note: Julian Heicklen has been "hosting" this smokeout for almost three years now. I personally have attended most of these "meetings". I have read the newspaper accounts and seen the Television reports... I have to say I wonder if we were covering the same events... I can promise you the accounts that follow are frank and as unbiased as you will find anywhere.

1/15/98 On the other side of the mountain, Julian Heicklen, a 65 year-old retired chemistry professor at Pennsylvania State University, staged a one-man "smoke-in" Thursday, right in front of the university gates. The professor, reclining in a lounge chair and surrounded by approximately 50 students and supporters, lit a joint for the first time in his life. "I'm not doing this for the marijuana," he said, "I'm doing this because we have a right to make free choices."

Heicklen, said that he was carrying $1,500 on him in case of arrest. Penn State Campus Police, who were present during the protest, declined to arrest him, however, claiming that they did not believe that the substance he was smoking was in fact marijuana. Heicklen promised to repeat the act each week until he is arrested and asks you to join him....

1/29/98 Heicklen repeated his act Penn State Campus Police confiscate his "joint", an act he calls a mugging... I personally attended the event. Signs with statements "like smoke pot go to jail but don't inhale and you can be president", were handed out to the crowd.
2/3/98 Police announce that tests show that the "joint" was just sage... smelled like marijuana to me when it was burning...

2/5/98 Once again a huge group of people gathered to see Julian Heicklen smoke a dobbie out side of PSU. The crowd of about 150 was very enthusiastic and cheered the Pot Professor on. He gave a short speech and and lit up.
Next week Heicklen vows to move the show across the street which is in a different police district with real cops..

2/12/98 Heicklen keeps his promise today and moved his protest off campus and into college township. A crowd of more than two hundred cheered as professor smoked for the fourth week, the Professor lit up what appeared to be a "blunt". Heicklen said "He did not feel any of the so called effects of smoking marijuana and that after these protests he would in fact never smoke marijuana again. Police intervention was basically limited to telling the crowd to keep a clear path on the sidewalk.
Several purported Marijuana cigarettes were passed among the crowd. Officers confiscated several half burnt cigarettes for testing, and noted the names of those seen with them. Copies of M.A.M.P. and other informational documents were circulating among the crowd. The surprise twist of the week was Alan Gordon's announcement that he has started a "medical marijuana club" and intended to operate in State College Pa. at this and at future events. He handed out price lists with descriptions of this weeks picks in pot and applications stating "medical needs". He further stated that he was ready willing and able to do business now right at the corner with anyone willing to sign the medical needs form, with medical condition noted. He offered discounts to certain groups including single mothers, veterans, welfare recipients and police officers...
The really curious thing about Alan's involvement with this "one man smokeout" is that it would seem to appear that perhaps Gordon is running this show... He has been passing out literature, talks to Heicklen often, is always very near as soon as the professor appears. But he is being black listed by the mainstream media. In every newspaper report, he is ignored, every television report he is just off camera. The press has not mentioned his name once since these smoke-outs began. Which means that someone has told them not to mention Alan Gordon. The questions are, who has that kind of power? and what is their purpose? Something is going to happen here soon. We will keep you posted.

2/13/98 State College Police announce that the confiscations were real marijuana and five would be charged...

2/19/98 The press was in full attendance as about 200 or so gathered as Heicklen and Gordon made their appearances as usual. They confirmed that some people had been cited. Heicklen read from a prepared speech and passed out copies among the crowd. He said, he had not received but was expecting a citation. They did announce that a 18 year old High School student was cited for marijuana and suspended from school for being at the protest during school hours... This weeks surprise was no smoking of the herb... Julian said the point had been made and that "we" would continue to meet here each week until the current cases made their way through court. He also said they didn't want to disrupt traffic and business and that for the time being the protest would remain on campus. But if he felt the need they would cross the street again to be arrested... Alan as usual interjected his opinions several times. Playing straight man Heicklen when asked if he minded said "I don't think I could stop you could I Alan? Gordon asked the prof what he thought of his open air Medical Marijuana sales at these protests. Heicklen said he didn't approve but had no power to stop him from practicing his rights...

2/20/98 Center Daily Times reports that Alan Gordon was arrested on 2/19 immediately after the protest for outstanding bad check charges. Police reportedly said that when arrested Mr. Gordon smelled strongly of marijuana. During standard search of his person was found to be in possession of four baggies of marijuana. Mr Gordon spent five days in center county prison while bail was arranged.

2/26/98 This week more surprises. A second group gathered with protest signs, protesting our possible attack on Iraq... Heicklen again read from a prepared speech, this time accompanied by Ken Krawchuk who announced he was the Libertarian candidate for governor of Pennsylvania. When Gordon started in with the usual banters Krawchuk told him not to interrupt and have some common courtesy. Heicklen added a new feature to his speech telling about news in other parts of the country, including a measure in the Senate for import of two or more ounces of marijuana be punished by life in prison without parole for first offense and Death for second offense. Which by definition would only occur to those convicted under old statues or rearrested before incarceration... Mississippi introduced bill which provides amputation of arm or leg for possession of marijuana? lastly Kansas bill life with out parole for growing marijuana..
When Heicklen finished he handed the mike to Krawchuk who also had a prepared speech. During Krawchuks speech Gordon mocked and bad mouthed him saying things like I wouldn't vote for this man. What about my free speech and see what happens when Heicklen takes over the show... Perhaps Heicklen has a new partner in this adventure? When Krawchuk finished he offered Alan the mike. Gordon said he didn't need any stinking mike. He said He had not been arrested on bad check charges and that half the marijuana confiscated from him disappeared between his arrest and the evidence room and that all the money he had in his possession at the time of arrest had disappeared...

2/27/98 News reports said that the 26th demonstration was important because a political candidate was present for the first time... Excuse me? I announced my candidacy for President of the United States in 2000 on November 21st 1996. I guess you have to belong to a party, be loud, old or carry a mike to get the mainstream press attention... Center daily times has chosen to print only anti-Heicklen commentaries... Seems some people feel that Heicklen is acting irresponsibly by being involved in civil disobedience and promoting drugs to impressionable College students. I suppose they don't know about all the 420 parties, which occur in State College every week.