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Another Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing...

US Capitol, Senate side
From http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=d3ddc8eaa9b9f780d5af0a554e5fcf98:

September 11, 2013

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE HEARING

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing entitled "Reevaluating the Effectiveness of Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentences" for Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

By order of the Chairman.

Witness List

Hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary

On

"Reevaluating the Effectiveness of Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentences"

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226
10:00 a.m.

Panel I

The Honorable Rand Paul
United States Senator
State of Kentucky

Panel II

The Honorable Brett Tolman
Shareholder
Ray Quinney & Nebeker
Salt Lake City, UT

Marc Levin
Policy Director
Right on Crime Initiative at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
Austin, TX

Global Student Paper Competition Taking on Drug Policy -- First Submissions Due 10/30

The Global Debate and Public Policy Challenge (GDPPC) has chosen "Rethinking Drugs" for its 2013-2014 theme. GDPPC is a written and oral policy competition for undergraduate students from around the world. It provides a platform which embraces the concept of open society, bringing together outstanding undergraduate students from across the globe to foster a rich and lively exchange of ideas through critical thinking and well-informed debates. A new video captures the highlights of last year's forum, which concluded in June 2013. The video is online at http://youtu.be/ptSHMga4wHU.

Students participating in the competition are asked to explore what policies governments should adopt to address the current challenges that drugs, drug-related crime and violence pose on a social and political level. This encourages students to think critically about the war on drugs, the implications of current drug policies on security, health, justice and human rights. Students are asked to submit two written papers (a policy memo and a policy brief) on different scenarios. The first one (policy memo) is due 30 October 2013. Outstanding students will get to present their ideas at a final forum in Budapest and stand the chance of winning one of up to five $10,000 scholarships and grants.

The Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) has partnered with the International Debate Education Association (UK), the IDEA Central Foundation, the European Council of Foreign Relations as well as the School of Public Policy at Central European University to organize the third round of the Global Public Policy and Debate Challenge (GDPPC). The Challenge is sponsored by the Open Society Foundations.

More information and fresh updates about the Challenge can be found at http://gdppc.idebate.org as well as on Facebook.

Scholarships Available for the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Denver, Oct. '13

vigil outside Albuquerque Convention Center, 2009 drug policy reform conference
Scholarships are now available for The International Drug Policy Reform Conference, a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. It brings together over 1,000 attendees representing 30 different countries. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

This year's conference will take place October 23-26 in Denver, Colorado, as officials craft the state's implementation plan for legal marijuana under Amendment 64. Attendees will have the opportunity to spend three days interacting with people committed to finding alternatives to the war on drugs -- marijuana legalization and many other issues in drug policy -- while participating in sessions given by leading experts from around the world.

Here are what some attendees had to say about the 2011 conference:

  • "The International Drug Reform Conference was, by far, one of the most eye opening experiences of my life... It felt as if I were at the epicenter of the most conscious people on the planet."
  • "Every workshop that I attended had excellent presenters and panelists. I was extremely pleased to once again attend the 2011 Reform Conference. It was more diverse than ever and very inclusive of issues that I support. See you in Denver!"
  • "The Drug Policy Alliance conference is an educational opportunity that every responsible individual should experience -- regardless of your position on the issues."
  • "Every two years I look forward to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, where I know I'll get a chance to hear from, and speak with some of the brightest minds in the drug policy reform movement."
  • "If you think the drug war has failed our country and harmed countries like Mexico and you want to do something about it, this is the conference to be at."

Visit http://www.reformconference.org for further information.

Denver, CO
United States

The International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Denver, October 2013

vigil outside Albuquerque Convention Center, 2009 drug policy reform conference
The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. It brings together over 1,000 attendees representing 30 different countries.

StoptheDrugWar.org is a partner in this year's conference, which will take place October 23-26 in Denver, Colorado, as officials craft the state's implementation plan for legal marijuana under Amendment 64. Attendees will have the opportunity to spend three days interacting with people committed to finding alternatives to the war on drugs -- marijuana legalization and many other issues in drug policy -- while participating in sessions given by leading experts from around the world.

Here are what some attendees had to say about the 2011 conference:

  • "The International Drug Reform Conference was, by far, one of the most eye opening experiences of my life... It felt as if I were at the epicenter of the most conscious people on the planet."
  • "Every workshop that I attended had excellent presenters and panelists. I was extremely pleased to once again attend the 2011 Reform Conference. It was more diverse than ever and very inclusive of issues that I support. See you in Denver!"
  • "The Drug Policy Alliance conference is an educational opportunity that every responsible individual should experience -- regardless of your position on the issues."
  • "Every two years I look forward to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, where I know I'll get a chance to hear from, and speak with some of the brightest minds in the drug policy reform movement."
  • "If you think the drug war has failed our country and harmed countries like Mexico and you want to do something about it, this is the conference to be at."

Visit http://www.reformconference.org for further information.

The International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Denver, October 2013

vigil outside Albuquerque Convention Center, 2009 drug policy reform conference
The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. It brings together over 1,000 attendees representing 30 different countries.

StoptheDrugWar.org is a partner in this year's conference, which will take place October 23-26 in Denver, Colorado, as officials craft the state's implementation plan for legal marijuana under Amendment 64. Attendees will have the opportunity to spend three days interacting with people committed to finding alternatives to the war on drugs -- marijuana legalization and many other issues in drug policy -- while participating in sessions given by leading experts from around the world.

Here are what some attendees had to say about the 2011 conference:

  • "The International Drug Reform Conference was, by far, one of the most eye opening experiences of my life... It felt as if I were at the epicenter of the most conscious people on the planet."
  • "Every workshop that I attended had excellent presenters and panelists. I was extremely pleased to once again attend the 2011 Reform Conference. It was more diverse than ever and very inclusive of issues that I support. See you in Denver!"
  • "The Drug Policy Alliance conference is an educational opportunity that every responsible individual should experience -- regardless of your position on the issues."
  • "Every two years I look forward to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, where I know I'll get a chance to hear from, and speak with some of the brightest minds in the drug policy reform movement."
  • "If you think the drug war has failed our country and harmed countries like Mexico and you want to do something about it, this is the conference to be at."

Visit http://www.reformconference.org for further information.

Denver, CO
United States

US Marijuana Laws: What Does the Future Hold?

The Committee on Drugs & the Law invites the public to a discussion on the current state of domestic marijuana laws and the possibilities for the future, in the wake of the recent legalization measures passed in Colorado and Washington. Members of the Committee will briefly discuss various topics including an overview of state marijuana laws across the country, the status of medical marijuana in New York State, the current tensions around state, federal, and international laws, and special issues such as land use, discrimination, and ethics involved with allowing or disallowing the use of marijuana. The presentation will be followed by an interactive discussion with the audience.

Speakers:

Heather J. Haase
Chair, Committee on Drugs & the Law; Carlton Fields, P.A.; Legal Advisor, Harm Reduction Coalition

Douglas Greene
Advisor, Committee on Drugs & the Law; Co-founder, Cures not Wars; Member, Board of Directors and Legislative Director, Empire State NORML

Zarah Levin-Fragasso
Member, Committee on Drugs & the Law

Susan Guercio
Member and former Chair, Committee on Drugs & the Law; Counsel, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Adam Scavone
Student Member and Committee Secretary, Committee on Drugs & the Law; Member, New York Cannabis Alliance

Noah Potter
Member and former Chair, Committee on Drugs & the Law; Author, New Amsterdam Psychedelic Law Blog

Visit http://www2.nycbar.org/EventsCalendar/show_event_new.php?eventid=2119 for further information or to register.

Data: 
Wed, 02/27/2013 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Localização: 
42 W. 44th St.
New York, NY 10036
United States

StoptheDrugWar.org Teleconference on the Marijuana Legalization Initiatives

StoptheDrugWar.org is pleased to announce our first teleconference, featuring the initiative campaigns in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State to enact regulatory (legalization) systems for marijuana. Please join us by phone or Skype on Thursday, September 27, 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST -- call (805) 399-1200 and enter access code 135516. We will discuss what the initiatives do, what their prospects are for passage and for fueling further reform, and what people can do to get involved.

The following exciting speakers have agreed to join us:

  • Oscar Eason, Jr., NAACP Alaska/Oregon/Washington State Area Conference
  • Alison Holcomb, New Approach Washington
  • Paul Stanford, Oregon Cannabis Tax Act
  • Brian Vicente, Sensible Colorado

Please RVSP here on our Facebook event page or our evite, and please spread the word! We will accept questions by email, now and during the teleconference -- send them to [email protected].

Please stay tuned also for announcements of additional teleconferences to discuss the upcoming state medical marijuana initiatives, prospects for reform in Congress next year, and other topics. If you are not already subscribed to the Drug War Chronicle newsletter, you can subscribe here -- follow us on Facebook and Twitter too.

Rally at Obama Fundraiser, Oakland on Monday, to Save Harborside and Medical Marijuana

(Update: Live video feed from the protest.)

July 23rd, 3:30 PM OBAMA KEEP YOUR PROMISE!

Protest federal cannabis raids when the President visits Oakland, the target of DOJ raids on Harborside, Oaksterdam U., and other medical cannabis centers.

Gather at Oakland City Hall Plaza, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza:

12 noon - Political Theater
3:00 pm - Protest
4:30 pm - President Obama arrives at Fox Theater

http://www.facebook.com/events/342631035818988/

http://stopthedrugwar.org/trenches/2012/jul/20/rally_monday_obama_fundraiser_oa

#SaveHarborside

(This article was published by StoptheDrugWar.org's lobbying arm, the Drug Reform Coordination Network, which also shares the cost of maintaining this web site. DRCNet Foundation takes no positions on candidates for public office, in compliance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and does not pay for reporting that could be interpreted or misinterpreted as doing so.)

Data: 
Mon, 07/23/2012 - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Localização: 
Oakland, CA
United States

Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Conference

 

North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Streetwork and Women With A Vision invite you to attend the Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Conference

 

Event Dates: The event will take place Thursday September 6th through Saturday September 8th, 2012
 

Sign up page:   http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC

 

Event Contact: Robert Childs, 336-543-8050 [email protected]

 

Event Price: $55 via Check, $56 via paypal

 

Scholarships: Scholarships are available to people living in the US South ONLY.  If you need a housing or conference fee waiver scholarship, please fill out the registration form and the following form: http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC-Scholarship

 

Topics that will be covered:

Syringe Access
Faith, Drugs and Sex Work
HCV and Harm Reduction
Marijuana Policy Update
Harm Reduction Media
Sex Work in the South
Transgender Health & Harm Reduction
War on Drugs, A War on the People
911 Good Samaritan Laws
Advocacy 101
National and Regional Drug Policy Update
Mass Incarceration
Law Enforcement As Advocates
Crack User and Injection Drug User Harm Reduction Safety  
Traditional and Untraditional ways to funding Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform 
The Negative Effects of Drug Testing
Overdose Prevention 101
Street Nursing and Outreach Skills
Mapping a Drug Policy Reform and Harm Reduction Friendly Future for the South
Crack Pipe Access and Hepatitis
Drug User Stigma
Syringe Exchange 101

 

Event Financial Sponsors: The Drug Policy Alliance and the MAC AIDS Fund

Event Co-Sponsors: SSDP, Georgia AIDS Coalition, Triangle Health Collective, Kuan-Yin, North Carolina Sex Worker Alliance, Hepatitis Community Voice, and many more!

    Data: 
    Thu, 09/06/2012 - 9:00am - Sat, 09/08/2012 - 5:00pm
    Localização: 
    Atlanta, GA
    United States

    4/20 Protest at Obama Oaksterdam-area Headquarters

    There is a Bay Area 4/20 demonstration against the Obama administration's war on medical marijuana. It's starting a short time from now at the federal building in Oakland, followed by a march at noon Pacific time to Oaksterdam and Obama campaign headquarters, which is around the corner from Oaksterdam University. There is a film festival and benefit party for California NORML and OU starting at 3:00pm, and another event in the area tomorrow.

    Phil is attending and will be posting a Chronicle report this afternoon -- check back. Visit http://www.canorml.org for sign up for their updates. Following is the CANORML announcement:

    Fri 4/20 - OAKSTERDAM PROTEST (11:30 - 1:30)
    and FILM FESTIVAL (3PM - 8PM)

    JOIN US at 11 AM, at the Federal Building in Oakland (1301 Clay St.) to protest the federal attack on Oaksterdam and medical cannabis. At 12 PM we will be marching up to Oaksterdam to make our views known to the President's campaign. Participants are invited to drop by the Oaksterdam Student Union 1915 Broadway for refreshments after 1 PM.

    FILM FESTIVAL & 4/20 CELEBRATION - 3 PM - 8 PM at Oaksterdam (1600 Broadway) $10 for benefit of Cal NORML & Oaksterdam U. Featuring: "A NORML Life" (3PM); "California 90420" (4:30 PM) and special premier presentation: "The Green Goddess" (6PM) with in-person Q& A by producer Chris Iverson. Facebook event page

    Sat 4/21 DEEP GREEN FESTIVAL at Craneway Conference Center, Richmond - noon -midnite
    Festive Earth Day celebration of the 7 dimensions of cannabis. Look for the CalNORML table!

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