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In The Trenches

4:20 Drug War NEWS Update 11/19/07

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS Half Hour Programs, Live Tuesdays & Wednesdays... at 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. Those who sit silently and watch the drug war unfold are the best friends the drug barons could ever hope for. - Rev. Dean Becker 4:20 Drug War NEWS 11/19/07 to 11/26/07 now online (3:00 ea.): Monday 11/19/07 Karen Garrison, mother of two sons in Fed Prison Tuesday 11/20/07 Karen Garrison sons sentenced to 15 1/2 & 19 1/2 years for conspiracy Wednesday 11/21/07 Bill Piper of Drug Policy Alliance Thursday 11/22/07 Jerry Epstein of Drug Policy Forum of Texas I Friday 11/23/07 Jerry Epstein II Saturday 11/24/07 Drug War Facts & Official Govt Truth Sunday 11/25/07 Dr. David Bearman speaks to Wisc. Medical School about Med Marijuana NOTE: CULTURAL BAGGAGE (Broadcast on Wed) & CENTURY OF LIES (Broadcasts Tue) Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada., Cultural Baggage for 11/14/07 Karen Garrison, mother of two sons in Fed prison on mandatory minimums of 15 and 19 years + Marc Mauer of Sentencing Project MP3 MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/FDBCB_111407.mp3 Century of Lies for 11/13/07 Jerry Epstein, founding member of Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Drug War Facts MP3 MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/COL_111307.mp3 Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:20 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:20 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net
In The Trenches

ASA’s Media Summary for the Week Ending 11/16/07


DOCTORS: Leading Psychiatrists’ Group Endorses Medical Marijuana

The preeminent association of psychiatrists has come out in favor of legal access to medical marijuana. The significance of yet another organization of health professionals endorsing medical use is heightened by a recent report that alleged a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. Experts have noted that the science behind the study is shaky, and if there were any correlation, the rate of schizophrenia would have increased dramatically with the increased prevalence of cannabis use, which it has not.

Psychiatrists for Medical Marijuana
by Jacob Sullum, Reason Magazine
The Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, a legislative body composed of representatives from APA districts throughout the country, has unanimously approved an action paper that urges the federal government to stop interfering with the medical use of marijuana in states where it's legal.


WISCONSIN: Lawmakers Hold Hearings on Medical Marijuana

One of the leading physicians specializing in cannabis therapeutics, Dr. David Bearman, who serves on ASA's Board of Directors, testified before a committee of Wisconsin lawmakers this week. The state legislature is again considering enacting a measure that would remove criminal penalties for patients who use marijuana on the advice of their doctors. Dr. Bearman, a Wisconsin native, also gave an educational talk on “Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the 21st Century” to the University of Wisconsin Medical School.

Experts explain health benefits of marijuana
by Jackie Johnson, Wisconsin Radio Network
Dr. David Bearman is one of thousands of medical doctors who supports legalizing pot for patients. Dr. Bearman testified at an informational Health Committee hearing at the state capitol in support of the controversial drug.

Senate hearing on medical marijuana turns emotional
by Ken Harris, Badger Herald (WI)
A state Senate committee heard heated testimony Wednesday morning at the Capitol both for and against medicinal marijuana.


TENNESSEE: Prosecuted Patient Educates Lawmakers on Medical Marijuana

Lawmakers in the Volunteer State also held hearings this week on medical marijuana. Among those testifying career public health officer Bernie Ellis, who is also a medical marijuana patient. Ellis was convicted in federal court after local law enforcement declined to press charges over the cannabis he grew for himself and a few terminally ill neighbors. His battle to save his family farm from federal seizure has been the subject of recent media attention. Ellis is one of the patients featured in ASA’s "Patients in the Crossfire;" download it at www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/crossfire.

Medical Marijuana Lights Up Debate Again
by Tom Randles, WSMV TV (Nashville)
On Tuesday, Health and Human Resources Committee members got an ear full from those pitching pot as a way to heal and others who would like to see House Bill 486 go up in smoke. "It is both an effective therapeutic agent (and) extremely useful with many fewer side effects,” said Bernie Ellis of Americans for Safe Access.

Medical Marijuana Proposal Debated in TN Legislative Committee
by Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press
November 13th, 2007
Tennessee lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana, although the idea has failed in the General Assembly before and its future is uncertain.

Medical Marijuana Debates Goes Before State Committee
WKRN TV (Nashville)
November 13th, 2007
Whether medical marijuana is beneficial for chronically ill patients and should be allowed in Tennessee was focus of a study Tuesday at Legislative Plaza.

Fowler Witnesses Testify Against Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes
The Chattanoogan
November 13th, 2007
Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday heard testimony opposed to the legalization of marijuana for “medicinal” purposes from Dr. David Murray, chief scientist for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, and Dr. Kent Shih, an oncologist currently practicing in the Nashville area.

In The Trenches

Press Release: Judge Promises Decision by End of November in North Dakota Hemp Farming Lawsuit – Monson v. DEA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2007 CONTACT: Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671, [email protected], or Tom Murphy at 207-542-4998, [email protected] Judge Promises Decision by End of November in North Dakota Hemp Farming Lawsuit – Monson v. DEA BISMARCK, ND – Two North Dakota farmers who filed a lawsuit in June to end the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ban on commercial hemp farming in the United States were in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. The farmers, State Rep. David Monson of Osnabrock and Wayne Hauge of Ray, observed the oral arguments made before Judge Daniel Hovland on their behalf by attorneys Tim Purdon and Joe Sandler. Judge Hovland stated he had read and re-read the briefs filed by both sides in the landmark case and concluded the hearing by saying, “I promise to make a decision by the end of the month,” in regards to the DEA’s motion to dismiss. In the meantime, Judge Hovland stayed the farmers motion for summary judgment as he felt the motion to dismiss should be dealt with first. “Today’s arguments revealed numerous weak points that the DEA is relying on to thwart this landmark case,” said Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. “The DEA’s assertion that the farmers didn’t have standing because they haven’t grown industrial hemp yet was rejected by Judge Hovland when he said ‘I am not convinced that the plaintiffs have to expose themselves to prosecution’ and reminded Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney Wendy Ertmer, who argued on behalf of the government, that ‘this Court has jurisdiction to make a declaratory judgment,’ which is what we are seeking,” added Steenstra. Judge Hovland expressed skepticism that the DEA would ever act on the applications, based on the fact that an application by North Dakota State University was still pending after more than eight years. Judge Hovland also indicated he thinks that the DEA has “prejudged the merits of the applications to grow hemp.” While much of the government’s dispute centered on their contention that this case is not ripe because they are still considering the farmers’ application, attorney Joe Sandler argued that the application the farmers made to the DEA is no longer really the issue. “This case is unique because North Dakota is the only state to regulate industrial hemp so only the exempted portions of plant, that is, the non-viable seed, stalk and oil, enter commerce of any kind, whether intrastate or interstate,” said Sandler. “When the North Dakota legislature changed its eight-year-old hemp law to no longer require a DEA license this past April, it made it a matter of state law that the farmer who goes through the licensing process need not involve the DEA in any way since only the exempted portions of the plant, as described in the Controlled Substances Act, would enter commerce.” Judge Hovland also asked Ms. Ertmer what the DOJ’s position is on HR 1009, the federal Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007. Ms. Ertmer said she did not know, however Vote Hemp believes that the DOJ would in fact aggressively oppose the Act if it were to be heard in Congress. A transcript of the November 14 hearing will be available in a couple weeks. If successful, the landmark lawsuit will lead to the first state–regulated commercial cultivation of industrial hemp in fifty years. Vote Hemp, the nation's leading industrial hemp advocacy group, and its supporters are providing financial support for the lawsuit. If it is successful, states across the nation will be free to implement their own hemp farming laws without fear of federal interference. More on the case can be found at: http://www.VoteHemp.com/legal_cases_ND.html.
In The Trenches

Not one but TWO Prison Art Gallery calendars

[Courtesy of Prison Art Gallery] You asked for them, so here they are. Not one but TWO Prison Art Gallery calendars. Choose justice themes or general themes. Throughout the past year we've been planning our beautiful new 2008 calendar, selecting the finest art we've received from prison artists from across America. Trouble is, some of you wanted Justice Themes (jails, cells, prisoners, guardtowers, etc) while others requested non-justice themes (seascapes, landscapes, portraits, abstracts, etc). So we decided to publish two calendars with the help of Cafe Press, premium publishers of quality full-color calendars (and quite reasonably priced). View and order them now while they're still available. Perfect holiday gifts for you, your office, your loved ones, and your favorite judge. See and order them now at https://www.cafepress.com/jail.
In The Trenches

Job Opportunity: Drug Policy Alliance, Deputy Director, San Francisco Office

This position reports to the Director, Drug Policy Alliance California (based in Los Angeles) and directs DPA's San Francisco office. The Deputy Director serves as the primary strategist for DPA's Model City initiative at the local level in San Francisco. The Deputy Director also collaborates with DPA's other California offices (in Sacramento and Los Angeles) in support of DPA's California legislative agenda, and with DPA's other "Model City" initiative directors in Washington, DC, and New York, NY. The Deputy Director, DPA California-San Francisco serves as DPA's primary spokesperson in San Francisco and is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with local politicians, individual and foundation funders, partner organizations, media, DPA members, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include developing and articulating a vision for DPA's work in San Francisco that is consistent with the organization's overall mission, philosophy, and strategic approach; supervising DPA's advocacy and program efforts in San Francisco and surrounding communities; identifying opportunities to promote DPA's core priorities in the political, cultural, and academic arenas in San Francisco; contributing to DPA's statewide legislative advocacy, particularly in terms of cultivating the support of local state representatives, partner organizations, and constituents; collaborating with DPA's Office of Legal Affairs (located in Berkeley, CA) on issues pertaining to San Francisco; contributing to DPA's local and statewide fundraising activities; serving as DPA spokesperson in the media and at community events, conferences, and other forums; and supervising and mentoring administrative and junior program staff, student interns, and volunteers. Specific qualifications include demonstrated leadership skills, including 3-5 years progressively senior public policy, legislative and/or governmental affairs experience (criminal justice and/or public health experience preferred); familiarity with drug policy desirable (commitment to harm reduction philosophy essential); being comfortable with fundraising, including cultivation and solicitation of donors, foundations, and government funders; strong analytic ability and superior communication skills, including writing and public speaking; advanced degree in public policy/administration, public health, law or related field preferred but not required; and availability to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel periodically throughout the state and nationally. The ideal candidate will be a collegial, self-motivated advocate who thinks conceptually, creatively, and strategically. This is an entrepreneurial organization that encourages initiative, and the successful candidate must be a self-starter and a risk taker, with a high degree of confidence and energy. Excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for social justice that includes a fair and equitable drug policy are essential for success. This position offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, as well as an excellent benefits package, including health, long-term disability and life insurance; a generous 403(b) plan; and four weeks paid vacation. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to: Holly Hawkins, Director of Research, McCormack & Associates, 10061 Riverside Drive, Suite 890, Toluca Lake, CA 91602, (323) 549-9200, fax: (323) 549-9222, [email protected], online http://www.mccormackassociates.com. All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence. Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation and other information provided will be verified prior to an offer of employment.