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Drugs and Conservatives Should Go Together (Opinion)

Jeffrey A. Miron, a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies at Harvard University and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, opines that drug legalization would not only promote specific policy objectives that are near and dear to conservative hearts, it is also consistent with core principles that conservatives endorse in other contexts.

Pres. Calderon, whose crackdown helped spark the multi-year wave of violence

Mexico Drug War Update

Two mayors were among the dead in Mexico's prohibition-related violence this past week. That makes five this year.

Iowa Medical Marijuana Issue at Stalemate

The Iowa Pharmacy Board has rejected a request that it write the rules regarding medical marijuana.

Statewide Women's Day of Action/Rally & Book Delivery to OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

This action is part of a larger, national push (read below). Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The Women's Marijuana Movement is coordinating a nationwide Day Of Action on Oct. 5th to increase support for Proposition 19 in California, during which women all over the country will hold press conferences and rallies to spread the message that WOMEN feel cannabis legalization will make their communities safer and a better place to live, and to educate the public about the not-well-known-enough fact that marijuana is far safer than alcohol. We have a page up on our website promoting the event here: http://www.womensmarijuanamovement.org/content/yes-prop-19-day-action-oct-5-1

In California, women will hold their events outside of or near the offices of members of law enforcement who have formally come out against Prop 19, and they will deliver copies of the book "Marijuana Is Safer" to the opponents themselves. You can see the full list of opponents here: http://www.noonproposition19.com/endorsements/district-attorneys

On campuses nationwide, female students will hold events, and/or table, and distribute information about the relative safety of marijuana and talk about why they feel Prop 19 or something similar in their own state would make their communities and campuses a safer place.

And in states other than California, women will be holding press conferences, small rallies, and events to talk about how they support California's attempt to legalize and how something similar in their own state would greatly benefit them.

In all cases, we have prepared the targets for action (in California), materials for distribution, and statements to read to any media who report on the Day Of Action. Minimally, all an organizer or attendee needs to do is invite other supportive women to join them for about an hour (tops) around noon on Oct. 5. Women are welcome and encouraged to bring their children.

This Day Of Action is intended to generate broad media coverage that women support legalization, change the way people think about the misconceived harms of marijuana, and ultimately increase support among women for Prop 19. Polling is showing that while men are supportive of Prop 19, women are split. You can check out our last marijuana-related Day Of Action and tremendous press it generated here: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5559/t/4595/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=3535

Please let me know as early as possible if you're interested in organizing or attending an event for this Day Of Action, or if you have any questions. Additionally, we are open to any ideas you have that you'd like to incorporate into or use for this Day Of Action.

Thank you!
Eva Enns
WMM Coordinator
SAFER Outreach Director
303-861-0033

This Week's Corrupt Cop Stories

A massively crooked sheriff, a massively enraged DEA agent, a couple of greedy cops, and a woman police officer married to the wrong guy all made the news this week.

Marijuana to Be Legalized in Utah?

A California ballot measure to legalize marijuana is now ahead in the polls. This has one of Utah's most prominent and outspoken politicians saying, someday, the drug will even be legal here in Utah. "To put people behind bars for possessing or smoking pot is absolutely absurd. It would make more sense to put people behind bars for smoking cigarettes," said former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

Why So Many Mayors Are Now Targets in Mexican Drug Prohibition War

Raul Benitez, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, says that the spate of recent deaths may be no coincidence: It comes as the federal government is increasing intelligence capabilities and taking a harder look at collusion between traffickers and local police and authorities, as it looks to centralize the police force. Therefore, many mayors who once may have turned a blind eye to trafficking exploits in their towns might now be refusing to cooperate. âIf the mayor is an obstacle, that is when the problem starts,â says Mr. Benitez.