Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more info, contact: Ken @ (609) 394-2137

Medical Marijuana press conference at Trenton State House on 6/4/10 at 1:00 pm

WHO:     Patients, professionals and medical marijuana advocates

WHAT:   Plan a medical marijuana press conference

WHEN:   June 4, 2010 at 1:00PM

WHERE: Trenton, NJ State House – State Street entrance steps

WHY:       To urge the timely implementation of the medical marijuana law

On Friday June 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm local medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference at the State House steps in Trenton, NJ.  Doctors, nurses, potential medical marijuana patients, and supporters of the new law will address recent news of a proposed delay in implementing the program.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law in January 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue regulations in July and patients were anticipating access to the program by the fall.  Last week a request was made by the Christie administration for an additional 6 to 12 months before the medical marijuana regulations would be issued. The extension would require legislation.  Ken Wolski, a registered nurse and Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey said, “If the Department of Health cannot write these regulations in 6 months, there is no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. There is no need for this delay.  Patients are suffering continuously as they wait for this program.”

Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions.  There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”

Wolski continued, “Marijuana is recognized as medicine in New Jersey and patients deserve timely access to it.  The recent trial and conviction of MS patient John Wilson in Somerville amply proves that patients desperately need regulated access to marijuana that is legal in the eyes of police, prosecutors, judges and juries around the state.”

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ  08618
609.394.2137 www.cmmnj.org   [email protected]

Additional contacts for further information:
Anne M. Davis: [email protected] 732 477 4700
Chris Goldstein: [email protected] 505 577 5093(cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                 

JUNE 1, 2010

Medical Marijuana Qualifies for Arizona Ballot

Arizona Will Join South Dakota in Having Medical Marijuana on the Ballot in November; 14 States and Washington, D.C. Have Similar Laws

CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications …………… 202-905-2030 or [email protected]

PHOENIX, ARIZONA — Today, the Arizona Secretary of State announced that an initiative to pass a medical marijuana law in Arizona has qualified for the November ballot. In April, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project, the group that organized the initiative, turned in nearly 100,000 more signatures than were required to qualify. 

         Under the proposal, seriously ill patients with certain qualifying conditions would be given legal access to medical marijuana if they have a recommendation from their doctor. Since 1996, 14 other states and the District of Columbia have passed similar laws, and more than a dozen state legislatures across the nation have considered the issue this year. In March, a medical marijuana initiative in South Dakota also qualified for the November ballot. 

         “We are very happy that Arizonans will have the opportunity this November to vote for a compassionate and responsible law that protects seriously ill patients,” said Steve Fox, director of state campaigns for the Marijuana Policy Project, which provides significant funding and support to AMMPP. “By voting in favor of this initiative, Arizonans will ensure that residents suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other serious ailments will be given safe access to a medicine they and their doctors believe can relieve their condition. The proposed law will also create a dispensary system that will provide patients the same reliable access to medical marijuana that they would have to any other medicine – meaning they won’t have to risk their own safety by purchasing it from the criminal market.”   

         Upon passage of the initiative, the Arizona Department of Health Services will regulate medical marijuana, and qualifying patients or their caregivers will be permitted to legally purchase their medicine from tightly regulated clinics. The new law will protect seriously ill patients from arrest and prosecution for the simple act of taking doctor-recommended medicine. A January ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that 81 percent of Americans support medical marijuana laws.

         With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.

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Dear friends,

After an exhaustive three-month search, I'm thrilled to announce that Aaron Houston will be SSDP's next executive director.  Aaron has worked for the Marijuana Policy Project for the past seven years, serving as their national field director and director of government relations. He led the way to numerous victories, including the Department of Justice's memo on medical marijuana last year.  His notoriety in DC can be measured by his many television appearances, including a universally coveted guest spot on The Colbert Report.

In addition to his work in drug policy, Aaron has experience in student organizing, serving as the executive director for the Colorado Student Association in Denver.  Next week Aaron begins what we hope will be the longest ED tenure in SSDP history.

It's thanks to SSDP's explosive growth over the past years and its many local successes that a veteran like Aaron has decided to take the helm.  But despite our growth in numbers, our budget has remained relatively unchanged.

We can't take SSDP to the next level without your help.

Ensure SSDP's continued growth and efficacy by making a donation online RIGHT NOW!

Sincerely, 

Matthew Palevsky

Acting Executive Director

Students for Sensible Drug Policy 

http://www.ssdp.org/donate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact for comment: Chris Goldstein [email protected]


New poll shows 8 in 10 support medical marijuana in PA

Medical cannabis legislation is active in PA and residents continue to show strong support. New polling conducted by Franklin & Marshall College saw a full 80% respondents either ‘Strongly Favor’ (53%) and ‘Somewhat Favor’ (27%) legal medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

The F&M poll was released this week and showed an increase in support from 2006.

Medical marijuana is active in both the House (HB 1393) and the Senate (SB 1350) of PA.

The same poll also saw a full 11% jump in support for overall marijuana legalization.

The full F&M release can be found at : http://edisk.fandm.edu/FLI/keystone/pdf/keymay10_1.pdf


READ MORE

www.pa4mmj.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Goldstein [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                 

MAY 13, 2010

MPP Partners with Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill for Upcoming U.S. Tour

Activist Artists Kick Off ‘Cauzin Vapors … Legalize It’ Tour in July

CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP director of communications …………… 202-905-2030 or [email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the debate over ending marijuana prohibition heats up across the country, the Marijuana Policy Project is partnering with renowned San Diego-based band Slightly Stoopid for their upcoming U.S. tour, “Cauzin Vapors … Legalize It,” on which they’ll be accompanied by hip-hop superstars, Cypress Hill, The Expendables, Collie Buddz, and reggae legends Steel Pulse on select dates.

         Starting in mid-July, the tour will wind across the country, from California to New York, with stops at this year’s acclaimed Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado. MPP will be tabling at performances and have representatives at each show to answer questions and provide information about the ongoing campaigns to end marijuana prohibition in the U.S.   

         “We are delighted to be included in this opportunity to expand awareness about the need to change our country’s marijuana policies,” said Mary Patton, Director of VIP Relations at the Marijuana Policy Project. “Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill and all the acts on this tour are vocal, well-known supporters of ending marijuana prohibition, and we look forward to joining them in this effort to change attitudes and inspire activism on marijuana-related issues across the U.S.”  

         For more information, and a complete list of tour dates, visit www.slightlystoopid.com.

         For videos of Slightly Stoopid from Amsterdam’s Cannabis Cup, visit:

                        This Joint:  http://vimeo.com/10595970

Babylon Is Falling: http://vimeo.com/10646744

                        Collie Man: http://vimeo.com/10658401

         For press inquiries about Slightly Stoopid, contact Solid PR at www.solidpr.com, [email protected], or [email protected].

         With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.

[more]

With Steel Pulse & The Expendables

6/18  Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion

6/19  Seattle, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater

6/20  Spokane, WA - Riverfront Park Amphitheater

6/22  Missoula, MT - Ryan Creek Meadows

6/23  Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater

With The Expendables

6/24  Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot

6/25  Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Pool

6/26  Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre

With Cypress Hill

7/16  Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

7/17  San Diego, CA - Cricket Pavilion

With Cypress Hill & Collie Buddz

7/22  Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion

7/23  Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion

7/24  Danbury, CT - Ives Concert Park

7/25  Asbury Park, NJ - TBA

7/28  Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Amphitheatre

7/29  Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion

7/30  Portsmouth, VA - nTelos Pavilion

7/31  Philadelphia, PA - Penn's Landing

8/01  Buffalo, NY - Rocks The Harbor

8/04  Detroit, MI - Fillmore Detroit

8/06  Columbus, OH - LC Outdoor Pavilion

8/07  Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza

8/08  Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze Outdoors (no Cypress Hill)

8/12  Kansas City, MO - Crossroads

8/13  Omaha, NE - Anchor Inn

8/14  Commerce City, CO - Mile High Music Festival

8/18  Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues

8/19  Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle

8/20  Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live

8/21  West Boca Raton, FL - Sunset Cove Amphitheatre

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