Latest

Georgia: A Dire Need to Define Crimes of Moral Turpitude The Georgia ACLU has asked the state General Assembly to define the constitution's list of felonies of moral turpitude which ban certain individuals from voting, the Times-Union reported. Under the state constitution, anyone convicted of a felony involving a crime of moral turpitude cannot vote until their sentence has been completed and all court-related fees and fines are satisfied. "The problem is, if the legislature meant all felonies, they could say all felonies," said Nancy Abudu, staff counsel for the ACLU Voting Rights Project. "Given disparities in race and class, the population it affects the most is also the population that is also disparately impacted by criminal justice." In Alabama last year, a post-sentence voting ban was lifted by Judge Robert Vance until the state defined its crimes of moral turpitude. The Alabama Supreme Court said Vance exceeded his authority, however, Alabama's crimes of moral turpitude were defined to include: felony DUI, felony possession of drugs, violation of liquor laws, assault and battery, speeding, trespass to land, attempted burglary, doing business without a license and aiding a prisoner to escape. Virginia: Expedited Process Motivates Churches to Join Restoration Effort Local churches in Virginia are rallying to educate formerly incarcerated citizens about voting rights restoration and working to get as many of them as possible registered to vote by August 1 - in time for the November election. "This is the election that can restore human dignity to thousands of people who have been disenfranchised in any number of ways: economically, educationally, in the justice system or with basic civil rights," said Gaylene Kanoyton, a civic volunteer with the state-wide effort. "That's why we need to make sure everyone who is eligible actually gets out to vote." Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states that permanently disenfranchise all citizens convicted of felony offenses. This year, however, Virginia enacted an expedited restoration application process because the state always gets swamped during presidential-election years, according to the Daily Press. The expedited process, which still requires action by the governor, is not extended to those convicted of violent and drug-distribution offenses. That process will take at least six months - usually longer - because it's more extensive, officials said. Applicants must be residents of Virginia or convicted of a felony in a Virginia, federal or military court. All costs, fines and restitution associated with their cases must be paid and individuals must have completed a three-year waiting period after the end of their sentence or release from probation. They also can't have a drunken-driving conviction in the past five years. "You don't have a say in anything," said Roderick Hart of Richmond who has been off probation since 2002. "You have no say whatsoever. ... But one vote can make a difference." National: Federal Reform Bill Gets Support Before its Introduction The West Virginia Gazette editorial board supports the Democracy Restoration Act of 2008 - a bill soon to be introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) - which would restore federal voting rights to all citizens released from prison and living in local communities. In its editorial, the Gazette stated, "this election year, with politics dominating the news, would be a good time to reform the way prisoners are treated. It would [be] a big step to stop discriminating against outcasts by letting them rejoin democracy." The editorial further discussed the rippling effects of disenfranchising citizens charged with felony offenses. Erika Wood, Director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, was quoted in the editorial as saying "disenfranchising the head of a household can discourage his or her entire family from civic participation." Alabama: Rev. Kenneth Glasgow Honored for Restoration Work The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow was honored by the Alabama Democratic Conference during its annual convention in Montgomery last week. The Rev. Glasgow, Director of The Ordinary People Society, located in Dothan, received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Political Freedom Award for his vote restoration work with formerly incarcerated citizens. Upon receiving the award, the Rev. Glasgow presented more than 10,000 completed voter registration applications that were collected by his T.O.P.S./Prodigal Child Project. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

[Courtesy of Vote Hemp] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2008 CONTACT: Adam Eidinger, t: 202-744-2671, e: [email protected] or Tom Murphy, t: 207-542-4998, e: [email protected] Hemp for Vermont Bill Becomes Law State Wants Federal Permission for Farmers to Grow Hemp MONTPELIER, Vermont – Vote Hemp, a grassroots advocacy organization working to give farmers the right to grow non-drug industrial hemp, is extremely pleased that Vermont Governor Jim Douglas allowed H.267, the Hemp for Vermont Bill, to become law without his signature yesterday afternoon. The bill overwhelmingly passed both the House (126 to 9) and the Senate (25 to 1). The new law sets up a state-regulated program for farmers to grow non-drug industrial hemp, which is used in a wide variety of products, including nutritious foods, cosmetics, body care, clothing, tree-free paper, auto parts, building materials and much more. Learn more about industrial hemp at: www.VoteHemp.com. Smart and effective grassroots organizing by Vote Hemp and the Vermont-based advocacy group Rural Vermont (www.ruralvermont.org) mobilized farmers and local businesses, many of which pledged to buy their hemp raw materials in-state if they have the opportunity. Rural Vermont’s Director Amy Shollenberger says that “the Hemp for Vermont bill is another step toward legalizing this important crop for farmers. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn't allow this crop to be grown. Looking at the Canadian experience, hemp provides a good return for the farmer. It's a high-yield crop and a great crop to mix in with corn.” Vermont grows an average of 90,000 acres of corn per year, a small amount compared to Midwest states; however, the need for a good rotation crop exists nationwide. From candle makers to dairymen to retailers, Vermont voters strongly support hemp farming. Admittedly a niche market now, hemp is becoming more common in stores and products across the country every day. Over the past ten years, farmers in Canada have grown an average of 16,500 acres of hemp per year, primarily for use in food products. In Vermont, the interest in hemp includes for use in food products, as well as in quality and affordable animal bedding for the state’s estimated 140,000 cows. “Vermont’s federal delegation can now take this law to the U.S. Congress and call for a fix to this problem of farmers missing out on a very useful and profitable crop,” comments Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. “North Dakota farmers who want to grow hemp per state law are currently appealing their lawsuit in the federal courts. The real question is whether these hemp-friendly state congressional delegations feel compelled to act,” adds Steenstra. Rural Vermont’s Shollenberger states that “the Vermont law is significant for two reasons. First, no other state until now has followed North Dakota’s lead by creating real-world regulations for farmers to grow industrial hemp. Second, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont is Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, as well as a member of the Committee on Agriculture – relevant committees that could consider legislation. We also have a friend at the USDA in new Secretary Ed Schaffer who signed North Dakota’s hemp bill as Governor. I plan to visit Washington, DC and try to figure out what Congress and the Administration intend to do.” # # # Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for low-THC industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow this agricultural crop. More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses may be found at www.VoteHemp.com and www.HempIndustries.org. BETA SP or DVD Video News Releases featuring footage of hemp farming in other countries are available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.

[Courtesy of Marijuana Policy Project] 

Dear friends:

I'm pleased to announce that Perry Farrell from Jane's Addiction will be DJ'ing and performing at MPP's third annual party at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on June 12.

Other confirmed celebrities include comedians Margaret Cho, Bill Maher, and Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, as well as “L.A. Ink” star Kat Von D, with many more celebrity RSVPs expected in the coming weeks. And reality TV superstar and fashion model Adrianne Curry is hosting the event.

The party is just two weeks away, so if you haven't already purchased your ticket(s) for this year's hottest marijuana policy reform party, please reserve your ticket(s) now!

We'll be auctioning off some exclusive items at the party, including vintage photographs of James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Hendrix, as well as VIP tickets to Craig Ferguson's “Late Late Show.”

I hope you'll join me, Adrianne, and a small gaggle of celebrities and supporters of marijuana policy reform at our party at the Playboy Mansion ...

Buy your tickets today.

All proceeds will benefit MPP's efforts to end marijuana prohibition in the U.S.

See you at the Mansion on June 12 ...

Sincerely,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2008. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network: (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 05/28/08 Terry Nelson of LEAP, just returned from duty in Iraq, Poppygate Report with Glenn Greenway + Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1906/FDBCB_052808.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 05/27/08 Washington Post writer Neal Peirce regarding Bush's Faulty Prescription for Mexican Drug Violence, Paul Armentano regarding use of cannabis for brain cancer and CNBC clip of marijuana businesses in California MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1905/COL_052708.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Tramscript on Saturday) Chief Clarence Bradford: "We can't possibly hire enough officers to effectively deal with the drug problem in Houston, Harris County...". - Cultural Baggage 050708 PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed, listen online at www.kpft.org: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 55 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

[Courtesy of Harm Reduction Coalition] TAKE ACTION: National Call-In to Repeal the Federal Ban on Syringe Exchange In an important triumph for health advocates, Congress recently lifted the ban on the use of local tax dollars for syringe exchange in Washington DC. Now is the time to end the overall federal ban on funding syringe exchange, and we need everyone's help this week. Please join a national call-in to your Representative, asking them to demonstrate their support by signing onto a letter to House leadership. This is the first action in Congress in a decade to lift the ban, and we need to make a strong showing. One third of HIV infections in the United States are related to injection drug use. The 20-year federal funding ban curtails local communities from using their prevention dollars as they see fit to support this effective intervention. What you can do: Go to www.house.gov to find out who represents you. Find out how they voted on allowing Washington DC to lift the ban on using local tax dollars to support their syringe exchange programs. A 'nay' vote is good. It means they support the District using its own funds to conduct needle exchange. Now we need them to authorize the use of federal funding for all states. An 'aye' vote means they need extra education on the issue. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-589 Call up your US Representative's DC office (U.S. Congress switchboard at 1-800-828-0498, or 202-224-3121) and ask to speak to their Health staffer. Ask them to sign the bipartisan 'Dear Colleague' letter circulating by Reps Cummings (D-MD) and Castle (R-DE). If they already have, thank them! For a copy to send them go to www.harmreduction.org/article.php?id=766 Suggested message: Local communities should decide how best to fight the spread of HIV. Syringe exchanges are proven to help reduce HIV infection and also provide important links to drug treatment. It's time to lift the federal ban on syringe exchange funding. Will [xx member] sign the Cummings/Castle letter? Other key talking points: INJECTION-RELATED HIV One third of people with HIV in the United States were infected through injection drug use. Every year, another 8,000 people are newly infected with HIV through sharing contaminated syringes. THESE INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE In communities where access to sterile syringes is supported, transmission of HIV in injecting drug users has declined as a proportion of all cases by mode of transmission. Decreases have also been documented among the sex partners and children of injection drug users. SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ARE HIGHLY COST-EFFECTIVE The lifetime cost of medical care for each new HIV infection is $385,200; the equivalent amount of money spent on syringe exchange programs would prevent at least 30 new HIV infections. SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS INCREASE ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT & MEDICAL CARE In addition to the reduced risks for disease, sterile syringe access programs facilitate greater access to drug treatment. These programs also provide a crucial entry point into medical care, detox and rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. NEARLY 200 SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS currently operate in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and Indian Lands. Most operate on a shoestring, surviving on dwindling private donations and severe restrictions of public funding. THE MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYRINGE EXCHANGE Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Academy of Sciences show that syringe exchange programs are effective. Programs have the support of the medical community, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association SYRINGE EXCHANGES GET DIRTY NEEDLES OFF THE STREETS Research demonstrates that the presence of a syringe exchange program results in fewer used syringes improperly discarded. . In Baltimore, after an SEP was implemented, the number of inappropriately discarded syringes decreased by almost 50%. . In Portland, the number of discarded syringes decreased by almost two-thirds after the NEP opened. . In 1992, Connecticut repealed a law forbidding the sale of syringes without a prescription. As a result, reports show a reduction in needle sharing by 50 percent and a decrease in HIV infections by over 30 percent. In addition, law enforcement officials experienced two-thirds fewer needle stick injuries. Email [email protected] and let us know what you hear back! Hilary McQuie Western Director Harm Reduction Coalition 1440 Broadway, Suite 510 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel: 510-444-6969 Fax: 510-444-6977 www.harmreduction.org [email protected]