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
Marijuana Policy
RSS Feed for this category
The Hempfest takes place each year at Myrtle Edwards Park, a narrow strip of land adjoining Puget Sound just north of downtown Seattle. Access to the park is limited, and the Seattle Art Museum's ongoing construction at its Olympic Sculpture Park leaves only a 14-foot-wide point of access for the estimated 150,000 people that will attend over Hempfest's two-day run.
Hearing Scheduled on Medical Marijuana Ballot Item (South Dakota)
Location:
SD
United States
See map: Google Maps
Publication/Source:
Associated Press
URL:
http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=3231
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)
Location:
PA
United States
See map: Google Maps
Publication/Source:
The Derrick and News-Herald
URL:
http://www.thederrick.com/stories/08092006-3014.shtml
Medical Marijuana Patients Get Say in Counties' Legal Challenge to California Medical Marijuana Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACLU, Drug Policy Alliance and Americans for Safe Access Step In to
Represent Medical Marijuana Patients in Lawsuit
SAN DIEGO A San Diego Superior Court ruled today that lawyers from
the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Safe Access and the
Drug Policy Alliance will be permitted to intervene in a lawsuit
brought by several California counties seeking to thwart the state's
Compassionate Use Act, which makes medical marijuana legal for
patients with a doctor's recommendation. The groups joined the case
on behalf of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers and
doctors in order to assure their adequate representation in the legal
proceedings.
"We look forward to the opportunity to stand together with patients
in defense of the rights of states to allow medicine to those in
need," said David Blair-Loy, an attorney with the ACLU of San Diego
and Imperial Counties. "We are heartened that the court recognized
the necessity of giving voice to those truly at risk from the
counties' ill-conceived actions."
San Diego, San Bernardino and Merced counties argued in a lawsuit
filed in state court that federal laws prohibiting all use of
marijuana invalidate state laws that allow qualified patients to use
medical marijuana. The ACLU, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and the
Drug Policy Alliance (the Alliance) filed legal papers on July 7,
2006 seeking to intervene in the proceedings.
"As the largest grassroots organization of patients, doctors and
scientists advocating for safe and legal access, we feel it's
critically important that California's medical marijuana laws be
respected by everyone," said Steph Sherer, executive director of ASA.
Daniel Abrahamson, director of legal affairs for the Alliance, added,
"These county governments have ignored the needs of their sick and
dying residents and the advice of California's physicians. By
intervening in the lawsuit, patients will have the chance to confront
their rogue county officials in court and defend the legality of the
Compassionate Use Act."
In addition to entering the case, the group's filing asked for a
court order compelling the counties to abide by and implement
California's medical marijuana laws, as well as an order affirming
that the state's medical marijuana laws are not preempted by contrary
federal statutes.
The lawsuit, initially brought by San Diego County and later joined
by San Bernardino and Merced counties, challenges state laws that
permit patients to use, and doctors to recommend, medical marijuana
under explicit exemptions from state criminal laws that otherwise
prohibit all marijuana use. The counties' lawsuit further challenges
the state's Medical Marijuana Program Act, which calls for the
implementation of an identification card program that would allow
police and others to more easily identify legitimate medical
marijuana patients.
The ACLU, the Alliance and ASA maintain that state medical marijuana
laws are not preempted by the federal ban on medical
marijuana. While the federal government is free to enforce its
prohibition on medical marijuana, even in states such as California
that permit its use, all states remain free to adopt and implement
policies of their own design an opinion shared by the California
Attorney General's office and the attorneys general of several other
states, including Colorado, Hawaii and Oregon, that permit medical
use of marijuana.
The groups represent Wendy Christakes, Pamela Sakuda, William Britt
and Yvonne Westbrook, Californians who use physician-recommended
marijuana to treat medical conditions and their side-effects,
including chronic pain and sciatica, multiple sclerosis, rectal
cancer, epilepsy and post-polio syndrome. The groups also represent
Sakuda's spouse and caregiver, Norbert Litzinger, as well as Dr.
Stephen O'Brien, a physician who specializes in HIV/AIDS treatment in
Oakland, California, and believes that many of his seriously ill
patients benefit from the medical use of marijuana.
In addition to being co-counsel, ASA is also a party to the
proceedings on behalf of its membership, which includes thousands of
medical marijuana patients, caregivers and physicians residing in
California. The Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) is
also represented by the groups. WAMM is a medical marijuana
collective and hospice located in Santa Cruz, California, whose 250
members, the majority of whom are terminally ill, use marijuana to
treat a range of conditions.
The groups' legal papers are available online at:
www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/medmarijuana/26090lgl20060707.html
The ACLU's January 19, 2006 letter to the San Diego Supervisors
explaining why California's medical marijuana laws are not preempted
by federal law is online at:
www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/medmarijuana/23565lgl20060119.html
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's opinion issued to the
state's Department of Health Services affirming the validity of the
state's medical marijuana laws is available at:
www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/medmarijuana/21194res20050715.html
Additional background on the case can be found at:
www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/medmarijuana/23587prs20060124.html
Location:
San Diego, CA
United States
See map: Google Maps
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.
Location:
United States
See map: Google Maps
Patients Get Okay to Oppose County's Marijuana Challenge (San Diego County)
Location:
San Diego, CA
United States
See map: Google Maps
Publication/Source:
North County Times
URL:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/08/04/news/sandiego/21_03_458_3_06.txt
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
Location:
Denver, CO
United States
See map: Google Maps
Marijuana: Seattle Hempfest Sues City, Art Museum Over Permitting, Access
Who would have thought the organizers of the Seattle Hempfest, the world's largest marijuana law reform rally, would have to take legal action against the progressive city of Seattle and one of its art museums? But that's exactly what happened Monday, when Hempfest announced it was suing the city over its failure to process the permit application in a timely manner and its failure to address transportation and access issues caused by construction at Seattle Art Museum.
2005 Hempfest
Hempfest organizers say they are running out of time and cannot wait any longer for permits and resolution of the access issue. The permit application for the event was filed on January 3, and the city should have replied within 60 days, but has yet to do so. Nor has it arrived at a transportation plan that addresses the crucial access issue.
"Since the late fall of 2005, Hempfest has been meeting regularly with Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and city officials to resolve all issues and allow adequate space for pedestrian access, as well as access for police and fire officials. Public safety is a top priority for Hempfest," organizers said in a press release announcing the lawsuit. "Construction of the Olympic Sculpture Park is in risk of jeopardizing public safety and depriving the public use of a major park," said Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of the Seattle Hempfest and plaintiff. "After months of negotiations with the City and SAM, I am confident that there is room for both the Sculpture Park and Hempfest," he added.
Organizers were quick to clarify that Hempfest will take place. Period. This year's event, set for August 19 and 20, features dozens of musical acts and speakers. This year's line up includes former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper and Seattle City Council President Nick Licata (not to mention DRCNet associate director David Guard). Hundreds of exhibitors will sell hemp wares and dozens of organizations, including the ACLU and NORML and DRCNet, will recruit for their organizations and advocate an end to the drug war.
MPP Seeks Help Gathering Signatures in Missoula--they need 11,000 in three weeks
Here's the text of the email they sent out today:
Help urgently needed to put marijuana initiative on Missoula County ballot
Marijuana Policy Project grant recipient Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy (CRCP) only has three weeks remaining to collect signatures for an initiative that would urge Missoula County law enforcement officers to make adult marijuana offenses the county’s lowest law enforcement priority, and they still need 11,000 more signatures!
If they don’t get your help collecting signatures, Missoula County residents may not have a chance to vote on the initiative in November. And Missoula law enforcement officers will continue arresting and prosecuting adult marijuana users. There was an arrest for marijuana-related offenses in Missoula every 33 hours last year. The government will continue wasting its time and your tax dollars pursuing non-violent adult marijuana users, unless you get involved now!
There are several ways that you can help CRCP.
1) Sign up to be a petitioner. You can earn $1.00 per valid signature that you collect from now until August 24. You will be able to work with other CRCP petitioners and have the opportunity to meet people working to improve Montana’s marijuana laws. All you have to do is stop by the CRCP office in Missoula at Higgins Plaza, 415 North Higgins, #13, to get the necessary materials. You can also contact CRCP at [email protected] or (406) 721-3000, ext. 1420, to find out more information about becoming a petitioner.
2) Petition at the Western Montana Fair. CRCP will have a booth at the Western Montana Fair in Missoula from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. everyday from Tuesday, August 8 through Sunday, August 13. By working at the booth, you get free admission to the fair and $1.00 per valid signature you collect! If you want to help out at the fair, please contact CRCP at [email protected] or (406) 721-3000, ext. 1420.
3) Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to get involved as well. CRCP needs help from anyone who is able to help during the next three weeks. You don’t even need to be from Missoula. So, if you know anyone who wants to reform our marijuana laws, please let them know that CRCP needs them.
This is your chance to be a part of major marijuana reform. Getting this initiative on the ballot in Missoula will be the first step to rethinking marijuana prohibition throughout the state.
Let’s give Missoula County voters the opportunity to say no to the war on marijuana users! Please contact CRCP to get involved today.
This alert is Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy, Treasurer Paul Befumo, P.O. Box 8022, Missoula, MT 59807.
Location:
United States
See map: Google Maps
Mother Nature Implicated in Massive Marijuana Grow-Op
Your tax dollars at work:
From the The Norman TranscriptA call from a concerned farmer in southeast Norman led Cleveland County Sheriff's Department deputies and Norman police officers to a field of 8,889 "wild" marijuana plants growing on private property early Monday morning. The plants ranged in size from 3 feet to 9 feet tall and would have a street value of up to $1,000 each, or around $8 million total, if allowed to grow and be harvested in the coming months, said Captain Doug Blaine, of the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department.
Now I’m not surprised about the plants. Feral hemp, also known as ditchweed, is indigenous to the region. The shocker here is that these officers, in a fit of unbelievable idiocy, actually attempted to place a street value on it. Ditchweed doesn’t get you high! It’s as worthless as the dirt it was yanked from.
And so it appears we may have stumbled upon the most absurd over-estimation of a marijuana crop’s value in the whole stupid history of bored police officers over-estimating the value of marijuana crops.
But you can’t fault the “concerned farmer” who called it in. With Captain Doug Blaine calling the shots, I’d kill every plant in my yard just to be on the safe side.
Yet despite its abundance of ill-informed sensationalism, this article ironically fails to mention the real danger posed by the feral hemp plant. Any commercial marijuana growing in proximity to such a sizable crop of ditchweed stands a strong chance of becoming pollinated by its impotent cousin. The result would be hybridized marijuana of extremely poor quality.
Thankfully, marijuana enthusiasts and bored Oklahoma police can agree on one thing: the ditchweed’s gotta go.
Location:
United States
See map: Google Maps
