In the Trenches
Egypt Hates Hemp - Man Could Get Death for Importing Hemp Seed Oil (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 4, 2011
CONTACT: Adam Eidinger 202-744-2671 or [email protected]
American Health Food Exporter Speaks Out About Month Long Ordeal in Egyptian Jail for Importing Nutritious Hemp Food
Hemp Industry Asks US Department of State to Help Innocent Man in Limbo
WASHINGTON, DC – The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), the nation’s leading trade organization working to promote non-drug industrial hemp, learned last week of the plight of Mostafa Soliman, an America citizen who has lived in the U.S. for 40 years and was wrongly imprisoned by Egyptian authorities on December 30, 2010 for importing organic hemp seed oil used in salads, and other healthy recipes. If convicted, he is potentially facing death by hanging.
After almost a month in jail, Mr. Soliman was finally granted bail as protests raged across Egypt. Just as he was about to be released on January 28th, his jail was attacked by protesters and set on fire. Guards and police fled leaving the prisoners to die in the burning jail, many of whom were crammed in 8 by 8 foot cells with as many as 30 people. Eventually the protesters entered the jail and smashed the locks on the prisoner’s cells amidst smoke and tear gas, releasing Mr. Soliman and others in a scene that can only be described as dangerously chaotic.
Over the next few days Mr. Soliman along with attorneys in the U.S. working with the HIA asked the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to help reissue Mr. Soliman a passport so he can return to the U.S. However, the embassy has refused to issue the new passport so far for no apparent reason except that he is facing unfounded drug charges in Egypt.
The Egyptian born Mr. Soliman, 62, is owner of Health Harvest, the company which exported the hemp seed oil from Canada and operates in Egypt. He lives in Aventura, Florida, but was spending time in Egypt to manage the arrival of products that he exports from the U.S. and Canada.
“This is a tragic mistake that could be solved with a simple drug test. Mr. Soliman is being falsely accused of importing ‘hash oil’ when in fact it was healthy hemp food,” says Eric Steenstra, Executive Director of the HIA. “The HIA and Votehemp.com are launching a campaign to free Mostafa Soliman that will hopefully jump-start action at the U.S. State Department. We recognize that the unrest in Egypt will make it more difficult for U.S. authorities to act, but this terrible mistake by Egyptian authorities was made well before the recent protests began and in many ways symbolizes the corruption the protestors are resisting,” adds Steenstra.
To arrange interview with Mostafa Soliman via Skype or telephone from his home Cairo, Egypt or spokespeople for the Hemp Industries Association please call Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671 or email [email protected].
###
Cut Drug War Spending (Action Alert)
Hi Friends,
In a recent Q&A with YouTube viewers, President Obama said that U.S. drug policy focuses too heavily on law enforcement. He also took a huge step forward calling drug legalization an "entirely legitimate topic for debate." If you haven't taken action on the email alert I sent you last week, please take a minute to do so now. We have a great opportunity to cut funding for arrests and incarceration by treating drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal issue.
Sincerely,
Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance
Tell President Obama to stop wasting money on the failed war on drugs.
Dear Friends,
In his State of the Union address a few days ago, President Obama said it is time for the federal government to tighten its belt and stop wasting so much money. One of the biggest – and most destructive – wastes of money is the war on drugs. President Obama is working on a new federal budget – urge him to stop wasting money on the failed war on drugs.
In these times of deficits and budget cuts, let’s send a clear message: no more money for marijuana arrests. No more money for laughably stupid anti-marijuana ads. No more money for random drug testing. No more money for SWAT raids on people's homes for suspected drug law violations. No more money for long prison sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses. No more money for the drug war. Period.
Tell the President that our tax dollars should be spent more wisely.
With your help we can eliminate or cut drug war waste and dismantle the war on drugs. Please take a minute to write the White House and tell President Obama to stop wasting your tax dollars on failed drug policies.
Sincerely,
Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance
New Jersey DHSS Mum About Medicinal Marijuana Program Conflicts (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2011
CONTACT: Ken Wolski at (609) 394-2137
DHSS Mum About Medicinal Marijuana Program Conflicts
WHO: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
WHAT: Refuses repeated attempts to clarify conflicting Medicinal Marijuana Program statements
WHEN: January and February 2011
WHERE: Trenton, New Jersey
WHY: DHSS has not responded to requests for clarification
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has published conflicting statements about its Request for Applications (RFA) by which non-profit entities may become Alternative Treatment Centers as part of the Medicinal Marijuana Program. The DHSS has refused repeated attempts to clarify the issue.
The RFA to become medical marijuana providers in the state was published on the official DHSS web site: http://www.state.nj.us/health/med_marijuana.shtml. This RFA has an announced closing date of 2/14/11. However, the proposed regulations, published on the very same web site, at "8:64-6.1 Notice of request for applications" note that the DHSS "shall announce a request for applications…for a permit to operate an alternative treatment center by publishing a notice of request for applications in the New Jersey Register." The soonest this notice of RFA could be published in the Register is 2/22/11, or after the final day of open application period noted on the DHSS web site.
It is an expensive and cumbersome process to apply to become an ATC and applicants do not want to submit an application for a process that was given improper notification. On the other hand, they do not want to be excluded either because they misinterpreted the rules or because the DHSS changed the rules when it publishes the official version. Yet the DHSS refuses to clarify whether the RFA deadline is appropriate as noted on its web site or whether a new, initial application period will be forthcoming in an upcoming New Jersey Register announcement.
For more information, contact:
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 [email protected]
CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the benefits of safe and legal access to medical marijuana.
MPP Insider: Hostile Police, Medical Marijuana in the Courts, Deadly Raids, and More...
Medical marijuana bill introduced in Idaho
On January 19, Idaho made a great stride toward securing medical marijuana patients against the threat of arrest and prosecution when representative Tom Trail introduced a medical marijuana bill into the state's legislature. If passed, the legislation would make Idaho the 16th medical marijuana state. Read more ...
Why are some cops so hostile to marijuana policy reform?
MPP executive director Rob Kampia looks at the reasons why law enforcement officials are so often resistant against, or opposed to, marijuana policy reform. What do you think – is it ignorance, job security, quality of life, or perhaps something else? Read more ...
Utah man killed in outrageous police raid
A recently released video of a police raid in Utah last September, which depicts a man being shot and killed as police force entry into his home, has enraged many readers of our blog. Take a look, but be forewarned: the contents of this video are shocking and outrageous, and likely to induce commentary. Read more ...
Courts hearing cases on rights of medical marijuana patients
Two separate cases (in two separate states) involving the rights of medical marijuana patients will be heard by supreme courts. One case deals with employment protections for registered medical marijuana patients, and the other deals with issues of handgun permits for medical marijuana patients. Read more ...
Find us on Facebook
Come join the Marijuana Policy Project on Facebook! MPP maintains not only a very active Facebook page, but also a very popular Facebook Cause as well: End Marijuana Prohibition. The fastest, easiest, and most useful thing you can do for marijuana policy reform today is to join us on Facebook and show your support!
The MPP Video of the Month
Featured Person
In January 2000, 18-year-old Marisa Garcia received a ticket for marijuana possession that nearly cost her a college education.
Hear her story...
Our mailing address is Marijuana Policy Project, 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20002. Any donations you make to MPP may be used for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates for federal office.
2011: Fighting Hard for Our Rights!
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) started the new year strong. We are working in statehouses, city halls, courtrooms, and communities nationwide with one common goal – to protect and expand safe access for medical cannabis patients. ASA needs your support right now to keep the momentum and keep making a difference.
Can you take a minute to make a special contribution to help ASA keep fighting?
January was a busy month for ASA. In Washington, DC, our staff welcomed each of the new members of the Congressional delegation. This is an important step in building needed capacity in Congress. We also worked with the Mayor’s office in the ongoing effort to implement the District’s medical cannabis law.
Your support in January helped ASA do all this and more:
- In California, Senator Mark Leno (D-san Francisco) introduced ASA-sponsored legislation that will protect patients from employment discrimination.
- We also filed an appeal on behalf of Jovan Jackson, a medical cannabis provider facing prosecution in San Diego. This strategic appeal will help stop the ongoing prosecutions in the state!
- And as part of our 2011 effort to re-energize and retrain our grassroots base, ASA kicked off the first of many “Putting Patients First” trainings for medical cannabis professionals in Oakland.
- In Michigan and Nevada, ASA Chapters organized high-profile rallies to oppose federal interference and intimidation, including new DEA raids and threats to patients’ privacy – a top priority for ASA nationwide.
- ASA filed an amicus brief in Michigan to stop the federal government from confiscating patient records.
- ASA provided suggested improvements to correct troubling provisions in Colorado’s law.
- I published an op-ed on patient privacy in the Huffington Post and elsewhere, reaching millions of readers.
These are all important steps in fulfilling our goal of ensuring safe access to medical cannabis for everyone who needs it. That is exactly what the nation’s largest medical cannabis advocacy organization should be doing – and you can help make it happen! ASA needs your help today to make sure we can take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges every month in 2011.
Thank you in advance for helping us help medical cannabis patients nationwide. Your support has brought us this far, and I know you can help us win this fight once and for all.
Sincerely,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
PS – Don't forget to register for our "National Call to Action: Activist Boot Camp" February 19-20 in cities nationwide!
Americans for Safe Access
On The Web:
ASA's Mission
ASA Forums
ASA Blog
Take Action
ASA's Online Store
We Got 'Legalization' into the President's Vocabulary
Dear Friends,
As you may have seen, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition speaker and retired deputy sheriff MacKenzie Allen's question on legalization was addressed by President Obama during YouTube's annual "Your Interview with the President" contest following the State of the Union address. MacKenzie's question pointed out that the war on drugs is an incredibly harmful policy and asked the president whether there should come a time for us to discuss the possibility of legalization, regulation and control of all drugs.
President Obama addressed MacKenzie's question by conceding that legalization is "an entirely legitimate topic for debate" and that while he is not in favor of legalization, he believes in a "public health-oriented approach." Although the president's continuing reliance on prosecution instead of treatment contradicts his verbal support for a public health-focused approach, it is historic that a president of the United States has finally acknowledged the legitimacy of a debate on legalization. Before being confronted directly with LEAP's law enforcement perspective, the Obama administration's standard line had been, "Legalization isn't in the president's vocabulary."
Since the president remains opposed to legalization even as he speaks for the necessity of a public health approach, it is up to us as drug policy reformers to lead the leaders and to educate our policy-makers on the urgent need for a system of legalized regulation. Drug prohibition is not a back-burner issue: it is quite literally a matter of life and death. Police officers and innocent civilians are dying every day, casualties of a failed policy that must be reevaluated via public debate until we set in place a workable system of legalization.
MacKenzie'squestion was voted the top-rated question for President Obama. It received more than twice the number of votes the second-place question received, and that's due in no small part to you, LEAP's loyal supporters. You know how hard our speakers work to bring legalization and regulation to the forefront. You know that as law enforcement professionals, their unassailable credibility takes this issue into the mainstream by presenting the perspective of those who have seen, firsthand, the devastating consequences of drug prohibition. Now we've taken the legalization debate all the way to the top, and we need YOUR support to keep this ball rolling. Please make a contribution to LEAP today and show your support for everything our speakers have done and continue to do to show the world that legalization is the only sensible approach to drug policy.
Thank you so much,
Major Neill Franklin - Retired
Executive Director
Your donation puts LEAP speakers in front of audiences. To support LEAP's work by making a contribution, please click here.
121 Mystic Ave. Suites 8&9
Medford, MA 02155
(781) 393-6985 [email protected]
We need help growing our all-encompassing movement of citizens who want to end the failed "war on drugs," so please invite your family and friends to learn about LEAP.
Submit Your Video to ASA and Join Us for Our National Organizers' Call in February
Dear Friends,
In advance of our upcoming Activist Boot Camp on February 19th & 20th, Americans for Safe Access is putting together a video to showcase who we are and why we do what we do.
And we want to hear from you!
We are asking our chapters and individual supporters for videos and photos from all parts of the country that share the importance of medical cannabis activism. All you need is a digital video camera - your computer's webcam would work fine.
First, we would like to hear from chapters and affiliates everywhere. If you can't get together a video of your group, we would still love a photo! But if you can get a video, we would love a big "Hello from XXX City ASA!"
For individuals, we are looking for a 30-second clip with the following:
- Your name
- Your city
- Your chapter affiliation
- A hello message to other ASA chapters and members around the country
And another 15-second clip, telling the world why YOU are a member of Americans for Safe Access.
We plan to showcase some of the best videos to the Activist Boot Campon February 19th & 20th, and then later put them all up on ASA National's website.
It takes less than a minute - but we need that minute before Friday, February 4th. Practice a few times, frame the video so that we can see your face from the chest up, and then email video footage in digital format in Quicktime (mp4 or mov file - hi def if possible!) to Sam Sabzehzar at[email protected].
Also, sponsorships are still available for the Boot Camp until Monday, January 31st. If you are able to help sponsor, or have any questions about the Boot Camp, please contact[email protected].
Or, if you have questions about the video, please contact[email protected].
Additionally we would like to invite each of you to be a part of our National Organizers' Call on Wednesday, February 9th at 8 pm EST/5 pm PST. You can join us by calling 832-431-3335 and entering access-code 1618568. Please RSVP to the call by emailing ASA Field Director Kristen Ford -[email protected].
Thanks for being part of this movement!
~Amber
Amber Langston
Americans for Safe Access
Conference Director
Disclaimer: Permission to use video footage is deemed granted by submission. Footage may be used in any and all future media, including, but not limited to, conferences and trainings hosted by Americans for Safe Access and affiliates. Footage may also be found on ASA’s website and/or Youtube, unless otherwise noted on submission.
Americans for Safe Access
On The Web:
ASA's Mission
ASA Forums
ASA Blog
Take Action
ASA's Online Store
Obama Responds to Pro-Legalization Cop, Says Topic "Legitimate for Debate" (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or [email protected]
Obama Says Legalizing Marijuana and Other Drugs a "Legitimate Topic for Debate"
President Says We Need to Shift to Public Health Focus, But His Budgets Haven't Done That
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, in response to a video question from a former deputy sheriff about whether it is time to discuss legalizing and regulating drugs in light of the failure of the "war on drugs," President Barack Obama said that it is "an entirely legitimate topic for debate" but that he is not in favor of legalization.
The President then went on to say that he sees drug abuse as a public health issue and that a shifting of resources is required, away from the traditional approach of incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders.
"The president talks a good game about shifting resources and having a balanced, public health-oriented approach, but it doesn't square with the budgets he's submitted to Congress," said Neill Franklin, a retired Baltimore narcotics cop and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of cops, judges and prosecutors who support legalizing and regulating drugs. "The Obama administration has maintained the Bush-era two-to-one budget ratio in favor of prisons and prosecution over treatment and prevention. It doesn't add up. Still, it's historic that the president of the United States is finally saying that legalizing and regulating drugs is a topic worthy of discussion. But since the president remains opposed to legalization, it's clear that the people are going to have to lead the way. Police officers and innocent civilians are dying every single day in this drug war; it's not a back-burner issue."
The president's comments today, part of a forum organized by YouTube where people could submit and vote on questions, came in response to a question from MacKenzie Allen, a LEAP member and a retired deputy sheriff who did policing in Los Angeles, CA and King County (Seattle), WA. Allen's question got the most votes in the contest, garnering twice as many as the second most-popular question.
The original question and President Obama's response can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB7AK76TF-k.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) represents police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
# # #
President Obama to Answer Top Questions Posed by Public on YouTube Today, Top 100 Most Popular Questions ALL Related to Marijuana Law and Drug Policy Reform (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 27, 2011
President Obama to Answer Top Questions Posed by Public on YouTube Today
Top 100 Most Popular Questions ALL Related to Marijuana Law and
Drug Policy Reform
Drug Policy Reform Groups: Obama Needs to Listen to Public’s Concerns and Address Issue
CONTACT: Morgan Fox, MPP communications manager …………………. 202-905-2031 or [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Drug Policy Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, the Marijuana Policy Project, NORML and Students for Sensible Drug Policy have issued the following joint statement:
“Following his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama asked the public to submit questions for an exclusive YouTube interview that will take place at 2:30PM on Thursday January 27. The “Ask Obama” forum promises to take questions from the American people on the issues they find most important in terms of national policy.
“The people have spoken, and the message is loud and clear: the top 100 most popular questions (193,000 were submitted) are on marijuana reform and the harms of drug prohibition, with the first-place question coming from a former police officer who has first-hand experience with the failure of these policies. The questions dominating the forum deal with marijuana legalization, prohibition-related violence, and the fiscal and human consequences of mass incarceration. The American people want to know why our country is continuing the failed, catastrophic policy of drug prohibition.
“Several of the most popular questions also address why our elected leaders have virtually ignored these important issues. This is not the first time marijuana legalization and drug reform have dominated the response to Obama’s call for questions. There were similar results in both 2009 and 2010 when people asked Obama about ending prohibition and using science instead of politics to guide our drug policies. In 2009, Obama’s response was to laugh off the question about taxing and controlling marijuana. In 2010, Obama ignored the questions, despite the questions dominating in quantity and quality.
“We are encouraged by the grassroots response bubbling up around this issue and urge President Obama to address this issue seriously and thoroughly.”
With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
####
Cut Drug War Spending (Action Alert)
Tell President Obama to stop wasting money on the failed war on drugs.
Dear Friends,
In his State of the Union address a few days ago, President Obama said it is time for the federal government to tighten its belt and stop wasting so much money. One of the biggest – and most destructive – wastes of money is the war on drugs. President Obama is working on a new federal budget – urge him to stop wasting money on the failed war on drugs.
In these times of deficits and budget cuts, let’s send a clear message: no more money for marijuana arrests. No more money for laughably stupid anti-marijuana ads. No more money for random drug testing. No more money for SWAT raids on people's homes for suspected drug law violations. No more money for long prison sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses. No more money for the drug war. Period.
Tell the President that our tax dollars should be spent more wisely.
With your help we can eliminate or cut drug war waste and dismantle the war on drugs. Please take a minute to write the White House and tell President Obama to stop wasting your tax dollars on failed drug policies.
Sincerely,
Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance
