Mission Statement And
"Call To Action"
From A.H.E.M.P. -- Artists Helping End Marihuana Prohibition
Advisory Board and Board Of Directors
ARTISTS HELPING END MARIHUANA PROHIBITION
THE ARTS FOR FREEDOM
July 22, 1999
MISSION STATEMENT
In this modern world of mass communication, the arts can be a force either for good or
ill, truth or lies. They will seldom be left to be neutral, nor should they be. Arts
without conscience become instruments of tyranny.
This fact has been made very clear by the blatant efforts to use the arts and artists
for prohibitionist propaganda. Under the guise fighting "substance abuse",
artists, and the industries that they make possible, are being called upon to lie about
the Cannabis plant and those who use it, even the seriously ill and disabled.
Far from ameliorating the very real problems of substance abuse, this propaganda makes
these problems worse, further depriving the people of their freedom. Those who manage the
industries made possible by the arts are all too willing to acquiesce and even to
contribute to this subterfuge.
In the face of this challenge, artists cannot become accomplices or passive witnesses
to this process. We must unite and react.
A. H.E.M.P. will mobilize a broad coalition of artists intent breaking the silence,
which has been imposed on those who disagree with current policies. Artists cannot
abdicate their responsibilities. They cannot allow their talents to be used to further the
lies and hatred.
A. H.E.M.P. will be the catalyst and vehicle for the resistance to this betrayal of the
arts and the people.
Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be outraged by silence.
- Amiel, 1821-1881
CALL TO ACTION
Since 1937 marijuana Prohibition has been a racist war against minorities, but also
against Jazz musicians, Artists, Beatniks, Poets, Authors, Musicians, Actors, any and all
nonconformists.
Today the war on marijuana users has exploded into a multibillion-dollar war against
all of America. Last year alone, the FBI reports that 695,000 Americans were arrested for
marijuana crimes. Over 80% of these arrests were for simple possession.
The Government targets medical patients. People with terminal conditions or in
wheelchairs are arrested for seeking pain relief. AIDS and cancer patients are arrested
for illegally using marijuana to increase their appetite and fight terrible nausea.
Citizens in seven states (encompassing 20% of the U.S. population) have voted for the
use of medical marijuana in every initiative put on the ballot. The Federal government has
tried to subvert the will of the people by threatening doctors and patients with arrest.
In one election, Washington D.C., voters have had their voice squelched by Congress,
which ordered that the vote tally of the November 3rd, 1998 election not be
counted! Exit polls showed the initiative winning 69% to 31%. Not counting their vote is a
direct challenge to democracy.
Over 500 American family farms are being lost every week, due in part to not being able
to compete in the burgeoning hemp market.
The environment is being damaged by a reliance on ecologically destructive logging and
farming that could be greatly reduced by the development of a hemp industry. That will
never be possible so long as the US must import all of its hemp products.
The government of the United States and others around the world, following a mandate of
an agency of the United Nations -- under US guidance - are seeking to censor all criticism
of current policies and to subvert the arts into instruments of prohibitionist propaganda.
And now artists are going to have to choose between supporting the repressive
prohibitionist propaganda machine or speaking out for truth and freedom. The existence of
A HEMP truly confronts artists with the challenge of being a part of the problem or a part
of the solution.
If you are interested in being involved in any way whatsoever please contact:
Todd McCormick
Executive Director
Todd@ahemp.org
Board of Advisors
-Being Formed-
BILL MAHER
ABC.com/PI
WOODY HARRELSON
Actor /Activist
SARAH HAYNES
CEO SpitFireTour.com
DON WIRTSHAFTER ESQ.
CEO Hempery.com
TOD H. MIKURIYA M.D.
Mikuriya.com/althealth
Board of Directors
RICHARD COWAN
Marijuananews.com
RUSS CRESS
Galaxygallery.com
JACK HERER
JackHerer.com
DAVID MICHAEL ESQ.
Criminal Defense Attorney
_______________________________________
TODD MCCORMICK
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
For more information See www.ahemp.org
Supported