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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.

[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.

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.

Drug Truth Network Update: Cultural Baggage + Century of Lies Half Hour Programs, Live Tuesdays & Wednesdays... at 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. 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 Week - 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 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., ck out our latest videos via www.drugtruth.net/dtnvideo.htm 1 video: "Prohibition is Evil" + 2 from townhall meeting on racial disparity. Please become part of the solution, visit www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "The money that has been frittered away on this drug war would fill a string of boxcars nine miles long stuffed with hundred dollar bills. How much more?" - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5243274.html Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net