Washington, DC: Criminal defense attorneys, members of NORML’s Legal Committee, marijuana-law reform advocates, and members of the general public are all invited to join NORML in Aspen, Colorado this June for the 2007 Aspen Legal Seminar.
This two-day conference will take place Friday evening, June 8 through Sunday, June 10 at the Gant Hotel in downtown Aspen, one of the nation’s most marijuana-friendly cities.
Featured speakers at this year’s event include NORML Advisory Board Member Tommy Chong and famed San Francisco attorney J. Tony Serra.
Chong, best known for his work as one-half of the comedy duo “Cheech and Chong,” was the victim of a selective federal prosecution in 2003 when authorities sentenced him to nine months in prison for selling marijuana-related paraphernalia over the Internet.
Serra, whose legendary clients have included members of the Black Panther Party, the Hells Angels, and the Symbionese Liberation Army, also recently served 10 months in federal prison for failing to pay federal taxes – an act he defined as one of civil disobedience. This will be one of the first times he has spoken publicly about his experience.
Other speakers at this year’s conference include Gerald Goldstein, past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL) and legal counsel for the late-Hunter S. Thompson; former Seattle Police Chief and current NORML Advisory Board Member Norm Stamper; Aspen Sheriff Bob Braudis; Denver attorney Harold Haddon, whose clients have included pro basketball star Kobe Bryant, Jon and Patsy Ramsey, and the late-Hunter Thompson; and Jeralyn Merritt, television legal analyst for MSNBC and host of the popular website TalkLeft.com. A complete speakers’ list and conference agenda is available online.
After-hours festivities at this year’s event include a Friday night opening reception, a special Saturday night benefit dinner (hosted by Chris and Gerry Goldstein and catered by Aspen chef Chris Lanter of Cache Cache), and a Sunday afternoon cookout at the fabled Owl Farm, Hunter Thompson’s legendary Woody Creek home.
Non-lawyers and members of the general public will be able to attend NORML’s 2007 Aspen Legal Seminar and social events for a reduced price of $150. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to listen to and mingle with national legal experts on issues of marijuana law reform, as well as members of NORML’s staff and Board of Directors.
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500.