Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 9:30 am | By: Radical Russ
Courtesy of our friends at LEAP:
As soon as this Thursday, November 5, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee could vote on an amendment that will legally prevent some of the government’s top advisers from even discussing the idea of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs as a solution to the failed “war on drugs.”
Yes, you read that right. The Senate just might censor its own policy advisers from giving science-based advice.
The censorship amendment’s author, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), is trying to attach the speech prohibition onto an otherwise positive bill that will create a blue ribbon commission to study our nation’s failed criminal justice and drug policies. The commission is supposed to make recommendations for ways to improve the system, but how can they do that with the blindfold that Sen. Grassley wants to put on them? Please take action below and tell your senators to oppose the censorship amendment!
Visit the LEAP site today to send your letter of protest against this amendment to your own Senator. Read past collections of Sen. Grassley’s dementia sativahere and here.
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 7:22 pm | By: Radical Russ
In an underhanded move, the Colorado Board of Health will be voting to weaken the medical marijuana law at an “emergency” meeting on Tuesday, November 3 at 10:30am in Denver. At this stealth meeting the Board will be voting to redefine what a “caregiver” is to require such individuals to provide supplementary– and often unnecessary– services beyond simply providing sick patients with medical marijuana.
“This is like requiring my pharmacist to give me a massage or make me a sandwich,” said Dan Pope, muscular dystrophy patient and medical card holder. “I can do those activities myself. I need a caregiver to give me medicine. End of story.”
This meeting, which was announced in a late afternoon email to a small handful of patient advocates, is another example of the state engaging in underhanded tactics in their effort to undermine the medical marijuana law and the will of the Colorado voters. Please help hold them accountable.
Here’s How You Can Help:
(1) Attend the Meeting. This meeting will occur at 10:30am on Tuesday, November 3 in the Snow Room, 1st Floor Building A of the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South, Denver CO.
(2) Call-in to the Meeting. While we strongly prefer that you attend in person, you can also call-in at 1-866-899-5399, conference code *3529725*
(3) Spread the Word. Please tell friends and family to attend the meeting and forward this alert widely!
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm | By: Radical Russ
Voters in Breckenridge, Colorado are deciding whether to decriminalize personal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults. The editorial board of the local Summit Daily News has already come out in favor of this Measure 2F:
(Summit Daily News) …Breckenridge residents this Election Day will decide whether possessing less than an ounce of the intoxicating weed should be decriminalized.
…While police blotters and courts are filled with an extraordinary amount of problems directly related to alcohol abuse, it’s rare to ever find pot at the bottom of things like domestic abuse, bar fights, car crashes and the like.
…What the Breckenridge code change would do is one thing: decriminalize less than an ounce for adults. It will not make it more available to minors, won’t make it legal to smoke it on the street, won’t get you out of trouble if you’re stoned behind the wheel. What it says is that if you, as an adult, choose to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use, you won’t be busted for it. It’s still a much more stringent law than those that apply to alcohol — a substance you can own as much as you want of and consume in public.One last item remains, though: As the recent pot busts at Arapahoe Basin show, consumption of marijuana can have a greater potential “footprint” than, say, drinking a beer. No one wants to have to walk with their children through a parking lot full of cars emitting clouds of pot smoke, and we’re behind the Summit County Sheriff for cracking down on these folks. Eventually, it seems these small possession busts will be a thing of the past state-wide, which makes us conclude some kind of “nuisance pot smoke” ordinance needs to take their place — roughly analogous to public intoxication statutes. Sure, smoke your weed, but don’t blow it in our faces.
Ah yes, decriminalize the marijuana possession, but make the public use of marijuana an arrestable offense. If it’s in your baggie, it’s OK, but if it’s in your pipe, it is not. If I may paraphrase the late Johnny Cochran, “If the joint’s not lit, you must acquit!”
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm | By: Radical Russ
For our readers in Maine, don’t forget to get out and vote tomorrow on Question 5. Here’s a summary from Maine Citizens for Patient Rights:
Current law allows a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as suffering from certain medical conditions to possess marijuana for medical use. This initiated bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue registry identification cards to patients who qualify to possess marijuana for medical use and to their designated primary caregivers. It sets limits on the amount of marijuana that may be possessed by qualifying patients and their designated primary caregivers. It allows the establishment of nonprofit dispensaries to provide marijuana to qualifying patients and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a registration certificate to a nonprofit dispensary that meets certain criteria. It changes the description of the medical conditions for which the medical use of marijuana is permitted. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish application and renewal fees sufficient to pay the expenses of implementing and administering the provisions of the initiated bill.
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am | By: Radical Russ
Advocates of reforming marijuana laws will convene in Columbia Nov. 7, according to a news release from organizers Dan Viets and Sean Randall.
The conference of Missouri NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) seeks to educate attendees about the negative effects of marijuana prohibition and to increase public awareness and support of medical marijuana legislation in Missouri, the news release said.
Rep. Kate Meniners of Kansas City will introduce The Missouri Medical Marijuana Bill in the upcoming legislative session, the release said. If approved, it would protect patients from criminal arrest and prosecution who use medical marijuana with recommendations of their physician, the news release said.
Presentations throughout the day will address a variety of topics, including community organizing, firsthand stories of people using marijuana for medical purposes. Paul Armentano, deputy director of national NORML, will be the keynote speaker. He will speak about the safety and effectiveness of medical marijuana in comparison to other prescription and over-the-counter medications at 6 p.m.
The conference takes place at the Ellis Library Auditorium on the University of Missouri campus. It is free and open to the public. For more information, including a schedule, go to www.joplin-norml.org.
Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm | By: Radical Russ
Hello from Sharon McNary in the KPCC newsroom of Southern California Public Radio.
We’re gathering sources and information for coverage of medical marijuana issues — dispensary permits in the city of Los Angeles, enforcement or non-enforcement of medical marijuana laws in California and the federal government.
We’re also open to hearing stories that aren’t on the mainstream media radar.
So we’re circulating some questions about the medical marijuana experience and hoping to reach people who have interesting personal stories to tell us.
I would appreciate any help you can provide to get our questions before a large number of medical marijuana users. Here’s the link to respond to our online questions: http://www.scpr.org/in/questions/Marijuana/
All responses are confidential to our newsroom, and seen only by journalists. Nothing shared is aired or published without your prior permission.
I hope that you can help get our questions out to the people in your network.
Thanks in advance, and please call with any questions or concerns.
Sharon McNary
Public Insight Journalism at KPCC
smcnary@kpcc.org
213-621-4671
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm | By: Chris Goldstein
Georgine DiMaria speaks at the NORML Freedom Forum 2009
NORML-NJ Asks Jay Leno for Apology
On the Oct 22 episode of the Jay Leno Show the iconic host mentions NORML-NJ Board member Georgine DiMaria in the opening monologue.
Jay Leno- “Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker reports this week that the 2006 Miss NJ winner Georgine DiMaria – Miss New Jersey- She uses medical marijuana to treat asthma. Smoking to treat asthma really? Isn’t that like eating at Taco Bell to control your diarrhea? Let me tell you something, you know If Miss New Jersey wants to help her breathing Move out of New Jersey.”
Georgine DiMaria is Miss New Jersey 2006 and serves on the Board of Directors at NORML-NJ, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
In April of this year, Georgi revealed for the first time publicly her personal experience with medical cannabis to treat asthma though vaporization.
Washington post columnist Kathleen Parker mentions that fact in her article this week: A woman’s crusade to legalize marijuana READ HERE
While pleased at the mention in the Jay Leno Show there were a number of inaccuracies contained in the short joke. NORML-NJ is asking that an apology be issued to Ms. DiMaria by NBC Universal, the Jay Leno Show and Mr. Leno himself.
Georgine issued a full statement today. “Even though Mr. Leno’s remarks were misinformed about my personal use and took a tiresome shot at New Jersey’s air quality it’s another indication of just how mainstream medical cannabis has become. The whole reason I originally went public with my medical marijuana experience is to advocate for the compassionate use of marijuana and our rights, as patients, to feel healthy.” READ FULL STATEMENT
Georgine does not advocate personally for the smoking medical cannabis. She has found that the most beneficial and effective way to ingest medical marijuana is through vaporization, which has served as her method of treatment.
Frederic DiMaria, Jr., Esq., Chairman of NORML-NJ said today, “As a practicing criminal defense attorney, every day I am forced to witness the arrest, vicious prosecution and jailing of countless sick and dying New Jerseans for doing nothing more egregious than turning to the enormous medicinal benefits of natural marijuana for relief. Unfortunately, not even Jay can make that fact funny.”
NORML’s national office in Washington DC issued the following statements about Leno’s remarks.
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano, “To the uninformed and the non-afflicted the medicinal use of marijuana as a bronchodilator may sound humorous, but to those stricken with asthma the issue is no laughing matter. Even a cursory reference of the scientific literature will reveal that marijuana inhalation has historically been used as an asthma remedy, as the compounds in cannabis open the airways rather than constrict them. This effect is just the opposite of that experienced by those who inhale tobacco. A key word search on the site Pubmed using the terms “marijuana” and “asthma” reveals over 60 references in the scientific literature on the subject, among them: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1099949
Effects of smoked marijuana in experimentally induced asthma: After methacholine-induced bronchospasm, placebo marijuana and saline inhalation produced minimal changes in specific airway conductance and thoracic gas volume, whereas 2.0 per cent marijuana and isoproterenol each caused a prompt correction of the bronchospasm and associated hyperinflation.
Jay Leno should stick to the subject he knows best: comedy, and leave the medical discussions to the experts — physicians and their patients.”
NORML’s National Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said, “Ironically, the use of medical cannabis for asthma, and other respiratory conditions, are some of the oldest reported uses of the drug for medicinal purposes, and the subject of numerous scientific papers going back to the late 1880s.”
NORML-NJ Executive Director Chris Goldstein welcomed the attention to the medical marijuana legislation moving ahead in New Jersey. “Medical cannabis is a serious issue and patients may soon have legal protections for their use of cannabis therapy. We need to pass our bill this year.”
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am | By: Dudemaster
In a surprise turn-around, the Governor of Wisconsin, Jim Doyle, has stated he would not oppose the legalization of Medical Marijuana in Wisconsin.
Furthermore, a live bill is currently up for co-sponsors but only until the end of TODAY at 5pm! It’s called the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act. Please act now and ask that your legislator support medical marijuana.
We need a real grass roots effort in Wisconsin to get this thing co-sponsored by the end of the day!
Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday he would not oppose the legalization of medicinal marijuana in Wisconsin.
At an appearance in Wausau earlier this week, Doyle spoke with reporters and commented on the decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to no longer prosecute suppliers or users of medicinal marijuana in states where its use is legal as long as state law is being followed.
Lee Sensenbrenner, spokesperson for the governor, clarified Doyle’s comments.
“As a former prosecutor, [Doyle] saw why the Justice Department would not want to devote resources to cases in which state law was being followed,” Sensenbrenner said.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense for the United States Department of Justice to pursue people who are potentially glaucoma patients or suffering [from other] severe illnesses,” he added. “It’s probably less dangerous than [other things] a doctor can prescribe.”
According to Sensenbrenner, the governor would potentially be supportive of state legislation allowing prescribed marijuana, as long as it does not open up a “loophole” for other marijuana use. However, he said the governor will not actively push any bill through the legislature.
“That’s up to the legislature to take that up if that’s their intent,” Sensenbrenner said.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:48 am | By: Radical Russ
(High Desert Daily Press) DEVORE • Those hoping to attend Friday and Saturday’s Cypress Hill Smokeout and participate in the recreational use of smoking marijuana should think again.
Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Officers from the California Highway Patrol will staff the Cypress Hill Smokeout as a constant reminder that smoking the drug for recreational use is illegal. All sections of the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code and California Vehicle Code will be strictly enforced.
(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin) “The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department wishes to remind concert-goers that while state law makes provision for the possession, use and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes, it does not allow the recreational use of the drug,” officials wrote in a statement. “Further, there is no provision in the law for the use of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle, whether someone possesses a doctor’s recommendation for the drug or not.”
Promoter Live Nation has booked acts including Cypress Hill, Method Man, Redman and Cheech & Chong.
Attention all criminals and traffic scofflaws in the San Bernadino area! This weekend, the Sheriff’s Department and Highway Patrol will be very busy catching people smoking marijuana at a Cypress Hill / Method Man & Redman / Cheech & Chong / Sublime / Kottonmouth Kings concert. Do not commit crimes or violate traffic laws in areas away from the San Manuel Amphitheater while a large share of law enforcement resources are dedicated to preventing pot smoking at a Smokeout. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Track Snack: Mornin Stashers! Tokin on the Mean Green Martian for breakfast.
MrSpof: Maybe Dr Mitch could comment on the efficacy of reasonable amount of weed like that consumed (smoked) quickly mitigating migraine effects. I know the lowering of blood pressure would be [...]
MrSpof: Had the onset of a migraine yesterday. Immediately took 8 , moist cool washcloth on eyes, heating pad on neck and upper back, turned off lights. Migraine gone in [...]
MrSpof: As you personal non-accredited doctor, I advise the rest of you to smoke/vape/eat heavily
slash5city: frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
MrSpof: Risen and roasted How the hell are you?
RevRayGreen: always Fidget......always.
Adam: Maybe in WA, judges are starting to think about the true cost of a Drug charge...
Adam: Tim Lincecum, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants will pea to a paraphernalia charge/ Possession charges DROPPED
Adam: Add some cottage cheese to your pancake batter, replace the maple with a fruit syrup! f-ing killer, YES I was stoned...
Fidget Truittelli: Good morning from beautiful Arizona! I hope you all have a happy, fun day. Remember to 'pay-it' forward. Do something nice for someone.
BenJaMin: Go NORML!!!
BenJaMin: Russ Is Tha BEst! :smokin:
SneakerPimp: oh there it is thanx russ
SneakerPimp: so whats up with today stash?
RevRayGreen: Barney Frank Present When Partner Arrested for pot-- http://bit.ly/1XpM2R
RevRayGreen: KMK 11/17/09 VAL AIR ballroom DSM
bullbog: that's crazy. I had a NORML black t-shirt on. It was hell of a show
RevRayGreen: dude I was probably 4-5 seats from you then
bullbog: 4th row center. I wish I was closer.
RevRayGreen: were in in the orchestra pit 4th row? or 4th row center, that's where I was bu slightly to the right
RevRayGreen: our show ______v'''''''
RevRayGreen: catch our chow tomorrow online Carl'sCannabis Corner
www.macswordlive.com 12-2 PM you can go there now and find archived shows
bullbog: revraygreen after looking at your pic from last nite. I'm pretty sure I seen you. I regonize you from the march in May
Just Legalize It: nothing really cool dealing with marijuana happens in massachusetts.... it sucks.... other than the boston freedom rally... but one thing a year isnt enough! i want to move to [...]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
Maine: Voters To Decide Next Week On Medical Marijuana Expansion Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters To Decide Next Week On Eliminating Pot Penalties; California: Lawmakers Hold Historic Hearing On Marijuana Legalization; New Hampshire: Senate Fails To Override Medical Marijuana Veto. […]
Gallup: Majority Of West Coast Voters Back Marijuana Legalization; Pot Arrests Responsible For Majority Of Marijuana Treatment Referrals; DOJ To Federal Prosecutors: Do Not Focus Resources On Medical Marijuana. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
Sen. Chuck “marijuana is illegal because it is dangerous” Grassley wants to censor Senate discussion of legalization
frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
and roasted 
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