Pot Smokers Fired Up Over Gates Comments

Meet a few of the people who Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates recently said should be shot for casual use of marijuana.

A Venice registered nurse. A Hawthorne machinist. A Culver City television salesman.

The three were among 25 parading on the Venice boardwalk on Saturday at a rally called by advocates of legalizing marijuana.

They are not too crazy about the chief either.

“It’s one of the most anti-American things I’ve heard in years,” Culver City television salesman Richard Cammon said Saturday as he toted a sign at the rally.

The march, complete with speeches, competed with the usual hubbub of a weekend crowd at the oceanfront. It was sponsored by several groups, including American Hemp Council, Family Council on Drug Awareness and California chapter of NORML, National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Most protesters interviewed were not shy about admitting they are “casual drug users,” the sort Gates said “ought to be taken out and shot” during testimony at a Senate committee hearing Sept. 5. Most were willing to identify themselves by name.

“Sure, I’ve been smoking it for 20 years,” said chemist Bob Weber, chairman of the Libertarian Party’s West Los Angeles chapter. Weber wore a T-shirt with the slogan, “Do it today; tomorrow it might be illegal.”

Registered nurse Charlene Richards of Venice acknowledged “occasional recreational use” of marijuana, and swears by it for migraine headaches and premenstrual syndrome.

There was a machinist from Hawthorne and a computer programmer from Hollywood who also said they smoke dope.

A pair of Cal State Northridge graduate students who were not part of the demonstration endorsed the group’s views. “We just smoke because we get high, feel peaceful and creative and have fun,” said Susan Motylinski, 26, of Sherman Oaks, in sign language interpreted by her friend.

Like most of the others, Motylinski said she thought alcohol was far more dangerous than marijuana.

Weber said he understood why casual drug users infuriate Gates and others who oppose marijuana use. Noting that the marchers were productive members of society, Weber said, “It blows their own theology right out of the water.”

As for Gates, the sentiment of the group was virtually unanimous. “We think he ought to be fired,” said rally organizer Chris Conrad, art director of the Downtown News.