Politics Outside US

Maryland: Governor Signs Legislation Restoring Right to Vote On Tuesday, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed legislation restoring the right to vote to all formerly incarcerated individuals, ending the state's draconian lifetime voting ban. Coverage featuring the news included an "above-the-fold" front-page article in the Baltimore Sun. As a result of the legislation, which takes effect July 1, more than 50,000 Marylanders will be eligible to vote. Currently, those individuals convicted of two felonies can petition for vote restoration after their sentences and a three-year waiting period are completed. If both convictions are for violent offenses, the voting ban is permanent.

NIMBIN MARDIGRASS PRESS RELEASE: 26 APRIL 2007 WHERE’S WALLYBAGO? CAN YOU SEE HIM ANYWHERE IN THE PICTURE? Lose a bago? The Nimbin HEMP Embassy is putting up a reward for anyone who can spot the new NSW Police Winnebago saliva drug testing bus around our beautiful Northern Rivers.

PRESS RELEASE TREKT UW PLANT 25 APRIL 2007 TREKT UW PLANT IS NOT A CRIMINAL ORGANISATION 'De facto' acquittance in trial against association of cannabis producers in Belgium 25 april 2007 Today the local court of Antwerpen, Belgium (Correctionele Rechtbank) issued a verdict in the case against Trekt Uw Plant vzw. This association has the intention of organising the cultivation of cannabis, meant for the personal consumption of her adult members, in a collective way. Trekt Uw Plant bases itself on the the Royal Decree of 2003 and the Ministerial Guideline of January 2005, signed by the Belgian Minister of Justice and all 5 General Prosectors. According to this guideline the possession of max. 3 grammes cannabis en 1 cannabisplant by adults will not be prosecuted anymore, if there are no aggravating circumstances.

On Wednesday April 25, at 9 AM, the local court of Antwerpen will issue a verdict in the trial against trhe association of cannabis producers Trekt Uw Plant . This verdict will be of great importance for the debate on cannabis legislation in Belgium. After the verdict there will be a short press conference on the stairs of the Palace of Justice at the Bolivarplaats.

[Courtesy of WOLA] Washington, DC April 7-- In the last 15 days, fighting between the Colombian military and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the activities of new illegal armed groups vying for control of drug routes is reportedly generating the internal displacement of an estimated 7,000 people. The Colombian Department of Nariño is experiencing one of the worst protection and humanitarian assistance crisis since Colombian President Alvaro Uribe began his second term in office. The U.S. financed aerial herbicide spray program (fumigations) compounds and exacerbates the myriad of hardships that Afro-Colombian communities are already facing: racism, disadvantaged access to state programs, food insecurity due to the internal armed conflict, internal displacement and vulnerability to human rights violations by the armed groups.

[Courtesy of European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies] Dear friends, At the courtcase against the first Cannabis Social Club in Belgium, Trekt Uw Plant, that started yesterday for the local courts in Antwerp, the defense leads 1-0 for the time being.

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2007 For More Info: Tony Newman, (646) 335-5384 New “Landmark” Study Finds Alcohol and Tobacco More Dangerous than Ecstasy and Marijuana

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2007 For More Info: Bill Piper, (202)669-6430 Influential House Armed Services Chair Calls for Rethinking “Plan Colombia,” Tide against Latin American Drug War Grows

News Release Israel's Ministry of Health Medical Cannabis Conference Israeli and European doctors called Cannabis "a medicine" and asked to expand the list of indications and to expedite commercial growing for patients.

[Courtesy of Draw Up Your Plant] On 25 January 2005, a common guideline was established by the Belgian Minister of Justice and the chief prosecutors in relation with offences against the law on cannabis consumption. Among others, this guideline* determines the following: