For those of you who are new to the group Id like to introduce myself. My name is Les Stark and I am the Executive Director of Keystone Cannabis Coalition. (Although the true genius behind this organization is Erica Lynn McBride.) I am a Pa. hemp historian and author of Hempstone Heritage, a book about the history of the hemp industry in Pennsylvania. My research was done between the period of 1997-2002 when I immersed myself into a five year research project that saw me spend over one thousand hours in the archives of the historical societies, research facilities and court houses of the region plus a thousand hours in the field visiting the sites of all the old hemp mills, more than 100 in Lancaster County alone. My book was published in 2005. Depending on how you look at it, I was active in this movement since 1992 when I wrote my first letter to the editor, or from 1993-1995 when I fought a two year battles for my personal freedom after two cannabis arrests. (I won both cases but at great expense.) A lot was done over the years but it has been the last two years where my activism has increased dramatically. I had been wanting to form an official non-profit organization for a long time. The idea sat their in my mind until I met Erica. We fell in love and became perfect partners. She is the one who made this organization possible. She did it all, basically. I may be the Executive Director but as far as I am concerned her and I both are the Executive Directors. She is a powerful, intelligent, talented, skilled and wise woman whom I trust completely. Albert Taylor has helped us a LOT too and also deserves kudos. Albert not only is the current Assistant Director of KCC but is also on the board of Lancaster NORML. The great attorney Richard B. MacDonald is an official board member as far as Im concerned, whether he knows or admits it or not, haha. Hes given us so much support, guidance and inspiration that he is one of us. We have been helped and assisted by many and are proud to work with so many great people and organization in Pennsylvania. In February of 2013 I had one of my proudest moments. I got to speak at Daylin Leachs historic press conference where he introduced his landmark legislation, SB 528 - the first legislation for full legalization ever introduced in Pa. since it was banned here on May 22, 1933. I had already organized one rally by this point but got to work immediately after and organized or helped to organize ten more. It was after this spot on PCN when things started to really escalate with me and I got sucked deeper and deeper into this movement to the point where we are where we are today. This speech is from February 11, 2013. (Two days after I gave a speech at Smoke Down Prohibition II in Philly, organized by N.a. Poe, The Panic Hour and Philly NORML.) https://youtube/watch?v=UWfWmXdKkXw
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:41:12 +0000
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