Marijuana Policy

The Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics has released an important new report, "Life Sentences: Collateral Sanctions Associated with Marijuana Offenses," detailing the range of extra penalties that people with marijuana convictions can continue to suffer even after their criminal punishment is completed, including state-by-state summaries. According to CCLE: "Our latest study examines the true impact of a marijuana conviction. A misdemeanor conviction for possession of marijuana can trigger automatic bars on educational aid, a bar on serving as a foster parent, denial of federal housing assistance, revocation or suspension of occupational licenses, suspension of one’s driver’s license, and much more."

Angus Reid Strategies has released the results of an opinion survey showing that a majority of Canadians believe marijuana should be legalized. The full report is at http://www.angus-reid.com/admin/collateral/pdfs/polls/ARS_Drugs.pdf The release is found at http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/16300.

[Courtesy of ENCOD's Joep Oomen and Bas Tielens] ENCOD Speech at the Cannabis Tipo Forte Hemp Fair, 1-3 June, Bologna Just like when people can go to a bar when they want to consume alcohol, there should be a place where you can obtain cannabis. There should be a system for production of cannabis and distribution to consumers that is causing less inconveniences, difficulties and costs. There should be a place where cannabis can be enjoyed in a responsible way. There should be (more) Cannabis Social Clubs. Cannabis Social Clubs are associations of citizens who want to organise the cultivation of a limited amount of cannabis to satisfy their personal needs in a transparent way that is controllable by authorities. They establish the amount that is necessary for their personal consumption in agreement with legal standards that are valid in their country, and organise a closed circuit of consumption, distribution and consumption without any commercial activities having to take place. Cannabis Social Clubs can be fully controllable by authorities. The authorities should have the possibility to monitor health, sanitarian and safety conditions of a Cannabis Social Club during the entire process from cultivation to consumption. Cannabis Social Clubs can use the legal margins that national governments have within international agreements to organise the circuit for personal consumption as they consider most convenient. These are the margins that the Netherlands have always used to justify the existence of coffeeshops. The same margins include a solution for the current dilemma, in which cannabis consumption is allowed, but the production or distribution are not. All depending on the legislation and political practice in the countries, Cannabis Social Clubs can be established in various forms. They can generate offical jobs and purchases of considerable amounts of goods and services that can be taxed. Today, Cannabis Social Clubs are operating in Spain and Belgium, while in Switzerland medical cannabis clubs are operating as well as in the US and Canada, although here, the ways of working are less transparent. In other countries, initiatives are being taken to work out a similar model. In a Cannabis Social Club, cultivation will take place according to the most recent standards of biological agriculture. Alteration of the final product with other substances to increase its weight (a typical practice of criminal organisations involved in the illegal cultivation) would never occur, as the project would be supervised by an association of consumers. Cultivation would also take place in accordance with security rules. Particularly in countries where people cultivate indoor, this would reduce unsafe behaviours related to cannabis plantation such as the theft of electricity. Distribution could take place in areas where the association can put in place an effective policy of prevention and treatment of problematic use of cannabis. Membership of the associations would in principle be only accessible to adults. In the Cannabis Social Club, information about less health-unfriendly methods of cannabis consumption can be promoted, while social activities can be organised to strengthen the social network around the consumer. This network is a crucial factor in preventing problems. This system is also a way to reduce the availability of cannabis to minors. The members of the association should be persons of at least 18 years old (after a period of time, this age could go down to 16, possibly with limited rights for young people). It is obvious that once this form of regulation of the cannabis market has been accepted, a rational debate will start about the applications of industrial hemp, it will be more easy to obtain licences, carry out research etc. We are tens of millions of cannabis consumers in the EU. If only a small part of them organises associations that start to take this kind of initiatives, the political impact will be immense. Therefore ENCOD calls upon all cannabis consumers around Europe to start up a Cannabis Social Club in their area. The Cannabis Social Clubs are the first concrete outcome of the Freedom to Farm Campaign, which we started in 2005 and which is meant to be our proposal to the next World Summit on Drug Policy, that will take place in Vienna in 2008. On this summit, the governments of the world will have to explain why their global strategy to eradicate cannabis, coca and opium from the surface of the earth is failing and based on the wrong assumptions. Every group should of course establish its own rules and ways of working. They need to be in agreement with local conditions and laws. However we think that some general rules can be respected when putting up a local CSC: 1. *Communicate* – in advance if possible- with your local authorities and media on your action. Let them know that you have no commercial intentions, in what stage your project is, that you only have adult members,… And make clear you want to give them the opportunity to control the health, hygienic and safety conditions during the entire process from cultivation to consumption. 2. *Prepare* your action well, establish your association in an official way with statutes that are recognised by the authorities (the local administration of associations). In this way it will be difficult for any judge to dissolve the association, as you have the Constitutional right to associate. Show these statutes to a local lawyer who is specialised in the issue and who can advise you about the way the statutes have to be written. If you want we can provide you with model statutes of Cannabis Social Clubs in Spain or Belgium. 3. In the statutes of the club, it is good to mention that your purposes are more than only cultivation. That you are particularly aiming at increasing knowledge about avoiding harmful methods of producing and consuming cannabis. Make sure that what is produced in the club is meant only for consumption by members of this club. Commercial activities can be kept in mind for later stages, but it is a priority to show that *personal and responsible use *is possible. 4. Make sure you *do not hinder* others with your action. In principle, nobody should experience inconveniences from (the use or cultivation of) cannabis. So take care not to provoke others so they can’t say that you are only into promoting consumption. 5. The psychoactive elements in cannabis cause a change in the way you perceive reality. CSC’s should also be perceived by non-consumers, by people who are not familiar with the effects of cannabis, as a realistic proposal. Therefore it is good to share your plans, before you present them in the media, with *non-consumers* who are sympathetic to the proposal, so they can help you to elaborate the definitive version. Everyone, users or not, should be able to support a realistic proposal for the distribution of cannabis to adult consumers. Examples: In Spain a Basque CSC named ‘Pannagh’ was invaded by the police during the harvest in October 2005. Six months later, the Provincial Court of Vizcaya filed the case, as it acknowledged that the *legally constituted association* had nothing to do with a criminal organisation dedicated to drug trade, the collective plantation was meant for their own personal consumption. In April 2007, Pannagh has even obtained the return of the confiscated cannabis. In Belgium another CSC-variant, Draw up your Plant, was founded last year. Despite their efforts to openly and honestly communicate about their intents, the local authorities busted the plantation in December 2006. In April 2007 the judge acknowledged the *legally constituted association*, but she did refer to the law which still prohibits cannabis. The sentences were only symbolical: fines of 15 euro for each member, and even conditional for those without a criminal record. Keep an eye on our plans to promote the idea of organising the self-cultivation to registered users, a citizen proposal to obtain a minimum of peace in the war on drugs, in the next months and years. On the ENCOD General Assembly that will take place on 22 to 24 June, and where you are all welcome, this and other activities will be prepared and organised. Best wishes to all of you, thank you ENCOD – Joep Oomen and Bas Tielens

[Courtesy of EURODRUG] A wide-ranging survey of Members of the European Parliament - including Britain's representatives - has revealed strong support for the decriminalisation of cannabis across Europe. The team from The Universities of Manchester, Aberystwyth and the London School of Economics also revealed controversial attitudes to abortion, crime, defence and immigration among members. Professors David Farrell from The University of Manchester, Simon Hix from the London school of Economics and Roger Scully from the University of Aberystwyth, contacted all 732 MEPs of whom 272 responded. The study - carried out in summer 2006 - found that one-fifth of the MEPs felt marijuana should be decriminalised. One-third of British MEPs -- much higher than the average -- supported decriminalisation, though Dutch MEPs were the most liberal at 83 per cent. Other results included: * Half of the MEPs (51%) think there should be more harmonisation of national immigration policies. The British figure, however, is less than one-third at 32%. * Just short of three-quarters of MEPs (70%) think that women should be free to decide on abortion, though only 20% of Irish MEPs agree. * Three-quarters (73%) of MEPs think there should be EU-wide arrest warrants for serious crimes. 54%of British MEPs agree. * 40% of MEPs think that the EU rather than NATO should be responsible for European defence, though only 29 % of British MEPs agree. * 40% of MEPs think that EU foreign policy should be a counterweight to the US. In the case of French MEPs, the figure rises to 64%. * 68% of MEPs think the EU should no longer meet in Strasbourg, though only 7 per cent of French MEPs agree. Professor Farrell, Head of the School of Social Sciences at The University of Manchester, said: "For much of its life, the European Parliament could have been justly labelled a 'multi-lingual talking shop'. "But this is no longer the case: the EP is now one of the most powerful legislatures in the world both in terms of its legislative and executive oversight powers. "The views of MEPs as shown in this survey may very well have a direct impact on policy and therefore on all citizens in the EU. "So the public should sit up and take notice of what their representatives are saying." Professor Simon Hix from the London school of Economics added: "Our work also shows that politics in the European Parliament is becoming increasingly based around party and ideology. "Voting is increasingly split along left-right lines, and the cohesion of the party groups has risen dramatically, particularly in the fourth and fifth parliaments. "So there are likely to be policy implications here too." NOTES FOR EDITORS The survey will be officially launched at the Brussels European Parliament headquarters of the European Parliament on June 13, 2007. A more comprehensive data sheet is available. UK National Centre for Social Research designed the web-site on which the survey was hosted. Each MEP was contacted personally by letter (translated into their mother tongue), and invited to participate in the survey online. Professors Farrell and Hix are available for comment For more details contact: Mike Addelman Media Relations Officer Faculty of Humanities The University of Manchester 0161 275 0790 07717 991 567 [email protected]

NORML welcomes you to join us in Los Angeles Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, for the 2007 national NORML Conference. This year’s two-day ‘extravaganja’ will take place at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. Please mark your calendar now and plan to join us as we focus on the latest marijuana policy developments at the state and federal levels, celebrate our victories over the past year, and hear from the world’s leading activists and cannabis law reform organizations. Network with the nation's top advocates, mingle with celebrities and members of High Times Magazine, as well as NORML's staff and board of directors, and enjoy a variety of unique after-hours events. Register early and take advantage of special discounted pricing on both the conference and hotel accommodations. Online registration for NORML’s 36th annual national conference is available now at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7250. For additional details on this year’s conference agenda, business sponsorships, or to find out how to take advantage of our ‘pre-registration’ discount, please visit: http://www.norml.org or call (202) 483-5500.

MARDIGRASS MEDIA Tuesday 8 May evening. POLICE MISS OPPORTUNITY TO ARREST THOUSANDS! MARDIGRASS AND POLICE PROPAGANDA! Reading the media it looks like MardiGrass was a massive police feast! The picture they paint is a very misleading image. In reality it was incredibly mellow with very few problems. We do admit the NSW Police media releases listing every detail of their weekend was all the press had to go on, because the organisers were still having too much fun to put out any news! Anyway, journalists had been ignoring MardiGrass mostly and we didn’t anticipate the police putting so much negative spin on such a successful weekend. One assault, ten thousand people, no wonder many police prefer the mellowing affect of cannabis at festivals. Some real stories are starting to emerge. The injuries sustained by police which sounded on the television news like they were sustained in battle, came from them recklessly chasing someone through a crowd, knocking over and injuring a bystander, and eventually hurting themselves by running headlong into a car. You can imagine how they sought revenge on the person they were chasing that had surrended with his hands up. The big crowd watching, including many children, was less than impressed. There are several accounts and complaints about the police horses knocking people about, and even over, as they chased people through market crowds. The horse’s manure has also raised several other concerns, often watery crap was splattered in front of Sibley Street food stalls attracting many complaints by festival goers and stallholders. Some angry stallholders are preparing formal complaints about the health concerns this type of police activity raises. The smell was disgusting bringing dozens of complaints from upset diners.

[Courtesy of HEMP Embassy] Nimbin Cannabis Law Reform Rally one of the best despite... The police this year led the media to believe greater numbers of police would be present, but told us that there would be less. That made us distrustful, but at the event there were significantly less police. I estimate half the strength of last year. For reasons of their own, they wanted the public to think otherwise. The saliva testing Winnebago barely appeared, while we had a drug-wipe saliva testing kit make a false amphetamine positive as the ABC was recording the demonstration. We hope they use the recording. We believe the Winnebago may prove to be a white elephant, or a millstone, or both. We feel that this was one of the best organised MardiGrass weekends we have presented. We concentrated on running a full program in Peace Park, without gaps in activities so that people would be less prone to wandering away leaving a less attractive half filled venue. This year the nights were not as cold, and that helped make the night time program more enjoyable and better attended. The weather was good, and everything ran smoothly. In events using volunteers conflicts between members can emerge or some members may attempt to dominate, creating frictions that undermine morale and impede progress. We had an exceptionally trouble free MardiGrass Organising Body this year, and were blessed with exceptional MardiGrass volunteers from all over the world. I cannot praise their group spirit and dedication enough. They did everything asked, and came back for more. While last year's excessive police presence may have deterred some people, the people who came together for the 2007 MardiGrass were more determined than ever to show that we are no danger to anything, and that we are not criminals. The police have not deterred us, but united us. In 1937 there was a reefer madness campaign, which convinced millions of otherwise sensible people that cannabis caused instant insanity lust and murder. A new reefer madness campaign began in 2004, which left out the lust and murder, and reduced the number of instantly insane. The original reefer madness campaign created a prejudice, and the new reefer madness campaign seeks to sustain that prejudice through selective quotation, exaggeration and distortion of research. The truth will out eventually. The Nimbin Hemp Embassy and Nimbin MardiGrass will continue to oppose these unjust laws. The HEMP Olympix filled Peace Park this year as its reputation grows. Bob the Builder and Smurf set a new joint world record in the Speed Roll (3 papers plus filter) of 15 seconds in a tie for the Green Medal. In the roll off, Bob won in 17 seconds after Smurf stumbled. Bob also won the Green Medal again in the Artistic Roll this year, with a ‘rainbow coloured roses’ joint. The Growers’ Ironperson Event Green Medal was won by local lad Ruben in 71 seconds. The Womens’ won by Lily from France in 101 seconds. The Bong Throw and yell won by Gary the plumber for the second time with a throw of 39.1 metres, Sarah from England won the Womens’ with 27.8 metres. Nimbin HEMP Embassy Phone 66891842 – a/h 66897525

Thousands of people visit our Prison Art Gallery in Washington, DC, and/or our outdoor exhibit at the corner of K St and Connecticut Ave NW, DC. But what about the many art lovers and justice advocates who don't come to DC? Now we have a way for you to view and acquire outstanding prison art. Introducing our first ever online auction. It's being done in partnership with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) who will use a portion of the proceeds to further its important work. As usual with any prison art we offer either on our own or through a distinguished nonprofit such as NORML, a substantial portion of the proceeds goes to the incarcerated artists who created the work. As a prisoner of 10 years duration (and currently a performing artist), our director Dennis Sobin insists on no less. Please click the link below to be part of the auction excitement. You'll be helping hardworking people in and out of prison while helping yourself to bargains in superb original art. For more information, see http://www.prisonsfoundation.org/. Directions: Located three blocks from the White House, the Prison Art Gallery is served by two Metro stations (Farragut North on the Red Line, and Farragut West on the Orange and Blue Lines). Note that the entrance is on 16th Street, at the corner of K Street. Open Mon to Fri, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 5:30 PM (also open evenings by appointment - groups welcome - admission is always free)

Dear friends, Two Dutch artists opened today the first mobile coffeeshop in Belgium, just 200 meters from the border with Holland.n The first WIETKOT (a combination of a FRIETRKOT (place where they sell French frites) and a coffeeshop was presented to the press, though no weed was sold yet. The caravan (in the colours of the Dutch flag) is meant to be the solution to reduce Belgian coffeeshop tourism to Maastricht and other cities.

NIMBIN MARDIGRASS PRESS RELEASE: 26 APRIL 2007 WHERE’S WALLYBAGO? CAN YOU SEE HIM ANYWHERE IN THE PICTURE? Lose a bago? The Nimbin HEMP Embassy is putting up a reward for anyone who can spot the new NSW Police Winnebago saliva drug testing bus around our beautiful Northern Rivers.