A North Carolina couple were arrested and charged with trespassing by the Polk County Sheriff’s Department after attending a public rally to promote medicinal marijuana in front of the county courthouse.
Although both Steve and Jean Marlowe were involved in organizing the event, billed as the Second Annual Freedom Rally, Mr. Marlowe had been told by county officials that he was forbidden from attending because of allegations he smoked marijuana at last year’s festival. Marlowe was arrested on charges of marijuana possession after last year’s event, but the case is still pending.
Jean Marlowe argues that the recent arrest was in violation of their civil liberties and the couple plans on pursuing legal action against the county. “County council says they can set their own rules, but they can’t violate your rights,” she said. “They can’t forbid you to attend a rally.” Philadelphia attorney Lawrence Hirsch has agreed to take the case on behalf of the Marlowes and called the suit a matter of principle. “To me, every step of the way, [the county] seem to be creating a case that’s bound to blow up in there face,” he said.
In 1995, NORML and the Southern California American Civil Liberties Union filed a civil rights lawsuit against an Anaheim ordinance that prohibited certain prior drug offenders from the right to use public parks for lawful purposes. NORML eventually prevailed in the challenge.
For more information, please contact Steve and Jean Marlowe of the Marijuana Relegalization Movement at (704) 625-2958.