Tag: medical marijuana
Building Leadership in the Drug Policy Reform Movement
On the weekend of Friday the 20th to Sunday the 22nd of April, Students for Sensible Drug Policy UK will be hosting its third annual conference at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. This year’s conference is about building on the re-invigoration of grassroots involvement in the drug policy reform movement and ensuring all who wish to
Governor Brewer signs bill banning medical marijuana from Arizona campuses
Take action: Email Gov. Brewer to express your dismay and ask her to revoke the ban asap. The state of Arizona has opened a new front in the escalating war on medical cannabis, this time turning their attention directly at youth and students. On Tuesday, April 3, Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill into law that prohibits medical cannabis on
Drug Policy Groups Unite to Demand End to Medical Marijuana Raids
Six National Drug Policy Organizations Call on President Obama to End Unnecessary Assault on Medical Marijuana Providers Coalition to President Obama: “It is time for a new approach on marijuana policy.” Contact: Aaron Houston, (202) 455-5869 WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of recent attacks on medical marijuana providers and patients by multiple branches of the federal government, including Monday’s raids
“Should Cannabis be Legalised in Ireland?”
“Should Cannabis be Legalised in Ireland?” Debate hosted by SSDP Ireland and the UCC Philosoph in Cork, Ireland. by Graham de Barra, SSDP Ireland In its opening event of the year, SSDP Ireland and the UCC Philosoph society hosted the debate, “Should Cannabis be Legalised in Ireland?” Thanks to fellow health campaigner Aodhrua McAb SSDP was given the opportunity to
SSDP in USA Today
Last week, the White House’s drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, made news by blaming an increase in teen marijuana use on medical marjuana laws, saying that the laws send the “wrong message” to teens. We helped make sure that Brown University SSDP chapter activist Rebecca McGoldrick was quoted in a USA Today article countering Kerlikowske’s outrageous claim, where she noted her own pain
Portland SSDP Chapters Team Up for Vigil
SSDP chapters at Reed College and Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, teamed up this past Friday and organized a candlelight vigil to commemorate those impacted by the failed war on drugs. Over 100 people were in attendance. The Portland chapters placed a focus on the struggle of medical marijuana patients in their state and throughout the country who needlessly suffer and face criminal prosecution
Update from the Green Room at NBC News in Washington, D.C.
I shot this video blog clip with my cell phone from inside the green room at NBC News on Capitol Hill right before I appeared on CNBC. I thought you may be interested to see what it looks like inside. Keep checking back here for video blog updates during this week of events highlighting the 40th anniversary of President Nixon declaring
Medical Marijuana in Delaware
This morning, Delaware Governor Jack Markel signed the state’s medical marijuana bill into law, making Delaware the 16th state to have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The bill received final legislative approval Wednesday. A spokesman said Markell wanted to sign the measure as quickly as possible because of the lengthy time that will be needed to get a state-run system
Feds Send Warning to Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s Medical Marijuana Program has been a shining example of a successful and sensible drug policy. Most importantly, it’s supported by the state’s voters and legislature. But with three non-profit compassion centers set to open in the next few months, the federal government is now threatening it could prosecute in a three page hand-delivered letter to Gov. Lincoln Chaffee: “The Act, the registration scheme
Republicans Medical Marijuana and Needle Exchange
President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker John Boehner worked out an agreement that avoided a federal government shutdown this past week. In order to reach a deal, Obama and Reid bowed to GOP demands to ban the District of Columbia from using any money to fund abortions. But for all of the fierce partisan debate surrounding
Outstanding Alum Award: Victor Pinho
Victor became involved with drug policy when he founded the University of Maryland chapter of NORML in 2005. There he teamed up with the campus chapter of SSDP and established a reputation of solid membership, leadership, and political credibility within the drug policy reform efforts at UMD. As an alum, he continued to stay involved. After graduating in 2006 and
Stop the Raids
Despite the Department of Justice memo advising the DEA and federal prosecutors not to spend resources arresting medical marijuana patients and raiding medical marijuana providers in states that have passed legislation protecting these people, federal agents have recently shut down 26 medical cannabis dispensaries in Montana and California. Just Say Now, SSDP’s partnership with Firedoglake has written a letter telling Attorney
New Jersey Governor risks reelection through restriction
With Gov. Chris Christie’s approval ratings teetering, and talk of a potential presidential run in 2012, one would think the last thing he would want to do is exacerbate any issue that polls well with his constituency. But when it comes to the overwhelmingly popular topic of medical marijuana, Gov. Christie has yet to see the forest full of trees. With 81
Rob Pfountz, Chapter Leader of the Week
Basics: Robert Pfountz SSDP State Coordinator for Arkansas Former President, University of Arkansas SSDP Major: Political Science Minor: Economics SSDP: When did you 1st get involved with SSDP? Rob: The first SSDP event that I attended was to see Norm Stamper of LEAP speak on-campus at the University of Arkansas in 2008. I had always supported marijuana policy reform, but this event was
AMA Calls for Review of Marijuana Schedule
“Our American Medical Association (AMA) urges that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines,” the AMA’sstatement (PDF) reads. “This should not be viewed as an endorsement of state-based medical cannabis programs, the legalization of marijuana, or that scientific evidence on the
NH Medical Marijuana Bill is Vetoed
The NH Senate wouldn’t budgeon overriding Gov. Patrick Lynch’s veto of the law which had passed both the House and Senate earlier this year. The 14-10 vote was in favor of the bill but didn’t give the 2/3 majority needed for the override. Matt Simon, executive directorNH Compassion ran a fantastic campaign that brought medical marijuana legislation farther than it had
SSDP Remembers Rep. Thomas C. Slater
In 2006, Rhode Island became the 11th state to legalize medical marijuana, largely in part to Rhode Island Representative Tom C. Slater who sponsored the RI Medical Marijuana Act and worked closely with RIPAC. Sadly, Rep. Slater passed away last week after fighting a six year battle with cancer. I had the chance to meet Representative Slater and thank him for his hard
Woman Dies After Being Denied Organ Transplant
A Hawaii woman diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis – infection, and end-stage kidney disease died after being denied a liver transplant by her insurance company, Hawaii Medical Service Association, because trace amounts of cannabis were found in her body. Reyes was twice denied a transplant by HMSA for “technical reasons,” such as missing required Alcoholics Anonymous meetings — because
Straight From the Whitehouse: Marijuana is Dangerous
First, Seattle Hempfest congratulates him for his new title and commends him for being one of “Seattle’s finest”. Then, he calls for an end to the “war on drugs”. And for a couple of months, he manages to remain completely silent about drugs, using the excuse that he’s still finding his way around the office. But finally, last week, Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske shocks
Is it Over Yet?
The DEA has continued to raid medical marijuana dispensaries in California since President Obama took office. We know Obama has stated the he does not support using justice department resources to undermine state law on this issue. Yet the DEA continues to waste these resources on law abiding, tax paying dispensaries. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Mitt Romney Avoids Legalization
This semester I had the opportunity to intern with Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana in New Hampshire. GSMM followed NH presidential candidates and put on the pressure about medical marijuana. Mainly we wanted to know what candidates were willing to end the raids on medical marijuana patients in the 12 states that have passed legislation protecting patients and their doctors. National Journal did
