Medical Marijuana

Marijuana Policy Project Alert

May 12, 2010

 

Free screening of award-winning medical marijuana documentary Waiting to Inhale this Monday

Dear friends:

Can’t afford the price of admission to see a movie these days? You’re not alone. But there’s good news: this Monday the New Deal Café in Greenbelt will be hosting a free screening of Waiting to Inhale, a documentary examining the arguments surrounding the movement to legalize marijuana for medical treatment. Here are the details:

What: Free screening of Waiting to Inhale

Where: New Deal Café, 113 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD 20770

When: Monday, May 17, 7:00 p.m. (Optional vegan buffet dinner at 6:30 — $13)

Produced by Jed Riffe and funded in part by the Marijuana Policy Project, Waiting to Inhale examines the debate over marijuana’s medical efficacy and whether and how to make it available to seriously ill patients suffering from diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. Among other awards, the film was named Best Documentary at the Eureka International Film Festival and the New Jersey Film Festival, and won the 2007 CINE Golden Eagle. You can check out a preview of the film here.

Following the film, MPP’s Karen O’Keefe will lead a discussion about the film and legislation recently considered in Maryland and passed in Washington D.C. As Director of State Policies, Karen was the lead drafter of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and has actively lobbied for the passage of medical marijuana laws in state legislatures around the country.

For more, please visit waitingtoinhale.org or contact Cam MacQueen at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Dan Riffle
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project

 

We are required by federal law to tell you that any donations you make to MPP may be used for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates for federal office.

 

What do the new state medical marijuana laws mean for patients? 

Free statewide trainings next week!

 

You Can Make a Difference

Dear friends,

We’re making amazing progress toward ending the war on marijuana, but a major obstacle stands in our way — Michele Leonhart.  The DEA’s acting administrator is a Bush holdover who’s blocked scientific research and overseen dozens of medical marijuana raids.

Now sick and disabled veterans are suffering because of her hardline stance against medical marijuana patients.  We can’t tolerate a DEA administrator with such backwards ideas. 

Under Michele Leonhart’s direction, the DEA is advising the Veterans Administration (VA) to prohibit its doctors from recommending medical marijuana to their patients, even in states where it’s legal.

A Bush holdover is standing in the way of reform, and we need to stop her.  The Senate will soon consider whether to confirm her as the permanent administrator of the DEA.  Urge the Senate to block her nomination.

VA doctors are barred from recommending medical marijuana even though many veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and other ailments have found that it’s the best medicine for their symptoms.

Veterans who survived the wars abroad have returned home only to become victims of the war on drugs.  Urge the Senate to demand a new DEA administrator.

Sincerely,

Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance Network

 

Marijuana Policy Project Alert

May 5, 2010

 

FINALLY: District Council unanimously approves medical marijuana legislation

Passage of bill implements medical marijuana program 11 years in the making.

Dear friends:

In yet another sign of the growing acceptance and support of medical marijuana, the Council of the District of Columbia yesterday gave unanimous, final approval to legislation that would place our nation’s capital alongside 14 other states in allowing doctors to recommend medical marijuana for seriously ill residents suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating illnesses. The measure would also create a government-regulated distribution system to provide marijuana to qualifying patients though 5-8 dispensaries located throughout the District. The bill now goes to the mayor’s office for approval and, once signed, will be transmitted to Congress for a mandatory 30-legislative-day review period. If approved as expected, the effective date for the legislation would be mid-July.

Not only did the Council give its approval to the bill, but the amount of marijuana patients can purchase could also be raised. Previously, the maximum potential amount was 2.5 ounces. Under an amendment offered by Councilmember Phil Mendelson, the mayor will now be able to raise that limit to 4 ounces. Unfortunately, several other amendments offered by Councilmember Jim Graham that would have improved upon the bill by allowing Virginia and Maryland physicians to make recommendations and providing for civil discrimination protections for patients were defeated with Councilmember Mendelson and Councilmember David Catania leading the opposition.

Nonetheless, yesterday’s vote represents a victory 11 years in the making. District voters approved Initiative 59 with nearly 70% support in 1998, but Congress quickly put the measure on hold by including a rider preventing the initiative from taking effect in the appropriations bill that provides funding to the District. MPP succeeded in removing the "Barr amendment" (after then-Rep. Bob Barr) late last year, and immediately went to work lobbying the Council to implement the initiative.

Now that members of Congress from around the country will have an opportunity to see a properly regulated medical marijuana program in person, perhaps we’re closer than ever to seeing federal legislation to protect medical marijuana patients. MPP would like to express appreciation to Teresa Skipper, the D.C. Patients Advocacy Coalition, and countless other patients and activists who help make this day possible. Congratulations to D.C. voters and patients who’ve been waiting 11 years for this victory, and, as always, thank you for your continued support of the Marijuana Policy Project.

Sincerely,

Dan Riffle
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project

 

We are required by federal law to tell you that any donations you make to MPP may be used for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates for federal office.

 

 

Dear friends:

 

Today, in a historic win, the D.C. Council has approved medical marijuana in the District!

Nearly twelve years after 69 percent of voters passed a medical marijuana initiative, federal obstructions have been lifted and the D.C. Council has passed legislation that will protect patients in Washington, D.C.

We need your help to take this law from a win to a major success!  Please consider donating $10 or more to our campaign to convince the mayor's office and the Department of Health to improve this law!

Though a win for patients in the District, the new law leaves many critical details to the discretion of both the mayor's office and the Department of Health.  Issues such as limits on the number of grow houses, qualifying medical conditions, and patient access can still be improved before this law goes into effect!  We need to raise upwards of $7,500 to have a chance to effectively lobby for these improved provisions.

Additionally, bringing an effective medical marijuana law to our nation's capital creates an amazing opportunity to advance federal legislation in a way that's never been done before.

Please, take a moment right now and help us make sure that Washington, D.C. improves this new law while there is still time.

Together, we can end marijuana prohibition in the United States once and for all.

Sincerely,

Rob Kampia

Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.