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                                                            May 2010

Dear friends:

The scene is a familiar one. A young African-American man is pulled over and, after he responds derisively to the officer's requests, finds himself in handcuffs.

This is not an episode of "Cops," though. It's a scene from the new film "10 Rules for Dealing with the Police," a project of the nonprofit group Flex Your Rights that seeks to educate both the public and police officers about how to avoid disproportionate reactions in what should be routine encounters. (From Roll Call, April 5, 2010)

Flex Your Rights' 10 Rules For Dealing With The Police is narrated by famed Baltimore trial lawyer, former circuit court judge and LEAP speaker Billy Murphy.  LEAP's incoming executive director, retired Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police veteran Major Neill Franklin, served as a technical advisor for the film.  Drawing from 33 years of law enforcement experience, Neill believes that the majority of police officers stay within the boundaries of the law, but the film focuses on officers who are "getting it wrong" by violating basic freedoms such as the Fourth Amendment's prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure. He describes a degradation of proper enforcement in lower-income communities, such as those he patrolled in Baltimore, which he says were typically related to enforcing prohibitionist drug laws.

The solution, Franklin said, is to ensure that people are aware of their rights and exercise them properly, which he sees as a safeguard against police abuse. He also noted that continually educating officers on not exceeding the limits of their powers is essential. 

Click here to purchase a copy of 10 Rules for Dealing With The Police.  

LEAP is at the forefront of drug policy reform, and our speakers have a credibility that cannot be ignored.  Recently, an anonymous donor pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all donations made to LEAP up to $50,000.  We are very pleased to announce that, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have matched the challenge grant.  All of us at LEAP would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who contributed during this critical time in our fundraising efforts.  Your continued support allows us to carry forward in our efforts and continue putting our speakers in front of audiences.  To make a contribution to LEAP, please click here. 

Here are some of the issues LEAP speakers addressed in April…

Sincerely,
LEAP Staff

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Dear LEAP Supporter,
 
LEAP supports the California initiative Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. I earnestly and unconditionally urge you to do so as well. As you know, the war on drugs is a colossal failure which causes exactly what it was intended to prevent: crime, violence and addiction. The only groups that benefit from continuing to keep marijuana illegal are the violent gangs and cartels that control its distribution and reap immense profits from it through the black market. As law enforcement professionals, we especially want voters to understand that legalization will allow us to do our jobs more effectively and safely. I urge LEAP's California friends to pledge to vote for the California proposition. LEAP salutes Californians for their courage in blazing the trail to end what Steven Duke, Yale law professor and author, has called "America's Longest War."

Thank you for your support and please spread the word among your friends, relatives and co-workers, residing in California. And you Californians mark your calendars for November 2nd, when you can cast a vote that will remove marijuana profits from the pockets of criminals, help keep marijuana out of the pockets of our children and eventually make positive changes across the entire United States. Vote to "Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis." Visit http://www.taxcannabis.org/pledge to pledge your vote!

To read LEAP Board Member and former Cook County, Illinois prosecutor Jim Gierach's letter in its entirety, please click here.

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"I'm glad California is considering legalizing drugs. That could be one answer…. Imagine a world where you will go here in Philadelphia and you have 10 stores where you can go and buy drugs. You're going to pay high prices, because there's going to be a 100% taxation on it. That revenue could be used by the government to educate [and] enhance programs in schools.... That would be a good answer to this problem, but it is a debate that has to be carried out in both nations. We cannot do it in Mexico without the United States."  -- Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox, in a recent speech at Wharton

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Brazilian Judge Says Legalize All Drugs Worldwide





LEAP Board Member Judge Maria Lucia Karam speaks to Al Jazeera English about the need to end drug cartel violence by legalizing and regulating all currently illegal drugs.








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Attention Patients and Supporters:

Sensible Colorado will be holding a series of trainings next week to discuss the new state laws and their effect on medical marijuana patients.  Learn about SB 109-- the "Doctor/Patient Relationship Bill" and HB 1284-- the "Dispensary Bill" and what they mean for Colorado's 50,000+ medical patients.  No RSVP necessary at these free events, however please consider donating to support our work on behalf of patients.

Denver Training

When:  Monday, May 17 from 6-7:30p

Where:  1881 S. Broadway, Denver 80210

What:  Free patient training on new state laws

Colorado Springs Training

When:  Tuesday, May 18 from 6-7:30p

Where: Ruth Holley Library Meeting Room, 685 North Murray Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 

What:  Free patient training on new state laws

Ft. Collins Training

When:  Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6-7:30p

Where:  Ben Delatour Room, Main Library, 201 Peterson Street,

Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

What:  Free patient training on new state laws

**Also please mark your calendar for a medical marijuana leader and activist "Stakeholder meeting" on May 30 in Denver.  Join nationally recognized expert Steph Sherer (ASA) and Sensible Colorado staff in developing a grassroots plan to ensure safe access in Colorado.  More details to follow soon.   

Sensible Colorado would like to thank out project partners, thekindroom.org and marijuanapatientadvocates.com for helping to secure space for these events.