3rd Annual Marijuana Policy Project Fundraiser

Photo courtesy of Zach Behrens/LAist

What can we say? The Playboy mansion loves LAist. After a highly amusing bout at Spike TV's Guy's Choice Awards afterparty, we were invited back to check out the 3rd annual Marijuana Policy Project fundraiser. With Perry Farrel of Jane's Addiction at the turntables and celebrities swarming the grounds, hundreds flocked to the Mansion with the sole intention to raise awareness about the importance of marijuana legalization. Well that, and obviously to flirt with this year's playmates.

Upon walking the grounds of the property, the MPP event would appear similar to any other fundraiser you may have been to, save for the actual items up for auction. Set up along the perimeter of the yard were tables full of art and memorabilia, including autographed guitars, skate decks signed by Tony Hawk, and even a couple Picassos, Chagalls, and Matisses. A young couple adorned in dreadlocks and tie dye uttered the choice words of the evening as they passed a series of old Hollywood paintings; "Marilyn Monroe was such a slut!"

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As the evening progressed, a diverse group of hippies, scenesters, celebrities, and those who clearly paid the $1,000 ticket price all gathered on the dance floor as Perry Farrel DJ'd the rest of the evening. LA tattoo queen Kat Von D was seen chatting with the host of the evening Adrienne Curry, and comedienne Margaret Cho stepped aside as the boys of Ok Go stopped for a picture on the red carpet. One particular party-goer dressed in leather pants and a vintage British naval jacket preached the word of drugs, proudly announcing that the first legal dose of LSD was recently given to study methods of depression treatment.

Although it seemed as if going to the Playboy mansion for a "marijuana party" was a novelty to most, the MPP was all about business. Two projectors surrounding the stage ran a presentation of what the organization has done to promote the use of medicinal marijuana, and it became pretty obvious that the state of California has the MPP to thank for many advances made in legislation. Some of the more interesting talking points included the fact that the MPP lobbied some 20 counties to start offering the coveted marijuana card while simultaneously fighting for the notion that cannabis-related offenses should be among the lowest of punishable crimes. The greatest reaction from the crowd occurred when MPP director Rob Kampia announced that, as the result of the MPP's efforts, presidential hopeful Barack Obama confirmed that he "would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users", claiming that "it's not a good use of our resources." It's no surprise that there were few right wingers at the Mansion that night.

Ushering the half drunk, completely stoned crowd out of the house at around 1 am, guests grabbed their swag bags full of weed grinders and aromatic oils and headed home to what we can only hope to be a couple bags of Cheetos and a Family Guy DVD.