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Search and Seizure: Ohio Supreme Court Rules Police Need Warrant to Search Cell Phones
Europe: Czech Government Announces Decriminalization Quantities; Law Goes Into Effect on New Yearâs Day
Final Medical Marijuana Meeting at Iowa Board of Pharmacy
Drug Truth 12/14/09
Man Gets Tased and Dies After Trying to Swallow Marijuana During Police Encounter
I just can't possibly tell you emphatically enough, if you're approached by police, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EAT YOUR STASH:
It's just chilling to watch this young man struggle for his life. The tasing certainly didnât help either, but I'm not ready to join the ranks of commenters I've seen around the web who are calling this a murder. From what I can see, the officers did as they were trained and it's just a shame that police are now encouraged to zap anyone who struggles with them. It's unclear to me whether the tasing contributed to the choking and/or whether some of Grande's resistance was caused by his inability to breathe.
What is clear as day, however, is that Andrew Grande would still be alive today if it weren't a crime to possess marijuana. As long as police continue to arrest and criminally charge marijuana users, there will be no end to tragedies like this one. It may be easy for some to blame Grande's panic-induced actions for his death, but that's only half the story. If fear of our drug laws leads people to take such risks, then there is something wrong with our drug laws.
The leaders of the war on drugs are constantly claiming that they are only trying to help people like Andrew Grande. The drug czar upon taking office exclaimed, "we're not at war with people in this country," and he might even genuinely believe that to be true. But such assurances are worthless as long as people are so intimidated that they'd sooner risk choking to death than receive the sort of "help" our drug policy is known for.
Pledge Your Support: Replace the San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
Deadline is March 12, 2010
CANDIDATE WANTED: District Attorney for the County of San Diego
POSITION: San Diego County District Attorney
POSITION TYPE: Public Elected Official
FILING DATE: March 12, 2010ELECTION DATE: June 8, 2010
CAMPAIGN DONATIONS PLEDGED SO FAR $7,900(as of 12/12/09)PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: The San Diego District Attorney, in partnership with the Community, should be dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice and protection of the innocent and the prevention of crime through the vigorous and professional prosecution of those who violate the laws of the State of California. Additionally the ideal candidate will keep all "personal objections" to California written law at home or in the ballot box.
ETHICS: Candidate must be held to the highest standard of integrity and personal and professional conduct. And will not allow "personal relationships" to interfere with the prosecution of a crime.
RESPECT: Candidate will treat fellow county employees and all members of the public with dignity and respect, specifically defendants who are found innocent as well as legal medical marijuana patients/caregivers.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Candidate must accept a shared responsibility for ensuring sound fiscal management, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS: Candidate will show compassion and understanding to the victims of crime and their families.
DIVERSITY: Candidate will be committed to diversity and recognize the significant and valuable contributions to the mission of the office, fellow employees and the community you'll serve.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP: Candidate will be an advocate and support the building of strong and viable partnerships with law enforcement, all members of the criminal justice systems and the community you serve for the purpose of achieving the highest level of public safety for the citizens of San Diego County.
COMMUNICATIONS: Candidate will be open and forthright in communications with fellow prosecutors as well as all those with whom you come in contact.
INCUMBENT HISTORY: Bonnie Dumanis is the unchallenged incumbent to this position. Since taking office in 2004 the current DA has alienated the position from the community and is no longer trusted by the courts, sheriffs or local police departments due to repeated poor judgment in allowing "personal opinion" and "personal relationships" to cloud the San Diego County justice system.
Interested candidates should use the confidential contact form below to be considered for campaign support.
[contact-form]
HOW TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE: http://www.wikihow.com/Run-for-Political-Office http://www.ehow.com/how_18207_prepare-run-political.html http://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Run-Political-Office/dp/0963367102
Candidate support groups may include, but are not limited to;
- San Diego Americans for Safe Access
- National Americans for Safe Access
- So Cal Norml
- National Norml
- Marijuana Policy Project
Victory! Congress lifts ban on Washington, D.C.'s medical marijuana law
Dear friends:
The great news just keeps coming in.
Minutes ago, Congress voted to finally lift the 11-year ban on Washington, D.C.âs medical marijuana law.
The House voted 221-202 and the Senate voted 57-35 to approve the measure.
For the last 11 years, under a provision known as the Barr amendment, Congress has prevented Washington, D.C. from implementing the medical marijuana law passed by 69% of voters in 1998.
Repealing this amendment has been a primary focus of MPP's federal lobbying efforts for many years. In 2007, we even hired former Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.) â the original author of the amendment â to lobby to overturn it. And our lobbyists have worked directly with members of the House and Senate and their staff since 2006 to eliminate this democracy-unfriendly law.
In fact, senior appropriators in Congress sought out MPP staff to work through specifics and to help better understand D.C.'s medical marijuana law and the complicated legal maneuverings that led to the blocking of its implementation. Â
MPP would like to thank Congressmen Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), Dave Obey (D-Wis.), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for their strong and abiding support of allowing D.C. to implement its medical marijuana law.
I also want to thank MPP's 29,000 dues-paying members, whose support helped to make this win possible. If you'd like to see more of these kinds of successes, I hope you'll donate to MPP's federal lobbying efforts. We're turning supporters' donations into results, and we can't do it without you.
Today's vote represents a victory not just for medical marijuana patients, but for all Americans, who have the right to determine their own policies without federal meddling. We'll be celebrating this victory in D.C. at our anniversary gala on January 13, and I hope you'll join us.
Sincerely,
Rob Kampia?
Executive Director?
Marijuana Policy Project?
Washington, D.C.
P.S. Time is running out on our matching campaign! A major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise in 2009. Make twice the impact and donate today.
Congress Ends Ban on Medical Marijuana in Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
DECEMBER 13, 2009
Congress Ends Ban on Medical Marijuana in Washington, D.C.
Only Obamaâs Signature Now Needed on Historic Measure
CONTACT: Aaron Houston, MPP director of government relations â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦ 202-420-1031
WASHINGTON, D.C. â The U.S. Senate today passed historic legislation to end the decade long ban on implementation of the medical marijuana law Washington, D.C. voters passed in 1998.
           âThis marks the first time in history that Congress has changed a marijuana law for the better,â said Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C.
           The âBarr amendment,â a rider attached to appropriations for the District, has forbidden D.C. from extending legal protection to qualified medical marijuana patients and has long been derided as an unconscionable intrusion by the federal government into the District's affairs. The omnibus spending bill, now approved by both chambers of Congress, removes this onerous provision, allowing the District to finally implement its voter-approved law. President Obama is expected to sign the bill shortly.
         âThis is not only a huge victory for medical marijuana patients and for D.C. self-government, it marks a history-making shift on the medical marijuana issue," Houston said. âThis is the first time Congress has ever given its assent to a state or local law that permits medical use of marijuana. It shows that Congress is listening to voters, who have supported protection for medical marijuana patients for well over a decade, as well as to the medical communityâs growing recognition of marijuanaâs medical value.
        âComing on top of the announcement that the Department of Justice will not interfere with state medical marijuana laws, this shows that the ground has fundamentally shifted. Itâs time for the federal government to take the logical next step as the American Medical Association just suggested, and reconsider marijuanaâs classification as a Schedule I drug, which bars medical use.â
        Congressman Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.) originally removed the ban from the D.C. appropriations bill back in July after years of working to protect patients in Washington, D.C. Congressman David Obey (D-Wis.) helped ensure that the change made it through the legislative process and into the omnibus spending bill Congress passed today.
        Medical marijuana is legal under the laws of 13 states, with bills under consideration in several others, including New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
        With more than 29,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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Big Government's Psychopathic Tendencies!
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