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Changing Minds 2009
Changing Minds 2010
Director's Blog

Press Release: California Budget Deficit Balloons, While Prisons on Schedule to Overspend by $1.4 Billion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2009 CONTACT: Margaret Dooley-Sammuli at (213) 291-4190 or Stephen Gutwillig at (323) 542-6510 California Budget Deficit Balloons, While Prisons on Schedule to Overspend by $1.4 Billion Advocates Condemn Sacramento’s Priorities: “California’s Incarceration Spending Locks Up Our Tax Dollars” SACRAMENTO – The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office announced today that it expects the California state budget deficit to exceed $20 billion by the end of the 2010-11 fiscal year, and that the state will spend $1.4 billion more on prisons than was budgeted in 2009-10. Advocates criticize the state for failing to make real cuts to prison spending, while enacting brutal cuts to important social services. “California’s prison spending is totally out of whack and it’s locking up tax dollars that now aren’t available for education and other community services like fire protection and elder care,” said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance in Southern California. “Other states, like New York, have reduced their crime rates and their prison populations at the same time. California should follow their lead.” The Legislature and governor approved $1.2 billion in unallocated cuts to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in late July. On September 11, the Legislature sent a bill to the governor that would realize just $200-300 million in cuts. According to the LAO’s report, prison spending will exceed its 2009-10 budgeted level by $1.4 billion. “Sacramento said that it would cut prison spending by $1.2 billion – but that was a lie. That should come as no surprise; the prisons have overspent their budget by hundreds of millions of dollars in each of the past several years,” Dooley-Sammuli continued. “With the state near fiscal collapse, this just won’t do any longer. Prisons, like other resources, should be used wisely. They simply aren’t the right place for people convicted of petty offenses, particularly low-level, non-violent drug law violations.” According to the CDCR, over 30,000 people are locked up in California state prisons for a non-violent drug offense – at a total cost of $1.5 billion per year. Instead of reducing costs by addressing the number of people incarcerated for petty drug offenses, however, the state recently announced that it would cut by 70% the amount of drug treatment offered behind bars and by 40% the amount of drug treatment offered on parole. The LAO report is online at: http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 # # #

You're invited: Celebrate 15 years of MPP history with us

Dear friends:

Please join MPP staff, supporters, and celebrity guests in toasting 15 years of remarkable progress in the movement toward ending marijuana prohibition. Reserve your ticket to our 15th Anniversary Gala today.

WHAT: MPP’s 15th Anniversary Gala

WHEN/WHERE: January 13 in Washington, D.C.

HOW: Find more information here.

The event’s theme? 15 states in 15 years. When MPP was founded in 1995, medical marijuana was illegal in all 50 states. Since then, 13 states have legalized medical marijuana and 13 have decriminalized marijuana possession. By the end of MPP’s 15th year in 2010, we’re hopeful that medical marijuana will be legal in 15 states, and that marijuana possession will be decriminalized in 15 states.

Our honorary host committee for the event includes Melissa Etheridge, Susan Sarandon, Montel Williams, Ani DiFranco, Bill Maher, Steve Buscemi, Tom Robbins, and more.

Still not sure? Watch this video invitation, created by honorary host Hal Sparks:

Please reverse your tickets today! 

By the way, if you’d like to join the host committee for the event, please e-mail MPP’s Leah Harris at [email protected] for more information.

I look forward to seeing you on January 13.

Sincerely,

Rob Signature

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I’ve mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2009. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

Great, FREE event and reason to celebrate

Sensible News header

Sensible Colorado - working for an effective drug policy

 

Make your town a Sensible town!


Help Colorado Lead the Nation

 

 

11/16 Event:  Moving Marijuana Reform Forward in Colorado

 

Please join Sensible Colorado, SAFER, and the Marijuana Policy Project on Monday, Nov. 16th, for a Thanksgiving Celebration to commemorate how far marijuana policy reform has come in Colorado, and to find out where it is headed as we move forward into the new year.

This event is FREE and open to the public!

Our featured guest speaker will be Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a leading marijuana policy reform organization based in Washington, DC. Rob will discuss the direction medical marijuana and broader marijuana policy reform efforts are headed at the national level.

Mason Tvert of SAFER and Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado will also be on hand to discuss recent success in Breckenridge and other efforts forthcoming in Colorado and beyond.

This free event will be held at the Gilmore Art Center, an art gallery in the Mile High Framing building at 2119 Curtis St. in Denver. Light food and drinks will be served, and recommended attire is casual to business-casual.

 

When:       Nov 16, 2009
Time:         6:00 PM
Location:   Gilmore Art Center @ Mile High Framing (2119 Curtis St., Denver, 80205.)  Map HERE

 

 

Although this event is FREE, we hope you will consider bringing your checkbook and making an end-of-the-year donation. All proceeds will benefit Sensible Colorado's and SAFER's work to defend the progress that's already been made in Colorado and take reform in this state to the next level.

Sensible Colorado | PO Box 18768 | Denver CO 80218

Last chance to buy tickets for DPA conference

Dear friends:

It's not too late to join MPP staff at the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque on November 12-14. The conference — hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance and co-sponsored by MPP and other organizations — will bring together leading drug policy experts to weigh in on issues such as medical marijuana legislative efforts, marijuana arrests, and quite a few other drug policy reform topics.

MPP staffers will be on hand to discuss topics like messaging, effective activism, and medical marijuana patients' rights.

Here are a few examples of sessions featuring MPP staff:

* Aaron Houston, MPP's director of government relations, will talk about Congress, President Obama, and the drug czar.

* Karen O'Keefe, director of state policies, will talk about medical marijuana patients' rights and safe access to medical marijuana. 

* I'll speak on a panel about how to leverage this crucial moment in the fight to end marijuana prohibition.

This conference happens only once every two years, so if you miss this one, you'll have to wait two years for the next one. You can find more information and register by visiting http://www.reformconference.org today.

Will you join MPP at the one of the most important drug policy events of 2009?  We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

 Rob Signature

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2009. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

Bound for Albuquerque

Reform Conference 2009

 

Dear friends,

I hope you’re packed and ready to go, because the drug policy reform movement is headed to Albuquerque. 

Next week, more than a thousand people from across the country and around the world will arrive in New Mexico for the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference from November 12-14.  If you haven’t done so yet, you still have a chance to register and join this amazing group.  And you should.

Because you made this conference happen. 

You forwarded our messages to your friends.  You nominated award winners and provided ideas for conference panels and speakers.  And, now, your participation is going to take this meeting to a whole new level.

Just take a look at a few of the things we’ve got going on:

  • 60 compelling breakout sessions 
  • 200+ speakers, including former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, Former Foreign Minister of Mexico Jorge Castañeda, and many, many more
  • The movement’s premier Awards Dinner, celebrating our 2009 winners such as Donald MacPherson and Montel Williams
  • An informal Meet-and-Greet for all attendees, two receptions highlighting the psychedelics community, a 2-night Film Festival and a candlelight vigil on Civic Plaza to honor those currently or formerly incarcerated

And that’s just a small taste of the action.  At the Reform Conference, you’re going to get to know the people who will help you win the drug policy reforms you’ve been working on, and who will set before you new challenges.  So come with an open mind and all the energy and enthusiasm you can muster.  Together, we will push this movement forward.  And we’ll start in Albuquerque.

I’ll see you there.

Sincerely,

 

 

Ethan Nadelmann
Executive Director
Drug Policy Alliance

P.S. For details – and last-minute registrations – please visit the conference website.

      and

     Reform Conference Co-Hosts
Reform Conference 2009 Email Stationery Footer

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. October Minutes and DOJ Memo

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes

Lawrence Township Library

Tuesday, October 13, 2009; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:15 PM:  Meeting called to order.  September 2009 minutes approved.  Discussion:

Ø  Assemblyman and doctors support medical marijuana in New Jersey.  All three gubernatorial candidates said they support medical marijuana during their recent debate.  Libertarian candidate for governor also supports the bill.  See the excellent article in Inside New Jersey, “Medical marijuana bill gains momentum in New Jersey.” 

Ø  The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which was approved by the state Senate in February, is due for a vote by the Assembly this fall.  Tell your legislators that you want the Senate version of the bill to pass into law.  This version does not contain the very restrictive changes to the bill that was released by the Assembly Health Committee.  See CMMNJ’s recent blog for talking points—but tell your story in your own words.  Don’t let a possibly unworkable bill pass into law.  CMMNJ working on postcard project.

Ø  Support multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Wilson, who faces 20 years in prison for growing marijuana to treat his MS.  Wilson was forbidden by the judge to even mention his medical condition during the upcoming trial.  Wilson’s next pre-trial hearing will be on 10/30 at 9AM.  Also, a Warren County NJ mother, day care operator, and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president faces many years in prison after her September arrest for medical marijuana that she used to treat severe anxiety.

Ø  CMMNJ is scheduled to appear at the following upcoming events (volunteers needed):

·         10/17 & 11/21, 11:30 AM, Medical Marijuana Info Seminar, Collingswood, NJ Public Library (free);

·         10/19, 6:00 PM, Ocean Co. Community College Medical Marijuana Debate, SGA Room 100;

·         Tues., 10/20, 7 PM, NORML NJ Open Mtng., Dog House Saloon, 270 Pascack Rd., Wash. Twp, NJ 07676;

·         11/17 – 19, League of Municipalities Conference at Atlantic City Convention Center (set-up is 11/16).

Ø  CMMNJ representatives recently appeared at the following events: 9/13, Hamilton Septemberfest, Hamilton Twp., NJ; 9/19, Boston Freedom Rally, Boston, Mass.; 9/24-26, NORML Conference, San Francisco, CA.; 10/4 Lawrence Community Day, Lawrence Twp., NJ.; NY State Harvest Festival; 10/10,  Ewing Community Fest, TCNJ, Ewing Twp., NJ.; Wisconsin

Ø  CMMNJ raised $178 as a cause on Facebook!  See Ken’s Facebook page & Facebook Friends of CMMNJ!

Ø  Treasury report: Current balances: Checking: $4974.21; PayPal: $436.19.  Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, to fund public education about medical marijuana.  Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to the address below.  Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size.  Thank you for your support.

Scheduled meetings are Nov. 10, & Dec. 8, 2009.  CMMNJ meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Lawrence Twp. Library from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.  All are welcome.  Snacks are served.  The library is at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246.   (Meeting at the library does not imply their endorsement of our issue.)  For more info, contact:

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org

844 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 08648           

(609) 394-2137

[email protected]

Medical Marijuana Victory

You Can Make a Difference

 

Dear friends,

Today we have something huge to celebrate.

All your calls and letters to the White House this year have paid off: The Obama administration just announced that it's directing federal drug agents not to arrest or harass medical marijuana patients who comply with state laws.

Your determination to hold the administration accountable turned campaign promises into official policy. Congratulations! Donate now to turn this momentum into more medical marijuana victories.

The next step is to protect patients by making sure that states with medical marijuana laws also provide safe and legal ways for people to obtain their medicine.

We have a perfect chance to do that in Maine on Election Day. An initiative on the state's November ballot would create a legal, regulated distribution system for medical marijuana. 

We can reach 35,000 Mainers who support the initiative to make sure they cast their vote, but we need your help to do it. Will you make a donation to help us call Maine voters?

Raising $10,000 in the next week will allow us to conduct the outreach that could make the difference on Election Day. 

A victory will not only protect patients in Maine, but build momentum for medical marijuana efforts around the country. Please donate now and help us reach our $10,000 goal.

Sincerely,

Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs 
Drug Policy Alliance Network

Save the Date! SSDP's drug policy conference in San Francisco

RSVP for SSDP's international conference!

Friends,

In the spring of 1932, Al Capone sat in his cell at Alcatraz, gazing across the San Francisco bay at a city filled with illegal speakeasies. One year later, alcohol prohibition would be repealed, leaving Capone's criminal empire in ruins. Violence and corruption decreased... until the U.S. declared a "War on Drugs."

In the spring of 2010, hundreds of members, alumni, and supporters of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) will convene at San Francisco's beautiful Fort Mason Center to discuss modern day prohibition -- drug prohibition -- and its disastrous effects on our society. During the weekend of March 12-14, we will plot a course toward reform, make connections with fellow advocates, and experience a vibrant city on the forefront of sensible drug policy.

Will you join us?

To RSVP for SSDP's International Conference, please visit http://www.ssdp.org/conference/rsvp

While we haven't launched our official registration page yet, RSVPing will ensure that you are at the front of the line for our reduced-price tickets once they are available. We will also be offering travel/lodging scholarships to those who RSVP early. And by RSVPing, you can help us select our conference theme!

With the public and the media embracing reform like never before, this is an exciting time to be involved in changing drug laws. We hope you'll join us in San Francisco for a weekend of education, skills training, and fun!

http://www.ssdp.org/conference/rsvp

Stay Sensible!
Amber, Jon, Micah, Stacia, and Tyler
Students for Sensible Drug Policy

P.S. If you'd like to help us make this the biggest, best SSDP conference yet, please make a donation today.

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Urgent Message from LEAP

Dear friends, The contrast is unbelievable. On one hand, we are accelerating our impact: We are close to receiving endorsements from police unions at home and in Europe, I am testifying before the Danish Parliament and the Brazilian Commission on Drugs and Democracy, we enjoyed recent coverage on CNN… And in a New York Times.com article, Misha Glenny acknowledged that LEAP is the "most effective" drug reform organization in America. We are gaining strength, making a difference and will not be denied. On the other hand, our growing success has come at a time when many major donors have been forced to cut back. We face a short term financial crisis. We are in the final stages of hiring a development director, but can't wait until s/he is on board to raise the funds that sustain LEAP's day-to-day operation. We need your help right now so we can continue playing the role in drug reform that only we can play. I am making a one-time appeal for your help to bridge a gap that threatens our continuing success in overthrowing the prohibition. You know how powerful our impact is. When we talk about not tinkering at the edges of reform but making meaningful changes in national policy, we can't be dismissed or marginalized. Please, make a generous, one-time donation to LEAP as soon as you can. You can use any credit card through our website, www.leap.cc or write us a check to the address below/above. I spent a quarter of a century as a warrior in this destructive war, and now, along with my fellow officers, we can bring an end to the madness of drug prohibition. But the LEAP support system is dangerously low on funds, and that is where you take the lead. You have the power to keep LEAP speakers in front of influential audiences, in person, through the media and on our website which had over a million visitors last year. Without your immediate help, our influence will diminish and the forces of prohibition will be strengthened. Please don't let that happen. Your tax-deductible contribution is your weapon. Please use it with conviction. And thank you so much for your past and present support. Jack A. Cole Executive Director
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