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Changing Minds 2009
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Marijuana Policy Project: Are you planning to visit New York this spring?

[Courtesy of MPP]

You’re invited to an exciting evening with the Marijuana Policy Project at the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan on May 14.

MPP Medical Marijuana Benefit
Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street, New York City
Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Please consider joining us for a night of comedy and music to celebrate MPP’s recent successes on the path to passing medical marijuana legislation in New York state (and other parts of the country).

The event will feature a performance by folk-rock band Nicole Atkins & The Sea, as well as special appearances by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Michelle Phillips and medical marijuana advocate Montel Williams. We’ll also honor Joel Peacock, a patient advocate from Buffalo who suffers from chronic pain resulting from a 2001 car accident.

Proceeds from the event will be used to change the law to remove criminal penalties for medical marijuana. If the New York bill passes in the next few months, New York would become the 13th medical marijuana state in the country.

Last year, the New York Assembly passed the bill by a 95-52 vote, marking the first time that such a bill has received a vote on the floor of either chamber of the New York Legislature. Plus, more than 1,000 doctors in New York have spoken out in support of medical marijuana, in addition to the Albany, Buffalo, and New York city councils and most medical organizations in the state.

The New York legislation is at the brink of victory — and the prospects for some of MPP’s other bills look good in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Please join us and be a part of the tipping point that brings about these momentous changes!

Please don’t wait long to buy your tickets, since space is limited.

I look forward to seeing you on May 14 in New York City.

Sincerely,
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 ticket purchase today will be doubled.

You can raise funds as a Prison Art Gallery partner, and you will be risking nothing

[Courtesy of Prison Art Gallery] If you have been to our Prison Art Gallery in the nation's capital, or at one of our events across America, you know that we sell a lot of prison art prints to people who are attracted to fine art with an interesting story, and at a very reasonable price. Thanks to the generosity of our printer and matting supplier, we can now make these gorgeous prints available to you for your fundraising needs at a very low price. Best of all, you risk nothing since whatever you get from us is 100% returnable. Here are the details. Our Prison Art print series now consists of 51 beautiful and beautifully matted numbered art prints created by imprisoned male and female artists in every region of the nation. (Their location and bio are on the back of each piece.) These art pieces have been hand-matted by our in-house framing staff for a terrific appearance and outstanding durability (including being placed in resealable poly enclosures that make them look like they're encased in thin glass). The prints are 11 by 17", with a final matted size of 16 by 20". You can see all of them on page three of our Art for Justice March 2008 catalog at http://prisonsfoundation.org/marafj.pdf. Now for the best part of all. Thanks to the generosity of our printer and matting supply company, we can offer these matted prints to you wholesale for only $7 each! At our gallery and our events we sell them for $15 to $20 each, and can't keep enough in stock. People know they're getting a real bargain since numbered and matted prints of this quality usually sell for $50 or more. We invite you to order these numbered matted prints today for your fundraising needs? Use them at special events or offer them regularly as part of your ongoing fundraising. Remember, your cost is only $7 each, and you can return any unsold pieces to us for a full refund. In addition to the money you will earn, you will have beautiful and interesting art to attract new supporters, and bring back old ones. We are making this offer to both nonprofit organizations and businesses because we want to raise public consciousness about the talent and humanity of men and women behind bars. Why not be part of this innovative arts program while enjoying a significant new stream of income? For further information, please call 202-393-1511 or email [email protected].

Meet MPP Advisory Board Member Jim Hightower Tomorrow in Washington, D.C.

[Courtesy of MPP] 

Meet MPP advisory board member Jim Hightower tomorrow in Washington, D.C.

The Marijuana Policy Project invites you to attend a reception for radio host and MPP VIP advisory board member Jim Hightower, who will be giving a talk about his new book, Swim Against the Current, tomorrow, March 18, at the Carnegie Institution building.

To watch a short video about Jim Hightower's views regarding marijuana policy reform, please click here, or to read a print version, click here.

The talk is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and the cost $20 per person. Admission for students and senior citizens is $15, and children under 16 are free. The event also features a VIP reception from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., which costs $50 per person or $80 per couple and includes a copy of Hightower's new book and admittance to the talk.

What: Jim Hightower VIP reception, book talk, and book signing
When: Tuesday, March 18, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm (VIP reception), 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (talk and book signing)
Where: Carnegie Institution building, 1530 P Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $50/person or $80/couple (VIP reception, book talk and signing, and copy of book); or $20/person (talk and book signing only); or $15/person (student and senior citizens).

Proceeds from the event will benefit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a national alliance of local state and federal resource professionals.

Just Say Know Weekly News: 3-17-08

[Courtesy of Just Say Know]

JUST SAY KNOW appreciates and commends the efforts of the drug policy reform organizations below and we thank them for their contributions to our drug policy reform work. Please visit their websites and support them to the best of your ability.

Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States.

NORML: Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers. Email: [email protected]

Drug Truth Network is a media production organization, based at KPFT Radio Houston, TX. Cultural Baggage, hosted by Dean Becker, is the only nationally distributed radio program focused on discussing the war on drugs. Dean produces 9 radio shows each week about the harms of the drug war. Their shows are broadcast on more than 50 affiliates in the US and Canada. Call your favorite radio station and ask them to include these innovative radio programs.

SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation): SAFER is working with students, organizations and other individuals around the country and abroad to spread the message that marijuana is safer than alcohol and should be treated as such.

FULLY INFORMED JURY ASSOCIATION (FIJA): Click here to learn about a powerful tool most people don’t know about that can be used to shut down prosecution of non-violent “drug offenders” on a case by case basis. It’s called Juror Nullification.

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Just Say Know

Visit Our Web Site:

If you’re using internet explorer web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home

If you’re using any other web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html

Please pass this message on to ALL your contacts in the USA and ask them to join our mailing list using the form on our website. THANK YOU! We never share email addresses from our mailing list with anyone.

Just Say Know works on your behalf toward drug policy reform, preserving and re-instating your legal rights. Since cannabis offences account for approximately half of all drug arrests, we believe taking away the ability of criminals to profit from cannabis will be an important initial step in drug policy reform. How? Just like it was done with alcohol, remove the prohibition and regulate legal adult use. As soon as alcohol prohibition ended, the crime and violence caused by alcohol prohibition ended. The year alcohol prohibition was repealed violent crime fell by sixty five percent. Drug policy and enforcement tactics are out of control and removing your rights at an alarming rate. Your financial contributions are greatly appreciated. To make a donation reply to this message with “donation” in the subject line and an associate will contact you by return email. If you wish to remain anonymous you can. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration. Don’t hesitate to contact us by replying to this message, we appreciate your comments, questions and concerns. Together we will make a difference!

The drug war is being used as an excuse to remove your Constitutional rights, steal your property, waste 69 billion tax dollars per year and a long list of other harms to citizens and society. There’s a mountain of evidence supporting the need for policy reform that will make citizens, their family, their livelihood and their property more secure. The right; to freedom of religion, free speech, a free press, to keep and bear arms, to be secure in your person, house, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure, to life, liberty and property, to be protected from having your property taken by the government without due process of law and without just compensation, to confront the witnesses against you, to be protected from excessive bail, excessive fines, cruel and unusual punishment, to vote and other Constitutional rights have been denied to millions of Americans in the name of the drug war.

Tell your friends about the "Enough is Enough" petition to stop the reckless overuse of SWAT tactics and save the lives of civilians and police alike. This petition is sponsored by: StoptheDrugWar.org Click here for details.

March 18, 2008 Teleconference: New Report Evaluates Methamphetamine Policies, Recommends Comprehensive and Integrated Reponse

For Immediate Release: March 13th, 2008 Contact: Tony Newman (646) 335-5384 or Bill Piper (222) 669-6430 New Report Evaluates U.S. Methamphetamine Policies, Recommends Comprehensive and Integrated Response California, New Mexico and Utah Cited as States with Exemplary Methamphetamine Policies Tuesday 1:00 PM EDT: Methamphetamine Experts Discuss New Report’s Recommendations and What They Mean for State and Federal Policymakers What: Tele-Press Conference When: Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 1:00 PM EDT Call in information: 1-800-311-9402, Passcode: Meth Report Who: Reena Szczepanski, director of DPA New Mexico and co-chair of Gov. Bill Richardson’s Methamphetamine Working Group New Mexico has developed a successful “four pillars” approach to methamphetamine that can serve as a model for other states and Congress. Lou Martinez, former meth user and graduate of California’s successful treatment-instead-of-incarceration program, Proposition 36 Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, statewide Prop. 36 coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance and author of the new report The Drug Policy Alliance, the nation’s leading organization advocating alternatives to the drug war, is releasing a report next week that evaluates current state and federal methamphetamine policies and recommends major reforms. The report, entitled “A Four-Pillars Approach to Methamphetamine: Policies for Effective Drug Prevention, Treatment, Policing and Harm Reduction,” is the first report in the U.S. to lay out a “four pillars” approach to addressing methamphetamine abuse. In Geneva, Zurich, Frankfurt, Sydney, and other major cities around the world, most notably Vancouver, the four pillars approach to substance abuse has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of users consuming drugs on the street, a significant drop in overdose deaths, and a reduction in the infection rates for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. New Mexico is the only U.S. state to have implemented a statewide “four pillars” methamphetamine strategy. The report makes numerous recommendations for improving U.S. prevention, treatment, policing and harm reduction efforts, including: Eliminate barriers to successful meth treatment, such as the shortage of treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women; Divert nonviolent methamphetamine offenders to treatment instead of jail; Invest in research to develop the equivalent of methadone and buprenorphine for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse, and allow doctors to prescribe dextroamphetmaine, modafinil, Ritalin and other medications to treat stimulant addiction as part of counseling and drug treatment; Eliminate failed, scare-based prevention programs like D.A.R.E. and the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, and increase funding for after-school programs instead; Re-prioritize local and federal law enforcement agencies to focus on violent criminals instead of nonviolent drug offenders, and set clear statutory goals and reporting requirements for the disruption of major methamphetamine operations; and Make sterile syringes widely available to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. While the report concludes that the federal government has failed to enact an effective methamphetamine strategy, it finds that several states are already leading the way, including California, New Mexico and Utah. California’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (Proposition 36) has proven to be the nation’s most systematic public health response to methamphetamine to date. This landmark measure, approved by 61% of voters, diverts approximately 35,000 persons from jail to drug treatment every year—over half of whom identify methamphetamine as their primary illegal drug. No other statewide program in the nation has offered treatment to or graduated more methamphetamine users than Proposition 36. In the process, California taxpayers have saved more than $1.3 billion over the program’s first six years. New Mexico is the only state to have developed a statewide methamphetamine strategy that combines prevention, treatment, policing, and harm reduction. This strategy is becoming a model for bringing together key stakeholders, fostering interagency collaboration, and implementing a coordinated methamphetamine strategy. In addition, DPA New Mexico is working with state agencies and the private sector to implement a youth methamphetamine education program funded by federal grant money that will serve as an alternative to the failed scare tactics of D.A.R.E., the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, and the Montana Meth Project. Utah recently enacted an innovative program that provides substance abuse screening and assessment to anyone convicted of a felony offense (drug- and non-drug-related). The results of these screenings and assessments are provided to the court before sentencing, allowing judges to divert certain offenders to treatment instead of jail. This program, the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA), is based on a pilot program that has diverted more than 200 offenders in Salt Lake County to treatment instead of jail, many of whom have methamphetamine-related problems. The Utah Methamphetamine Joint Task Force recently rejected calls to develop scare-based TV ads in favor of developing a more realistic and uplifting prevention campaign. An advance copy of the report is available upon request. ###

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News/Updates - 3/14/08

Florida: Advocate "Does Right Thing," Makes Dent in Disenfranchisement Muslima Lewis, an attorney with the ACLU and director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, was profiled in a Miami Herald article which discussed her role in reforming Florida's voting rights policy for persons with a felony conviction. Michael Hargrett, who was formerly incarcerated and received assistance from Lewis in applying to restore his rights last March said, "[s]he's passionate about rights and ... doing the right thing. She picks up on topics no one else does, and she doesn't look down at you." Lewis, who graduated from Barnard College and Yale Law School, left corporate law for nonprofit advocacy. "A lot of people don't want to talk about racial injustices and pretend that there aren't any," Lewis said. "Folks who are living it and experiencing it know." Kentucky: Editorial Sides with Governor, Rights of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals In an editorial, the Courier-Journal called Gov. Steve Beshear's efforts to ease the voting rights restoration process for formerly incarcerated individuals "a step toward fundamental fairness." Last week the governor eliminated the requirement for three character references, an essay, and a $2 fee in order for formerly incarcerated individuals to regain the right to vote. The editorial stated that before Gov. Beshear's move, the numbers of individuals seeking vote restoration dropped from more than 600 a year to about 250 a year. "Such rules have the same kind of impact as the infamous old Jim Crow laws that were designed to keep blacks out of the voting booth," the editorial stated. It continued: "What's needed is House Bill 70, a proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore most felons' right to vote. What's not needed is the mean-spirited floor amendment filed by Rep. James Comer (R-Tompkinsville). It would require that felons could have voting rights restored only if they paid the state 25 percent of the cost of their detention." Currently, 129,000 citizens are banned from voting in the commonwealth. Kentucky and Virginia are the only two states where all formerly incarcerated individuals are banned from voting unless the governor restores their civil rights. - - - - - - 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

Join ASA at Medical Cannabis Conference

[Courtesy of Americans for Safe Access]

Doctors, patients, and researchers from around the world are gearing up for the 5th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, hosted by Patients Out of Time on April 4-5. Click here to register for the conference.

Patient Out of Time's Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics will feature patients, activists, doctors, and researchers gathering to discuss the latest research on medical marijuana. This important conference only happens once every other year, so if you are a patient, doctor, researcher, and/or supporter, we strongly encourage you to consider attending the conference, which will be held on the Monterey Peninsula. The conference is less than a month away, and the registration price increases after March 20, so register today!

Several members of ASA's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board have been asked to present at the conference, including Philippe Lucas whose talk will be "Putting the Compassion in Compassion Clubs." This cutting edge conference is an excellent opportunity for patients, and their physicians, to learn about exciting and important developments in research.

Started in 2000, the Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics is the only national conference organized specifically by patients where attendees will learn about the scientific evidence supporting the therapeutic use of cannabis. It offers the opportunity to meet, network, and share experiences with a diverse national gathering of patients, medical cannabis researchers, our allies and supporters.

Join ASA at the 5th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, April 4-5, 2008, at Asilomar Conference Center, in beautiful, coastal Pacific Grove, California. If you are a patient, please share this information with your medical cannabis physician. The conference has been accredited by University of California, San Francisco which means your physician could be eligible to receive Continuing Medical Education credits.

For more information, see their website at www.MedicalCannabis.com/Conference.htm.

See You in California,

Caren Woodson
Director of Government Affairs
Americans for Safe Access

P.S. Help send ASA's staff and supporters to the National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics. Become a member of ASA today!

MPP's legislation in jeopardy because of prostitution?

[Courtesy of Marijuana Policy Project] 

In case you’re wondering, MPP's medical marijuana bill in New York probably isn’t in jeopardy because of the resignation today of Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D). (As you've probably seen in the news, the FBI recently discovered he was spending large amounts of money on prostitutes.)

Back in June, Gov. Spitzer indicated he was open to signing our medical marijuana legislation into law, telling reporters, “We've taken a hard look at it over the past number of months, and I'm open to signing a bill that is properly structured for appropriate use based upon the evidence that has been presented to me.”

I'm told that incoming Gov. David Paterson (D) is also likely to be supportive of our legislation, which passed the New York Assembly in June by a 95-52 vote. Our sights are focused on the Republican-controlled Senate, where our legislation has been pending for quite some time.

This spring, MPP will continue to push hard in New York — as well as in the other states detailed below. Would you please consider automatically donating $5 or more on your credit card each month to support our long-term state legislative efforts?

As you can see, MPP and MPP grantees have been extremely busy — and making progress — so far this legislative session. I hope you’ll become a monthly pledger to support our efforts in the months to come. Thank you ...

Sincerely,
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 monthly pledge will be doubled.

Action Alert: Felony for Ecstasy Possession

[Courtesy of Drug Policy Forum of Kansas]

Action Alert

March 10, 2008

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a bill to make the second possession of ecstasy a FELONY in Kansas even if the first offense was under a city ordinance - such as they have in Wichita. This bill passed the House 117-2.

Not only will this bill not deter drug abuse in Kansas, it is expensive and was put forward by legislators who only seek more people in our prisons - to allow the private prison industry to start building in Kansas.

Implementing this bill is expected to cost between $700,000 and $1,300,000 this year alone. Money that could be used for re-entry programs in the state. More information on HB 2545 can be found here, http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-bills/searchBillNumber.do 

Would you please take one minute to call or write a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and tell them to oppose the HB 2545 which makes possession of Ecstacy a felony in Kansas? 

Click here to send an email to all the members at one time, or call --

Committee Chair, Senator John Vraitl, R-Overland Park, 785-296-7361

Vice Chair, Senator Terry Bruce,  R-Hutchinson, 785-296-7300

Senator Barbara Allen,  R-Overland Park,  785-296-7353

Senator Les Donovan,  R-Wichita, 785-296-7385 

Senator Phil Journey, R-Wichita, 785-296-7367

Senator Julia Lynn, R-Olathe, 785-296-7382

Senator Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, 785-296-2497

Senator Duane Umbarger, R-Thayer, 785-296-7389

Senator Greta Goodwin,R-Winfield, 785-296-7381

Senator Donald Betts, R-Wichita, 785-296-7387

Senator David Haley, D- Kansas City, 785-296-7376     

Sample letter or phone call:

Dear Senator, I am opposed to HB 2545, a bill to make the second-time possession of ecstasy a felony in Kansas.

This bill will not reduce drug abuse in Kansas in will only put more drug offenders in our prisons.

Reducing drug abuse can only be accomplished through some of the following; spending more on drug treatment programs in our prisons, providing effective drug education in our schools and early childhood education programs.

According to the governor's budget director, this bill will add an additional one million dollars to the corrections budget this year alone. This money could be better used to expand re-entry programs across the state.

Please support effective programs to reduce drug abuse in Kansas, not legislation designed to put more people in prison.

 

Please help us promote innovative drug policies by sending your tax-deductible donation today.

Become a member

Add yourself to our mailing list by going to our web site www.dpfks.org.

To unsubscribe, reply to this message with the word unsubscribe.

Our mailing address is DPFKS, PO Box 357,  Lawrence, Kansas  66044.

March 2008 Cannabinoid Chronicles, 50th Issue

[Courtesy of The Vancouver Island Compassion Society] The March 2008 issue of the Cannabinoid Chronicles (our 50th edition!) is available online for viewing, and can be found at: http://www.thevics.com/publications/vol5/VICSNews5_7.pdf.
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