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Press Release: Cannabis Tribunal Organises Debate on Cannabis in Dutch Parliament

[Courtesy of The European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies] The Hague, 13 November 2008 - Three organisations that advocate for the emancipation of the use of the cannabis plant will present the first Netherlands Cannabis Tribunal, to be held on December 1st and 2nd in Nieuwspoort, the International Press Centre in The Hague. To conclude the first day of hearings, a debate on Dutch cannabis policies will be moderated by Frans Weisglas, former speaker of the Dutch Parliament. The three government ministers responsible for Dutch drug policy have been invited to this political debate, to defend current cannabis policies. They are: Guusje ter Horst (PvdA) of Home Affairs, Ernst Hirsch Ballin (CDA) of Justice and Ab Klink (CDA) of Public Health. Spokespersons on drug policy from the Dutch Parliament have also been requested to make a contribution to this debate. The Cannabis Tribunal is being organised by Cannabis College, the Dutch Drug Policy Foundation and Encod, the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies. During the debate they will challenge all Dutch MP's to provide conclusive evidence in opposition to the proposition: The ban on cannabis has more negative than positive effects. The political party that succeeds in providing such proof will receive an award of 200.000 euros. The reason for organising the Tribunal is the fact that, more than thirty years after the introduction of liberal cannabis policies in the Netherlands, a drastic reform is urgently needed. During past years, many representatives of municipalities, police, justice, community organisations and involved citizens have called for a renewal of policy regarding cannabis in the Netherlands. This may be total prohibition or legalisation, as long as the law is clear. In the mean time, government and parliament have repeatedly postponed a decision on the subject. The Cannabis Tribunal wants to find out the reasons for this inaction and delay. The events of past weeks confirm this tendency. Early in November, the city councils of Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom (close to the Belgian border) announced their decision to close down all coffeeshops in their cities. Lord Mayor Leers of Maastricht then called for a National Cannabis Summit in order to agree on a coordinated policy in the frontier region. Saturday November 8th the political leader of the Christian Democrat Party (CDA), Mr. Pieter van Geel, said that all coffeeshops in the Netherlands should be closed. Lord Mayor Van Gijzel of Eindhoven then replied saying he wanted more coffeeshops in the region, and that they should be provided with cannabis through legal channels. The organisers of the Cannabis Tribunal propose that politicians should live up to their responsibilities of office. 'Whoever calls for a total ban on cannabis must show that this would lead to a benefit for Dutch society as a whole. If Mr. Pieter van Geel can prove that a ban is the best solution, then let him do this at the Tribunal. An amount of 200.000 euros is waiting for him. If he refuses to respond to the challenge, then by default he obviously must agree with our proposition", says Joep Oomen, spokesperson of the Cannabis Tribunal. Programme of the Cannabis Tribunal Monday December 1st The Cannabis Tribunal will kick off with a series of hearings. In each of them, two experts will present opposing testimony on a given issue. In chronological order, the topics to be discussed will be: Health aspects of cannabis, the coffeeshops, the role of the media, the moral justification of the ban on cannabis. Law philosopher Hendrik Kaptein of the Leiden University will be moderator and judge for these hearings at the Cannabis Tribunal. At the end of the first day of hearings, there will be a concluding debate moderated by Frans Weisglas. Tuesday, December 2nd The morning programme will deal with the image of Dutch cannabis policy abroad. The promise of industrial applications of the hemp plant for paper, food, textiles and fuel will also be dealt with. From 12.30 to 13.30 the organisers will present the conclusions of the Cannabis Tribunal at a press conference in Nieuwspoort. Subsequently, these conclusions will also be presented to the members of the Dutch parliament. The working language is Dutch. Links: www.cannabistribunaal.nl www.encod.org www.drugsbeleid.nl www.cannabiscollege.com

Marijuana Policy Project Seeks Legislative Analyst

[Courtesy of MPP] The overarching goal of the Legislative Analyst is to help MPP pass state-level legislation to (a) permit the use of medical marijuana by patients whose doctors recommend its use or (b) decriminalize marijuana possession. Qualifications include exceptional oral communication skills, flawless writing, and a professional appearance. Candidates should also be highly organized, self-motivated, and able to accomplish a defined and ambitious set of goals. Candidates who are lawyers are strongly preferred, as are candidates with experience working in public policy. Responsibilities include monitoring all marijuana-related bills -- and generating letters from the grassroots for or against the most important bills -- in approximately 18-21 states. To this end, the Legislative Analyst will act as the first point of contact and coordinate with grant recipients in each assigned state; use an online legislative monitoring system to determine which bills are relevant to marijuana policy in each assigned state; maintain each of MPP's state Web pages with updated legislative information, pre-written letters for constituents to send to legislators, "tell a friend" messages, pre-written letters-to-the-editor, and relevant news articles. (For example, see www.mpp.org/NY); write and e-mail legislative alerts to all MPP members and allies in a given state, asking them to visit their state's page on MPP's Web site to send pre-written letters to their state legislators; assist the Director of State Policies with legislative research and analysis and any other functions to assist in the passage of state legislation, including by identifying and preparing witnesses for legislative testimony and advocacy, and communicating with legislators; prepare and file lobbying expense reports, and, if the candidate is an attorney, perform occasional legal work such as reviewing contracts, revising legislation, and legal research. The Legislative Analyst reports to MPP's Director of State Policies, who in turn reports to MPP's Executive Director. The salary for the position is $35,000, plus full health insurance and a retirement plan. To apply, please see MPP's application guidelines at http://www.mpp.org/jobs/process.html and follow the instructions there. Interviews are being conducted on a rolling basis, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. With 38 employees, 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, MPP is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP works to minimize the harm associated with marijuana - both the consumption of marijuana and the laws that are intended to prohibit its use - and believes that the greatest harm associated with marijuana is imprisonment.

Nine marijuana initiative victories yesterday

Dear friends:

MPP and our allies across the country passed nine out of 10 marijuana-related ballot initiatives yesterday ... and also defeated a bad initiative. This makes yesterday the most successful day in MPP's 14-year history.

MICHIGAN: MPP's medical marijuana initiative passed by 63% to 37% in Michigan, making it the 13th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail. While any new medical marijuana law is a great victory, this one is especially notable, since Michigan is now the first medical marijuana state in the Midwest, and the second largest medical marijuana state in the country (with California being the largest). See http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ for details.

MASSACHUSETTS: MPP's landmark initiative to decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts passed by 65% to 35%. The measure removes the threat of arrest and jail for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing it with a $100 fine, which can be paid through the mail without lawyers or court appearances, just like a speeding ticket. This is the first time in history that voters have passed a statewide initiative to decriminalize marijuana! See http://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/ for details.

CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have required the loss of public housing benefits for recent drug convictions lost by a 70% to 30% margin. (The measure would have also increased spending on prisons and law enforcement, as well as increased penalties for gang-related activities and other crimes.)

CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have expanded the number of drug offenders diverted from prison into treatment — as well as improving the marijuana decriminalization law that was originally enacted by the state legislature in 1975 — lost by 60% to 40%. See http://www.prop5yes.com/ for details.

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA: A measure (which received $5,000 from the MPP grants program) to expand the non-residential zones where medical marijuana dispensaries can locate, issue zoning certificates, and bring Berkeley marijuana possession limits in line with recent court rulings passed by 62% to 38%. See http://www.yesonjj.com/ for details.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: A measure (which received $3,972 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 66% to 34%. See http://www.sensiblefayetteville.com/ for details.

HAWAII COUNTY, HAWAII: A measure (which received $19,800 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 53% to 39%. See http://www.projectpeacefulsky.org/ for details.

FOUR DISTRICTS IN MASSACHUSETTS: Voters in four out of four state House districts passed four nonbinding public policy questions directing each district's state representative to vote in favor of legislation that would allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana if they have the approval of their physicians. See http://www.dpfma.org/ for details.

_______________________________

Yesterday was the most successful day in MPP's 14-year history.

Of the 100,000 subscribers on this e-mail list, only 6,600 have donated to MPP's work so far this year. If you and the other 93,400 people who haven't yet donated this year each donate only $10 right now, that would generate nearly $1,000,000 in just one day.  And raising $1,000,000 right now is essential, because ...

In order to win in Michigan and Massachusetts, our campaign committees had to spend $400,000 and $700,000 on advertising, respectively, in these two states. To be sure, $1,100,000 is a lot of money, but the good news is that these two campaigns cost far less than what the pundits were saying it would take to spend to win.

At the same time, spending $1,100,000 in the past month means that we're essentially now broke. If you're feeling good right now and want to help MPP finish the year strong — so that we can start swinging as soon as the California, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont legislatures convene in January — please consider donating today.

Before Election Day, we were asking MPP members and allies across the country to fund the possibility of success on Election Day. Now that we're looking back on Election Day, I'd like to respectfully ask that you fund proven success.

Thank you in advance for anything you can give to keep our momentum going.

Sincerely,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

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.

Marijuana initiatives win in Michigan and Massachusetts!

Dear friends:

Huge news — we did it.

Today, voters in Michigan and Massachusetts passed MPP's landmark ballot initiatives to change marijuana policy in their states.

Of the 13 marijuana policy statewide initiative victories in the history of the country, we just scored the second and third most important. (The first was California's medical marijuana law in 1996.)

MPP's Massachusetts initiative was the first time in history that a decriminalization initiative appeared on any statewide ballot, and voters passed it by what appears to be an overwhelming majority. The measure removes all criminal penalties for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana — replacing it with a $100 fine, which can be paid through the mail without lawyers or court appearances, just like a speeding ticket.

And Michigan voters passed MPP's medical marijuana initiative, making Michigan the first Midwestern state to permit medical marijuana use by seriously ill patients (and the 13th in the U.S.). Michigan now becomes the second largest medical marijuana state in the country (second only to California). And as a result of tonight's victory, almost one quarter of the nation now resides in states with medical marijuana laws.

Despite formidable opposition (including lies and dirty tricks from our opponents), common sense won — in large part because of thousands of MPP supporters who donated as generously as they could to both campaign committees.

The majority of these donors don't even live in Michigan or Massachusetts but donated because this is what the movement for changing marijuana laws is all about — a partnership between people across the country, giving whatever they can afford in order to push change forward. The people of Michigan and Massachusetts owe a debt of gratitude to thousands of people in the other 48 states and Washington, D.C., who donated money for victories that they won't personally see in their own states. And this is exactly how it works: In the upcoming two-year cycle, we're going to be choosing a new slate of states, and we'll all pitch in nationwide to pass those too ... which includes passing bills through state legislatures too.

I'll have more on our upcoming plans for you soon. But for now, please join me in celebrating two incredible victories.

Sincerely,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

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

Press Release: National Sweep for Marijuana Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
NOVEMBER 4, 2008

National Sweep for Marijuana Reform
Massachusetts Decriminalizes Possession in Historic First; Michigan Becomes 13th Medical Marijuana State 

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-668-6403 or 202-215-4205
                   Dan Bernath, MPP assistant director of communications ..........................202-462-5747 x2030

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defying the scare tactics of state and local officials, voters in Massachusetts and Michigan gave current marijuana policies a resounding vote of no confidence Tuesday. Massachusetts voters approved the first marijuana decriminalization initiative ever passed by voters, Michigan voters enacted the nation's 13th medical marijuana law, and local reform measures appeared to be passing in several communities.

    "Tonight's results represent a sea change," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which sponsored the Massachusetts and Michigan campaigns. "Voters have spectacularly rejected eight years of the most intense government war on marijuana since the days of 'Reefer Madness.'"

    In Michigan, White House drug czar John Walters personally campaigned against Proposal 1, calling it an "abomination." In Massachusetts, all 11 district attorneys warned of huge increases in teen marijuana use and other dire consequences should Question 2 pass, even though studies in the 11 states with similar laws, as well as Australia and Europe, have found no such increases due to decriminalization. Under Question 2, criminal penalties for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana will be replaced by a civil fine of $100, much like a traffic ticket.

    Several local reform initiatives appear on ballots around the country. For a complete list as well as their results as they become available, visit http://www.mpp.org/library/2008-ballot-initiatives.html.

    "Last year an American was arrested on marijuana charges once every 36 seconds, which is more arrests for marijuana possession alone than for all violent crimes combined." Kampia said. "Our ideologically stunted marijuana policies have been a catastrophic failure, and the voters have loudly said, 'Enough!' Marijuana prohibition is about to take its place next to alcohol Prohibition on the ash heap of history."

    Michigan's vote makes that state the 13th to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest. One in four Americans now live in a state with such protections. Barack Obama has pledged an end to federal raids on patients and caregivers obeying state medical marijuana laws should he become president.

    With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers 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 http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

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What do Rosanne Barr and the clergy have in common?

Dear friends:

With just one day to go until Massachusetts voters vote on an historic initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession, more than 50 religious leaders and a slew of other prominent figures have come out in favor of the measure. The list of endorsers includes:

  • Steve Buscemi, actor;
  • Roseanne Barr, actress;
  • Lewis Black, comedian;
  • Noam Chomsky, MIT professor and noted scholar;
  • Ray Benson, musician;
  • Carly Simon, musican;
  • Doug Stanhope, comedian;
  • Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, comedian;
  • Michelle Phillips, musican;
  • Rick Steves, author; and
  • More than 50 Massachusetts religious leaders from diverse faiths — Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Congregationalist, Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist.

This outpouring of support comes as the campaign is fighting hard to win tomorrow — fighting back against dirty tricks by the state's district attorneys, who have resorted to outright lies about the measure ... such as claiming that marijuana causes violent crime and that marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco.

It's been a long and hard-fought road, and tomorrow the voters will finally get to decide. As you might imagine, MPP's coffers have been depleted by this campaign and the medical marijuana initiative campaign in Michigan. If you're able to help out, we'd really appreciate any donation you can make to help us replenish — because no matter what tomorrow's results, the fight doesn't end. Thank you for anything you can give.

Sincerely,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

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.

Press Release: Religious Leaders Support Marijuana Ballot Initiative

Fifty-one Clergy From A Dozen Denominations in 46 Towns Throughout Massachusetts Urge Voters to Pass Question 2 Contact: Charles Thomas, IDPI Executive Director, at 301-938-1577 November 3, 2008 — Religious leaders throughout Massachusetts are urging voters to pass Question 2, replacing incarceration and a criminal record with a civil fine for possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use. Fifty-one clergy in 46 towns and cities signed a statement proclaiming, “We support changing Massachusetts law so that people who possess under an ounce of marijuana will no longer face arrest or prison.” The clergypersons calling for more just and compassionate policies are from a dozen different denominations, including Catholic, Congregationalist, and American Baptist. Several denominations and other major religious groups also have adopted official positions opposing criminal penalties for marijuana users, including the National Council of Churches, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church USA, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the Unitarian Universalist Association. In Massachusetts, more than 7,500 people a year are arrested for the personal possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and face up to six months in jail and a fine. In addition, a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) report is generated upon arrest, which frequently bans individuals from obtaining school loans and professional licensure, as well as substantially limiting opportunities for employment and housing, thereby impeding their ability to lead productive lives. “Those we incarcerate are not faceless strangers but our children,” said Pastor Jeffrey Long-Middleton from the West Acton Baptist Church. “It is unjust to lock them up for behaviors that don’t directly harm others. In fact, the current laws only increase the likelihood that they will become trapped in a cycle of offenses and self-harm.” A small group of only six clergypersons recently spoke out against Question 2, having been misled into believing that replacing criminal penalties with a civil fine would lead to an increase in marijuana usage by young people. In fact, eleven other states enacted similar laws in the past 35 years, and there was no resulting increase in marijuana use in any age group in those states. “We’re not urging anyone to use marijuana,” said the Rev. Marc Fredette from the First Unitarian Universalist Parish in Waltham. “But it is worse to have a marijuana policy that doesn’t accomplish any of its goals, disproportionately punishes the most vulnerable members of our community, and continues to punish them even after they’ve served their sentence.” Marijuana use rates are the same across race and class lines; however, arrest and conviction rates rise dramatically for offenders of color, youth, and the economically disadvantaged. Efforts to educate the public about the need to pass Question 2 include a full-page ad in today’s Berkshire Eagle, quoting the religious leaders’ entire statement of support. “It’s time to set the record straight,” said Charles Thomas, executive director of the Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative in Washington, D.C. “Criminal penalties for marijuana possession violates the core religious principles of justice and compassion. Religious leaders everywhere are seeing the light, and it’s very encouraging that clergy in Massachusetts taking a position on Question 2 are overwhelmingly supportive.”

Listen to this lie-filled radio ad

Dear friends:

Opponents of the initiative to decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts have now hit a new low. They're airing this radio ad, which falsely alleges that the initiative would benefit drug dealers, tell children that drug use is “safe and acceptable,” and “make it easier for kids to get behind the wheel of a car after smoking marijuana," and that its chief proponent is philanthropist George Soros.

All false.

It's no surprise that the opposition can't argue the initiative on its merits and has to resort to outright lies.

But one week out from Election Day, there's not much time left to make sure that Massachusetts voters hear the truth.

Would you please help the campaign complete its final, crucial push in these last remaining days? There is a real opportunity here to change marijuana laws in an historic way, but time is short.

Thank you,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

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

P.S. You can opt out of receiving fundraising mentions in the e-mail alerts I send you in 2008 by visiting www.mpp.org/2008optoutpreference at your convenience.

Marijuana Policy Project: Watch new marijuana TV ads

Dear friends:

Today, the campaign to pass a marijuana decriminalization initiative in Massachusetts began airing two new TV ads.

In the ads, retired police officers urge voters to pass the initiative next month.

In one ad, Sergeant Howard Donahue, a 33-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, says, “Take it from a cop who walked the beat. Please vote yes on Question 2.”

In the other ad, Lieutenant Tom Nolan, a Boston police officer for 27 years, says, “I entered law enforcement to catch bad guys, not to deny someone an education for life just because they made a mistake.” (This is a reference to current law in Massachusetts, where simply getting arrested — not even convicted — for possessing a small amount of marijuana generates a permanent record in a database that employers, landlords, and schools can search and use to preclude offenders from getting jobs, housing, and school loans.)

 

Would you please help the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy keep these ads on the air between now and Election Day? Airing TV ads in major markets like Boston is always expensive — but even more so during a presidential campaign. With only 14 days remaining until Election Day, the campaign urgently needs supporters like you to chip in to push the initiative to victory.

Thank you so much for anything you can do to help.

Sincerely,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)
Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. You can opt out of receiving fundraising mentions in the e-mail alerts I send you in 2008 by visiting www.mpp.org/2008optoutpreference at your convenience.

Press Release: Data Quality Act Complaint Filed Against Drug Czar

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
OCTOBER 17, 2008

Data Quality Act Complaint Filed Against Drug Czar
MPP Charges White House Office with Distributing False Information; Charge Is Latest of Many Controversies Surrounding ONDCP

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ................................. 202-215-4205

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Marijuana Policy Project has filed a formal request for correction of erroneous information distributed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, pursuant to the law commonly referred to as the Data Quality Act. The petition seeks correction of false information contained in ONDCP's 2008 Marijuana Sourcebook, released in July.

    The petition, filed late Thursday afternoon pursuant to Pub. L. 106-554, amending Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501 et seq., focuses on the Sourcebook's title, "Marijuana: The Greatest Cause of Illegal Drug Abuse," a claim that is not supported by scientific data, including the data in the Sourcebook -- and is actually contradicted by some of its contents, as well as by other ONDCP materials.

    "The claim that marijuana is 'the greatest cause of illegal drug abuse' is blatantly false," said Aaron Houston, MPP's director of government relations. "Marijuana is widely used, but any claim that it actually causes drug abuse -- much less that it's the greatest cause -- rests on the so-called 'gateway theory,' which has been debunked so often it's hard to believe drug czar John Walters can still mention it with a straight face."

    MPP's complaint notes that guidelines adopted by the Office of Management and Budget and ONDCP pursuant to the Data Quality Act require that information disseminated must be "accurate, reliable and unbiased" and presented in an "accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner" -- tests the Sourcebook clearly fails.

    Walters has been the subject of multiple controversies in recent days. A report released this week by the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform found that Walters attended 19 events suggested by Karl Rove's office in order to help Republican candidates, in apparent violation of the ban on use of public funds for partisan activities. And a study published online Thursday by the American Journal of Public Health found that ONDCP's anti-marijuana campaign had failed to change teen attitudes about marijuana despite expenditures of hundreds of millions of tax dollars.

    For a copy of the full complaint, contact Dan Bernath at 202-462-5747 ext. 2030 or [email protected].

    With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers 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 http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

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