Newsletter

• DOCTORS: Leading Psychiatrists’ Group Endorses Medical Marijuana
• WISCONSIN: Lawmakers Hold Hearings on Medical Marijuana
• TENNESSEE: Prosecuted Patient Educates Lawmakers on Medical Marijuana
• ILLINOIS: Documentary Details Medical Marijuana Benefits, Patient Hardships
• CALIFORNIA: Implementation Around the State
• OREGON: Expansion of State Law Proposed
• RESEARCH: Cannabis Extract Works when Other Painkillers Don’t
• ASA BLOG: Comments from ASA Staff and Guests

DOCTORS: Leading Psychiatrists’ Group Endorses Medical Marijuana

The preeminent association of psychiatrists has come out in favor of legal access to medical marijuana. The significance of yet another organization of health professionals endorsing medical use is heightened by a recent report that alleged a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. Experts have noted that the science behind the study is shaky, and if there were any correlation, the rate of schizophrenia would have increased dramatically with the increased prevalence of cannabis use, which it has not.

Psychiatrists for Medical Marijuana
by Jacob Sullum, Reason Magazine
The Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, a legislative body composed of representatives from APA districts throughout the country, has unanimously approved an action paper that urges the federal government to stop interfering with the medical use of marijuana in states where it's legal.

WISCONSIN: Lawmakers Hold Hearings on Medical Marijuana

One of the leading physicians specializing in cannabis therapeutics, Dr. David Bearman, who serves on ASA's Board of Directors, testified before a committee of Wisconsin lawmakers this week. The state legislature is again considering enacting a measure that would remove criminal penalties for patients who use marijuana on the advice of their doctors. Dr. Bearman, a Wisconsin native, also gave an educational talk on “Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the 21st Century” to the University of Wisconsin Medical School.

Experts explain health benefits of marijuana
by Jackie Johnson, Wisconsin Radio Network
Dr. David Bearman is one of thousands of medical doctors who supports legalizing pot for patients. Dr. Bearman testified at an informational Health Committee hearing at the state capitol in support of the controversial drug.

Senate hearing on medical marijuana turns emotional
by Ken Harris, Badger Herald (WI)
A state Senate committee heard heated testimony Wednesday morning at the Capitol both for and against medicinal marijuana.

TENNESSEE: Prosecuted Patient Educates Lawmakers on Medical Marijuana

Lawmakers in the Volunteer State also held hearings this week on medical marijuana. Among those testifying career public health officer Bernie Ellis, who is also a medical marijuana patient. Ellis was convicted in federal court after local law enforcement declined to press charges over the cannabis he grew for himself and a few terminally ill neighbors. His battle to save his family farm from federal seizure has been the subject of recent media attention. Ellis is one of the patients featured in ASA’s "Patients in the Crossfire;" download it at www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/crossfire.

Medical Marijuana Lights Up Debate Again
by Tom Randles, WSMV TV (Nashville)
On Tuesday, Health and Human Resources Committee members got an ear full from those pitching pot as a way to heal and others who would like to see House Bill 486 go up in smoke. "It is both an effective therapeutic agent (and) extremely useful with many fewer side effects,” said Bernie Ellis of Americans for Safe Access.

Medical Marijuana Proposal Debated in TN Legislative Committee
by Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press
November 13th, 2007
Tennessee lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana, although the idea has failed in the General Assembly before and its future is uncertain.

Medical Marijuana Debates Goes Before State Committee
WKRN TV (Nashville)
November 13th, 2007
Whether medical marijuana is beneficial for chronically ill patients and should be allowed in Tennessee was focus of a study Tuesday at Legislative Plaza.

Fowler Witnesses Testify Against Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes
The Chattanoogan
November 13th, 2007
Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday heard testimony opposed to the legalization of marijuana for “medicinal” purposes from Dr. David Murray, chief scientist for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, and Dr. Kent Shih, an oncologist currently practicing in the Nashville area.

• ASA ACTION: Defending Patients’ Right to Work
• NETHERLANDS: Health Minister Defends Medical Marijuana
• OREGON: Grand Jury OK with Medical Hash-Making
• CALIFORNIA: Not All State and Local Officials Adhere to Law
• CALIFORNIA: Northern Town Debates Growing Rules
• ID CARDS: Voluntary State Program Expands to Glenn Co.
• CELEBRITY: Drew Carey Medical Marijuana Video Gets Attention
• DOCUMENTARY: Getting the Patient Perspective Out
• DISPENSARIES: Threatening Letter Leads to Closing
• TENNESSEE: Patient Loses Child on Paraphernalia Charge
• ASA BLOG: Comments from ASA Staff and Guests

ASA ACTION: Defending Patients’ Right to Work

The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week from ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford on behalf of patients’ right to use medical marijuana without fear of termination. ASA contends that the voters intended for a patient using medical marijuana should be accorded the same workplace protections as those using other prescription drugs. This case is being closely watched, as it will affect how the state’s employers handle employee drug testing. For a video of the hearing, see www.calchannel.com/MEDIA/1106D.asx

Calif high court considers whether medical pot users can be fired
by Paul Elias, Associated Press
When his new boss at Ragingwire Inc. ordered Gary Ross to take a drug test, the recently hired computer tech had no doubt the results would come back positive for marijuana. But along with his urine sample, Ross submitted a doctor's recommendation that he smoke pot to alleviate back pain—a document he figured would save him from being fired.

Calif. Supreme Court May Need Tiebreaker for Pot Dispute
by Mike McKee, The Recorder (CA)
Pity Justice Carol Corrigan. Not only was she sick with the flu on Tuesday, but she might turn out to be the deciding vote in a major case that could determine whether employers have the right to fire employees who use marijuana as medicine.

Local Man's Firing for Medical Pot Goes to State's High Court
by George Warren, KXTV News 10
California's medical marijuana law is facing a critical test Tuesday morning. The state Supreme Court will decide if an employee can be fired for off-duty marijuana use.

The Clash Between Federal Drug Law and California's "Medical Marijuana" Law
by Vikram David Amar, FindLaw
Two news items during the past couple of weeks in California highlight the complicated legal and political tangle that is American federalism - the relationship between federal and state governments -- today. Both incidents involve the interplay between, on one hand, California's (now decade-old) decision to decriminalize marijuana use for medicinal purposes, and, on the other hand, the continuing illegality under federal law of all marijuana cultivation, possession, distribution and use, for any purpose.

NETHERLANDS: Health Minister Defends Medical Marijuana

Cannabis is available by prescription from Dutch pharmacies, but the Health Ministry would like to see more progress on research into targeted cannabis derivatives. A five-year extension to the government-funded program will ensure patient needs are met while drug development process goes forward.

More research into medical marijuana
DutchNews.nl
Research into the medicinal effects of cannabis should be continued for a further five years, health minister Ab Klink said on Wednesday. The extension means there is a serious chance a medicine with cannabis as a raw material can be developed, a ministry spokesman said.

Dutch health minister extends medical marijuana program for five years
Associated Press
The Dutch Health Ministry announced plans Wednesday to extend its experimental medical marijuana program for five years, despite setbacks. Under the program, launched in 2003, standardized marijuana is grown by government-licensed growers under controlled conditions and sold by prescription in pharmacies.

Dutch want cannabis registered as regular medicine
by Emma Thomasson, Reuters UK
The Dutch government said on Wednesday it wants to promote the development of cannabis-based medicine and will extend the drug's availability in pharmacies by five years to allow more scientific research.

[Courtesy of LEAP] 

A note from the editor

Greetings Fellow Reformer-

I hope you’re doing well.  I am, and I’m looking forward to the holiday season- it’s coming up fast!  But first, Election Day is upon us, so get out there and VOTE!!!  There are many important propositions, initiatives and resolutions about drug policy and reform throughout the USA this election year.  There are also many other important measures regarding your hometown’s transit, schools, public services and emergency services.  If you want to change the world and change the drug laws, it starts with the simple act of casting your VOTE!  I myself am a patriot, and I believe most of you are as well.  As patriots, it is our duty to vote.  Just as it is our duty to question our government about the misguided Drug War.  Till next month…

Peace and Love,

Joe Bokan 

Mike Smithson     Speakers Bureau Update

The Fall Classic…as the Colorado Rockies rampaged thru the National League playoffs and the Boston Red Sox pressed on for an eventual World Series title, I pondered the potential impact of these sporting events on our presentations…but it didn’t seem to hamper them much, even when we had presentations at Colorado University and Colorado State University (by Tony Ryan) on nights of World Series games. Good crowds at both: although our culture may be infatuated with sports, it appears that we still want to work on public policy issues, World Series or not. ~smile~

            Ol’ Jack Cole sure doesn’t want to show his years: he went on a few more trips this month, first to the Lone Star State to speak at the University of Texas, and then off to Bangkok, Thailand, where LEAP was invited to the Open Society Institute’s conference, "Policing and Harm Reduction".  47 attendees from 13 countries, and more than half of those people joined LEAP, showing that harm reducers DO want LEAP involved in their efforts. While in Austin, Jack was joined by speakers Dr. Michael Gilbert and Russ Jones, two central Texans who do a lot of presentations in the region. Jack’s trip was sponsored by the Dean Jack Otis Social Policy Lecture Fund, and we were impressed with the luncheon our hosts assembled. Guests included a local DEA agent, the Travis County Sheriff and the Austin Police Chief.   

            Peter Christ was invited to speak to several classes at Buffalo State College and the University of Buffalo. A day before he left home to do the presentations, we received a call from Hilbert College, and they wanted to get in on the trip, so at the last minute we were able to put Peter into two classes over there, too. We received a nice honorarium, which helped cover the costs for the trip.

            New speaker Bill Weiland jumped into the fray with a presentation at America’s second-oldest college, the College of William & Mary. Shirin Wartime, the Students for Sensible Drug Policy contact who arranged everything, wrote: “…things went splendidly on Tuesday night. Bill is a great speaker, full of energy and very engaging. I was really happy with the turnout…probably the biggest crowed SSDP has ever drawn. All in all, we had a great event and I feel like we reached a lot of people. I saw a lot of new faces, which is good because we are trying to reach out to a different segment of campus.” Lennice Werth, a central Virginia activist, also added: “Bill is a great speaker. His approach is comfortable and friendly.”    

            On the same day that Bill was at William and Mary, Earl Barnett spoke at Rhodes College in Memphis. Joey Miller, the student coordinator I worked with, arranged for a TV interview and a couple of newspaper interviews. Up in Ontario, Jim Watkins spoke at a coffee house series hosted by a group at William Laurier University, and there will be much more happening in Canada soon; with Prime Minister Harper playing the heavy, we’re getting plenty of requests for interviews and presentations. Jerry Paradis participated in an Oct 28^th panel discussion, hosted by Libby Davies, the Member of Parliament for Vancouver-East. Tony Smith and Jerry were interviewed several times this month in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s new policy plans.

            Back in the States, Eric Sterling spoke at a Law Forum at George Washington University in DC, Mike Jones did some more radio work in Taos, NM, and Howard Wooldridge made a trip west to Portland, OR for the 25th Annual Conference of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse, getting plenty of media coverage. Matt McCally also went to Portland to speak to a Humanist Society meeting. Tim Datig went to Pittsburgh to exhibit for LEAP at the Annual Conference of the International County Managers Association. Over 4000 attendees were there, and many had to blink several times when they passed by our booth. Judge Jim Gray made another trip down to San Diego State University, Tony Ryan told the Illinois Libertarians why they should join LEAP at their annual conference, and…well, hey, I gotta take a breath!   

            Our Volunteer of the Month for October is Mary Jane Borden, a long-time activist who resides in Cleveland, OH. MJ answered our request for help, and traveled to Pittsburgh to assist Datig at the ICMA conference. Conferencing is a major part of our overall effort to promote our position to large groups of people at one time. And, as Mary Jane explained: “Participating with LEAP at the ICMA conference gave me the opportunity to step out of my own comfort zone and speak with scores of people for whom our drug policy reform ideas are uncommon.” Thanks, MJ, for all that you do to help not just LEAP, but the whole reform effort. 

            Moving into November, one might expect our presentations to tail off because of the holidays. Not the case. Expect a very busy month from LEAP before we head off to New Orleans for the Drug Policy Alliance Conference in December.             

We need YOUR help to continue doing all that we do.

If you aren’t already, please consider volunteering your time or donating to LEAP. Together we can End Prohibition Now! 

LEAP Links

LEAP Speakers Blog, click here.

LEAP promotional DVD

LEAP website