to us, and hopefully the music helps get that across."
our shows to dance and enjoy themselves and hopefully pick up on the messages that we put into our music.
Tickets to Cake are available at the SUA box office on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union.
New Releases
Truck Stop Love — Fuentez the Killer (Backyard/Scotti Bros.) Last summer, Manhattan's favorite rock 'n' roll sons released the album How I Spent My Summer Vacation. It was a mix of country, punk and classic rock—making your toes tap and your head nod at the same time. Now, to stay visible, Backyard has released a five-song EP from Truck Stop Love that has two songs from the album, two unreleased tracks and the excellent Tom Petty song "Listen to Her Heart," previously available only on the You Got Lucky.
Nothing too spectacular here, aside from the Petty cover, but Truck Stop Love fans will enjoy hearing new tunes. If you don't have the full-length CD and you like the band's sound, skip the EP and buy the album instead. Overall, out of 10:5
Cough It Up: The Hairball Story — By various local artists (Tim Kerr Records). James Grauerholz, head of the local band Tank Farm, built a studio in his house. Then he invited his friends, who make up almost the entire Lawrence music scene, to his house to make a record. They drank beer, stayed up late and probably really pissed off the neighbors.
Local mainstays Panel Donor,
Spamskinners, The Eudoras,
Arthur Dodge and Tank Farm con-
some great stuff to this CD. But
the real gem is the raw rambling of Lawrence resident poet poet William S. Burroughs" "Mr. Rich Parts." The rest of the CD is filled with better-than-average tunes and a couple of clunkers, but hey — what did you expect, perfection? (It sure beats the hell out of Loaded in Lawrence.)
Lovejones — Powerful Pain Relief (Zoo Entertainment) Have you ever come home from a particularly rough day and mixed yourself a martini or a stiff gin and tonic? Have you turned off the lights and listened to the CD
Overall:6
player by the glow of your fish tank? Do you have a mirror on your bedroom selling?
if you answered yes to any of these questions, I suggest you cruise down to the record store and take a listen to Lovejones, a band that mixes lounge music with some funky rhythms that easily can relieve some of the stresses of your toughest days. It's soft, it's comy, it's elevator music for people who are forced to take the stairs. Turn on that lava lamp, baby. Overall: 8
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 6A
Nightlife Calendar
Tonight
The Urge, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck,
737 New Hampshire St. Cost: $5-$6.
Einstein, 11 p.m. at Mulligan's, 1016 Massachusetts St. Cover charge.
Hadden Sayers Band, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Massachusetts St.
Cost: $3.
Smoot Mahuti, 9 p.m. at Johnny's
Tavern, 401 N. Second St. Cost:$2.
Blues Jam Session, 10 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe, 803 Massachusetts St. No cover charge.
Tomorrow
Frog Pond, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck,
Cost: $5-$6.
The Shouters, 11 p.m. at Mulligan's. Cover charge.
Hadden Sayers Band, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus. Cost: $3.
Smooth Mahuuti, 9 p.m. at Johnny's Tavern. Cost: $2.
Passing of Fruit, 10 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe. No cover charge.
Sunday
Supergrass, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck. Cost: $5-$6.
Open Mic Night, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck. No cover charge.
Typewriter Tim Presents, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus. Cost: $3. Tueaday
Cher UK, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck.
Cost: $3-$4.
Jazzbo and Sweet Feet, 8 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe. No cover charge.
Skank 'n' Pickle, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck. Cost: $5-$7.
Matt "Guitar" Murphy, 10 p.m. at The Jazwhaes. Cost: $5.
Al Rose, 8 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe. No cover charge.
Thursday
Bastard Squad, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck, Cost: $3-$4.
Time Cross and Trio, 11 p.m. at Mulligan's. No cover charge.
Matt "Guitar" Murphy, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus. Cost: $5.