(4.20) Indiana Cannabis Awards

Tuesday, April 19, at the Vogue. Hosted and Organized by ReLegalize Indiana,

the event recognized individuals and companies throughout Indiana rallying in

support of our favorite herb. Categories included lifetime achievement,

professional endeavors, media, corporate, music, and community service awards.

Though no solid gold bong trophies were handed out, the evening's winners were

highly praised for their work in marijuana reform and legalization.

NUVO was proud to sponsor the 2011 awards. Here are some

of those to receive the highest of praise at last night's event:

GOVERNMENT

Lincoln Award: Rep. Tom Knollman

Representative Tom Knollman (R-Liberty) represents Indiana

district 55.Though marijuana

reform goes against his fellow conservatives, Knollman is pushing for medical

marijuana for personal reasons. As an individual with multiple sclerosis, he

feels that medical marijuana is a safe, natural, and cost-friendly way to help

mitigate his condition.

Jefferson Award: Sen. Karen Tallian

Democratic Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage) has taken the

issue of marijuana reform to a new level, proposing a bill in Indiana Senate

that required a re-evaluation of the state's criminal law and sentencing policy

regarding whether or not marijuana should continue to be illegal. The bill

passed with a 28-21 vote in March. The bill will not legalize

marijuana—it only commissions a study committee aimed to critically

analyze money and resources the state allocates to prosecuting

marijuana-related crimes.

Franklin Award: Councilor Ed Coleman

This former Republican left behind his right wing roots to

join the Libertarian Party, the most vocal political advocates of marijuana

reform. Running on a platform of personal choice and liberty, Coleman was

elected to City-County Council in 2007, where he represents District 24. Coleman is one of the highest-ranking

Libertarian officials in the United States.

PROFESSIONAL

Activism: Joh Padgett

As Executive Director of ReLegalize Indiana, Joh Padgett could

be considered the poster boy of marijuana reform in Indiana. Padgett has been a

community and political activist for over two decades, with his involvement

including congressional, state and local political campaigns. Padgett works to

raise awareness about cannabis reform in other states, and what problems and

obstacles could also occur in Indiana. Joh is the owner of Layman Media, a

multimedia production and internet consulting company.

Education: Neal Smith

Indiana Hemp Historian Neal Smith makes rounds of the state

to educate Hoosiers about the history of hemp. He calls his seminar Indiana

Hemp History 101, and he has been asked by The Young Americans For Liberty at

both Indiana University and Purdue University to present his seminar. Smith has

also made his voice public when it comes to hemp-based fuel and the oil

industry's hesitance to utilize the natural and abundant hemp product. With his

history seminar and foretelling media pieces, Smith is educating citizens about

both the past and future of marijuana.

Law: Steve Dillon

Steve Dillon specializes in criminal defense and

constitutional law while in the courtroom, but it is his work in marijuana

legal reform that earned him the award. As a graduate of Indiana University

School of Law, Dillon is heavily involved in the political aspect of marijuana

advocacy. He is a chair person for NORML, a not-for-profit public-interest

group that lobbies for legislation in favor of responsible marijuana smokers.

He is an active libertarian and has ran for several offices under that party,

including Secretary of State, Governor and Senator.

Medicine: Dr. Clark Brittain

Doctor Clark Brittain is a Bloomington-based medical

professional specializing in total healthcare for women. However, it is his

press attention that got him noticed by the 4/20-friendly community. He is a

crusader for medical utility of marijuana, having experienced firsthand

patients that severely need the drug. He has authored scholarly articles about

his mission for marijuana reform, making him a public enemy for anti-marijuana

individuals and a public hero for their counterparts. Dr. Brittain's arguments

are backed by scientific data, demographic studies and personal experience,

making his voice a strong one in this debate.

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Louis Lemberger

Having served over a decade as Director of Clinical

Pharmacology of the Eli Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research. Lemberger

focused on actions and roles of biogenic amines in the treatment of

psychological and neurological diseases. He was the first to administer

Nabilone, a cannabinoid drug, to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy.

As a cannabinoid, Nabilone has traces of cannabis, making it a working example

of medical marijuana. Thanks to Dr. Lemberger, medical marijuana has proven to

be an effective treatment.

MEDIA

Tesla Award (radio/podcasting): Time 4 Hemp with Casper

Leitch

Every weekday at noon, Casper Leitch takes time to discuss

benefits and uses of marijuana, giving a voice to marijuana users. His podcast,

called "Time 4 Hemp," is sponsored by Marijuana Dispensaries, Medical Cannabis,

The West Coast Leaf and other organizations looking to give marijuana a legal

place in society. He often has guests join him for the podcast, including

Willie Nelson. "Time 4 Hemp" has spurred a strong web presence, offering links

like The Weed Tracker (where and how to secure medical cannabis) and Hemp

Farming (information about, what else, hemp farming).

Pyle Award (journalism): David Hoppe, NUVO

David Hoppe is

a multi-talented writer who contributes to NUVO both as a columnist and an

editor. His March 2 column "Say Yes To Pot" praised Senate Bill 192, saying

that Senator Karen Tallian's (D-Portage) efforts to study state law on

marijuana was "encouraging to anyone who has ever wondered at the bizarre,

utterly irrational approach our governments have chosen when it comes to pot."

Hoppe notes that today, over seventy years after the war on marijuana began,

the government still spends large sums of money on this minor

crime and fuels prison overcrowding, at a time when the government's energy could be spent elsewhere.

Social Networking: CJ Parker

CJ Parker is a bio medical marijuana advocate and a hemp

advocate, as stated on her twitter page where Parker regularly shares world

news regarding marijuana reform and progress. With new media taking over the

world, CJ's utilization of social networking to spread the word and marijuana

reform is nothing short of ingenious. CJ also hosts ReLegalize Indiana's radio show, The Seedling, with fellow

ReLegalize Indiana members Joh Padgett and Bill Levin. CJ has personally

experienced relief from medical cannabis, having suffered multi-symptomatic conditions commonly referred to as the Gulf War Illness." @HempCJNews.

MUSIC

Album of the Year: Rich Hardesty, Culturally Insane

Rich Hardesty brings the Caribbean to the Midwest with his

latest album, Culturally Insane. Hardesty's clean-cut suburban look would lead

one to believe he or she was about to endure another Jason Mraz, but that

V-neck sweater is misleading. Featuring songs like "All My Friends Are Stoners"

and "Back To Jamaica Mon," Culturally Insane is the perfect background music

for a laidback chill session. Culturally Insane is Hardesty's third album,

following his self-titled debut and Ganja Plantation, both released in 2005.

Song of the Year: The Gitmos, "I Wanna Grow Weed"

The Gitmos are a politically charged rock-and-roll band that

cover hot-button issues, ranging from gun control to Hugo Chavez. Their song, "I

Wanna Grow Weed," is about growing in your own backyard, but also delves into a

deeper issue: how weed can benefit our government and society. The banjo

picking in the background is reminiscent of front porch mountain music, but The

Gitmos blend it perfectly with a hardcore rock sound.

Solo Performer of the Year: Andy Salge

Indianapolis Native Andy Salge is a mixture of something you

might hear at a cabana, dive bar and coffee house. That is to say, he does not

conform to a particular genre. All of his songs are different, from the funky "People

Power," to the folksy "Outside Looking In." Though most of his tracks are

lengthy (due to instrumental breaks), his music is upbeat and easy to listen

to. What makes Salge worthy of

this award, though, are his lyrics, steeped in political and social commentary, philosophy and ideology.

Musician Activist of the Year: U.S. Hemp/Arlin Troutt

Tennessee native and former Hoosier Arlin Troutt has been on

a musical rollercoaster since his start in a gospel quartet at the age of six.

It wasn't until his move to Arizona in the 1960s that Troutt got swept up in

the political issues surrounding the Vietnam War and, subsequently, drug use.

Troutt's music is his vessel for communicating his political and social views.

The song themselves are elevator-esque in sound: relaxing and easy to dance to.

BUSINESS

Hemp is Indiana Award: Foods Alive

Foods Alive is known for its organic, vegan, kosher, and

gluten-free products. Their first and most popular item is the raw flax

cracker, which is available in eight different flavors. It is the hemp oil salad

dressing that earned Foods Alive the Hemp is Indiana Award, specifically the

Sweet & Sassy variety. The hempseed found in the dressing contains over 90 percent

unsaturated fats, including the six essential fatty acids. It is raw, gluten

free, soy free, nut free and dairy free, and has been certified organic by

Indiana Certified Organic, kosher by Chicago Rabbinical Council, and vegan by

Vegan Action.

HEMPTech Award: FlexForm Technologies, Inc.

FlexForm Technologies, Inc., could be the key to Elkhart,

Indiana's revitalization, thanks to its revolutionary technology in non-woven

natural fiber composites. Making a name for itself in the automobile and office

panels industries, FlexForm's all-natural products are strong, lightweight,

flexible, moldable, and a huge step forward in the union of manmade and

organic. Although FlexForm is boosting its hometown of Elkhart, the

advancements it has made is forwarding the entire state in natural product

technology.

Consumer Product of the Year: Zephyr Ion Vaporizer

Although marketed as an aromatherapy tool, the Zephyr Ion

Vaporizer is a smoker's best friend. It's digital display and stainless steel

structure create a sleek outward appearance, but it's the new age technology

that makes thisworthy of an Indiana Cannabis Award. It's quiet, fast (2-3

minutes prep time), has digital temperature and airflow control, can be hooked

up to your laptop if an outlet is unavailable, supports two

valves—meaning multiple bags can be filled back to back—and comes

with a whole slew of goodies, including basket seal washers, replacement bags,

replacement screens, and extra air filters.

20 Past 4 and More

The go-to shopping destination for anyone looking to dance with

Mary Jane, 20 Past 4 and More sells myriad items designed to make your toking

experience unforgettable... or completely forgettable, depending on your stuff.

Cigars, rolling papers, incense, water pipes and porn are all sold at 20 Past

4, but guaranteed to catch your eye are the bongs that look straight out of a

Dr. Seuss book ("Green Leaves and Hash"). 6513 N. College Ave.

Cosmic Harvey's<</a>/p>

This head shop in Kokomo is all about the cannabis

counterculture. Featuring new-age herbs,,art, magazines, music, and clothing,

Cosmic Harvey's is the kind of place you would expect to find in a college town

— Kokomo's biggest tourism attraction is a covered bridge, so it is a

much-needed commodity.

This Muncie haven for tattoos and piercing offers the gamut

of body modification. Whether you want some tame ink of your name in Chinese or

studs up and down your back, Dragon Slayer is at your service. The only

downside is that you don't actually get to slay any dragons — but no

one's stopping you from getting a tat commemorating the fantasy conquest.

Chillums, blunt wraps, blunt splinters, vaporizers, hoodies,

bajas, incense, gravity pipes, books, water pipes, books, lung-friendly

ErboPipes and more — no wonder High On the Hill is considered the

one-stop hippie shop. Tie-dyed merchandise and counterculture bumper stickers

are the preferred décor, complete with peace signs and rainbows. High On The

Hill seems to shout a clear message: chill out — everything's cool. 3729

W. 16th Street.

Potheads love to talk about two things: the state of

political and cultural affairs, and music. If they aren't attempting acoustic

versions of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix, they're lamenting the downfall

of the music industry and how come no one can jam like the legends anymore,

huh? Karma peddles albums, posters, t-shirts, tickets, and paraphernalia to

help satiate their hunger for quality music.

The Magic Bus may lack Ms. Frizzle, but it does have almost

everything a ganja-loid could desire. From Frisbee golf discs to baby hats made

out of organically grown cotton, the store is kind of like the stoners'

embassy. Its Broad Ripple location has been instrumental in building the Village's

Boho identity. 1073 Broad Ripple Ave.

Comprising a healthy ratio of hempseed, fish, grapeseed, and

flaxseed oils, this pet food additive gives your furry comrade some of the most

essential nutrients. It's gluten-free, herbicide- and pesticide-free, and rich

in omega fatty acids, giving your pet a balanced and healthy diet. And unlike

the healthy foods you feed your kids, Ultra Oil for Pets actually tastes good

(or so we've heard).