Organizations

Organizations Subtopics:

Changing Minds 2009

Changing Minds 2010

Border Patrol Agent Fired for Views on Drug Legalization (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2010

CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or [email protected]

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Fired for Drug Legalization Views

Agent Sues to Defend First Amendment Rights

EL PASO, TX -- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of police officers, judges, prosecutors and federal agents, is standing in support of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was fired for saying in a casual conversation that legalizing and regulating drugs would help stop cartel violence along the southern border with Mexico. After sharing his views with a colleague, the fired agent, Bryan Gonzalez, received a letter of termination stating that his comments are "contrary to the core characteristics of Border Patrol Agents, which are patriotism, dedication, and espirit de corps." Last week, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Gonzalez filed a lawsuit seeking damages.

"There's no doubt that the so-called 'war on drugs' is a gigantic failure and that it causes violence, hurts our economy and forces dedicated law enforcers to risk their lives in the line of fire for a lost cause," said Terry Nelson, a former U.S. border patrol agent who is now a board member for LEAP. "But whether you think we should legalize drugs or not, you have to support the right of brave law enforcers like Bryan Gonzalez to exercise the First Amendment and share their views on policies that impact them on a daily basis."

Gonzalez, the fired agent, specifically mentioned LEAP and its website - http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com - as a part of the conversation that led to his being fired.

To read Gonzalez's complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, visit: http://aclu-nm.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/GONZALEZ_COMPLAINT_FILED.pdf

Previously, in a separate case, one of LEAP's pro-legalization police speakers, Jonathan Wender, sued the Mountlake Terrace, Washington police department after having been fired for expressing his views on the failure of the "war on drugs." In January 2009, the department settled, reinstating Wender and giving him back pay and full benefits.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) represents police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.

# # #

Reagan Turns 100: Fawning Media Ignore His Disastrous War on Drugs (Opinion)

Tony Newman, communications director for the Drug Policy Alliance, opines on Ronald Reagan's legacy. Newman says Reagan's harsh drug policies not only exploded the prison population, he also blocked programs that could have prevented hundreds of thousands of AIDS deaths.

Medical Marijuana in the Workplace

Montana's House Human Services Committee today hears a bill tackling medical marijuana in the workplace. This the third bill to come from an interim committee that spent six months working on medical marijuana legislation, Republican Representative Gary MacLarenâs (House District 89,) House Bill 43 gives guidelines and restrictions to employers on how to handle employees who use medical marijuana. Medical cannabis supporters say they interpret the bill to mean that an employer could terminate an employee simply for having a medical marijuana card, at the same time subjecting them to drug testing that violates privacy.

Montel Williams Urges Passage of Maryland Medical Marijuana Bill (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 24, 2011

MONTEL WILLIAMS URGES PASSAGE OF MARYLAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Multiple Sclerosis Patient and Baltimore Native to Speak at Press Conference to Announce Medical Marijuana Legislation in Maryland

CONTACTS: Morgan Fox, MPP Communications Manager …………… 202-905-2031 or [email protected]

Dan Riffle, MPP Legislative Analyst …………………….. 202-905-2026 or [email protected]

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Montel Williams, multiple sclerosis patient and popular former talk show host, will attend a press conference today to urge General Assembly members to support legislation that would make Maryland the 16^th state in the nation to allow the medical use of marijuana. Williams and other patients will be joined by Deputy Majority Leader and physician Dan Morhaim (D-Baltimore County), Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County), and Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick & Carroll Counties) for a press conference at 4:00 pm, Monday, January 24, in room 302 of the House Office Building.

“I grew up in Maryland, graduated from the Naval Academy, and my family still lives in Baltimore today, so I’m excited about the prospect of helping my home state put in place a policy that’s more compassionate toward our most vulnerable residents,” said Williams, whose father was Baltimore’s first African-American fire chief. Prior to beginning his television career, Williams retired from the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander after more than two decades of service. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a decade ago and has sought treatment at Maryland’s Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Maryland Senate passed similar legislation last year by an overwhelming margin of 35-12, and this week, Del. Morhaim plans to file a new medical marijuana bill.

“As a physician, I see this as just another tool in the toolbox,” said Morhaim. “This isn’t about ending the war on drugs – it’s about getting the sick and dying off the battlefield.”

Sen. Raskin, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, noted that Maryland law already provides reduced penalties for marijuana possession to anyone who can show a medical necessity, but that patients have no legal way to obtain it and are still given a criminal conviction even if they are successful in showing a medical need.

“Maryland law already recognizes the medical benefits of marijuana but, bizarrely, sends very sick people into the streets and alleys to find medical relief and then exposes them to criminal arrest and prosecution for seeking relief from pain and nausea,” says Sen. Raskin. “We need to put the doctor-patient relationship at the heart of our policy and we have done that with the most carefully regulated and defined proposal in the country.”

Sen. David Brinkley, a two-time cancer survivor, sponsored the Senate version of last year’s bill and joined with Raskin in leading the bi-partisan effort to pass it.

Says Sen. Brinkley, “This is a bi-partisan bill because compassion is a bi-partisan issue. If it were my loved one suffering from a devastating disease, I would want every treatment option that could relieve their suffering to be on the table. There should be nothing controversial about that.”

####

Want to See Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) Ask President Obama a Question? (Action Alert)

Friends,

Go to http://www.youtube.com/askobama and use the search box on the right side to find the question below and then vote it up! Or choose "sorted by popularity," as we're currently at number one!

Q: "As a police officer, I saw how waging the war on drugs has cost a trillion dollars and thousands of lives but does nothing to reduce drug use. Should we discuss legalizing marijuana and other drugs, which would eliminate the violent criminal market?"

We'd really appreciate it if you could activate your Facebook, Twitter and e-mail followers behind this effort. This is a huge opportunity to get our message in front of the nation, and we have until this Wednesday at midnight EST to get as many votes as it takes to stay on top.

Thanks!

Tom

--

Tom Angell, Media Relations Director

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Drug Truth Network 01/23/11

Cultural Baggage * Century of Lies * 4:20 Drug War NEWS * Time 4 Hemp

Cultural Baggage for 01/23/11 29:00 Terry Nelson, after a year in Iraq rejoins the Drug Truth Network + Kathy Bates from Harry's Law the new NBC show + DTN Editorial: Outrage? Not strong enough word!

LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/3248

TRANSCRIPT: MONDAY

Century of Lies for 01/23/11 29:00 Washington Post reporter Pamela Constable, fresh from another junket to Afghanistan + Mary Jane Borden asks: "What are Entheogens?" & Abolitionist's Moment

LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/3240

TRANSCRIPT: Mon Late

4:20 Drug War NEWS, 01/24 to 01/30/11 Link at www.drugtruth.net on the right margin -

Sun - DTN Editorial: Outrage? Not strong enough word!

Sat - Abolitionist's Moment

Fri - Pamela Constable, Washinton Post Reporter just returned from junket to Afghanistan, 2/2 Thu - Pamela Constable, Washinton Post Reporter just returned from junket to Afghanistan, 1/2 Wed - Mary Jane Borden of Drug War Facts asks: "What are Entheogens?"

Tue - Actress Kathy Bates, from the new NBC program Harry's Law Mon - Terry Nelson Returns! Fresh from another tour in Iraq, Terry files the first of many reports on DTN for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston, 90.1 FM. You can Listen Live Online at www.kpft.org

- Cultural Baggage Sun, 7:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM MT, 4:30 PM PT

- Century of Lies, SUN, 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT & 5 PM PT

- Time 4 Hemp, NEW TIME: Fri 12:45 PM ET, 11:45 AM CT, 10:45 AM MT, 9:45 AM PT at www.americanfreedomradio.com

Who's Next?": Steven DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center, worlds largest cannabis dispensary

Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and now at James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. http://www.bakerinstitute.org/dtn

We have potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates. You can tune into both our 1/2 hour programs, live, at 6:30 central time on Pacifica's KPFT at http://www.kpft.org and call in your questions and concerns toll free at 1-877-9-420 420.

The two, 29:00 shows appear along with the seven, daily, 3:00 "4:20 Drug War NEWS" reports each Monday morning at http://www.drugtruth.net . We currently have 95 affiliated, yet independent broadcast stations. With a simple email request to [email protected] , your station can join the Drug Truth Network, free of charge.

Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, DTN Producer, 713-462-7981

First Medical Cannabis Virtual Skill-Building Conference: A National Call to Action!

A National Call to Action!

Activist Boot Camp, February 19-20, 2011

The National Call to Action is the nation's first medical cannabis virtual skill-building conference. Re-pledge your commitment to safe and legal access by joining thousands of your fellow activists for two days of community-building, skill-sharing, and strategic planning.

For nearly a decade ASA has been hosting trainings and workshops to build capacity among our base and mobilize our activists. When we began this work, ASA focused on the battles in California. Today our scope is national, and we get pleas from almost every state asking us to help them activate their base and build a strategy to ensure safe access.

ASA's success over the years has been a combination of strategic efforts from a knowledgeable staff, and an ability to empower and mobilize a grassroots base for medical cannabis issues. We have always known the path to victory will be a patient-led movement, and through years of outreach, education and training, ASA has laid the foundation for that path.

ASA is hosting this conference virtually to better reach the thousands and thousands of patients and activists who need our trainings - we know that in these tough economic times we'll train with more breadth and depth if we're able to bring ASA to the masses, rather than the masses to ASA.

Local hosts will receive a DVD of trainings, workshops, and speeches from key leaders and allied politicians, and will join in direct community-building interactivity opportunities with ASA. These DVDs will allow us to memorialize our trainings, making these resources available for chapters to use over and over again as new activists join the movement. The ripple effect of hosting this conference through DVD is tremendous - we know that the benefits of the valuable information organized within will well outlast the two-day event.

FAQ:

Why should I participate?

There is no easier or more effective way to learn the skills you need SPECIFICALLY to become a leading advocate for medical cannabis policy. ASA has the knowledge, resources and history for protecting patients' rights to safe medical cannabis access. At ASA we realize that patients must lead this cause from the grassroots up. These virtual conferences will give you the tools you need to make meaningful change within your own community.

What does it cost?

$75 for the weekend ($50 for current ASA members)

Can I still participate if there is not an event in my area?

Yes, DVDs and workbooks will be available to order online. Simply go to the Activist Boot Camp Registration page and click "My own home" on the drop-down menu under "Location". ASA will send you your own copy of materials the week of the February 19^th & 20^th.

Why now?

We are currently in the midst of a political climate that we are unlikely to see again for years to come. If we want to capitalize on this moment to the fullest, we must make sure our movement has the tools and training they need immediately! ASA's success over the years has largely been based in our ability to act quickly to current political situations and to mold our public response in a way that is both meaningful and effective. But this historical success is only a foundation, and we must stay vigilant to the turning tide. Fortunately, the tide is turning more in our favor than ever before - and that's why NOW is such a crucial time to be pushing our cause.

How does it work?

ASA chapters and affiliates across the country will act as regional hosts for the virtual conferences. ASA National will provide posters and handouts to help with marketing and promotion, along with DVDs and accompanying workshop materials. ASA staff will also provide one-on-one assistance, working with you directly to help pull off a successful event.

When is it?

The National Call to Action Activist Boot Camp will launch on February 19^th and 20^th and will be held simultaneously in communities across the nation.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in hosting, assisting or even just attending a virtual Activist Boot Camp, please contact [email protected].

http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/boot_camp_intro_letter.pdf

Sponsorship opportunities

If you are interested in sponsorship, please download these materials and contact [email protected]

http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/ASA_Membership.pdf
http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/ASA_Boot_Camp.pdf

Our chance to win!

For too long the medical marijuana movement has been forced into a defensive position, constantly pushing back against law enforcement and unjust legislation. Our movement has been so busy fighting what we don’t want, we haven’t had the time to fight for what we need. That ends today.

Our movement has come to a crossroads. For the first time we have a political climate that is ripe for this victory, but without your support we’ll miss this historic opportunity. We will be forced back to treading water, back to spending our time and resources fighting state-by-state, city-by-city, and case-by-case. This is our chance to end all of that. This is our chance to win.

ASA has always known that the best way to win—the only way to win—is with you at the helm. When we have your voice, your story, your fervent commitment to safe access with us in Washington, DC, we stand 400,000 strong against our opponents - and we stand to win!.

We have always tried to make membership easy for you, and today we’re going to try and make it fun. If you donate $50 in January, we’ll send you an ASA t-shirt. Donate $100 and we’ll send you that t-shirt and a DVD of the groundbreaking documentary, Waiting to Inhale. Contribute $150 and we’ll send you an ASA hoodie, the DVD and our unending gratitude.

We need your membership to win, plain and simple. We know that, so we’re giving some incentives for joining this month only. We know that $150 is a lot of money for you, but it’s a lot of money for us too. If you can agree to donate it, I promise we’ll put it to good use right away.

As always, we couldn’t do this work without you!

Steph Sherer

PS
To check out these exciting incentives, click here to donate, and then click here to see the t-shirts and hoodies.

Canada: Voice Your Opposition to Costly Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Drug-Related Offenses (Action Alert)

The federal government of Canada is currently considering Bill S-10, which proposes legislative amendments that, among other things, would introduce mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain drug-related offenses. Research clearly demonstrates that mandatory minimum sentences are extremely expensive to the taxpayer and do not meaningfully improve public health and safety nor reduce drug use or crime in communities.

The Urban Health Research Initiative is inviting concerned health practitioners, scientists, researchers and academics in Canada to join it in supporting evidence-based drug prevention and treatment initiatives and opposing the introduction of costly and ineffective mandatory minimum sentencing legislation. Please see the sign-on letter at http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6452/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4894.

Updated NORML Report Reviews Nearly 200 Studies on the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis

NORML has recently posted online the fourth edition of its popular and comprehensive booklet, "Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids: A Review of the Recent Scientific Literature." Updated and revised for 2011, this report reviews approximately 200 newly published scientific studies assessing the safety and efficacy of marijuana and its compounds in the treatment and management of nineteen clinical indications: Alzheimerâs disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), chronic pain, diabetes mellitus, dystonia, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, gliomas and other cancers, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hypertension, incontinence, methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, pruritus, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, and Touretteâs syndrome.

Subscribe to Organizations

Organizations

On The Web: