Get Off the Pot, George!," new video from Emperor of Hemp creator Jeff Meyers -- currently ranked #2 in the Huffington Post Contagious Festival
Jim Hightower blasts "The Government's Sick War on Marijuana"
Geoffrey Gray on "Eliot Spitzer Chokes on Pot Deal," New York magazine
Electoral Politics
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Web Scan: New Video from "Emperor of Hemp" Creator, Jim Hightower on Marijuana War, Spitzer Flakes on Medical Marijuana
Marijuana Activist Wants Judge Off Referendum Case (Pennsylvania)
Localização:
PA
United States
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Publication/Source:
The Derrick and News-Herald
URL:
http://www.thederrick.com/stories/08092006-3014.shtml
My South Dakota Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Research
Our article about the South Dakota medical marijuana initiative and the likely lawsuit against state Attorney General Larry Long over what initiative supporters contend is his biased and possibly illegal description of the initiative that will appear on the ballot, got bumped this week, but we expect it to happen next week. I held off for a couple of reasons: First, the lawsuit has yet to actually be filed. Second, I couldn't manage to make contact with South Dakotans for Safe Access sole spokeswoman Valerie Hannah until Friday morning. Hannah, a Gulf War veteran who suffers from nerve gas exposure, will fill me in on what's going on Monday.
We published the first story about the pending lawsuit last issue, beating the Associated Press, which came out with its own story Tuesday. While the AP explained that initiative supporters faulted the AG for his ballot language about doctors possibly losing their DEA prescribing licenses, it failed to mention the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Conant v. Ashcroft, where the court ruled quite clearly that physicians have a First Amendment right to recommend medical marijuana without administrative penalty. Conant is a precedent, but it is not controlling in other circuits since the US Supreme Court refused the Justice Department's appeal of the decision. That is the only possibly out for Long--his ballot language says "doctors may" face problems with the DEA. Yes, and monkeys may fly out my butt.
Localização:
United States
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SAFER to Submit More Than 110,000 Signatures in Support of Marijuana Legalization Initiative
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
August 3, 2006
SAFER to Submit More Than 110,000 Signatures in Support of Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Proponents to hold press conference immediately prior to submission on Monday
Contact: Mason Tvert, 720-255-4340
DENVER - On Monday, August 7, Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) will file its initiative petition to legalize up to one ounce of marijuana under state law with the Secretary of State for approval for the November ballot. Prior to submitting the petitions, SAFER will hold a press conference in front of the Denver City-County Building at 11 a.m.
"This past November the people of the City of Denver voted to make the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana legal for adults under city ordinances," said SAFER Campaign Director Mason Tvert. "Yet our cowardly city officials blatantly ignored the will of the people and have continued arresting and prosecuting Denver residents under state law for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol. We think that is wrong, and it appears more than 110,000 people in the great state of Colorado agree with us.
"The unresponsive officials in the Denver City-County Building are responsible for this initiative, which will eliminate the law they are using to punish their own law-abiding citizens," continued Tvert. "So it is only appropriate that we kick off our official campaign right under their noses where they cannot help but sense the ire of those citizens they purportedly represent."
Initiative petitions must contain 67,829 signatures of registered voters for the measure to be placed on the November 2006 ballot.
What: Press conference to announce submission of signatures to qualify marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot
*** Photo opportunity - campaign signs and boxes of petitions - weather permitting ***
Where: Denver City-County Building, 1437 Bannock Street
When: Monday, August 7, 11 a.m.
Who: Mason Tvert, SAFER campaign director and head of the Colorado Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization
Initiative Committee
Localização:
Denver, CO
United States
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Prickly Progressives Impede Pot Progress
Progress Now, a Colorado-based advocacy group issued a statement condemning Focus on the Family President James Dobson for using a signature gathering service that has also worked with the marijuana reform group SAFER.
James Dobson is spending tens of thousands of dollars of Focus on the Family's money to hire paid signature collectors to solicit people for the so-called "marriage initiative" under the guise of protecting Colorado's families. He needs 68,000 valid signatures by August 8 to qualify. Many of these very solicitors paid for by Dobson also are working to collect signatures for an initiative to legalize marijuana in Colorado simultaneously.
For starters, they’re just signature gathers. They’re professionals who work for whoever pays them. It would make as much sense to complain that SAFER and Dobson patronized the same Kinkos.
What’s really troubling here is the implicit negativity of Progress Now’s statement. While they claim that “this is about hypocrisy” and “not about the merits of legalization,” I don’t think you can feign neutrality on the marijuana reform issue while simultaneously trying to skewer a political opponent simply for operating in proximity to it.
For a real example of hypocrisy, try to reconcile Progress Now’s seemingly positive positions on drug policy with their refusal to support marijuana reform in Colorado.
Progress Now accepts suggestions regarding their policy positions here.
My suggestion is not to say this unless you mean it:
[We] support reform to drug laws so that less people are sent to prison and more people are rehabilitated from chemical addictions.
Localização:
United States
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Medical Marijuana: In New York Democratic Gubernatorial Race, Spitzer Says No, Suozzi Says Yes
Running an uphill race for the Democratic Party gubernatorial nomination against state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi hoped to use a televised debate to heighten his profile and open some space between himself and Spitzer on the issues. He managed to do that on a number of issuing, including medical marijuana.
When asked by debate moderator Dominick Carter whether medical marijuana should be legalized in the Empire State, Spitzer answered "no," which generated booing from the audience, while Suozzi answered "yes."
The next question was whether the candidates had ever used marijuana. Both said "yes," but Spitzer's affirmative was followed by laughter, then clapping from the audience. Neither candidate elaborated on their monosyllabic responses.
While Spitzer opposes medical marijuana, he has been a staunch supporter of Rockefeller drug law reform. Neither candidate, however, mentions Rockefeller drug law reform as a major issue on their campaign web sites.
(Audio of the debate can be accessed on the WNYC web site -- the marijuana exchange is 57:47 deep into the file.)
Medical Marijuana: South Dakota Ballot Description Erroneous and Apparently Illegal
Organizers of South Dakota's medical marijuana initiative are in for a tough fight in the socially conservative Upper Midwest state. All they ask is that it be a fair fight, but South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long (R) apparently isn’t ready to provide them with an even playing field. Long's office this week issued the summary of the initiative that will appear on the ballot, and that summary contains biased and factually incorrect statements -- an apparent violation of South Dakota law.
The summary language provided by Attorney General Long and appearing on the South Dakota Secretary of State's election web page is as follows:
"Currently, marijuana possession, use, distribution, or cultivation is a crime under both state and federal law. The proposed law would legalize marijuana use or possession for any adult or child who has one of several listed medical conditions and who is registered with the Department of Health. The proposed law would also provide a defense to persons who cultivate, transport or distribute marijuana solely to registered persons. Even if this initiative passes, possession, use, or distribution of marijuana is still a federal crime. Persons covered by the proposed law would still be subject to federal prosecution for violation of federal drug control laws. Physicians who provide written certifications may be subject to losing their federal license to dispense prescription drugs."
While initiative supporters point out several examples of biased or irrelevant description -- referring to "any adult or child" instead of "anyone" in an attempt to raise the specter of youth drug use, referring repeatedly to federal laws against marijuana possession -- it is the final sentence of Long's summary that really leaps out.
Long writes that doctors "may be subject to losing their federal license to dispense prescription drugs in they write recommendations for medical marijuana use," and that's just wrong. The only federal court precedent in such matters, Conant v. Ashcroft, clearly states that physicians may not be punished by the DEA for exercising their First Amendment right to recommend a patient use marijuana. In Conant, the Supreme Court refused to hear the Justice Department's appeal of that US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion.
According to the South Dakota criminal code, "Publication of false or erroneous information on constitutional amendments or submitted questions is a misdemeanor. Any person knowingly printing, publishing, or delivering to any voter of this state a document containing any purported constitutional amendment, question, law, or measure to be submitted to voters at any election, in which such constitutional amendment, question, law, or measure is misstated, erroneously printed, or by which false or misleading information is given to the voters, is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor."
Initiative supporters told DRCNet this week they are examining their options. Expect more news on this front next week.
Medical Marijuana in South Dakota
South Dakota will vote on a medical marijuana initiative in November, and it looks like it will be an uphill battle. According to my sources within the campaign, the measure is not doing well in internal polling, but it is early. The campaign is laying low for now, but has already found a patient spokesperson and a former policeman as a spokesman. Bob Newland, South Dakota's "Mr. Marijuana," the hemp/pot/medical marijuan activist responsible for the initiative has agreed to keep a low profile, while MPP's experienced cadres run the show. Articles on the South Dakota campaign will show up periodically in the Chronicle. This is my state, and I'm actually here, and I intend to get involved as well as write about it.
Localização:
SD
United States
See map: Google Maps
Sentencing: California Governor Signs Bill Amending Proposition 36, Is Immediately Sued
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Wednesday signed into law a bill that substantially alters the state's voter-approved Prop 36, the state's "treatment not jail" law. One of the authors of the measure, which mandates treatment not jail for first- and second-time drug offenders, immediately filed suit to block the law from going into effect.
The bill, which was tacked onto a budget bill and passed last month, allows "flash incarceration" of up to five days for people who have failed to participate in treatment programs. Championed by law enforcement and drug court professionals, the new law stands in stark contrast with the initiative approved by the voters, who approved Prop 36's "no jail" provisions by a wide margin. Under California laws, substantive changes in voter-approved initiatives must be done by the voters, not the legislature.
Prop 36 coauthor Cliff Gardner filed his lawsuit Wednesday afternoon in Alameda County Superior Court. He is being represented by Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) attorney Daniel Abrahamson. "Rather than veto SB 1137, the Governor opted to engage in a legal battle over what he knows is an unconstitutional law," said Abrahamson in a statement. "We have filed a complaint in Alameda County Superior Court, and are confident that Prop 36 and the will of the people will be upheld."
But Lisa Fisher, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, told the Associated Press the state would enforce the law unless a judge orders it not to. "We think that the reforms are furthering the purposes of Proposition 36," she said. "The one thing we have learned over the years is that jail sanctions need to be part of a whole package of sanctions that an individual can expect."
Philanthropist Pledges $3.5 Million Matching Grant to MPP
Here is an email that went out today from the Marijuana Policy Project: Philanthropist pledges $3.5 million matching grant to MPP! Dear Phil Smith: The Marijuana Policy Project has received a commitment from a major philanthropist to match the first $3.5 million we can raise from the rest of the planet. This is a huge opportunity for MPP and all of us who are working to end marijuana prohibition. If we succeed at securing $3.5 million + $3.5 million = $7.0 million in revenues this year, all of the projects mentioned below will be fully funded this year ... and into next year. Would you please help make this financial windfall a reality by making your own contribution today? The matching funding comes in two stages. The first $2.3 million that you and other MPP allies donate will be matched by $2.3 million from the philanthropist. Then, if we can raise an additional $1.2 million from you and other allies, the philanthropist will again match that with $1.2 million of his own. We've already raised $2,026,479 this year. If each of the 101,000 subscribers on this e-mail list were to donate just $5 each, we would immediately jump over the $2.3 million hurdle. But not everyone on this e-mail list will donate $5 — or even read this e-mail message — so please consider donating $10, $50, $250 (you'll receive a DVD of MPP's TV debates and other highlights), or $1,000 (you'll become a Lifetime Member of MPP). Does money really make a difference? In a word, "Yes." Please consider these two thoughts: - Because 78% of the American people already support allowing patients to use marijuana "to reduce pain and suffering," according to the latest Gallup poll, the only thing that's preventing us from making medical marijuana legal in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and all 50 states is our ability to hire lobbyists and/or to put medical marijuana initiatives on the ballot. - Because 36% of the American people say "the use of marijuana should be made legal," according to Gallup, we need to continue dedicating resources to educating the public on the harms of marijuana prohibition ... until a majority of voters agree. In short, money is one of the most critical factors that will determine how quickly we — which includes you — can end marijuana prohibition. It's not the academic commitment of the people who agree with MPP ... or the righteousness of our cause ... or our willpower, or our intelligence. These elements are all important, but it's money that translates good ideas into good laws. If you're able to help us reach the $3.5 million milestone — preferably by October 1, so that we can actually use the money to pass key ballot initiatives this November 7 — we'll be able to fully fund the following: - MPP's ballot initiative in Nevada to end marijuana prohibition entirely, which Nevadans will be voting on this November. - The ad campaign we recently launched on Jim Hightower's national radio show. - Local ballot initiatives to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority for local police in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Missoula County (Montana), and Portland (Oregon) ... which all five communities are voting on this November. - The medical marijuana initiative in South Dakota that — if passed by a majority of the voters this November — would make South Dakota the 12th medical marijuana state ... and the first medical marijuana state in the midwest. - Public opinion polling to help us determine where to run similar statewide medical marijuana initiatives in 2007 and 2008. Will you please help achieve what you believe in by voting with your dollars today? MPP is doing everything it can to end the government's war on marijuana users, but we need the financial means to achieve the goal. I want to thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Financial support from supporters like you is literally the only thing that makes our work possible. Sincerely, Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C. P.S. If you join MPP's pledge program at a level of $5 or more per month, you'll receive your choice of MPP's colorful "Stop Arresting Patients" t-shirt, a DVD of the award-winning medical marijuana documentary Waiting to Inhale, or the DVD BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters. And if you donate $250 or more (or sign up for a monthly pledge of at least $50), we'll also mail you a compilation DVD featuring the TV and radio ads, TV news coverage, and raw video coverage from MPP's campaigns last year
Localização:
United States
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