The Women's Marijuana Movement
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Marijuana Policy
SAFER: Celebrating 5 Years - Event May 8th
Join us to celebrate SAFER's 5th anniversary at its biggest event ever! On Saturday, May 8th, from 5pm to 8pm, SAFER will be holding its 5th Anniversary Celebration in the Mt. Sopris Room at the Grand Hyatt Denver (1750 Welton St.). Former two-term Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson will be joining us as our keynote speaker, and other confirmed guests include Denver City Councilman Chris Nevitt and SAFER co-founder and Marijuana Is Safer coauthor Steve Fox. There will be a $10 suggested donation at the door - which includes one raffle ticket - but we encourage you to come prepared for the raffle and a silent auction. The event will feature a short program of speakers, plenty of hors d' ouevres and a cash bar, as well as some other surprises and goodies! WHAT: SAFER 5th Anniversary Celebration SAFER has been a driving force behind much of the progress that has been made in Colorado over the past five years. Through successful ballot initiatives and campus referendum campaigns; statewide, local, and campus organizing; and a wealth of news coverage conveying its critical message, it has emerged as one of the most effective and productive reform organizations in the nation. We hope you will continue to lend us your support as we approach our very reachable goal of a sensibly regulated marijuana market for ALL adults. Help SAFER keep up the fight by donating today or becoming an event sponsor! Sponsorships start as low as $100, and -- as always -- ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.  We are also seeking donations of goods and services to include in our silent auction and raffle, and we will consider accepting them in addition to (or in place of) financial donations as part of this event's sponsorship program. The deadline for becoming a sponsor is Sunday, May 2, at 11:59pm, but the earlier you sign on, the more opportunities we will have to include your business or organization in our promotion of the event. Please review the sponsorship chart below or CLICK HERE to determine what level of sponsorship is right for you or your business/organization, then: â¢Â Make your donation securely on-line using a credit card by clicking HERE or visiting http://tinyurl.com/ybhdspg Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like any further information regarding the event or sponsorships. You can reach us during regular business hours at 303-861-0033, or you can e-mail us at [email protected]. Otherwise, thank you for your support and we look forward to hearing from and seeing you soon!
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Sensible Colorado: Activist Events Next Week
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Press Release: MPP Urges Furlough of Marijuana Offenders Before Violent Convicts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
APRIL 14, 2010
MPP Urges Furlough of Marijuana Offenders Before Violent Convicts
In Congressional Testimony, MPP Calls for Prioritizing Release of Marijuana Offenders When States Furlough Prisoners to Save Money
CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦ 202-905-2030 or [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. â Today, Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, testified before the U.S. House of Representativesâ Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. In that testimony, he asked the subcommittee to urge the Department of Justice to encourage states that furlough prisoners because of budget crunches âto certify that no inmates convicted of crimes of violence, including sexual abuse and assault, will be released before non-violent offenders whose sole offense relates to the possession, sale, or manufacture of marijuana.âÂ
        On March 31, the Associated Press reported a disturbing trend: âInmates convicted of violent crimes are among those being freed early from California jails to save money, despite lawmakersâ promises that they would exclude most dangerous prisoners and sex offenders ⦠An Associated Press review of inmate data shows that some of the freed criminals were convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, battery, domestic violence, and attacks on children and the elderly.â The A.P. noted that similar programs were initiated or expanded in a dozen other states: Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.Â
        Houston asked the subcommittee to urge the Department of Justice to consider conditioning grant awards to states and municipal correctional systems on their certification that no inmates convicted of crimes of violence will have been furloughed before non-violent marijuana offenders.
        âPrioritizing the release of people whose only crime is marijuana-related just makes sense,â Houston said.
        With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Press Release: Hearing on Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana RESCHEDULED for Wednesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
APRIL 13, 2010
Hearing on Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana Rescheduled for Wednesday
H 7838 Would Create Regulated Marijuana Market Similar to Alcohol, Allow Adults to Purchase Marijuana From Licensed Retailers
CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦ 202-905-2030 or [email protected]
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND â Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee will receive testimony on H 7838, a bill that would tax and regulate marijuana similar to alcohol, allowing adults 21 and older to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana from registered retailers. The hearing was originally scheduled for today but has been postponed until tomorrow.
        Sponsored by Rep. Edith Ajello (D-Providence) and Rep. Rod Driver (D-Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond), H 7838 would prohibit advertising marijuana or using it in public places. It would also create a $50 an ounce excise tax on all marijuana sold by wholesalers. Revenue produced from the tax would go toward maintaining regulations, into the state General Fund, and also be used to fund drug and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention programs.
        WHAT: Hearing for H 7838, a bill to tax and regulate marijuana in Rhode Island
        WHO: Rep. Edith Ajello, the billâs sponsor, and others will testify
        WHERE: Room 313, State House
        WHEN: WEDNESDAY, April 14, Rise of the House
           With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Speaking Out on 4/20
You Can Make a Difference |
Dear friends, This war wonât end if you stay silent. 4/20 is an important day for many people in our movement. You may be one of the thousands of people gathering next week at rallies in Boston, Boulder, New York, Santa Cruz, Seattle and other cities. Or maybe you just believe our countryâs backwards marijuana laws need a major overhaul. Whatever your plans on 4/20, letâs use the day to join together and declare our support for ending marijuana prohibition. Click here to show your support for legalizing marijuana and help us reach 10,000 signatures by midnight, 4/20. Maybe you smoke marijuana and are tired of being considered a criminal. Maybe youâre a teacher or public health advocate tired of politicians cutting money for education and health to pay for new jails and prisons. Maybe youâre a civil rights activist appalled by racial disparities in marijuana law enforcement. Or maybe you just donât want your tax dollars wasted on ineffective policies. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Sign our pledge and make a commitment to help legalize marijuana. After you sign, tell 10 friends to add their voice. Our movement includes people who love marijuana, people who hate marijuana, and people who donât care one way or the other. But we all agree on one thing â marijuana prohibition is doing more harm than good. The tide is quickly turning against the war on marijuana. Lawmakers across the country are introducing legislation to regulate marijuana like alcohol. Newspapers are calling for major reform. Sting and other prominent people are speaking out. In November California voters will have the historic opportunity to vote on ending marijuana prohibition. More Americans support legalizing marijuana than ever before, and itâs time for us to speak out. Help us reach 10,000 signatures by midnight, 4/20 by signing our pledge to legalize marijuana. Sincerely, Bill Piper  |
Press Release: Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Gets Hearing in Rhode Island Tomorrow
MEDIA ADVISORYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
APRIL 13, 2010
Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Gets Hearing in Rhode Island Tomorrow
Bipartisan H 7317 Would Remove Criminal Penalties for Possession of Less Than One Ounce of Marijuana, Replace With $150 Fine
CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦ 202-905-2030 or [email protected]
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND â Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on H 7317, a bill that would remove criminal penalties for adults found possessing less than one ounce of marijuana and replace them with a $150 civil violation. Under current law, those found possessing small amounts of marijuana face up to a year in prison and a $500 fine.
        Introduced by Rep. John Edwards (D-Portsmouth, Tiverton), H 7317 is co-sponsored by 48 percent of the House of Representatives. In 2008, 65 percent of voters in neighboring Massachusetts voted to decriminalize marijuana. Last month, a bipartisan state Senate commission tasked with studying the effects of marijuana prohibition in Rhode Island voted 11-2 to recommend removing criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. In February, the editorial board of the Providence Journal endorsed decriminalizing marijuana as a way to relieve strain on the judicial system.
        WHAT: House Judiciary Committee hearing on H 7317, a bill to decriminalize marijuana in Rhode Island  Â
        WHO: Experts will testify in favor
        WHERE: House Lounge
        WHEN: Rise of the House
        With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Press Release: Rhode Island To Hold Hearing on Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
APRIL 12, 2010
Rhode Island To Hold Hearing on Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana
H 7838 Would Create Regulated Marijuana Market Similar to Alcohol, Allow Adults to Purchase Marijuana From Licensed Retailers
CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦ 202-905-2030 or [email protected]
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND â Tomorrow, Tuesday April 13, the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee will receive testimony on H7838, a bill that would tax and regulate marijuana similar to alcohol, allowing adults 21 and older to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana from registered retailers.
        Sponsored by Rep. Edith Ajello (D-Providence) and Rep. Rod Driver (D-Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond), H 7838 would prohibit advertising marijuana or using it in public places. It would also create a $50 an ounce excise tax on all marijuana sold by wholesalers. Revenue produced from the tax would go toward maintaining regulations, into the state General Fund, and also be used to fund drug and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention programs.
        WHAT: Hearing for H 7838, a bill to tax and regulate marijuana in Rhode Island
        WHO: Rep. Edith Ajello, the billâs sponsor, and others will testify
        WHERE: House Lounge
        WHEN: Tuesday, April 13, Rise of the House
           With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Press Release: Third Colorado City Legalizes Marijuana
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2010
Contact
Mason Tvert, SAFER executive director, 720-255-4340
Nederland Becomes Third City in Colorado to Remove All Penalties for Adult Marijuana Possession
Mayor who opposed measure ousted -- Boulder District Attorney says he's "paying attention to public sentiment"
Statement below from SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert
NEDERLAND -- On Tuesday, April 6, a majority of voters in Nederland approved a ballot measure that removed all local penalties for private adult marijuana possession, making the mountain town the third Colorado locality to "legalize" marijuana in the past five years. Denver voters adopted a citizen-initiative to do so in November 2005, and voters in Breckenridge approved a similar measure in November 2009.
More than 54 percent of Nederland voters supported the measure in what Town Clerk Christi Icenogle said was a high turn-out election. Voters also ousted incumbent Mayor Martin Cheshes, who had vocally opposed the measure and referred to it as "foolish," replacing him with Trustee Sumaya Abu-Haidar.
Prior to the announcement of the vote, the Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett told The Daily Camera: "I'll pay attention if it passes. Marijuana enforcement is a sensitive issue, and it's important to gauge public sentiment.â
"It's time for Colorado's elected officials to recognize that many -- and in some cases most -- of their constituents support an end to Marijuana Prohibition," said SAFER Executive Mason Tvert. "Those who fail to do so are the 'foolish' ones, and in some areas it could result in them losing votes.
"Nederland is not the first Colorado locality to express its opinion that marijuana should be legal for adults, and it certainly won't be the last," Tvert said. "More and more Coloradans are beginning to recognize the fact that marijuana is far safer than alcohol for the user and for society, and it's only a matter of time before they decide to stand up against irrational laws that drive people to drink by prohibiting them from making the safer choice."
Durango, which voted largely in support of the statewide initiative to legalize marijuana in 2006, will likely to vote on a similar local marijuana legalization initiative this November. A recent poll of likely Colorado voters found that 50 percent now support making marijuana legal for adults and regulating it like alcohol. In Denver, ground zero of the statewide movement to reform marijuana laws, polls find
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Marijuana Policy Project Alert | April 7, 2010 | |||||
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