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In The Trenches
The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News 5/29/09
National: U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor May Spark Voting Rights Debate
With President Obama's U.S. Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, various news outlets have recalled her dissent in the case of Hayden v Pataki, in which she argued that the federal Voting Rights Act protected ethnic minorities in the area of felon disenfranchisement, Ballot Access reported.
An op-ed column in the Los Angeles Times asserts that if the Supreme Court strikes down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, it might actually open up a new dialogue on voting rights. Law professors Guy-Uriel E. Charles and Luis Fuentes-Rohwerargue that "[i]f the high court now votes to invalidate the Voting Rights Act, Congress and the civil rights community would have an opportunity to engage in a much-needed debate on voting rights policy for a new century." They contend that revamping the Voting Rights Act could, in fact, make room for disenfranchisement reforms such as the Democracy Restoration Act, which would lift the ban nationally for non-incarcerated people to vote in federal elections.
Iowa: Voter Fraud or Miscommunication?
David Borgman was sentenced to four days of home confinement and a $500 fine for fourth-degree election misconduct - registering and voting during the November election while on parole, the Quad-City Times reported. November's election was the first in the state that allowed individuals to register on Election Day. Borgman, 42, said he didn't know he wasn't eligible to vote but the Iowa Department of Corrections stated that individuals released on parole are required to sign a statement that they understand certain rights have been taken away. The statement, however, does not specifically mention the right to vote. As a result of the case, the Iowa Department of Corrections now requires individuals released on parole to sign a statement which says they understand they are not eligible to vote until they have their rights restored by the governor.
Ohio: Department of Corrections Helps Offenders "Reclaim Their Vote"
A new brochure that explains voting rights for those with felony records is now being disseminated throughout the state by government officials, agencies and nonprofit organizations in an effort to better communicate the voter restoration process. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is distributing "Find a New Direction: Reclaim Your Vote," to wardens and adult parole offices. The Voting Rights Institute of the Ohio Secretary of State's office is also distributing the brochures to non-profits groups, and at events throughout the state.
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In The Trenches
Press Release: Medical Marijuana Bill Quickly Passes House Health and Human Services Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â
MAY 28, 2009Â Â Â
Medical Marijuana Bill Quickly Passes House Health and Human Services Committee
Quick Approval Shows Surging Momentum
Â
CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS -- In a move whose speed took even supporters by surprise, the House Health and Human Services Committee approved the medical marijuana bill passed by the full Senate yesterday. The committee had approved the House version of the bill earlier in the year, but needed to ok the Senate version, which had received several amendments.
    "I am delighted by the way this legislation has continued to pick up momentum," said Dan Linn, Executive Director of the Illinois Cannabis Patients Association. "Illinois voters overwhelmingly want to protect patients who need medical marijuana, and both houses of the legislature are hearing that message loud and clear."
    Julie Falco of Chicago, who uses medical marijuana to relieve the painful symptoms of multiple sclerosis and who has been advocating for medical marijuana legislation since 2004, said, "I want to personally thank all the members of the committee for listening to the patients who need this medicine and understanding why we don't have time to wait. We don't want to be criminals for simply trying to cope with our illnesses, and I truly believe this will be the year we finally get some relief."
    Swift committee passage is seen as greatly increasing the chances that the full House will act on the measure before the end of the legislative session May 31.
    With more than 27,000 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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Latest News
Blog
New Drug Czar Doesn't Care About Medical Marijuana
In an interview with National Journal, Gil Kerlikowske didn't have much to say about medical pot:
NJ: Do you have plans to review potential changes to the country's medical marijuana policies?
Kerlikowske: I have not had my meeting with the attorney general, who had made some statements, but I plan on following up with that pretty closely.
NJ: Will you at least be conducting a study on the topic?
Kerlikowske: I don't know. I think it is a little premature, and frankly, looking at the overdose deaths -- there is such a huge increase in people dying from prescription drug overdoses -- is a little higher on my priorities right now than the medical marijuana issue....
Well that makes sense, but considering that there's a raging controversy in America right now over the federal government's war on medical marijuana, maybe the drug czar should at least be able to provide a little insight instead of changing the subject. Of course, it's likely that Kerlikowske's attempts to downplay the issue are actually intended to dismiss potential controversy surrounding the new administration's positive statements on the issue, i.e. medical marijuana isn't a top concern, so don't give us a hard time for not raiding dispensaries.
This 'medical marijuana isn't a priority' stuff is fine for now if it means they won't be interfering with state laws, but it's a pretty weak cop-out in the long run. Eventually, Washington will have to come to terms with the deep unpopularity of the war on medical marijuana. That means declaring an end to federal raids based on firm moral and scientific grounds, rather than vague policy statements.
They seem to understand that public opinion requires a new direction with regards to medical marijuana policy, but if that much is understood, why tiptoe around it? If the goal is to avoid controversy, then tell us exactly what we want to hear, follow through on it, and the matter will be closed.
For starters, why not look into rescheduling marijuana so it isn't any more illegal than these FDA-approved pharmaceuticals that are killing so many people?
Blog
If Pure THC Pills are FDA-Approved, What's the Big Deal About Marijuana Potency?
NY Daily News reports that incoming CDC Chief Thomas Freidman is "in favor of developing a synthetic marijuana spray to be used for medicinal purposes." That's good news, I suppose, but what really caught my attention about the story was its repetition of the bizarre and wildly false assertion that synthetic THC doesnât get you high:
Says who? The first thing anyone who's ever taken Marinol will tell you is that the stuff gets you blasted for several hours. In fact, that's one of the primary reason patients prefer the herbal alternative. With marijuana, you can control your dose more effectively to achieve the desired effect. The spray was developed for the exact same reason, thus by suggesting that Marinol doesnât get you high, the NY Daily News completely misses the point of why a spray even exists. It's ridiculous.
We've heard this crap before and I just donât understand why anyone would struggle with the concept that a pure THC pill would make you high as hell. I suppose it's a convenient claim for pharmaceutical execs trying to separate their product from its controversial context and it's certainly convenient for drug warriors desperately endeavoring to explain why one is medicine and the other is poison. But it's bullshit and it shouldnât take a scientist to deduce that you will not remain sober after swallowing concentrated THC. That's like saying heroin gets you high but synthetic opiates don't.
Hilariously, there's a side column of "relevant articles" on the page with the top item titled Marijuana Potency Higher Than Ever. We're actually supposed to be intrigued and perhaps alarmed by the fact that domestic marijuana potency now averages 10% THC, meanwhile the FDA has long approved a 100% THC pill that's proven to be completely safe in every way, except that some people think it's a little too strong and want weed instead.
It's amazing the lengths some people will take to rationalize the mindless paradox of arresting medical marijuana patients while simultaneously trying to sell them potent THC pills.
Marinol is prescribed for treating vomiting in chemotherapy patients and other uses. It provides relief, not a high.
Says who? The first thing anyone who's ever taken Marinol will tell you is that the stuff gets you blasted for several hours. In fact, that's one of the primary reason patients prefer the herbal alternative. With marijuana, you can control your dose more effectively to achieve the desired effect. The spray was developed for the exact same reason, thus by suggesting that Marinol doesnât get you high, the NY Daily News completely misses the point of why a spray even exists. It's ridiculous.
We've heard this crap before and I just donât understand why anyone would struggle with the concept that a pure THC pill would make you high as hell. I suppose it's a convenient claim for pharmaceutical execs trying to separate their product from its controversial context and it's certainly convenient for drug warriors desperately endeavoring to explain why one is medicine and the other is poison. But it's bullshit and it shouldnât take a scientist to deduce that you will not remain sober after swallowing concentrated THC. That's like saying heroin gets you high but synthetic opiates don't.
Hilariously, there's a side column of "relevant articles" on the page with the top item titled Marijuana Potency Higher Than Ever. We're actually supposed to be intrigued and perhaps alarmed by the fact that domestic marijuana potency now averages 10% THC, meanwhile the FDA has long approved a 100% THC pill that's proven to be completely safe in every way, except that some people think it's a little too strong and want weed instead.
It's amazing the lengths some people will take to rationalize the mindless paradox of arresting medical marijuana patients while simultaneously trying to sell them potent THC pills.
Chronicle
Medical Marijuana: New York Bill Wins Senate Committee Vote
With Republicans in the minority, this might be the year New York passes a medical marijuana law. It's one committee vote closer today, but the clock is ticking.
Chronicle
Feature: Effort to Bring Safe Injection Facility to New York City Getting Underway
Safe injection facilities for drug users have proven effective in Europe, Canada, and Australia. Now, harm reductionists and public health advocates are beginning a campaign to bring one to New York City.
Chronicle
Feature: Health Canada Adjusts Medical Marijuana Program, Doubles Number of People Providers Can Grow For -- From One to Two
Canadian courts have repeatedly told Health Canada that not allowing medical marijuana providers to grow for more than one patient was unjustifiable, so the agency now says providers can grow for two people. That's not what advocates wanted to hear.
Chronicle
Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
Chronicle
Job Opportunity: National Field Coordinator, Americans for Safe Access, Oakland, California
Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic uses and research, is seeking a National Field Coordinator to work from its office in Oakland, CA.
Chronicle
Please: Don't Shoot!
The killing of Tarika Wilson, an unarmed mother holding her child, and the maiming of that child, is an inevitable consequences of the overuse of SWAT teams and the growing paramilitarization of the drug war.
Chronicle
Students: Intern at StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) and Help Stop the Drug War!
Apply for an internship at DRCNet and you could spend a semester fighting the good fight!