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On the street, you can see the harm caused by drug laws (Opinion)

Former British Columbia police officer David Bratzer discusses drug prohibition's role in increasing the rate of HIV infections, and how the Vienna Declaration is trying to bring positive change.

marijuana

Strong Majority Believes Marijuana Could Become Legal Soon

A new Rasmussen poll finds 43% of American in favor of legalizing marijuana, with 42% opposed. But what really got my attention was this stat on attitudes about whether legalization is likely to happen:

This Week in History

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

If Calif. legalizes marijuana, not clear what Obama administration would do

Is the Obama Administration hinting at a change in federal marijuana policy? Speaking in Fresno, Drug Czar Kerlikowske pointed to how state and local jurisdictions have dealt with the state's legalization of medical marijuana, saying they are "doing a really good job of licensing, land use, those kind of regulations."

Medical Marijuana Stakeholders Meeting

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey (CMMNJ) is proud to announce that a medical marijuana stakeholders meeting will be held in conjunction with the national patient advocacy organization, Americans for Safe Access (ASA). Medical marijuana patients, their families, advocates, potential alternative treatment center owners, and health care professionals should attend the meeting.

Steph Sherer, Executive Director of ASA, will be the featured presenter at the stakeholders meeting. Steph is an international leader and expert in medical cannabis advocacy who aids in drafting legislation and advises governments around the globe. She has been a guest lecturer at University of California, Berkeley and George Washington University, DC.

CMMNJ has worked with ASA as a resource throughout the medical marijuana legislative effort in New Jersey. Now that the Garden State has passed a compassionate use law it is vital for local advocates to learn from seasoned experts how to proceed forward. New Jersey’s medical cannabis patients and volunteers can also be an important part of the national discussion about safe access.

ASA has ambitious national, regional and local Goals and Objectives for providing medical marijuana to patients. The stakeholders meeting will look at the following topics:

1. Creating the political playing field necessary to pass federal, state, and local legislation.
2. Implementing medical cannabis laws with methods that meet the needs of patients.
3. Passing meaningful legislation that creates safe and legal access in additional states.

Also presenting on the status and details of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law will be CMMNJ’s Ken Wolski RN and Chris Goldstein. Jahan Marcu, a cannabinoid researcher from Temple University School of Medicine will discuss his work on cannabinoids eliminating cancer tumors.

The cost to attend the all-day conference is $20. There is limited seating. To secure a place at this important meeting, send a check made out to "CMMNJ" to 219 Woodside Ave, Trenton, NJ 08618. Or, pay through PayPal at www.cmmnj.org make sure to put “Stakeholders Meeting” in the note.

A benefit dinner with CMMNJ’s volunteers, Board members and ASA’s Steph Sherer will also take place on Friday night, 8/20/10 at 7:00 PM for $100.00. A separate payment is required for dinner reservations.

Media passes are available. A brief press conference will be held.

Four Journalists Kidnapped in Mexican Drug Violence

Four journalists were kidnapped after publishing a story earlier this week about prison officials in northern Mexico who had allegedly let drug-gang assassins out repeatedly and supplied them with weapons and trucks to massacre 35 people. The gunmen who took the journalists demanded that videos they had made accusing the police of collaborating with another drug gang, the Zetas, be aired on TV networks. The videos were aired on a midday newscast, but the men were not released, and remain in captivity.

Medical Marijuana Groups Oppose Michele Leonhart for DEA

Medical marijuana advocacy groups have called on President Barack Obama to withdraw his nomination of Michele Leonhart to be DEA administrator. The coalition feels that Leonhart, who is currently the DEAâs acting-administrator, has not demonstrated that she is capable of leading the agency in a thoughtful manner at a time when 14 states have enacted medical marijuana laws, and science is increasingly confirming the therapeutic benefits of the substance. Under Leonhartâs leadership, the DEA has staged medical marijuana raids in complete disregard of Attorney General Eric Holderâs directive to the Justice Department to respect state medical marijuana laws.

MAPS/WAMM Day @ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

Join MAPS (http://www.maps.org/) and WAMM (http://www.wamm.org/) at the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing (http://www.santacruzmountainbrewing.com/).

SCMB will be donating $1 for every beer sold to our organizations, so this is a great way to enjoy a local, organic beer while supporting two great organizations at the same time!

Meet your favorite staff members!
...
Come for the beer, stay for the good feeling of helping. Don't forget to tell your friends and bring them along too!

DEA "wanted" poster with members of Arellano Felix cartel

Mexico Drug War Update

It seems like there's a new atrocity every week in Mexico's unending prohibition-related violence. How about guards letting prisoners out of their cells so they can go murder people, then go back to the safety of prison?

the scales of justice tip slightly closer to sanity

Congress Acts to Reduce Crack/Powder Cocaine Sentencing Disparity (FEATURE)

The House of Representatives Wednesday approved a bill that would reduce, but not eliminate, the sentencing disparity for federal crack and powder cocaine offenses. The measure had already passed the Senate, and it has the support of the White House, which means the bill will soon be a law.

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