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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2007 CONTACT: Lorenzo Jones, T: (860) 270-9586 or Gabriel Sayegh, T: (646) 335-2264 Governor Rell Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill, Changing Her Reasons for Opposition to Issue Yet Again Compassionate Use Bill Would Have Protected Patients With Debilitating Illnesses From Arrest, Prosecution Patients, Community Members Ask: Governor Rell, As a Cancer Survivor, How Do You Sleep At Night While Patients In Our State Continue to Be Criminalized for Seeking Relief? HARTFORD, CT—Today, Governor M. Jodi Rell vetoed HB 6715, the Compassionate Use Act. The bill would have allowed certain patients with debilitating illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes as recommended by their physician. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 23-13 after clearing the House of Representatives by an 89-58 vote weeks earlier, both of which were wide margins. By passing HB 6715, the Legislature ended a five-year legislative battle to win medical marijuana in a state that has overwhelming public support for the issue. A 2004 University of Connecticut poll found that 83 percent of Connecticut residents support the medical use of marijuana. Dozens of community organizations, including the CT Nurses Association, support allowing patients to access medical marijuana when recommended by their physician. “I am just 32 years old and yet due to my medical condition I feel as if, at times, I am 92,” said Joshua Warren, a patient in Wilton, CT, who suffers from chronic neurological Lyme disease. “I did not ask for this condition nor would I wish any of my pain and other symptoms on anyone else. If Gov. Rell had any compassion for people like me who are suffering with horrible pain and other debilitating illnesses, she would have signed this bill.” After the bill’s passage, patients, doctors, family members and advocates mounted a massive letter and phone call campaign urging the Governor to sign the bill. The Governor was receiving hundreds of phone calls and letters every day in support of medical marijuana, including from medical, legal, and health experts from across the country. “The Governor’s veto message shows that she’s grasping for straws,” said Lorenzo Jones, executive director of A Better Way Foundation. “She said previously that she’d support the bill if it was only for terminally ill patients, because clearly other treatments are not sufficient. Now she says she’s vetoing the bill because it’s still illegal under federal law, even though over 99% of all marijuana arrests are under state law. She has been so evasive on this that it makes one wonder if she hasn’t gotten a call from Washington. Is she taking the advice from the worst administration in history over the demands of 83% of Connecticut residents?” Thousands of Connecticut residents live with crippling pain, are suffering with cancer and HIV/AIDS, or other debilitating ailments. HB 6715 would have allowed Connecticut residents with certain debilitating medical conditions to cultivate and use marijuana for medical purposes when recommended by a practicing physician. “It’s unconscionable that Rell would ignore all the science to veto this bill,” said Gabriel Sayegh, project director at the Drug Policy Alliance. “The medical efficacy of marijuana is unassailable pain and suffering and are, as a result of this veto, still considered criminals?” Currently, there are 12 states with medical marijuana laws. New Mexico passed its medical marijuana bill in March. Last month, the Rhode Island legislature voted to make their state law permanent, and last week Vermont’s legislature voted to expand their medical marijuana law. Other medical marijuana bills are currently under consideration in New Jersey, New York and Alabama. Dawn Fuller Ball, President of A Better Way Foundation said, “In Governor Rell’s veto letter, she admits that the current legal pharmacology alternatives to medical marijuana are insufficient and that the State law enacted in 1981 is unworkable, yet the Governor continues to choose politics over patients.” Background Info: Governor Rell is Saying NO to Medical Marijuana When Connecticut Says YES: - CT's voters voted YES (83% approval rating in polls from UCONN polls to media polls) - Five Separate Legislative Committees voted YES - The House of Representatives voted YES (89-58) - The Senate voted YES (23-13) - This is a Republican sponsored bill (By some of most respected Republicans in the House and Senate) - The Black and Latino Caucus supports this bill (The President and Treasurer met with Rell's staff) - Faith Based Institutions voted YES (National and local pastors and Bishops have contacted Governor Rell) - Doctors, nurses, patients, and caregivers testified, wrote letters and called the Governor’s office on behalf of medical marijuana. ###

RESEARCH: Marijuana May Be Topical Allergy Cure ASA IN THE NEWS: Patients’ Right to Grow as Groups Tested in Court NEW YORK: Advocates Change Governor’s Mind on Medical Marijuana MICHIGAN: Advocates Seek Signatures for Medical Marijuana Initiative CONNECTICUT: Medical Marijuana Bill on Governor’s Desk COLORADO: Limits on Plant Numbers Challenged DISPENSARIES: Federal and Local Action in California -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESEARCH: Marijuana May Be Topical Allergy Cure Few remember that cannabis was a popular remedy in the early twentieth century, commonly prescribed by doctors and widely available at pharmacies in several forms, including oral tinctures and topical salves. Scientists are rediscovering the potential of cannabis preparations for treating skin problems. Cannabis helps treat allergic reactions New Zealand Herald A cannabis folk remedy has been resurrected by scientists who found that active ingredients in the drug reduce allergic reactions. Extracts from the hemp plant were traditionally used to treat inflammation and could be bought from chemists in the early part of the 20th century. New frontier for medical cannabis -- topical pot by Kavita Mishra, San Francisco Chronicle Skin allergies may be the next reason to use marijuana -- a topical form, at least. Scientists have long suspected that marijuana, used for recreational purposes and to help fight chronic pain, nausea and even some mental disorders like anxiety and depression, also had anti-inflammatory effects in the body. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASA IN THE NEWS: Patients’ Right to Grow as Groups Tested in Court The most seriously ill patients must rely on others to grow medical marijuana, something California’s law recognizes with a “caregiver” provision. But many patients have also organized as cultivation collectives to help each other, which the state legislature expressly made legal in 2003. A new court case may help better define the responsibilities of law enforcement when dealing with those patient collectives. Medical marijuana suit could break new ground by Heather Hacking, Oroville Mercury-Register A Superior Court case heard in Chico is raising the question whether a medicinal marijuana case can be tried in civil court — a step that would open up law enforcement to fighting lawsuits from people who have plants confiscated or destroyed. Collectives were OK'd in March 2002 by the Legislature, said Joe Elford, a lawyer for Americans For Safe Access, an advocacy group for medical marijuana. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK: Advocates Change Governor’s Mind on Medical Marijuana Ten years of tireless work by medical marijuana patients and advocates has made a difference in New York. The Governor himself has had his mind changed by the education he has gotten from patients and doctors. Myths and misinformation are the biggest barriers standing between many patients and a safe, effective treatment option. Legislators Grapple Over How to Legalize Medical Marijuana Use by Danny Hakim and Michael Grynbaum, New York Times Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders said this week that the use of marijuana for medical purposes should be made legal in New York State. But whether all involved can come to an agreement on how that should be done with one week left in the legislative session remains in significant doubt. NY Pols consider 'medical marijuana' by James T. Madore, NewsDay (NY) Legalizing marijuana for medical use appeared Wednesday to gain momentum here with lawmakers and then lose it as the legislature's two houses disagreed over implementation. Medical Marijuana Legislation Passes State Assembly by John Abraham, Long Island Press A new measure which would allow patients experiencing pain to ingest and grow marijuana cleared the state Assembly Wednesday in a 92-52 vote. The controversial measure is currently being debated between Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate. Spitzer is open to New York legalizing medicinal marijuana by Tom Precious, Buffalo News (NY) Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer, in a reversal of a campaign position, said Tuesday he could support legislation legalizing the use of marijuana for certain medicinal purposes. In a debate last summer, Spitzer said he opposed medical marijuana. Now he said he is “open” to the idea after being swayed by advocates in the past couple of months. Medical marijuana bill passed in Assembly Capital News 9 (NY) The state Assembly passed a bill legalizing medical use of marijuana Wednesday, after about a decade of attempts to approve similar legislation in the state. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 18, 2007 CONTACT: Adam Eidinger, T: 202-744-2671 or E: [email protected], or Tom Murphy, T: 207-542-4998, E: [email protected] North Dakota Farmers File Lawsuit Against DEA to Grow Industrial Hemp Plaintiffs Seek Federal Recognition of State-Issued Hemp Farming Licenses BISMARCK, ND – Two North Dakota farmers filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota in an effort to end the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) obstruction of commercial hemp farming in the United States. If successful, the legal action would result in licensed hemp farmers receiving assurances that no federal agency could hold them criminally liable under the Controlled Substances Act. Vote Hemp’s grassroots supporters are funding the legal action. A copy of the complaint is available online at: http://www.votehemp.com/legal_cases_ND.html. The farmers – State Rep. David Monson from Osnabrock and Wayne Hauge from Ray – were issued their state licenses to grow industrial hemp from North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson in February 2007. At that time the farmers applied for a DEA permit to grow industrial hemp and import live seed. Over the next few months, however, the agency’s inaction on the applications fueled frustration in North Dakota’s legislature. When lawmakers concluded that DEA had no intention of working cooperatively with the state’s first-in-the-nation hemp farming rules, the North Dakota legislature voted overwhelmingly to drop the DEA licensing requirement from the statute. “I applied for my North Dakota state license in January and was hopeful that DEA would act quickly and affirm my right to plant industrial hemp this year. Unfortunately, DEA has not responded in any way other than to state that it would take them a lot more time than the window of time I have to import seed and plant the crop,” said Rep. David Monson, who is the Assistant Majority (Republican) Leader. “It appears that DEA really doesn’t want to work with anyone to resolve the issue,” Monson added. One of the central arguments in the litigation is that industrial hemp is defined to be those varieties of Cannabis that have no drug value and are cultivated exclusively for fiber and seed. Although useless as a drug crop, industrial hemp plants are distinct varieties of Cannabis sativa L., the same species from which marijuana varieties come. DEA considers industrial hemp plants to be “marihuana,” a controlled substance under Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq., the possession or production of which is subject to severe criminal penalties under that law, including property forfeiture. “We are asking that DEA to do nothing, exactly what they have done for ten years,” says Tim Purdon one of the attorneys working for Monson and Hauge. “North Dakota’s rules no longer require a DEA permit so we are basically asking the court to tell DEA to leave our farmers alone.” The express language of the CSA has specifically provided that hemp fiber, seed oil and seed incapable of germination are exempt from the definition of “marihuana” and are thus not controlled substances under that law. By virtue of this exemption, it is currently lawful under federal law – and has been for almost 70 years – to import into the U.S., sell within the U.S., and make and sell products made from, the excluded parts of the Cannabis plant (i.e., hemp fiber, stalk, seed oil and seed incapable of germination). The farmers seek a declaration that the CSA does not apply to the industrial hemp plants they seek to cultivate pursuant to state law because: (1) only hemp fiber, stalk, sterilized seed and seed oil, items expressly exempted from the CSA, will enter the marketplace; and (2) the industrial hemp to be grown will be useless as a drug crop due to North Dakota legal requirements for extremely low THC levels. Further, to the extent the DEA attempts to argue that, despite these facts, the CSA does apply to hemp farming under North Dakota law, this would be an unconstitutional federal restraint on commerce occurring purely within the borders of North Dakota. “I want to grow hemp because it will fill a niche market in numerous areas,” says fourth generation farmer and certified public accountant Wayne Hauge. “In recent years there has been strong growth in demand for hemp seeds in the U.S., but the American farmer is being left out while Canadian, European and Chinese farmers are filling the void created by our outdated federal policy.” Last year, just over 48,000 acres of hemp were grown in Canada, primarily in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, provinces that border North Dakota. Hemp farmers in Canada averaged $250 CDN per acre in profit in 2006, according to the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, an association of businesses, farmers and researchers. Hemp is a good rotational crop with the ability to reduce weeds in future cereal crops. Very few chemicals, if any, are required to grow the crop which is considered a good alternative to those with harmful environmental impacts such as cotton, tobacco and soy. In the largest hemp producing country, China, which grows 2 million acres, hemp hurds are processed into lightweight boards, and hemp fibers, already used in the paper and automotive industries, are finding new uses as reinforcement in plastics for products such as window frames and floor coverings. (In fact, some of these innovative products will be used on a large scale at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, according to news reports.) In Sweden, companies including IKEA, Volvo and Saab have shown interest in hemp fibers and hurds for use in vehicle interiors and furniture. In the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, considerable investments are being made to develop utilize hemp fiber in composites which are used to manufacture auto parts for BMW, Chrysler and Mercedes. In Canada, Germany and Japan, businesses are investigating reinforcing Polylactide (PLA) plastic with hemp fibers in order to widen the technology’s field of applications. # # # Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for low-THC industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow the crop. More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses may be found at www.VoteHemp.com or www.HempIndustries.org. BETA SP or DVD Video News Releases featuring footage of hemp farming in other countries are available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.

News & Opinion This Week 1. Physical Dependence Or Addiction? 2. 23% Of American Adults Say U.S. Lives Worth More Than Others' 3. The Sanguine Sex: Abortion And The Bloodiness Of Being Female (Essay and review) 4. HIV Rates On The Rise In Iran 5. [More on the US'] Surgeon General Nominee's Gay Fascination 6. New Sex-related Infection Passes Gonorrhea 7. NIDA Study Suggests Crystal Methamphetamine Use In Young Adults Higher Than Previously Reported (NIDA News Release) 8. Ukraine: Methadone Scale Up Authorized 9. Of Groceries, Abortions, and Nice, Classic Handbags 10. Russia: More Funding, But HIV/AIDS On The Rise B Upcoming Conferences and Events C Quotes D How To Help E About HRP F Subscription Information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Physical Dependence Or Addiction? Maia Szalavitz, May 14, 2007 ~ STATS at George Mason University Distinctions are important when it comes to dealing with drug abuse, so why did the Archives of General Psychiatry confuse the press last week by misrepresenting a study in its journal? Last week, the Archives of General Psychiatry published a study finding that at some point during their lifetimes, 10.3% of Americans will suffer from disorders related to drug misuse. Unfortunately, the coverage that resulted was marred by a press release that incorrectly defined addiction, and then spun to suggest that the study shows a great need for expanded addiction treatment, which was not reflected in the actual data. Both errors show that when the media covers drugs, reporters are simply not paying attention. The erroneous addiction definition was picked up without question by Reuters, resulting in flawed reports on MSNBC, CNN and even the website of Scientific American. Defining addiction is not just an academic matter: it has profound implications for when it is legal to use certain medications to treat pain and, as a result, whether the 20-30 million Americans with severe chronic pain have access to appropriate treatment. The press release defined "substance dependence," which is what addiction is called in psychiatry, as "physical dependence on a drug." In fact, physical dependence on a drug is neither necessary nor sufficient to define addiction; people can become addicted to substances like cocaine, which does not produce physical dependence; they can also become physically dependent on blood pressure medications, which do not cause addiction. Unlike the press release, the actual study used the correct DSM definition of addiction, which boils down to compulsive use of substances despite ongoing negative consequences. The study also looked at the more common substance-related disorder, known as "substance abuse" which involves using drugs in potentially dangerous ways, but without being addicted to them. Virtually all pain patients who take opioid medications like morphine or Vicodin for long periods of time will become physically dependent, but only a tiny proportion of those without a history of drug problems will become addicts. Because it is illegal for doctors to "maintain" addicts on opioids (except under special circumstances using methadone or buprenorphine), defining addiction as physical dependence can suggest that treating chronic pain with opioids is illegal. Doctors who equate the two may deny adequate pain care to their patients, and patients can come to believe they are addicts when, in fact, they simply suffer physical dependence. Worse, doctors who try to treat pain aggressively may wind up incarcerated, when prosecutors who believe physical dependence and addiction are synonymous target them. Political reporters have been taking a great deal of flack lately for simply being stenographers; unfortunately, this story shows that the problem is not limited to politics. A spokesperson for the Archives of General Psychiatry (which is published by the American Medical Association) said in an email that the press release was "reviewed and approved by both the JAMA editors and the paper's corresponding author." While conceding that "our definition of dependence could have been more precise," she said that a correction will not be forthcoming because "we don't feel it is strictly inaccurate, in part because we refer to illicit substances - pain patients on prescribed or over-the-counter medications would not fall into this category." Perhaps it is wrong to blame the press when medical authorities like the editors of one of the nation's leading psychiatry journals are themselves unclear. But even the coverage that did not contain the misleading definition spun the story the way the National Institute on Drug Abuse presented it - as showing that most people with drug problems who "need" treatment do not get it. The study did find that only 38% of addicts ever received treatment for their disorder. However, it also showed that only 23% of those who had ever been addicted to drugs were currently addicted. This means that 77% recovered: just over double the amount who reported receiving treatment. More and better drug treatment is undoubtedly a good idea, but the data in the study really can't be used to draw the conclusion that it is needed. The media needs to think carefully when it covers addiction, and not simply parrot the interpretations of research given in press releases.

Drug Truth Network Update: Cultural Baggage + Century of Lies + 4:20 Drug War NEWS +5 Reasons to visit Blog Half Hour Programs, Live Fridays... at 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. 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 06/15/07 Preston Peet & Wade Agnew discuss their new books on drug use & trafficking MP3 MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/FDBCB_061507.mp3 Century of Lies for 06/15/07 DTN Reporter Glenn Greenway takes an in depth look at "Poppygate"with extract from PBS' Bill Moyers and Christian Parenti + Drug War Facts, Cliff Thornton & Phil Smith MP3 MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/COL_061507.mp3 4:20 Drug War NEWS 06/18/07 to 06/24/07 now online (3:00 ea.): Monday 06/18/07 Poppygate Special, host Glenn Greenway + Bill Moyers & Christian Parenti from PBS I of III Tuesday 06/19/07 Poppygate special II of III Wednesday 06/20/07 Poppygate special III of III Thursday 06/21/07 Cliff Thornton reports re Med MJ in Conn. Friday 06/22/07 Phil Smith of Drug War Chronicle Saturday 06/23/07 $172,500 bail for 3 Oz of MJ & 2 Gr of Cocaine & baggy pants? + "Incarcerex" Sunday 06/24/07 Colombia Clear Five reasons to visit the "Drug Prohibition-An International Fiasco" blog at the Houston Chronicle: 1. Houston Leads World in Incarceration Rate, if we can break it here, can break it anywhere. 2. Reverend Dean Becker has success rate, former Liaison with NY Times Drug Policy Forum, 50+ radio stations, member of LEAP. 3. Judges, scientists, doctors, police chiefs & other guests encouraged to visit blog before/after radio visit 4. Many receiving this email have been guests or their organizations promoted on Drug Truth Network, (or you want us to succeed re #1) 5. It is easy, register here: www.chron.com, click to register in upper right, go to my blog link: http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=deanbecker&plckPersonaPage=PersonaBlog&plckUserId=deanbecker - Join the discussion, leave your name and credentials if you please. NEXT Friday: - Cultural Baggage 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT & 5 PM PT. Nora Callahan of November Coalition re US Social Forum & Drug War - Century of Lies 2 PM ET, 1 PM CT, Noon MT & 11 AM PT. Mexican Fiasco Check out our latest video with Terry Evans regarding methamphetamine use by black, gay population. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Avum59fTM Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Those who support drug prohibition, through complicity, ignorance or silence are the best friends the drug lords could ever hope for." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2007 Contact: David Hurford, Director of Communications, City of Vancouver - Office of the Mayor, T: 604.873.7410 or 604.561.3970 Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan and City Councillors today voted for a City Council resolution to support two important drug policy measures, including: a.. Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's federal application for a 3.5 year extension of Vancouver's safe injection site b.. the general principles and objectives of the Inner Change Society's Chronic Addiction Substitution Treatment (CAST) research trial The measures were introduced by Vancouver City Councillor Kim Capri and seconded by Mayor Sullivan. "The resolution passed by City Council further supports the development of compassionate solutions to the social challenges we face," said Mayor Sullivan. "In addition to supporting the five goals I have established for my government, the extension of the safe injection site and the CAST research trial will help us meet the objectives of Project Civil City." A complete copy of the approved resolution and a background document regarding CAST general objectives and principles are included below. In addition to supporting these measures, Council has asked City Staff to report back to City Council on how the CAST goals and objectives can support Vancouver's drug policy. -END- Test of the Vancouver Drug Policy Resolution: WHEREAS The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's Safe Injection Site: a.. was first formally introduced by former Mayor Philip Owen with Vancouver's Four Pillars strategy to improve conditions in the Downtown Eastside; b.. is one element of a drug strategy that also includes prevention, treatment and enforcement; c.. has been successfully operating for the last 3.5 years under a federal regulatory exemption which expires this year; d.. has been the subject of research studies that support its effectiveness in reducing the harm associated with drug use and addiction; e.. supports the City of Vancouver's goal of civility on our streets and finding compassionate solutions to challenging social issues; f.. supports Vancouver's objectives as identified in Project Civil City; g.. complements the groundbreaking North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) heroin assisted treatment trials led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and University of Montreal, and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; h.. will be an important agenda item on Mayor Sam Sullivan's meeting next month with the Four Pillars Coalition; i.. has submitted an application to Health Canada for a 3.5 year extension of their federal exemption. AND WHEREAS The Inner Change Society's Chronic Addiction Substitute Treatment (CAST) research trial: a.. will work with addicted people to change their drug addiction from illegal street drugs to legally available, orally-administered prescription medications; b.. will analyze the effects on both the user's health and the community at large; c.. will include regular interaction with health professionals and facilitate interventions to help users develop an "exit strategy" to end their drug dependency; d.. proposes to help reduce the open drug market and other illegal activity, improve health, increase access to housing and more employment opportunities for individual addicts; e.. is being developed by some of the most experienced health researchers in the field of mental health and addiction; f.. is based in Vancouver and has garnered support from a broad range of key stakeholders and an experienced Board of Directors; g.. is consistent with the drug substitution elements of the Four Pillars strategy; h.. supports the City of Vancouver's goal of civility on our streets and finding compassionate solutions to challenging social issues; i.. supports Vancouver's objectives as identified in Project Civil City; j.. is one element of a drug strategy that also includes prevention, treatment and enforcement; k.. will be an important agenda item on Mayor Sam Sullivan's meeting next month with the Four Pillars Coalition; l.. will also require a federal regulatory exemption; m.. complements the objectives of Vancouver's safe injection site and NAOMI heroin assisted treatment trials; n.. is likely to receive referrals from Vancouver Coastal Health's supervised injection site. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council formally express its support for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's federal application for a 3.5 year extension of Vancouver's Safe Injection Site. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council formally express its support for the general principles and objectives of the Inner Change Society's Chronic Addiction Substitute Treatment (CAST) research trial as part of a comprehensive plan with additional effort to support the Four Pillars strategy and request that staff report back on the CAST program and how it would be incorporated into the City's drug policy. -END-

Florida: Number of Disenfranchised May Dwindle Down by Presidential Election The Florida Parole Commission has reviewed more than 21,000 cases and restored the voting rights of 15,500 people who could not previously vote as a result of a felony record. Those whose rights were not restored were due to relocation from the state, a re-arrest, outstanding restitution fees and death, according to the Associated Press. In April the Clemency Board ruled that individuals with a non-violent criminal record could vote after completing their sentence. The state's Department of Corrections is loaning 100 employees a week to the Parole Commission to speed up the restoration process as Gov. Charlie Crist hopes the effort is completed before the presidential primary. Muslima Lewis, an American Civil Liberties Union of Florida attorney who oversees the group's voting rights and civil justice projects, said though she's happy to see progress, "15,500 is still a drop in the bucket when you look at the entire population of former offenders whose civil rights have not been restored." More than 1 million people are disenfranchised in Florida. A 75-year-old Florida man charged with a felony 25 years ago was charged last week with an election code violation and arrested for allegedly continuing to cast his ballot in every mid-term and presidential election from 1984 to 2000. The arrest resulted from a 2005 clemency investigation for the restoration of Miller's civil rights, including his right to vote, the Treasure Coast reported. National: Disenfranchised Vote Viewed as a 'Sleeping Giant' Michael Fauntroy, assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of "Republicans and the Black Vote," analyzed the historical and conservative view behind voter disenfranchisement - particularly concerning the African-American vote. In the Huffington Post Fauntroy wrote: "African Americans and other minorities around the country are having a difficult time voting and being certain that their votes are counted. That conservatives see the black vote as a sleeping giant in American politics is proven by the lengths to which they go to lock out of the system as many people as possible. The Republican Party has spent millions in support of purge programs and 'electoral integrity' schemes with the only real purpose being to reduce the number of African Americans that vote. This money is spent because the party understands the arithmetic of black political power and the disproportionate impact African Americans can have in deciding who wins presidential general election states such as Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina." - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information: email: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org