by William McComb, Jun 24, 1998

The annual Cannabis Campout held at the Frontier Ranch in Kirkersville, Ohio was the place to be the weekend of June 12, 13, and 14. People from all over this region traveled to our fair city to experience one of the more carefree venues of this type around. The openness of the campers, along with the hands off approach of the Frontier Ranch, led to a celebration of not only cannabis but also of human freedom. For one weekend you could pass a pipe without fear and let your proverbial freak flag fly. Once inside, there was anything and everything to excite all of the senses. A vendors' fair was set up to provide food, drink, clothing and smoking accessories. Amongst the venders were the immovable grassroots organizations with information and ways to get involved in the cannabis freedom movement. All this plus 30 bands on two stages, with a climactic performance on Saturday night by Merl Saunders and the Rain Forrest Band. What more could a head want, right?

The natural, easy environment inside the ranch is a reminder of what makes this campout such an unfettered event. It is the freedom to do what you choose as long as you don't infringe on another person's ability to do the same. I can't help but think of what scapegoats pot smokers have been turned into over the years. There were thousands of campers in relatively close quarters. I didn't see any violence or even hear an ill word. If anything, I witnessed people enhancing others pursuit by sharing food, wood for fire, intelligent conversation, etc. Imagine if it were a campout for three days to celebrate alcohol. I doubt we would have the same success. Although in the case of alcohol, it would be deemed as "just good fun" by the powers that be. When will they wake up? The people want swift eradication of prohibitive marijuana laws, and the political prisoners of the so-called drug war to be set free!

I must tip my cap to the entertainment coordinators of this event. They did a real super job. The main stage had bands from the groove rock scene. This was a place to dance recklessly or, when in doubt, just twirl. Sitting on the bleachers and jamming was definitely popular as well. The second stage, which was enclosed, housed bands with a beatnik feel. This stage had bands with a more diverse instrumentation and a flair for the improv. The sounds of Saxophone riffs over jazz cords, vocal ramblings, and such. The stages were set on either end of the vending village, so a walk between the two was always a treat for the eyes, ears, stomach and mind. What more can a head want you ask?........... We want Freedom all the time.

I loved this event, but quite honestly I wish we didn't have to go to the fantasy ranch to smoke a joint in public. I wish law-abiding tax-paying people all over this land could peruse their right to smoke marijuana -- a right that is protected by the very core of American ideology. This campout proves to me, and surely to everyone who was there, that the people aren't going anywhere; if anything they're growing in numbers. Ticketmaster, who handled the ticket sales didn't seem to mind us. The security was hands off.. On one hand, you have unjust oppressive laws explicitly prohibiting the use and cultivation of marijuana, and on the other hand you have a very well publicized Ticketmaster consortium/smoke-out. The tide is turning people. With events like this, and the diligent work of the grassroots organizations behind it, the balance is shifting in our direction. I can smell the smoke on the horizon, and it's as sweet as ever. Power to the people, and I'll see you on the road.