The First Legal Marijuana Orginization
In the 1960s, the United States was undergoing significant social and political changes. One of the most controversial topics was the use of marijuana. At the time, it was considered a dangerous drug, and those caught using it faced severe punishment, including imprisonment. However, in San Francisco, a group of young people was determined to change the way people viewed cannabis.
It all started in 1964 when the term LEMAR appeared in San Francisco. LEMAR stood for "Legalize Marijuana," and it quickly gained popularity. The movement was led by a group of young activists who were passionate about changing the law and making marijuana legal. They believed that people should have the right to use marijuana without fear of punishment.
One of the most notable figures in the LEMAR movement was Lowell Eggemeier. Eggemeier was a young man who was tired of seeing people go to jail for using marijuana. In an act of defiance, he walked into a police station in San Francisco and lit up a joint, right in front of the police officers. He then exclaimed that it was ridiculous to put people in jail for using marijuana. This bold move was the beginning of the LEMAR movement.
Eggemeier's actions inspired others to speak out and fight against marijuana prohibition. His lawyer worked tirelessly to draft legal briefs that argued against felony marijuana charges. He cited historical reports like the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1894 and the LaGuardia Report of 1944, which showed that marijuana was not as dangerous as people thought. These briefs were published in mimeo form as LEMAR Briefs, which helped spread the message and increase support for the movement.
But Eggemeier was not the only one who was fighting for the legalization of marijuana. A few years earlier, in 1958, a man named Neal Cassidy was arrested in San Francisco for offering a joint to undercover police officers. Cassidy served two years in prison, which infuriated his friend, Allen Ginsberg. When Ginsberg read the LEMAR Briefs, he was moved to take action. Along with Peter Orlovsky, Ed Sanders, William S. Burroughs, and Randy Wicker, he founded NY LEMAR, a group that held rallies and carried signs with slogans like "Pot Is Fun" and "Pot Is A Reality Kick." Their message was simple: people should not be punished for using marijuana.
The group's efforts were not in vain. They caught the attention of the media, and their message spread worldwide. The LEMAR movement became a symbol of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. It represented young people's desire to change the world and make it a better place.
The LEMAR movement was a significant event in American history. It was a time when young people came together to fight against a law that they believed was unjust. They were passionate and determined, and they succeeded in changing the way people viewed marijuana. Today, marijuana is legal in many states, and the LEMAR movement played a significant role in making that happen. It showed that when people come together, they can make a difference and change the world for the better. (Rosenthal, Ed).
