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Changing Minds 2009
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Justice Policy Institute Press Release: Violent crime fell in 2007; Areas with lower incarceration rates experienced greater crime reductions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, September 15, 2008 Contact: LaWanda Johnson, (202) 558-7974x308; cell:(202) 320-1029 Violent Crime Fell in 2007; Areas with lower incarceration rates experienced greater crime reductions WASHINGTON, D.C.--Violent crime in the United States fell by 1.4 percent in 2007, according to an analysis released today by the Justice Policy Institute. The analysis, which is based on findings in the 2007 FBI Uniform Crime Report released today, finds that the drop in crime came at a time when the prison and jail growth rates fell from previous years. The analysis concluded that regions with the lowest incarceration rates also experienced the largest drops in violent crime. The number of violent and property crimes fell in three of the four regions of the country. The northeast region experienced the greatest drop in violent crime, and also has the lowest incarceration rates in the country. The southern region has the highest incarceration rates and witnessed a rise in violent crimes--the only part of the country to not experience a drop in crime. Furthermore, as the growth rates of prisons and jails fell, the violent crime rate fell as well, possibly indicating that lowering the number of people imprisoned can be an effective way to increase public safety. "The data clearly demonstrates that the use of incarceration as a means of increasing public safety is a failed public policy," said Sheila Bedi, executive director of the Justice Policy Institute. "This data underscores that investments in education, employment and housing are what make communities safer." The Uniform Crime Report also reinforces statistics around youth crime and suggests that punitive practices aimed at youth should be abandoned for more effective alternatives. According the UCR, adults are responsible for the majority of violent offenses, representing 84 percent of all violent crime arrests. For a more in-depth analysis of crime trends, and information on effective public safety practices, please visit our website at www.justicepolicy.org.

Sensible Colorado -- SAVE THE DATE: Get serious about reform!

Are you SERIOUS about changing marijuana laws in Colorado? If so... Save the Date! Marijuana Reform Seminar & Activist Boot Camp Presented by Sensible Colorado & SAFER Date: November 15, 2008 A few months ago, Sensible Colorado and SAFER announced we would be joining forces to recruit, train, and mobilize activists around the state who are serious about working together toward changing marijuana laws in Colorado. Plans are now underway for a historic statewide Marijuana Reform Seminar and Activist Boot Camp that will provide participants with detailed training sessions and the materials they will need to get active in their areas and start working toward change. The event will address a variety of subjects, including: • The state of marijuana laws and policies in Colorado • Messaging, framing the debate, and spreading the word • Building support in your area and among specific communities • Lobbying and relationship-building with local and state officials More details about this event will be made available soon!

Advocates Launch Historic Drive to Register Eligible Alabama Voters, Including Those Convicted of Felony Drug Possession

Press Advisory Contact: Rev. Ken Glasgow at 334-791-2433 or Gabriel Sayegh at 646-335-2264 September 12, 2008 Advocates Launch Historic Drive to Register Eligible Alabama Voters, Including Those Convicted of Felony Drug Possession Families, Formerly Incarcerated People, Religious Leaders, Treatment and Sentencing Experts Declare: Don't Criminalize People with Drug Problems, Provide Treatment and Restoration Voter Drive to Include Town Hall Events In Five Cities Across Alabama: "Voter Disfranchisement and The War On Drugs: What's Civil Right's Got to Do With It?" In Alabama, nearly 250,000 people have been stripped their voting rights due to a felony conviction. But in a 2006 court ruling in Alabama, a judge found that only those persons convicted of felonies of "moral turpitude" lose their right to vote. The judge found that certain felonies—such as drug possession—do not constitute crimes of moral turpitude, and therefore individuals convicted of those crimes do not lose their right to vote, even during incarceration. Alabama-based The Ordinary People's Society and their national partner the Drug Policy Alliance estimate that over 50,000 people convicted of non-moral turpitude felonies in Alabama have been wrongly denied their right to vote, or believe they do not have that right due to a conviction. An additional 6 – 7,000 more people currently incarcerated in Alabama state prisons may also be eligible to vote. Join Dothan-based The Ordinary People's Society and their national partner the Drug Policy Alliance on their statewide tour to discuss Alabama's drug war and its impact on democracy. What: "Voter Disfranchisement and the War On Drugs: What's Civil Right's Got to Do With It?" When: 9/15 – 9/19. Each event begins at 6 p.m . Where: 9/15 in Huntsville 9/16 in Birmingham 9/17 in Mobile 9/18 in Dothan 9/19 in Montgomery Each event begins at 6 p.m. Call for event locations. Who: Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, Founder and Executive Director, The Ordinary People's Society (TOPS) (Dothan, AL) Daris Johnson, Director, TOPS Young People's Project (Enterprise, AL) Gabriel Sayegh, Director, Organizing and Policy Project, Drug Policy Alliance (New York, NY) Alabama is facing a crisis. The state has the 6th highest rate of incarceration in the U.S. A prison system designed for 12,500 people now holds nearly 30,000. As a result of the drug war, non-violent drug offenses make up approximately 30% of all felony convictions in Alabama, and people convicted of non-violent drug and property offenses comprise nearly half of the state's prison population. Nearly 50% of prisoners are serving prison time for a drug related crime. And over 250,000 people are barred from voting due to felony disfranchisement laws. A recent court ruling, however, found that people convicted of drug possession, among other offenses, do not lose their right to vote. This change could have an impact on nearly 70,000 Alabamians, including nearly 10,000 currently incarcerated in state prisons. While drug use is equal across all racial groups, Black people are incarcerated for drug crimes at higher rates than whites. Blacks make up only 26% of Alabama's population, but are nearly 60% of the prison population. And nearly every For every white person in an Alabama jail, there are about 4 Black people. Alabama is spending millions to incarcerated people when treatment is more effective and far cheaper. The average cost to keep a person in prison in Alabama is almost $13,000 per year. The average cost of a full treatment program per client is approximately $4,300. Over time, the savings from treatment are significant: Studies by the RAND Corporation have show that every additional dollar invested in substance abuse treatment saves taxpayers $7.46 in societal costs. "We've got to start restoring people's lives, by providing treatment, by restoring the right to vote," said Reverend Kenneth Glasgow, Executive Director of The Ordinary People's Society and state coordinator of the New Bottom Line Campaign. "When a person get's a felony conviction, they can lose more than their voting rights, they can lose public assistance, public housing, financial aid for school. The drug war became a war on people and we spend more on incarceration than on treatment. Why do we spend more on producing criminals than producing citizens? We need a new bottom line." In 2005, according to the Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, the substance abuse statistics for the state of Alabama stated: Alcohol • 246,000 people had alcohol dependency • Total admissions for alcohol rehabilitation and treatment was 2,427 • Less than 1% (actually.009%) of Alabamians received treatment for alcohol Other Drug Abuse • 113,000 people had drug dependency other than alcohol • Total admissions for drug rehabilitation and treatment was 12,645 • 11% of those needing treatment were provided with treatment

Press Release: Marijuana Arrests Set All Time Record

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008   

Marijuana Arrests Set All-Time Record
Arrests for Marijuana Possession Exceed All Violent Crimes Combined

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-668-6403 or 202-215-4205

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Continuing the recent trend, marijuana arrests set another all-time record in 2007, totaling 872,720. Arrests for marijuana possession totaled 775,138, greatly exceeding arrests for all violent crimes combined, which totaled 597,447.

    The number greatly exceeds the 829,627 marijuana arrests in 2006, which itself was an all-time record.

    Arrests for illicit drugs other than marijuana declined in 2007 by over 84,000 compared to 2006.

    "Most Americans have no idea of the massive effort going into a war on marijuana users that has completely failed to curb marijuana use," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "Just this summer a new World Health Organization study of 17 countries found that we have the highest rate of marijuana use, despite some of the strictest marijuana laws and hyper-aggressive enforcement.

    "With government at all levels awash in debt, this is an insane waste of resources. If we regulated and taxed marijuana as we do beer, wine, and cigarettes, we could save tens of billions of dollars, better control marijuana's production and distribution, and cut off a huge source of funding to criminal gangs."

    Bizarrely, at his recent press conference announcing new drug use survey data, White House drug czar John Walters stated, "We didn't arrest 800,000 marijuana users," and called that figure, when raised by MPP's Aaron Houston and Dan Bernath, a "lie."

    With more than 25,000 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.

####

LEAP on the Hill: Stories from Week of September 12, 2008

Every three months: The Open Society Institute under the direction of Nkechi Taifa brings about 50 dedicated professionals together four times a year. Representing close to 50 organizations, we share info and network to change social policy in the USA. Much is accomplished in 90 minutes. At this meeting I showed Tom Angell, LEAP’s new media director, the front page foto and article (at bottom of this letter). I let him know that LEAP expects front page headlines every week! Glad CATO chose Peter Christ to speak: On Thursday I attended a CATO (www.cato.org) event regarding the problems of no-knock SWAT raids on American homes. We listened to the sad story of small town mayor Cheye Calvo whose two black lab dogs were shot dead by police at the beginning of a drug raid on his house. 10 days later the police admitted that the mayor was 0.0 guilty of anything. Expert Radley Balko gave us a history of the use of no-knock, dynamic (violent) entry into homes. Last to speak was retired police captain and one of LEAP’s Founding Five, Peter Christ. The CATO had also considered having me speak but chose Peter instead. So glad they did. Starting slowly and then building and pulling the audience to him, Peter was able to bring immense, emotional power to his speech. He touched me and I am certain all the rest.

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News/Updates 9/12/08

New York: Voting Rights Education Hits the Road The New York Civil Liberties Union this week launched a six-week campaign to educate county election boards and formerly incarcerated individuals on voting rights for those with felony offenses. New York City and Buffalo trains and buses have donned print ads which state: "You have the right to vote ... even if you have a criminal record." Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union said, "There is a mistaken belief that those with criminal records permanently lose their right to vote. As a result, thousands of New Yorkers are either unnecessarily forfeiting their rights or being unlawfully denied their right to vote." State law bans those incarcerated and on parole from voting, but individuals can vote while on probation. The organization is also active in supporting a bill that would require the state to notify former inmates of their voting status. The bill would provide eligible voters assistance with registration and absentee ballots. It would also require the state Department of Correctional Services to share data with the state Board of Elections to prevent eligible voters with felony convictions from being turned away at voting booths, according to the Press & Sun Bulletin. North Carolina: Campaigning off the Beaten Path Democratic Party campaign supporters have taken to jails to educate inmates on their right to vote, the Durham Herald Sun reported. One delegate went to Durham County Jail in an effort to let inmates with misdemeanors know that they could still register and vote by absentee ballot. The city's mayor, Bill Bell, stated he'd follow through on a request to ask the Durham County Sheriff to ensure inmates could register and send in absentee ballots. Individuals with felony offenses in North Carolina are banned from voting until they've completed their sentence. Nevada: Automatically Eligible, but You Have to Know the Rules Individuals with felony convictions in Nevada have been subject to varying restoration procedures over time, according to Public News Service. The problem is that many individuals don't realize that there are mechanisms by which they can be eligible to vote. Under a 2003 state law, individuals who have completed their sentence for a first-time, non-violent offense are eligible to register to vote. "We're really hoping that we'll get a lot of people involved in this because it's just so important that people participate in civic engagement; it reduces their chances of re-offending, it makes them feel like they are part of the community again, and I think that's just really important in a democracy," said Meredith McGhan, voter restoration advocate for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. Tennessee: NAACP Offers Restoration Assistance NAACP Memphis Chapter is offering assistance to residents seeking voting rights restoration, ABC 24 reported. "I think in order to be a United States citizen, it's important to exercise the right to vote. I think it's critically important, and that's why we fight for individuals who have made mistakes and paid for them," said Van Turner, an attorney volunteering with the organization. Tennessee law stipulates that most individuals can vote after they've completed their sentence. Individuals convicted of murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud after July 1, 1986 are permanently banned from voting. For more information, call 901.521.1343. Virginia: Voting Rights Restoration Forum Planned Norfolk State University's Thurgood Marshall Pre-law Club of the Political Science Department is hosting a restoration of voting rights forum September 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The convening will include assistance with voting rights applications. Virginia permanently disenfranchises individuals with felony offenses. For more information, call 713.582.1316 or visit www.missingvoter.org. - - - - - - 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

20 years of federal stonewalling

Dear friends:

Twenty years ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief administrative law judge issued a landmark ruling on marijuana — but our government has ignored this historic decision since the day it was issued.

"Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care ... The evidence in this record clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence in this record."
— DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young, September 6, 1988

Judge Young had just finished holding extensive hearings, in response to a petition asking for marijuana to be moved from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bars medical use, to a lower schedule that would permit physician prescriptions. He heard from an array of expert witnesses, generating thousands of pages of documentation.

Young — the chief administrative law judge in the top federal agency responsible for enforcing our drug laws — laid out his findings in a detailed, 69-page ruling, walking readers through the scientific evidence in detail. He concluded that the law didn't just permit moving marijuana to Schedule II, but required it.

The response? Six years after top DEA officials rejected Judge Young's recommendation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the agency had the right to ignore its own administrative law judge.

And as a result, seriously ill medical marijuana patients continue to be arrested, terrorized, and even have their children taken away — cancer patients living in fear of arrest for using marijuana to quell their nausea and help them keep food down ... AIDS patients using medical marijuana to ease the pain and nausea that too often are side effects of the drugs that keep them alive, terrified of losing their homes if caught ... tens of thousands of people turned into criminals simply for following their own doctors' advice.

Will you help? MPP is systematically working to end this war — state by state, vote by vote. We are making progress every day, but we need your help.

Among other work, your donation will help us pass a medical marijuana initiative in Michigan this November 4, making Michigan the 13th medical marijuana state and the first in the Midwest … adding one more state to the growing number demanding a marijuana policy that works for Americans, not against them.

Won't you invest in change?

Thank you,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

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 $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2008. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

Americans for Safe Access: September 2008 Activist Newsletter

California Legislature OKs Job Rights for Cannabis Patients

The California legislature has taken action to guarantee employment rights for cannabis patients. The state senate this month sent to the governor's desk an assembly bill that would prevent discriminating against patients in "hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment" based on their status as a state-qualified medical cannabis user or a positive drug test for marijuana.

The bill, AB 2279, was introduced by Assemblymember Mark Leno in answer to a California Supreme Court decision that found medical marijuana patients can be fired for positive drug tests, even if their cannabis use is legal under state law and occurs only outside the workplace. AB 2279 is sponsored by ASA and was drafted with assistance from ASA's Legislative Analyst, Noah Mamber.

The bill leaves intact existing state law prohibiting consumption at the workplace and protects employers from liability by allowing exceptions for jobs where physical safety could be a concern.

Gary Ross Gary Ross, speaking to the media

"The California legislature has stood up for the right of patients to work and be productive members of society," said ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford, who represented Gary Ross, the software engineer whose firing became a test of California's medical marijuana law. "Now the governor must act to protect the jobs of thousands of law-abiding Californians who are fighting serious illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS."

The employment rights bill has the support of unions representing nearly 1 million workers in California, as well as the National Lawyers Guild and several HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations. ASA lobbying helped gain the early endorsements of the statewide California Labor Federation, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

California joins Oregon and Hawaii in considering laws to protect medical marijuana patients from employment discrimination.

More about the bill can be seen at www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279.

 

 

 

CA Attorney General Directs Law Enforcement on Medical Marijuana

Comprehensive recommendations include protection of dispensaries

Guidelines for California medical cannabis patients and the operation of dispensaries that serve them have been issued by the state's attorney general.

Under the new guidelines, California law enforcement agencies should not take qualified patients into custody or seize their cannabis, so long as they are abiding by state law and local regulation. In instances where medical cannabis is seized, officials are required to return it to patients. The guidelines also provide recommendations for operating medical cannabis dispensaries in accordance with state law.

Jerry Brown Attorney General Jerry Brown

"Today we stand beside the Attorney General of California in his effort to fully implement the state's medical marijuana law," said ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford. "We welcome this leadership and expect that compliance with these guidelines will result in fewer unnecessary arrests, citations and seizures of medicine from qualified patients and their primary caregivers."

Americans for Safe Access and other advocates have been urging Attorney General Jerry Brown and other state officials to take action on implementing the medical cannabis program. The guidelines on return of patient cannabis are in keeping with recent court decisions won by Americans for Safe Access.

The most significant aspect of the guidelines may prove to be the recommendations for operating storefront medical marijuana dispensaries in accordance with state law. Lack of state guidance has meant that the issue of how to regulate the operation of such dispensaries -- which some estimates say more than half the state's cannabis patients rely on for access -- has been left to city councils, county supervisors and local zoning boards.

The guidelines note that "a properly organized and operated collective or cooperative that dispenses medical marijuana through a storefront may be lawful under California law." The key question is what constitutes proper organization and operation. The attorney general's guidelines claim that medical cannabis dispensaries must operate on a not-for-profit basis.

This stems from language in the Medical Marijuana Program Act (SB 420), passed by the state legislature in 2003. But the voter-approved Compassionate Use Act (Prop. 215) makes no mention of profit or non-profit in its call for the establishing of a state distribution system.

The guidelines also make clear that state and local law enforcement are not to use federal law as an excuse for arresting state-qualified patients or seizing their cannabis. In so doing, the attorney general affirmed several court decisions that find California's medical marijuana law is not preempted by federal law.

The differences between state and federal laws have led to escalating interference by federal officials. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Justice have targeted California with a campaign of investigations, raids, seizures, prosecutions, and imprisonment of medical marijuana patients and providers.

In response, several California mayors, including San Francisco's Gavin Newsom and Oakland's Ron Dellums, have asked House Judiciary Chair John Conyers (D-MI) for oversight hearings. Rep. Conyers has publicly questioned federal tactics and demanded answers from the DEA.

"It is now up to Congress and the new President to align federal policy with California and other medical cannabis states," said ASA spokesperson Kris Hermes. "It is time to resolve the federal-state conflict that serves only to undermine California and other states' sovereignty and inflict harm on seriously ill patients and their care providers."

The new guidelines can be seen at: www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/downloads/AG_Guidelines.pdf.

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News/Updates 9/04/08

Florida: Executive Order Aimed to Speed Up Process Gov. Charlie Crist implemented an executive order last week in an effort to speed up the process for persons with non-violent felony offenses to regain voting rights, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The order will: - Require a voter-registration application be included in every Restoration of Civil Rights Certificate mailed from the Parole Commission; - Make accessible a redesigned Florida Parole Commission Web site allowing individuals to locate and print their restoration certificate; and - Provide on the Web site a direct link to the Division of Elections' voter-registration Web site. "I believe that government should explore every opportunity to ease the notification process and provide as much information about restoration of civil rights," Crist said in a statement. "The changes made today will allow ex-offenders to immediately register to vote and participate in the democratic process." In an editorial, the Orlando Sentinel stated that the executive order was "impressive," but added that Gov. Crist "could do better." The editorial board noted that problems will still remain, including the fact that elections supervisors will need greater access to state databases to reach new voters and that there's still uncertainty regarding how individuals will be notified by mail of their ability to vote. Highlighting last week's Orlando Sentinel's investigative report on people whose rights have yet to be restored, a New York Times editorial stated that Florida's restoration figure of 115,000 "turn[ed] out to have been an illusion." Reform "would be good for the ex-offenders, good for Florida and good for the larger cause of democracy," the Times stated. New York: Personal Fulfillment Includes the Right to Vote Germaine Knapp, CEO of the Sojourner House, a women's transitional support organization in New York, said many women her organization comes in contact with don't realize they have the right to vote if they have served their time, including parole. "The women who come to Sojourner House have made a courageous decision to overcome the challenges of drug addiction, mental illness and abuse," she wrote in a Democrat and Chronicle commentary. "They have chosen to free themselves from low expectations and taken the high road to self-sufficiency, responsibility and personal fulfillment. Yet, although those women have demonstrated unusual courage, they continue to doubt their right to participate fully in elections." Michigan: Attempting to Correct False Information A campaign to register 1500 new Michigan voters is underway in an effort to ''combat false information that was being disseminated from inside the Corrections Department itself,'' the Michigan Citizen reported. Unlock the Vote is working in Wayne, Genessee and Kalamazoo counties to empower citizens with felony convictions. Wisconsin: State Representative Thinks Law Should Change - for the Better Wisconsin law states that individuals must complete their prison sentence in addition to probation or parole to become eligible to vote. State Rep. Joe Parisi wants that to change, Channel 3000 reported. "Once you've served your time and you're released from prison, we expect you to participate in society again and we encourage you to take part in the democratic process and vote. It would save money, it would help integrate people back into society and it would make the administration of elections much smoother," said Parisi, who will continue lobbying for a bill reflecting his views. National: Voter Awareness Program Unveiled; Research Offers Judges' Views on Collateral Consequences A nonpartisan voter awareness program was unveiled by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in an effort to educate voters and address voting barriers, including disenfranchisement, in the upcoming November election, according to Diverse Issues in Education. "Prepared to Vote" will include sponsoring community-based workshops, holding meetings with election officials and posting information on an educational Web site, www.preparedtovote.org. "Prepared to Vote is a program designed to raise every voter's awareness of the many obstacles in the electoral process that could affect their right to vote in the 2008 election. Through Prepared to Vote, we hope to ensure that every eligible voter casts a vote that counts," said John Payton, LDF president and director-counsel. A new survey of judicial practice and understanding of the collateral consequences of criminal convictions finds that while judges report that courtroom practitioners frequently discuss these policies in court, there is also "further evidence of serious ambiguities and variation in these laws' purpose, character, and imposition." The study of trial court judges nationally, by Alec Ewald and Marnie Smith, also found that about 80% of respondents "did not believe the purposes of collateral consequences were clearly defined in their state's statutes" and that "judges appear to differentiate among collateral consequences," supporting some more strongly than others. The study, "Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions in American Courts," appears in The Justice System Journal, Vol, 29, #2. National: New York Review of Books Features Disenfranchisement Publication The New York Review of Books incorporated discussion of "Restoring the Right to Vote," a 34-page publication authored by Erika Wood of the Brennan Center for Justice in a review of electoral issues. The report proposes automatic post-incarceration voting rights restoration. - - - - - - 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

The LEAP Report -- September 2008

Issue IV, Volume II LEAP in Action September 2008 This issue… • Make the LEAP • Volunteer of the Month • State by State • Making Media • International Overtures Make the LEAP Volunteer of the Month “Tried and true activists bring LEAP into what they do” Rob Ryan is both tried and true. Rob works hard at his day job but always finds time for activism. As an experienced local reformer focusing on medical marijuana, he immediately recognized the impact of the LEAP message. Since our creation in 2002, Rob has been a savvy, hard-working supporter of our speakers. Rob regularly books civic gigs or finds other quality audiences for our messengers around his home town of Cincinnati, Ohio. Rob uses every opportunity to educate his friends about drug policy. In 2006 and 2007 he was instrumental in placing resolutions before the national convention of Amnesty International, calling for their support in ending prohibition. While at the conference he also created a table top display promoting LEAP. LEAP celebrates local activism and is honored to have Rob as our volunteer of the month. We value skilled activists who are using their talents to bring the LEAP message to their community leaders. State by State Contributed by Barb Humphrey (NY), Speakers Bureau Administrative Assistant The Leap Speakers Deliver Powerful Messages Heard ‘Round the World Following up with hosts of LEAP speaking engagements gives me the opportunity to not only thank them for the booking and put in a plug for a future engagement, but also to gauge the impact of the drug legalization message being delivered around the world by LEAP speakers. As expected, on college campuses, LEAP speakers, who often are guests of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, encounter receptive audiences. Speakers such as Rick Van Wickler, Peter Christ, Jay Fisher, and Jeff Kaufman we were well received earlier this year on college campuses in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, and elsewhere. Mixed reactions are expected from older audiences, especially if there are representatives of law enforcement in the audience. But a number of rotaries, such as Blairstown in New Jersey, expressed support for LEAP’s efforts to change drug policy as a better way to keep kids safe following Peter Christ’s presentation. Jim Doherty was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kiwanis members in Seattle were already on board with the drug policy reform movement, having already heard from the King County Bar Association and the organizer of the Seattle Hempfest. Nebraskans were appreciative that Tony Ryan’s message of drug legalization was delivered with credibility, professionalism and kindness, especially in response to audience misconceptions that drug legalization condones drug use. They appreciated the opportunity to hear his novel message and for the thoughtful discussion this message stimulated. Mike Gilbert’s host at the San Antonio Senior Citizens Walking Club told us he was relieved that “no one castigated me for arranging the program. Also, judging by the questions asked, he had some that agreed with him.” Reading the response to Russ Jones’ presentation to the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club reminded me why we all work so hard to book LEAP speakers: “Russ Jones was outstanding! His presentation was informative, professional and convincing. I have not been a supporter of legalizing drugs; however, Russ' program, followed by a question & answer period made one consider the “War on Drugs" from a whole new perspective. His power point presentation was easy to follow and contributed to the overall presentation. Russ is an impressive individual -- one you have to honor. I will be recommending Russ to other civic organizations for future speaking engagements.” In August, LEAP speakers went to Alaska and New Zealand; more about New Zealand in International Overtures. This from the Anchorage South Rotary in response to Mike Gilbert’s presentation in early August: “Mike's presentation was great. Our members were very interested and it was worth everyone's time. Thanks.” I am looking forward to sharing New Zealanders’ responses to Jerry Paradis’ presentations in next month’s LEAP Report. Making Media You don’t have to look far before you find LEAP in the media. The highlight of this month has to be the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial published during the height of the Democratic National Convention. The Gazette’s opinion piece “Decades of effort yield few results” published on August 25, 2008 and available on line at http://www.gazette.com/opinion/drug_39743___article.html/war_drugs.html has this to say about the other US war… “In this campaign season, critics often hammer Sen. John McCain for his comment that he could see U.S. troops in Iraq for another 100 years. Although the senator meant the U.S. role in Iraq would be similar to our role in Germany and South Korea, not actively fighting insurgents, as the critics would have voters believe, the criticism scores points because the average American doesn't have much interest in fighting a seemingly endless war. Yet this country and others have been fighting a war for four decades with limited or no success, and there is no end in sight. No less deadly than uniformed troops trading volleys with one another, the war on drugs has cost this country more than a trillion dollars so far, according to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Web site, and that figure increases more than $65 billion each year. (LEAP is an organization of former and current law enforcement officers who have recognized the futility of the drug war.) And the government's attempt to curtail human nature is costing more than money. Every year, innocent people are killed, wounded or traumatized because of the war on drugs.” International Overtures Jerry Paradis is getting “Kia ora”* from folks these days, as he treks across New Zealand for LEAP’s return visit to this “other” down-under country. He’s doing the “Tiki tour” and we’ll have him knackered by the end of his tour on September 10th. Blair Anderson is the Kiwi coordinating the trip, and he has Jerry speaking at civic clubs, at conferences, meeting legislators and other VIPs, speaking with the media and basically, being what Mark Twain once said was the definition of an expert: “The guy from out of town”. In this case, Jerry is DEFINITELY from out of town: 7057 miles, if the crow could fly it. See our website events page for all of the details. * “Kia ora” is Maori for “be well” and is a typical greeting across NZ. Jack Cole travels immediately after Labor Day…he is an invited speaker to the 26th Annual Symposium on Economic Crime being held at Jesus College at Cambridge, England. Numerous media interviews are being plugged in for this attendance, as well as several private meetings with local dignitaries. 2009 could be a big travel year, as plans are starting to develop for speaking opportunities in Bangkok Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and various points in Europe including Vienna.
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