Skip to main content

Announcement

American Violet

An Announcement from Samuel Goldwyn Films On April 17, Samuel Goldwyn Films will release AMERICAN VIOLET (http://www.americanviolet.com), a new film based on true events that occurred in the small Texas town of Tulia (see: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/284/colemanindicted.shtml). The film examines how drug laws and enforcement practices target African-Americans, and, how the justice system uses threats and intimidation to steer them towards guilty pleas, regardless of their innocence or the evidence against them. As the film points out, more than 95% of criminal convictions in this country are the result of plea-bargains, not jury trials. While the film is based on a specific case, the story it represents is hardly unique or isolated, and, the film's release presents an exceptional opportunity to explore how the drug war has become the new Jim Crow. AMERICAN VIOLET is inspired by the real life story of Regina Kelly, an African-American, single mother of four girls who was arrested in 2000 in a military-style drug raid. The raid resulted in the arrest of nearly 15% of the town's young black male population for felony cocaine distribution. Kelly was innocent. Her name, along with the names of many others arrested (nearly all African-American), were given to police by a single, highly unreliable informant with personal reasons to antagonize her. Despite Kelly's innocence, she was urged to plead guilty by her family and even her public defender so that she could return to her children and receive a minimal sentence. A felony conviction, however, would have resulted in the loss of her right to vote and the public assistance programs on which her family depended, not to mention the tainting of her personal reputation and her ability to obtain employment. She chose to maintain her plea of not guilty. The ACLU Drug Law Reform Project came on board to represent her. In AMERICAN VIOLET, Kelly's on-screen character is named Dee Roberts (played by newcomer Nicole Beharie) and the ACLU lawyer in the film is played by Tim Blake Nelson. Alfre Woodard, Charles Dutton, Will Patton, Michael O'Keefe and Xzibit also star. The town of Melody and certain other characters and events are fictitious. Eventually, the charges against Kelly were dropped (as were the charges against most of the others arrested in the same drug raid due to the same informant's lack of credibility). Yet, she was separated from her children while she was incarcerated, shamed in her small community by being labeled a drug dealer, fired from her job, and had difficulty obtaining employment thereafter; in short, her life was torn apart due to her arrest and her time in jail. Graham Boyd, Director of the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project represented her in a lawsuit against the county and the District Attorney (among other parties), for damages, which resulted in a settlement. More importantly, the case resulted in a change in Texas law, whereby now, cases cannot be prosecuted based solely on the claims of a single informant. Visit http://schedule.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/films/american+violet/ for a list of cities where the movie is opening.

The Sentencing Project -- New Findings: Decline in Black Incarceration for Drug Offenses

Dear Friend,

For the first time in 25 years, since the inception of the "war on drugs," the number of African Americans incarcerated in state prisons for drug offenses has declined substantially, according to a study released today by The Sentencing Project. It finds a 21.6% drop in the number of blacks incarcerated for a drug offense, a decline of 31,000 people during the period 1999-2005.

The study, The Changing Racial Dynamics of the War on Drugs, also documents a corresponding rise in the number of whites in state prison for a drug offense, an increase of 42.6% during this time frame, or more than 21,000 people. The number of Latinos incarcerated for state drug offenses was virtually unchanged.

The study notes that the black declines in incarceration represent "the end result of 50 state law enforcement and sentencing systems" which need to be examined individually. But overall, the decline in blacks incarcerated for a drug offense follows upon declining arrest and conviction rates for blacks as well. The study suggests much of the disparity resulting from the drug war has been a function of police targeting of open-air drug markets. As crack use and sales have declined, or moved indoors in some cases, law enforcement activity may have been reduced correspondingly.

Because of the rising number of whites in prison for a drug offense, the overall number of persons serving state prison time for a drug offense remained at a record 250,000 during the study period. The white increase may be related in part to more aggressive enforcement of methamphetamine laws, according to the study. While methamphetamine is only used at significant levels in a relative handful of states, data from states such as Iowa and Minnesota show a substantial influx of these cases during this time period.

The analysis by The Sentencing Project also documented a sharp contrast between state and federal prison populations. While the number of persons in state prisons for a drug offense rose by less than 1% during the study period, the increase in federal prisons was more than 32%. These latter changes are attributed to ongoing aggressive enforcement of drug laws, including application of harsh mandatory sentencing policies. Despite declines in the use of crack cocaine, federal prosecution and incarceration levels for crack offenses remain high and have a stark racially disparate impact.

In reviewing the study's findings, Mauer noted that despite the new trend, African Americans are still imprisoned at more than six times the rate of whites for all offenses. Moreover, high incarceration rates for low-level drug offenses remain a function of the largely punitive approach to drug abuse that has proven expensive and ineffective.

Today's study is based on an analysis of government data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Click here to read The Sentencing Project's report, The Changing Racial Dynamics of the War on Drugs.

-The Sentencing Project

NORML: National Marijuana Forum, Boulder, CO

National Marijuana Forum April 18-20, 2009 University of Colorado, Boulder For a complete schedule, see: NORML@CU http://www.normlcu.com/ Cannabis experts from all over the country will converge in Boulder, Colorado from April 18-20 for the 2009 National Marijuana Forum, which will bring together local and national experts to discuss cannabis reform. The events will culminate on Monday, April 20 with the celebration of 4/20: International Cannabis Day. The National Marijuana Forum will be the foremost assessment on the current legal, scientific, environmental and social issues related to cannabis. Experts from all fields including marijuana law reform activists, law enforcement officials, medical experts, environmentalists, journalists and awarded scientists will participate in panels and lectures. The forum will serve to educate, enlighten and empower members of the CU and Boulder community on all current issues regarding marijuana in an unbiased environment. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULE:

CNN Poll: Vote! Should drugs be legal in the U.S.?

[Via CNN] Mexico drug trafficking, cartels and killings. All driven by America’s addiction to drugs. How did it get this bad? All this week we are reporting on America’s drug addiction in our special series “Drug Nation.” So, what do you think? Should the United States legalize drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin? Vote now! See poll at: http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/

Save the date! National FAMM's Call-In to Congress, April 23

Families Against Mandatory Minimums logo

 

Dear Friends --

Call-In Day button

On Thursday, April 23, thousands of people across the country will phone their members of Congress to call for an end to the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. We hope that you will mark your calendar and join us.  Your calls will make an important difference.

The National Call-In Day is part of "Crack the Disparity" National Month of Advocacy, a month-long coordinated push to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

The current law:
*   overstates the relative danger of crack cocaine to powder cocaine;

*   contributes to the growth of our prison population, increasing the financial burden on taxpayers;

*   disproportionately affects African Americans; and

*   uses limited federal resources on low-level street dealers rather than on the major drug traffickers.

Twenty-three years of a failed policy is long enough!  It's time to end this unjust and disproportionate sentencing policy.  To participate, mark your calendar for April 23. FAMM will send out contact information for your Congressional representative and two senators as well as talking points the day before the call-in.

Thank you --

Jennifer

Jennifer Seltzer Stitt

Federal Legislative Affairs Director
Sentences that Fit. Justice that Works.

 If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

SAVE THE DATE: Sensible Colorado's 5th Anniversary Gala

SAVE THE DATE! Sensible Colorado’s Fifth Anniversary Gala: Saturday, May 23, 2009 For the past five years, Sensible Colorado has served as a leader in drug policy and medical marijuana issues in Colorado. Please join Sensible Colorado staff and supporters as we celebrate our fifth anniversary! What: Sensible Colorado’s Fifth Anniversary Gala Where: Atlantis Community Center (201 S. Cherokee St., Denver 80223) When: Saturday, May 23 from 6-9pm What else: Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks provided. This FREE event is non-smoking. Award ceremony and short program at 7:00pm. Casual attire. More details to follow.

Free Scholarship: NORML Seminar In Aspen For Marijuana Activists And Attorneys

Dear Friends, Colorado NORML is pleased to announce the second annual Hunter S. Thompson Scholarship to attend the 2009 NORML Aspen Legal Seminar! The NORML Legal Committee's Annual Aspen Conference (which is a continuing legal education seminar for practicing lawyers) is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2009, at The Gant. Colorado NORML, is presenting the scholarship, which covers three nights lodging and the conference registration fee, to an attorney or cannabis law reform activist who, by written submission, demonstrates 1) a desire to improve public advocacy and/or trial skills related to representing cannabis consumers in the courts (criminal, medical, and more), 2) a demonstrated need for financial assistance to attend this year's Aspen Legal Seminar. The value of the scholarship is approximately $1000.00. Some of the finest defense attorneys (and cannabis law reform activists) in the United States have been coming to NORML's Aspen seminar for many years to learn, enjoy the inspired environs of beautiful Aspen in early summer--and to do so at VERY reasonable rates. This year's seminar focuses on state and federal medical marijuana laws, and is a MUST educational opportunity for medical marijuana patients, providers, cultivators, as well as for criminal defense attorneys (and public defenders, who receive a discount to attend). Check out this year's informative and interesting schedule at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6823 The social events, including a great, private dinner catered by Cache Cache's Chris Lanter, are included with the scholarship. Criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, cannabis law reform activists, medical marijuana patients and their providers from the 13 states with medical cannabis laws are strongly encouraged to attend (HI, AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, NM, CO, MT, MI, RI, VT and ME). Submission for this year's Hunter Thompson Scholarship is by fax, mail or email. The scholarship is awarded by the CONORML board of directors, please direct your submissions 'Attn: Steve Wells' at: [email protected], (303) 725-0774 (f) by April 15, midnight Rocky Mountain High time--and we hope to announce the recipient of the scholarship on April 20th, 2009. Colorado NORML PO Box 492 Longmont, CO 80502 The submission word count rule will be strictly enforced. Submissions may be of any length... Good luck! Cannabem liberemus, -Allen St. Pierre Executive Director NORML Washington, D.C. [email protected]

Marijuana Policy Project Launches Nevada Chapter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
APRIL 7, 2009

Marijuana Policy Project Launches Nevada Chapter

CONTACT:  Neal Levine, director, Marijuana Policy Project of Nevada ............... 702-727-1081

LAS VEGAS -- The Marijuana Policy Project today announced the opening of an official Nevada state chapter, the Marijuana Policy Project of Nevada. Headquartered in Las Vegas, MPP-NV will work to educate Nevadans about the harm caused by marijuana prohibition, with the goal of ending marijuana prohibition in the state in the near future.

     MPP-NV is headed by Neal Levine, who managed the campaign for Question 7, the marijuana regulation initiative that received a record-setting 44 percent "yes" vote in November 2006.

     "MPP has been working to try and end marijuana prohibition in Nevada since 2001," Levine said. "After the enormous progress we made when Question 7 was narrowly defeated, we took a little time to retool and reassess our strategy in the state. MPP has made a long-term commitment to this community and this state. This is the beginning of the end for marijuana prohibition in Nevada.

     "We now arrest almost 20 people every day in this state for simply possessing marijuana," Levine continued. "We have always said this was a failed policy and an egregious waste of tax dollars and police resources. Now with our economy in the toilet and violence raging out of control on our southern border, it has never been more obvious that marijuana prohibition simply does not work. Marijuana is a safer substance than alcohol, and it's long past time we put it into a legally regulated, taxed and safe market. We feel it is irresponsible to do otherwise."

     With more than 26,000 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. The Marijuana Policy Project of Nevada is MPP's only statewide chapter in the country. For more information, please visit http://www.mppnv.org.

####

New Report - Drug Courts: A Review of the Evidence

sent. proj

 

Dear Friend,

The Sentencing Project is pleased to announce the publication of a new report, Drug Courts: A Review of the Evidence, that assesses the impact of the drug court movement.
 
Since their introduction in 1989, drug courts have received a significant amount of attention by practitioners, policymakers, and the general public.  Originally conceived as an alternative to incarceration for persons convicted of low-level drug offenses, there are now more than 1,600 drug courts nationally, covering all 50 states.  Many of these programs have broadened their eligibility requirements to grant more individuals access to treatment rather than incarceration.  In the two decades since their launch, a substantial body of literature has been established evaluating drug court efficacy in regard to reducing recidivism and criminal justice costs.
 
To mark the 20-year anniversary of the modern drug court, The Sentencing Project surveyed a wide-range of research to outline general findings on the operation and efficacy of drug courts, and to highlight benefits and potential concerns.  Overall, we find that:

  • Drug courts have generally been demonstrated to have positive benefits in reducing recidivism.
  • Evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of drug courts have generally found benefits through reduced costs of crime or incarceration.
  • Concern remains regarding potential "net-widening" effects of drug courts by drawing in defendants who might not otherwise have been subject to arrest and prosecution.

We hope you find this report useful in your work.

-The Sentencing Project

 
 
 
Subscribe to Announcement