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Weekly: Blogging @ the Speakeasy

"The Drug Czar's Blog Should be Used for Good Instead of Evil," "White House Says Medical Marijuana Raids Will End," "Michael Phelps Faces Possible Prosecution for Bong Hit," "Ryan Frederick Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter," "The Killing of Cheye Calvo's Dogs is a Story That Won't Go Away," "Ryan Frederick Trial Goes to the Jury," "Medical Marijuana Raids Continue, Time for Action from Obama," "Support for Marijuana Legalization is Growing in America," "The Bong Hit Heard Around the World," "Joe Biden's Drug Policy Record -- a Review," "Medical Marijuana Research Has Taken a New Direction This Century," "Gwinnett County Georgia SWAT Team Blowing It Big Time," "The Drug War's Dangerous Distortion of Medical Standards," "What Happened to the Drug Czar's Blog?"
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Cut the crap and the bill will pass

I don't mean to bring the whole political gambit to this site..... but . I just saw the news tonight and part of this incentive bill is 400 mill to the prevention of STD's... 400 mill...
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The Drug Czar’s Blog Should be Used for Good Instead of Evil

I noted last week that the drug czar’s blog deleted all of its old posts, essentially destroying the single best record of former drug czar John Walters’s "achievements" during the Bush Administration. Only three items have been posted since, none of which are particularly noteworthy.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration is pushing a handful of notable criminal justice and drug policy reforms, including racial profiling legislation, sentencing reform, needle exchange and an end to medical marijuana raids. We don’t know yet who Obama will select to fill John Walters’s stinky boots, but wouldn’t it be nice if that person used the blog to keep us updated on efforts we can actually support? I’d cherish any opportunity to link approvingly to that site.

Having already been bombarded by drug policy reform’s vast web-based army, it’s only logical for the new administration to now reach out to us through a familiar medium and spark positive discussion of the changes we all agree are needed.
In The Trenches

Yes you did - Obama vows to end raids

Dear friends:

More than 10,000 of you have written President Obama and Congress to ask that the president send a clear signal to Bush holdovers at the DEA about their continuing raids against medical marijuana dispensaries in California.

It worked:

On the front page of the Washington Times today, a White House spokesman said:

“The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind."

Your letters paid off. Would you take one minute to use MPP's easy online system to e-mail the president and thank him for his commitment to protecting medical marijuana patients?

Change is happening, and you're a part of it.

Sincerely,
Kampia signature (e-mail sized)

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2009. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

In The Trenches

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News 2/5/09

Virginia: Disenfranchisement Bill Condensed, Compromised The House Privileges and Elections Committee has reviewed at least six bills that would streamline restoring voting rights to individuals with felony offenses, according to the Progress-Index. Currently, individuals are permanently banned from voting unless their rights are restored by the governor. One proposal, submitted by Del. Rosalyn R. Dance, would amend Virginia's constitution by adding, "In addition, the General Assembly may provide by law for the restoration of civil rights to persons who have been convicted of felonies and who have completed service of their sentences, subject to the conditions, requirements, and classifications set forth in that law." A second proposal, by Del. Onzlee Ware, which the committee has recommended for approval, mimics Dance's bill, but restricts the restoration of rights to nonviolent offenders. The main committee now must consider whether to forward that bill for debate by the full House. "Half a loaf is better than none," said Dance who is now backing Ware's bill. "The fact that we've got colleagues on both sides of the aisle to look at this is a big step forward." Arizona: Amicus Brief Questions 'Poll Tax' The Brennan Center for Justice submitted an amicus brief in support of appellants in Coronado v. Napolitano, a case that challenges Arizona's statutory requirement that everyone with a felony conviction must pay all court-imposed fines and restitution before being eligible to vote. The brief questions whether Arizona's law violates the Twenty-Fourth Amendment. Visit the Brennan Center's web site to view the amicus brief. Washington: Lawmaker Takes a Stand for Reenfranchisement State Rep. Jeannie Darneille is pushing a bill that would change the state's law that currently bans individuals with felony offenses from voting if they have outstanding court ordered fines and fees, according to a Spokesman-Review blog. "It's not real freedom if you're excluded from any say in decisions that govern your life," Darneille said. "Basing anyone's voting right on how quickly they can pay a financial debt is unfair and un-American." In July 2007, the state's high court upheld the law banning voting until individuals have completed all the terms of their sentence, including payments. International: Journalist Votes in Iraqi Prison Iraqi television journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi, who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush in Baghdad in December, cast his vote in his country's provincial election, the Herald Sun reported. Unlike the varied disenfranchisement laws in the United States, all individuals incarcerated in Iraq are eligible to vote - even if charged with high-profile crimes. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information: e-mail -- [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org.
Blog

White House Says Medical Marijuana Raids Will End

Friends, this is a moment we’ve been anticipating for a long time:

The White House said it expects those kinds of raids to end once Mr. Obama nominates someone to take charge of DEA, which is still run by Bush administration holdovers.

"The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said. [Washington Times]

It looks like we’re on the verge of a major victory for state medical marijuana laws. For over a decade, this battle has raged from the hills of California to the Nation’s Capital. It has been a defining cause, not only for the medical marijuana community, but for drug policy reform as a whole.

There is no question that a great many challenges remain in our path, but let’s all take a moment to reflect on the fact that our president is poised to order the DEA to stand down. That is not something that happens easily or often. Today’s news suggests the pending culmination of a substantial effort by a broad coalition that is frequently perceived to lack meaningful political leverage. The political landscape is changing before our eyes and I believe we have much to look forward to.

(Please participate in our online action alert and our Facebook petition on this issue.)
Event

Protest Rally Against DEA Raids

While the DEA continues to stage medical marijuana raids in California, nearly three-quarters (72%) of voters think President Obama should honor his campaign pledge to end the raids, according to a po
In The Trenches

Press Release: Poll -- 72% Want Obama to End DEA Medical MJ Raids

For Immediate Release: February 4, 2009 Contact: Dale Gieringer, Coordinator, California NORML (415) 563-5858 Zogby Poll: 72% of Voters Want Obama to End DEA Medical Marijuana Raids Los Angeles Protest Rally - Thurs. Feb 5th, Noon, Federal Courthouse While the DEA continues to stage medical marijuana raids in California, nearly three-quarters of voters think President Obama should honor his campaign pledge to end the raids, according to a poll of 1,053 likely voters by Zogby International. In a question sponsored by NORML, voters were asked: During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama said he would stop federal raids against medical marijuana providers in the 13 states where medical marijuana has become legal. Should President Obama keep his word to end such raids? Response: Yes - 72%, No - 21%, Not sure - 7%. Yes votes outnumbered No by over 2 to 1 in all geographic, political, and demographic groups. The poll, conducted January 29-31, had a margin error of +/-3.1%. In view of Obama's pledge to end federal medical marijuana raids, advocates have been disappointed by the fact that they have continued since Jan. 20th. Yesterday, the DEA raided four LA-area medical marijuana dispensaries: Venice Alternative Healing, Marina Caregivers, Alternative Caregivers Discount Dispensary, and the Beach Center Collective (contrary to initial reports, a fifth dispensary wasn't raided). The raids were all "smash and grab" operations, in which agents took medicine and cash, destroyed surveillance cameras, and grabbed computers, but did not arrest anyone. California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer denounced the DEA for "unprofessional and piratical conduct" and is calling on supporters to urge President Obama to end the raids. A rally to protest the DEA raids will be held on Thursday, Feb 5th at noon at the LA federal building, 255 E. Temple St. -- Dale Gieringer - [email protected] California NORML, 2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114 -(415) 563- 5858 - www.canorml.org
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20 Texas students test positive for marijuana at $4400 each.

More student drug testing results to speak for themselves. 

"Since the program began last April, 2,254 students in the district have been randomly tested. Of those, 1 percent of them tested positive for a drug that is on the list of banned substances, said Regina Bennett, the district’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) coordinator."

"The program, which costs about $100,000 per year, allows the district’s high schools to randomly test students for illegal drugs and the overuse of prescription drugs if they have a parking sticker and/or are involved in extra-curricular activities. Also, parents who have students that don’t fall into either category can voluntarily ask for their children to be included in the group"[Star Community Newspapers]

The way the numbers work out is staggering, from the article it's safe to presume roughly 22.54 students tested positive for a banned substance. Of those, 90% were for marijuana. A small percentage tested positive for amphetamines, Adderall is a safe bet.. We are talking about spending around $4400 to catch each person who tested positive, and even worse these students are denied access to school resources after we've already wasted all this money just to pick them out of 55,000 other pupils.

Regina Bennett, the district’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities coordinator, really smashed the nail on the head. 

“That’s good because hopefully it was a deterrent.” 

 Yes, a deterrent to students using after school programs that actually keep them off drugs. 

In the end they tested 4% of the school district and only 1% tested positive. Another $100,000 in education funding flushed down the drain by the drug war.

Blog

20 Texas students test positive for marijuana at $4400 each.

More student drug testing results to speak for themselves. 

"Since the program began last April, 2,254 students in the district have been randomly tested. Of those, 1 percent of them tested positive for a drug that is on the list of banned substances, said Regina Bennett, the district’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) coordinator."

"The program, which costs about $100,000 per year, allows the district’s high schools to randomly test students for illegal drugs and the overuse of prescription drugs if they have a parking sticker and/or are involved in extra-curricular activities. Also, parents who have students that don’t fall into either category can voluntarily ask for their children to be included in the group"[Star Community Newspapers]

The way the numbers work out is staggering, from the article its safe to presume roughly 22.54 students tested positive for a banned substance. Of those, 90% were for marijuana. A small percentage tested positive for anphetimines, Adderall is a safe bet.. We are talking about spending around $4400 to catch each of the people that tested positive, and even worse these students are denied access to school resources after we've already wasted all this money just to pick them out of 55,000 other pupils.

Regina Bennett, the district’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities coordinator, really smashed the nail on the head. 

“That’s good because hopefully it was a deterrent.” 

 Yes, a deterrent to students using after school programs that actually keep them off drugs. 

In the end they tested 4% of the school district and only 1% tested positive. Another $100,000 in education funding flushed down the drain by the drug war.