TFG Productions will host a show and benefit Aug. 16 for a local author and marijuana legalization activist who goes by the pen name Mary Jane Smoker.
Smoker, 30, is the author of Stories 4 Stoners, and the upcoming event is to help offset the cost of publishing.
“It’s a collection of fictional short stories including twisted fables and original stories, all with marijuana themes,” Smoker said.
“I wrote it with the intention of using it as a fundraiser for other legalization efforts. Fifty percent of profits are being donated.”
Donations will be given to The Human Solution, which organizes and transports citizens to court hearings and meetings, and PCUcamp, an organization that purchases radio slots in cities with pending marijuana initiatives on their ballots. The organization purchases the radio ads to remind citizens to vote.
The author, whose target audience is “marijuana legalization enthusiasts between the ages of 18 and 40,” said most feedback from “the Facebook cannabis community” is in support of her legalization efforts.
“Honestly, I haven’t gotten much feedback about the actual book except for being told that my honesty is appreciated. I have been told a few times that the last story, ‘Jack and the Budstalk,’ was the favorite.”
Stories 4 Stoners is Smoker’s inaugural project, but the first of many to come. She said if the book is successful, the next installment will donate 100 percent of proceeds to the legalization cause.
The author is also working on a fantasy/fiction novel that will donate 10 percent of its profits.
“With the money I raise through my books, I will build up a cannabis activist network through organizations I’ve donated to, and I’ll be able to expand my own legalization efforts,” she said.
The event on Aug. 16 will launch with an art show (including the works of local artist Doobie Lundquist) and bake sale (complete with some of Mary Jane’s home-baked brownies and cookies), followed by an acoustic set and a comedy act. Smoker will read a few pages from her book, which will be followed by bands.
Smoker is hoping to raise enough to cover editing and paper binding fees to release physical copies of Stories 4 Smokers, which is available now in an unedited e-book edition.
Entertainers are performing free for the event. Artists are donating 50 percent of their sales.
TFG World Headquarters is located at 117 E. Vine St. The event starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.
For more information about the event, visit facebook.com/mjbenefit/info.