On Saturday, January 19, 2008 Ploppy Palace Productions and Tobacco Road will be hosting the 10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert to raise funds for FL NORML's (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) medical marijuana campaign and the protection of patients' rights. As part of this four stage extravaganza, some of South Florida's top bands, spoken word artists and community activists will join together for patients' and physicians' right to use medical cannabis.

As a testament to the diversity of supporters for this cause, there will be a broad variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, reggae, folk, vocal harmonies, hip-hop, funk, experimental, tribal rhythms, world beat fusion, psychedelic grooves and various interactive jams.

Johnny Dread, Sweetbone, Jahfe, Kuyayky, Aurapool, Addax, Day Music Died, Miami Creative Music Collective, Under No Order, Oriente, Carl Ferrari & Friends, Four Shillings Short, The Tribe, Ana Kanpa, Togen, Elisa Melendez, Erica Sommer, Robby Hunter, Minimal, Mug, Outereach, The Cornerstoners, Angel Ocean, Mr. Grim Reapa, Rayko/KRB, January, Demetrius Brown, Pat De Leon, Andrew Bayuk, Gus Coronel, Val C. Wisecracker and more will be showcasing original music.

Alonso, Martian Ambassador, Rio and other spoken word artists will be presenting innovative spoken word poetry with musical accompaniment.

Mark A.S. will be presenting social satire about the laws concerning medical marijuana and the drug war.

In addition, Isis Elviza and other dancers will be performing a variety of dance and movement pieces to energetic, rhythmic percussion and ambient tones.

Plus Carlos Rodriguez, Anibal Fernandez and Linx will be rendering a live painting demonstration to visually complement the music.

Irvin Rosenfeld and Elvy Musikka, legal medical marijuana patients, will be describing their experiences with obtaining medical marijuana through the federal government.

The 10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert will also feature a selection of community speakers who will present information about the issues including Toni Latino and Corinne Bowes from Florida NORML, members from the Miami-Dade Green Party and other concerned citizens.

FL NORML, Emerge Miami, Miami_Dade Green Party and various other organizations will have informational booths with literature and handouts to help educate about community issues and the medical marijuana campaign in Florida.

The event will work to raise funds and awareness for FL NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) medical marijuana campaign and the protection of patients' rights. Previously, a person's right to use medical necessity as a defense to marijuana charges has been upheld by several appeals courts in Florida. Marijuana has proven therapeutically useful in treating numerous medical conditions including muscle spasticity, arthritis, and the nausea related to AIDS and cancer chemotherapy. Currently there are 11 states that have laws allowing marijuana to be used as medicine.

In addition there will be vendors and small businesses promoting and selling their merchandise, including The Wallflower Gallery, Emerald City Imports, Xango, Massage By Eunice, Ngozi's Craft, Ragamufyn, 75rabbit, Almightee, Katchina Herbs, PHBeads, Bean Blossom, Roostas No. 5 and selected independent corporations.

Production support provided by Ploppy Palace Productions, Anamaze Productions, Atlas Sound, Turk Masters Cymbals and 7th Circuit Productions.

The 10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert at Tobacco Road is currently looking for supportive sponsors and unique vendors to help to build up the community outreach and contribute to the cause.

The 10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert at Tobacco Road is sponsored by Ploppy Palace Productions, OnlineGigs.com, 7th Circuit Productions, Turk Masters Cymbals, Antidote Productions, Music Art Love and FL NORML.

www.myspace.com/medmj

For more information, please email Ploppy Palace Productions at events@ploppypalace.com.