Congress is considering a sequel to the RAVE Act that is even more draconian than the first. If enacted, the Ecstasy Awareness Act would throw people in jail who organize raves or similar electronic dance events if some of their customers used drugs. Fax your Representative and tell him or her not to co-sponsor this dangerous bill.

-------------------------------------------
Copyright: Drug Policy Alliance Action Center
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2003
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/
-------------------------------------------

Earlier this year, backdoor politics led to the RAVE Act being signed into law making it easier for law enforcement to arrest event holders for the drug offenses of their patrons. Live entertainment will be furthered endangered if the Ecstasy Awareness Act, anti-rave legislation broadening the RAVE Act, passes Congress.
Like the RAVE Act, this piece of legislation, currently being considered by Congress, could effectively ban live music and dancing while throwing innocent people like you in jail. If enacted, HR 2962 could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live.

Section 2 of the bill declares:

'Whoever profits monetarily from a rave or similar electronic dance event, knowing or having reason to know that the unlawful use or distribution of a controlled substance occurs at the rave or similar event, shall be fined not more than $500,000 or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If the defendant is an organization, the fine imposable for the offense is not more than $2,000,000.'

Because drug use is a common occurrence at many musical events, this provision will leave the door open for any concert promoter, event organizer, or nightclub owner to be fined and jailed. Under the provisions of the Ecstasy Awareness Act, it doesn’t matter if the event promoter and property owner tried to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens that want to listen to music and not do drugs.

The Ecstasy Awareness Act of 2003 is a dangerous piece of legislation that will suppress free speech and punish innocent business owners for the crimes of their customers. It is vital that voters contact their Representatives and tell them not to co-sponsor this bill.