Wish I were there...
Jeralyn Merritt discusses the NORML Legal Seminar going on right now in Aspen, on TalkLeft.
Organizations
Conferences...
NORML just announced its annual conference, October 12-13, in LA this year.
DPA's conference is December 5-8 in New Orleans.
Dobbs Losing CNN Marijuana Legalization Poll Big-Time
I haven't yet watched the Lou Dobbs piece on the marijuana legalization movement, but it is has already been made available for viewing on YouTube, here. I am very interested to read comments -- hopefully posted here to the blog -- from those of you who have seen it.
There is an online poll running on CNN from the Lou Dobbs Tonight home page. If it's still going when you read this blog post, please go there and vote. At latest count Dobbs was losing big-time -- 79-21%! So there.
Read my takeoff on Dobbs' drug war editorial if you haven't already, in this week's Chronicle or here.
What is going on with the DEA and the San Diego medical marijuana dispensaries?
On Friday, the DEA returned to the more than a dozen dispensaries in San Diego raided a couple of weeks ago and warned them to shut their doors. For the Drug War Chronicle this week, I'll be looking into that and what it might mean across the state.
I'm also waiting for the Portland "lowest law enforcement priority" initiative's signatures to be verified. I'll write about that this week if we get an official announcement.
Religion and Drug Policy Reform
This week, I'll be examining the role of religion in drug reform. I'm awaiting a packet from the Interfaith Drug Policy Alliance, with whom I will be speaking. I'll also be checking in with a progressive church alliance in California that is fighting to save Proposition 36 and with some reformers in the heartland who are trying to get god on their side. And, hell, maybe I'll even call up the conservative evangelicals and query them on drug policy.
California Marijuana Legalization Initiative Picks Up Big Labor Endorsement
Unions are beginning to jump on the California pot initiative bandwagon. This week, a biggie signed on: The United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council.
Conference: New Directions: A Public Health and Safety Approach to Drug Policy, June 17, Capitol Hill, DC
A coalition of organizations -- StoptheDrugWar.org is a partner in it -- is presenting the first full-day conference on drug policy reform on Capitol Hill. And it's free.
Job Opportunities: CannBe Has Five!
CannBe, a medical cannabis consulting firm based in Oakland, CA, and comprised of many leaders in the medical cannabis industry and movement, is hiring high-achieving professionals for several open positions including Business and Organizational Development Specialist, Junior Government Relations Specialist, Operations Development Administrator, Office Administrator, and Partner Support Administrator.
Job Opportunity: Harm Reduction Specialist, Community Access, Inc., New York, NY
Community Access, Inc. is seeking a Harm Reduction Specialist for its New York City office.
Feature: SSDP Does San Francisco -- The 11th Annual National Conference
Students for Sensible Drug Policy held its 11th annual national convention in San Francisco last weekend. It was the biggest one yet, and they couldn't have picked a more inviting locale.