Announcement

Application Deadline: December 15, 2006 Students for Sensible Drug Policy is seeking applications for the position of Legislative Director. The responsibility of the Legislative Director is to increase SSDP's influence on Capitol Hill to promote non-punitive drug policies that reduce the harms associated with drug use, and oppose proposed drug war legislation that would have a negative impact on young people and students. The Legislative Director is also responsible for assisting college chapters of SSDP in developing strategies to reform punitive campus and local drug policies.

The new Congress has huge implications for FedCURE and its two legislative initiatives: H.R. 3072 (Federal Parole) and H.R. 1704/S.1934 (The Second Chance Act). As you may know, FedCURE authored H.R. 3072 and its predecessor H.R 4036. H.R. 3072 is a bill to revive the system of parole for Federal prisoners and is our champion cause. The bill has been stuck in committee in the 109th Congress and we anticipate having to reintroduce the bill in the 110th Congress. However, H.R. 1704/S. 1934, a bill we also strongly advocate in favor of, has bipartisan support and has already cleared the House Judiciary committee and the likelihood of the Second Chance Act’s passage during the upcoming "lame-duck" session remains promising in the Senate. But even if does fail, its broad bipartisan support will likely continue in the 110th Congress, hopefully carrying it towards final passage.

ASA's Summary of Medical Marijuana Media ASA ACTION: State Medical Cannabis Laws Upheld FEDERAL: Patient on Trial for Group Grow CALIFORNIA: ID Cards Issuing in SLO CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Regulations Being Hashed Out

For Immediate Release: November 15, 2006 For More Info: Camilla Norman Field, tel: (415) 713-2388 San Francisco Board of Supervisors Vote Overwhelmingly to Deprioritize Adult Marijuana Offenses; Now Officially Lowest Law Enforcement Priority

November 8, 2006 Rhode Islanders Endorse Post-Prison Voting Rights On Election Day, voters in Rhode Island approved Question 2, a measure that removes the ban on voting for people under felony probation and parole supervision. The referendum had been placed on the ballot by the state legislature and received broad support in the state, including from the Providence police chief, the secretary of state, and a host of civil rights and community-based organizations. Rhode Island now joins New England states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire in automatically restoring voting rights upon release from prison. Sol Rodriguez, executive director of the Family Life Center, which led the campaign, commented that “Voters have spoken for a stronger democracy in Rhode Island, one that includes the voices of all people who are living in our communities, working, paying taxes and supporting their families.”

On the final day of The Road to Vienna 2008 conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, a declaration was issued that will be sent to media and Members of European Parliament. Signers of the declaration include Members of the European Parliament from two political groups (GUE/NGL and GREENS) and representatives of more than 50 NGO´s, as well as local and regional authorities from around Europe and beyond.

Drug Truth Network Update: Cultural Baggage + Century of Lies + 4:20 Drug War NEWS + DTN "Unvarnished TRUTH" Released Half Hour Programs, Live Fridays... at 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org.

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2006 Contact: Tony Newman (646) 335-5384 or Tommy McDonald (646) 335-2242

Since Students for Sensible Drug Policy was formed in 1998, we have worked to repeal the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty, the law that denies federal financial aid to students with drug convictions. Earlier this year SSDP filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the penalty in the hopes of having it erased from the lawbooks altogether. Unfortunately, late last week a federal judge granted the Bush administration’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

More rallies in support of prison artists and other events of note: The Prison Art Galley continues to organize rallies in support of prison artists, and to offer their work to the general public. Please join us for upcoming events. We are also holding another Justice Sunday, featuring Julie Stewart, which includes an art unvailing and live music.