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Changing Minds 2009
Changing Minds 2010
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Press Release: Drug Survey Release Thurs. Raises Questions for New Drug Czar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Drug Survey Release Thursday Raises Questions For New Drug Czar
Reformers Wonder: Is Kerlikowske's Promise of Smarter, Science-Based Policies Real?


CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This Thursday's scheduled release of the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health marks a critical test for new White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske, officials of the Marijuana Policy Project said today. The tone and priorities Kerlikowske stresses, they said, will offer important clues about whether the Obama administration will continue the failed marijuana policies of the past or make meaningful changes.


     "Gil Kerlikowske deserves credit for shifting the emphasis away from his predecessor's obsession with marijuana and toward true dangers like meth and prescription drug abuse, but that's small potatoes if he is afraid to tackle the reality of failed marijuana policies," said MPP director of government relations Aaron Houston.


     Houston noted that the previous drug czar,  John Walters, was notorious for cherry-picking statistics to create the illusion of success -- claiming progress, for example, even though last year's survey showed an increase in the overall number of illicit drug users and in illicit use of highly dangerous prescription drugs like OxyContin. He urged Kerlikowske to adopt a new policy of honesty.


     "Kerlikowske has said repeatedly, 'Legalization is not in my vocabulary,'" Houston said. "In that case, let's talk about regulation. Let's talk about how teen marijuana use is up since the early 1990s while teen cigarette smoking is way, way down -- because regulation of cigarettes gives society some control over the businesses that produce and market tobacco. We can control marijuana and take profits away from the murderous Mexican drug cartels, but first we'll need to acknowledge that what we've been doing hasn't worked and can't ever work."


     With more than 27,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

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Prison Tattoo Art Contest Winners

 

Hello everyone,

We have the winners for the 2009 Prison Tattoo Art Contest. Go to our web site and check them out.

www.shotcallerpress.com

We received so much astonishing art that it was difficult to choose the winners, but as usual, we have. We have also selected other artists to be displayed in "Prison Ink" the tabletop tattoo art book that will be released sometime in 2010. Watch our web site for changes and other announcements regarding "Prison Ink".

If you have not been notified regarding the contest you are not a winner. Winners have already been notified. Artists selected to be in the book will be receiving their notification within the next few weeks. Please do not contact us about your status we will send out all notifications by US mail. 

We would also like to apologize for our late beginning for the second short story contest. The delay is due to limited funds. We will be holding the contest real soon - our priority is paying the winners of the art contest. Thank you for you patience and understanding in this matter.

Remember our stories can change the world,

 

Theresa M. Huggins

CEO, Shot Caller Press, LLC

[email protected]

503-890-1027

 

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News 9/04/09

Wisconsin: Disenfranchisement Back on the Radar State legislators are once again considering a bill that would restore voting rights to 40,000 residents with felony convictions on their record, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. According to state elections board director Kevin Kennedy, the bill would also save about $13,000 by eliminating the need to produce lists for poll workers to check. State Representative Joe Parisi, who supports the bill, recently chaired an Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts and stated,"We heard convincing testimony that not only are African-Americans incarcerated and charged with felonies at an unacceptably high rate compared to other Wisconsinites, but also that this institutionalized bias robs the African-American community of a voice in our democratic process. The Capital Times applauded his stance, giving him "high, high marks" in an editorial. Parisi further stated: "When you consider the racial disparities built into our criminal justice system, the original implementation of this law smacks of Jim Crow laws which were put into place to deny African-Americans the right to vote." African Americans make up 7 percent of the state's population, but account for 50 percent of the state's prison population. Click here to read a Los Angeles Times blog posting on the issue. Read a thread of comments published on the Daily Kenoshan online news forum. Mississippi: Disenfranchisement Must Be Addressed Before Next Election The Clarion-Ledger published an editorial addressing Mississippi's complicated disenfranchisement policies. Under current provisions, persons convicted of 21 specified offenses permanently lose the right to vote. But for other felonies, including drug offenses, voting rights are not forfeited, including for those in prison. Currently, fewer than 7,000 of the 25,000 people in the state's prisons are ineligible to vote. The editorial board believes that state policy is flawed in two directions, and urges that all felonies should result in the loss of voting rights while serving a sentence, but that voting rights should be restored for all upon sentence completion. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org .

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. September Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda

Held at the Lawrence Township Library

Tuesday, September 8, 2009; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order.  Approve minutes.  Discuss:

Ø  See photos and video of the August 21 court house rally to support multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Wilson, who faces 20 years in prison for growing marijuana to treat his disease.  Wilson was forbidden by the judge to even mention his medical condition during the upcoming trial.  This trial is drawing national attention.  Tell the National MS Society; answer their survey. Will Wilson be the last NJ casualty of this inhumane policy? 

Ø  Seton Hall Position Paper and Philadelphia Weekly article support NJ’s Compassionate Use Act (S119). 

Ø  CMMNJ is scheduled to appear at the following upcoming events:

·         Sun., 9/13, 10 AM - 4 PM; Hamilton Septemberfest, Veteran’s Park, Hamilton Twp., NJ;

·         Sat., 9/19, High Noon; Boston Freedom Rally, Boston Common, Boston, Mass.;

·         Thurs. – Sat., 9/24-26, National NORML Conference, San Francisco, CA.;

·         Sun., 10/4 12:30 PM – 4 PM, Lawrence Community Day, Village Park, Lawrence Twp., NJ;

·         Sat., 10/10, 10 AM – 5 PM, Ewing Community Fest, The College of New Jersey, Ewing Twp., NJ.

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, after the November elections.  The Assembly Health Committee made significant, very restrictive changes to the bill.  Tell your legislators that you want the Senate version of the bill that does not contain these restrictions, to pass into law.  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.

Ø  CMMNJ is now a cause on Facebook!  See Ken’s birthday wish.  See NORML NJ’s new web site.

Ø  Treasury report: Current account balances: Checking: $4168.21; PayPal: $191.02.  Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization.  All funds received go towards public education about medical marijuana.  Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to corporate headquarters at the address below.  Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size.  Thank you for your support.

Scheduled meetings are Sept. 8, Oct. 13, & Nov. 10, 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]

Sentencing Project Recommendations to U.S. Sentencing Commission

Dear Friend, Today the United States Sentencing Commission will be meeting in Washington, D.C. to establish its priorities for the 2009-2010 program year. In preparation for this meeting, the Commission has invited interested parties to recommend areas of focus on federal sentencing policy. On August 5, The Sentencing Project submitted a letter to the Commission highlighting four areas of attention. Our recommended issue areas are the following: 1. Prepare a Report for Congress on the Impact of Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentences - The last substantial report produced on mandatory sentencing is now nearly 20 years old. We recommend a fresh examination of these issues, including the impact of mandatory sentencing on public safety and racial disparity, and the utility of the federal "safety valve" sentencing provision. 2. Continue Recent Activity in the Area of Cocaine Sentencing Policy - The Commission should continue to play an active role in Congressional deliberations regarding changes in the penalty structure for crack and powder cocaine sentencing. 3. Prepare a Report for Congress on Alternatives to Incarceration - Building on evidence that alternatives are underutilized in the federal system, particularly for drug offenses, the Commission should examine options for expansion of alternatives and guidelines restrictions that need to be reconsidered. 4. Examine the Impact of Time Served in Prison on Crime, Costs, and Disparity - Between 1993 and 2006 time served in prison for federal offenses increased by 44%. The Commission should examine these changes to assess their value and cost regarding public safety outcomes. We hope you find these recommendations useful in your work, and we will keep you posted regarding the priorities established by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. -The Sentencing Project

LEAP Volunteers Needed

Dear friends,

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is seeking professional, articulate volunteers to support LEAP by booking speaking engagements in your area.

LEAP is growing quickly as more and more distinguished members of law enforcement join us to speak out about the harms caused by our current drug policies.  As you know, LEAP's strategy is to send our respected and credible speakers out to explain this issue to captive audiences.  We want to utilize each speaker to their maximum potential and reach as many new people as possible, so we are seeking volunteers to help us put our speakers in front of audiences across the United States and abroad.

Because of the training involved, we ask volunteers to commit to 1-2 hours per week.  You'll be reaching out to civic clubs, universities, churches, and other groups in your area to book our speakers.  We will train you to call on these groups as a member of LEAP and explain why they should be interested in hosting a LEAP speaker.  As a token of appreciation for your time and effort, we offer a small compensation for each gig you are able to arrange.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in advocacy, outreach, and event planning while helping to promote LEAP's message.  If you are interested in volunteering, please email me at [email protected]  with your name, city, country and relevant experience.

Sincerely,

Shaleen A. Title
Speakers Bureau Director
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
121 Mystic Avenue, Suites 8&9
Medford, MA 02155
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (617) 955-9638
Web Site: www.leap.cc

Reform Events in Denver, Grand Junction, and more

[Courtesy of Sensible Colorado] Please join Sensible Colorado staff and allies at these upcoming marijuana reform events! Statewide: The Great Marijuana Book Bomb The highly acclaimed book co-authored by SAFER's Mason Tvert, Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?, is now available. A book about marijuana has never hit #1 on Amazon.com, but with your help that could change. Please join hundreds of other marijuana reform supporters in purchasing the book on Amazon TOMORROW, Thursday, August 20. Amazon re-ranks book sales on an hourly basis, so Marijuana is Safer doesn't need to be the bestselling book for the past month; it just needs to generate a lot of sales on the day of the Book Bomb. If everyone acts tomorrow, it will reach the top. For more information visit http://www.MarijuanaBookBomb.com Denver: SAFER Book Launch in Denver This Sunday, August 23, from 2-5 p.m., SAFER is hosting a party at 8 Rivers LoDo in Denver (1550 Blake St.) to celebrate the launch of Marijuana Is Safer. The event will include appetizers and an auction, and all proceeds from book sales will benefit SAFER. Copies of the book will be available for just $20 -- or for $30, get a copy and have one sent to a Colorado legislator! -- and SAFER's Mason Tvert will be on hand to discuss the book and sign copies. Grand Junction: On Sunday, August 30, Sensible Colorado will present a free seminar on Colorado's medical marijuana law. This 90 minute training will cover all aspects of Amendment 20 and will include a "Know Your Rights" portion-- teaching patients and others their rights when dealing with police. Event starts at 2pm at 571 32 rd., Units D and E, Clifton, CO 81520. Breckenridge: Sensible Breckenridge, an off-shoot of Sensible Colorado, has successfully qualified a marijuana reform measure for the November 2009 ballot. To get active in this campaign please contact [email protected].

Doctors, Patients to Testify at Pharmacy Board Medical Marijuana Hearing Wednesday

MEDIA ADVISORY   
AUGUST 18, 2009

Doctors, Patients to Testify at Pharmacy Board Medical Marijuana Hearing Wednesday

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205

DES MOINES, IOWA -- Medical experts from Iowa and around the country as well as patients and others will testify Wednesday at the first of a series of Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearings to examine the medical value of marijuana and whether marijuana's classification under state law should be changed.

    WHAT: Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearing on medical marijuana
   
    WHO: Witnesses expected to testify include:
        Dr. Joseph McSherry, neurologist at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vt., who has testified before Vermont's legislature and has extensive experience with Vermont's medical marijuana law. Scheduled to speak at 10:30 a.m.
        Dr. Ed Hertko, retired internal medicine specialist from West Des Moines and founder of Camp Hertko Hollow, a residential camp for youth with diabetes. Scheduled to speak at 11:10 a.m.
       Dr. Alan Koslow, vascular surgeon from West Des Moines and founding member of the Iowa Pain Institute, who served on the Governor's Task Force for Early Childhood Care and on the board of the American Diabetes Association. Scheduled to speak at 2:10 p.m.
      Jeff Elton of Des Moines, who suffers from gastric paresis, causing severe nausea and vomiting.

    WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    WHERE: Iowa State Historic Building (auditorium), 600 East Locust St., Des Moines.

    To arrange interviews with the above witnesses or with Marijuana Policy Project staffers who can place Wednesday's hearing in a national context, contact MPP director of communications Bruce Mirken at 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205.

     With more than 27,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

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Press Release: Hemp Companies Living Harvest and Nutiva Named to Inc. 500|5000 List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2009 CONTACT: Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671 or [email protected], Tom Murphy at 207-542-4998 or [email protected] Living Harvest and Nutiva Named to Inc. 500|5000 List HIA Member Companies Rank Well in Food & Beverage Category WASHINGTON, DC – The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a trade association made up of hundreds of hemp businesses, is pleased that Living Harvest Foods and Nutiva, both companies are full business members of the HIA, have been named to Inc. Magazine’s 500|5000 List. Living Harvest Foods of Portland, OR was ranked No. 961 on the over all list with 318.2% growth and 2008 revenue of $4.4 million and was ranked No. 20 in the Food & Beverage category. Santa Paula, CA based Nutiva was ranked No. 2,174 on the over all list with 145.2% growth and 2008 revenue of $6.5 million and was ranked No. 52 in the Food & Beverage category. Founded in 2002, Living Harvest became industry pioneers with the launch of the world’s first protein powder and stayed ahead of the curve with the subsequent launches of the first whole food blends in 2005 and the world’s first Hempmilk in 2007. In 2009, Living Harvest added Tempt, the first line of non-dairy frozen desserts made with Hempmilk in the United States, to their growing repertoire of hemp foods. “Pioneering a variety of hemp foods over the years and launching innovative new products such as our Tempt Hempmilk and frozen dessert line is the key to our exceptional growth,” said Hans Fastre, CEO of Living Harvest Foods. “Our placement on the list of fastest growing companies in the U.S., as well our placement as the number 20 food and beverage company, is a testimony to the future of hemp foods.” Founded in 1999 by John W. Roulac, Nutiva is America’s number one brand of nutritious organic hemp foods and extra-virgin coconut oil. Nutiva is dedicated to a healthy and sustainable world, demonstrating its mission to nourish people and planet by using nourishing organic ingredients, enriching the soil, and supporting worthy causes. “Nutiva’s vision is to replace our country’s overreliance on corn, soy, and dairy products with healthier hemp and coconut superfoods,” explains Roulac. “Nutiva is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month and we are proud to be named one of the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine.” Earlier this year the HIA released final estimates of the size of the U.S. retail market for hemp food and body care products in 2008. Data supporting the estimates show that retail sales of hemp food and body care products in the U.S. have continued to set records in 2008. Strong sales of popular hemp items like non-dairy milk, shelled hemp seed, soaps and lotions have occurred against the backdrop of state-licensed hemp farmers in North Dakota fighting a high stakes legal battle against the DEA to grow hemp for U.S. manufacturers. “The HIA is confident that the total North American hemp food and body care market over the last year accounted for $100-120 million in retail sales,” comments Eric Steenstra, HIA Executive Director. “We expect double-digit growth of the hemp food sector to continue in 2009, as consumer interest about green healthy products grows,” says Steenstra. # # # The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) represents the interests of the hemp industry and encourages the research and development of new hemp products. More information about hemp’s many uses and hemp advocacy may be found at www.HempIndustries.org and www.VoteHemp.com. DVD Video News Release featuring footage of hemp farming in other countries is available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.

The Sentencing Project -- Disenfranchisement News: Media Spotlight on the Democracy Restoration Act of 2009

National: Media Spotlight on the Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 A Project Vote blog posting notes the media attention and editorial support for the Democracy Restoration Act of 2009. Highlighting passages from national media outlets including The New York Times, the Patriot News in Pennsylvania, and the Detroit Free Press, the blog stated, "whether the message will affect the change needed to enfranchise the millions of Americans who currently cannot represent their communities in the democratic process, it is encouraging to find more citizens recognize the value in voting rights restoration and its impact on rehabilitation." Responding to a New York Times editorial calling felon disenfranchisement "bad prison policy," Adam Fogel, Right to Vote Director of FairVote, stated in a letter to the editor that the "lack of uniformity in election administration cannot help but lead to fundamental inequalities in our democracy." The Times' editorial noted that California, New York and, most recently, Massachusetts have upheld voting rights bans for individuals with felony convictions. Fogel further suggested that Congress set national standards for all elections. The Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 would grant individuals with felony convictions voting rights in federal elections only. Massachusetts: Court Denies Voting Rights Act Challenge to Felony Disenfranchisement In Simmons v. Galvin, a First Circuit panel ruled the persons currently incarcerated in Massachusetts' prisons cannot challenge the loss of their voting rights under section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Ex Post Facto clause. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act states, "no voting qualification or prerequisite to voting or standard, practice, or procedure shall be imposed or applied by any State ... in a manner which results in a denial or abridgment of the right ... to vote on account of race or color." According to Ballot Access, plaintiffs wanted to present evidence that Massachusetts' felon disenfranchisement law has a disproportionally adverse effect on African Americans and Hispanic Americans, who are overrepresented in the prison population. The two-judge majority rejected the arguments and determined that Congress never intended for Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to be used for this purpose. The dissenting judge, Juan Torruella, said the section's language is clear and unambiguous, and therefore speculation about what Congress intended is irrelevant. Advocates say his dissent was similar to Judge Sonia Sotomayor's opinion in Hayden v. Pataki. Some believe that the case might end up before the Supreme Court, presenting Justice Sotomayor another opportunity to consider an issue with which she is familiar. Click here to read the decision. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org.
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