PRESS RELEASE - 18th March 2002

SYDNEY MARDI GRAS 2002 Report

This year is the first time the Ganja Faeries and the Nimbin Hemp Embassy crew have taken the Big Joint to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

"We went, we danced, and they loved us!", squealed one, expressing the delight of all the Faeries.

We felt right at home and amongst friends, and it was an incredibly uplifting experience. It was so refreshing to be in the company of thousands of other people with a similar attitude of tolerance and who value celebrating diversity, and who, like us, have decided the best way to protest and get your message across to people is to be theatrical, satirical and FUN!

The crowd absolutely loved us, and cheered wildly as we passed, waving their hands and forming peace signs to show their support of our message, "Good Medicine".

The Ganja Faeries and the Big Joint and their friends believe in compassionate cannabis law reform. We went to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to represent the many people suffering from the present laws of cannabis prohibition. We marched with the HIV/AIDS section with the theme of medical cannabis to highlight the need for action by the NSW government to allow people to use cannabis for medical purposes. We went for the opportunity to get our message across to a wide audience, and to remind the Carr Government that it is time to re-legalise cannabis for medicinal use.

A tired busload of Faeries agreed that it was worth the effort, we had certainly done what we set out to achieve, and we made many new friends along the way and had a real hoot of a time! We can't wait until next year!

Lucy Charlesworth
For Information Contact:
Nimbin Hemp Embassy