Tag: Marijuana Reform (page 2)

California mothers speak out for Prop 19 and marijuana legalization.

With a group of mothers around her, attorney Hanna Liebman Dershowitz uttered some words likely not yet heard in this wild election season: Legal marijuana is "safer for our children."

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Update: The Women’s Marijuana Movement and Just Say Now today launched an online phone banking tool for women marijuana activists from across the country to place phone calls to women voters in California, a key demographic to turn out for Proposition 19.

"If Prop 19 is going to pass in California, it needs the votes of women and mothers,” said Jeralyn Merritt, a criminal defense attorney and board member of Just Say Now. “Prop 19 is the safe, smart choice for California communities. Thanks to this new organizing tool, women marijuana activists can speak directly with women voters in California about the benefits of Prop 19 and get out the vote. This is a great way to empower women voters and let them know their votes not only count, but can make a real difference on a critical issue facing California communities.”

Original Post:

Jane at Firedoglake reports the Just Say Now phone bank operation (sign up here) is experiencing something unique: voters love getting the calls. [More...]

There's a new Rand report, Reducing Drug Trafficking Revenues and Violence in Mexico that examines how Prop 19 and marijuana legalization in California might influence drug trafficking organization revenues and the violence in Mexico. The key findings:

• Mexican DTOs' gross revenues from illegally exporting marijuana to wholesalers in the United States is likely less than $2 billion;

• The claim that 60 percent of Mexican DTO gross drug export revenues come from marijuana should not be taken seriously;

• If legalization only affects revenues from supplying marijuana to California, DTO drug export revenue losses would be very small, perhaps 2–4 percent; [More...]

Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the Justice Department will continue to prosecute marijuana offenders in California, even if Proposition 19 passes.

The comments came during a joint press conference with Prop 19 foes, including Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, as well as former heads of the DEA and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cooley, who is running for state attorney general, has said he believes all medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal.

More on the press conference here. He gave the same response in a letter this week to the ex-Chiefs of the DEA who had written him in August requesting the Government stop Prop 19 from taking effect if it passes.

Marijuana Policy Project and Drug Policy Alliance respond. From DPA:

Under our system of government, states get to decide state law. There is nothing in the United States Constitution that requires that the State of California criminalize anything under state law. If California decides to legalize marijuana through the passage of Proposition 19, nothing in the Constitution stands in the way. In fact, Congress has explicitly left to the states wide discretion to legislate independently in the area of drug control and policy. States do not need to march in lockstep with the federal government or even agree with federal law.

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There was a big fuss a month ago when Facebook rejected ads for Just Say Now, a grass-roots movement urging legalization of marijuana for adult personal use.

The Denver Post today has a long article on the changing landscape in marijuana politics. What I found interesting, was the ad banner at the top of the article.

Come on, Facebook. If the Denver Post can run an ad, why can't you?

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill into law that reduces the offense of possession of up to one ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction, like a traffic ticket. The penalty has not changed -- both the misdemeanor and the petty offense carried a $100.fine. The Governor, who opposes Prop 19, said:

I am signing Senate Bill 1449. This bill changes the crime of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor punishable only by a $100 fine to an infraction punishable by a $100 fine. Under existing law, jail time cannot be imposed, probation cannot be ordered, nor can the base fine exceed $100 for someone convicted of this crime.

I am opposed to decriminalizing the possession and recreational use of marijuana and oppose Proposition 19, which is on the November ballot.

So what's the difference? According to the Governor:

California's largest union, with 700,000 members, has endorsed Proposition 19, California's legislative initiative to legalize possession of marijuana for personal use.

The union did not say what resources it would provide along with its support.

Most union resources will go toward supporting Jerry Brown in the governor's race.

Other unions supporting the measure are the Northern California council of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and Communications Workers of America Local 9415.

Some medical marijuana groups are now opposing the measure: [More...]

Via CelebStoner: Canada's leading magazine for marijuana reform, Skunk, has devoted its current issue to "lady legalizers." Among the features: "The Top 100 Women of Weed."

Thanks to Skunk for including me in the list. The list is pretty impressive with some names that surprised me: Arianna Huffington, Barbra Streisand, actress Kate Hudson and clothing designer Stella McCartney.

The list is heavier on activists, actresses and singers than attorneys, which makes me even more appreciative to be included. Examples: [More....]

In Colorado, it has been really hard for dispensary owners to get and keep a bank account. They don't want the business, fearing the tension between between state and federal law with federal law declaring all marijuana is illegal.

Wells Fargo was about the only one to buck the trend. According to the Denver Post, that's now changing. While it stopped accepting new accounts a while ago, this week it sent out letters to existing customers with dispensary businesses saying they needed to find another bank as it would be closing their accounts as well.

"It's based really on the complex and inconsistent legal environment across the country related to medical-marijuana dispensaries," said Wells Fargo spokeswoman Cristie Drumm.

Unless something is done, this will force the dispensaries to operate cash-only businesses, which is what states like Colorado, which have spent months drafting regulations for the businesses, are trying to avoid.[More...]

Colorado Rep. Jared Polis deserves some praise taking on Attorney General Eric Holder on medical marijuana at the House Judiciary Committee hearing this week. It's not the first time Polis has confronted Holder on the issue, he did so back in February when he wrote Holder this letter (pdf.)

Polis has signed on as co-sponsor of three marijuana bills pending in Congress. Two of the bills were introduced by Rep. Barney Frank. (He introduces them every year, and every year they go nowhere.) The question now, is can Polis do anything to get the bills heard and voted on?
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Reuters reports the marijuana growers in Humboldt County fear the Tax and Spend movement because if pot becomes legal, they may lose their position at the top of the illegal grow market as others move in, including tobacco companies.

At least one tobacco company, Reynolds American, says it has no intention of doing so. In other words, there are no plans for "Marlboro Green."

Are the fears justified? No. Just because California votes to legalize possession or cultivation for personal use, it doesn't follow that Congress will pass a law allowing unfettered cultivation. It hasn't even exempted medical marijuana patients from federal prosecution in states where their conduct is lawful. Regardless of what happens in California, the D.E.A. is going to ratchet up grower busts, particularly commercial ones, not look the other way. [More...]

Looks like it was quite the scene outside the state capitol in Denver yesterday, as marijuana advocates celebrated 4/20, known as Marijuana Freedom Day. Inside, legislators were toughening the rules for medical marijuana. It will allow local governments to ban dispensaries, notwithstanding our state constitution. Here's the bill, as introduced. More on the House passage here.

It's 4/20 day, also known as Marijuana Freedom Day, celebrated around the world by marijuana users and those who want to see the end to criminalization of its use.

Also today, NORML launches a new advertisement for 4/20 on Times Square’s largest electronic billboard calling out New York City politicians and law enforcement for having one of the highest—and most racially disparate—cannabis arrest rates in the United States. The advertisement will run 18 times a day until late May, and will be seen by an expected 1.5 million Times Square visitors.

California will be front and center this year, as marijuana legalization will be on the ballot. If you'd like to help them, go on over to TaxCanabis and make a donation.

The War on Drugs is a failure. Let's bring it to an end.

Via CelebStoner,

NORML's famous "Money Tree" ad is currently running 18 times a day in New York's Times Square in the Super Screen located below the CBS eye across the street from Ripley's Believe it or Not. From 9 am to 1 am, the 15-second spot flashes once an hour.

CBS initially banned the ad but changed it's mind in March.

Voters in Nederland, Colorado (15 miles west of Boulder) yesterday approved an initiative removing criminal penalties for adult marijuana offenses. The ordinance reads:

Shall the electors of the town of Nederland adopt an amendment to the Nederland town code, effective June 1, 2010, removing all criminal penalties under town law to buy, sell, possess, consume, transport, cultivate, manufacture and dispense marijuana and its concentrate and related paraphernalia by persons twenty one years of age and older?”

482 votes were tallied. On the marijuana initiative, the vote was 259 to 218.

In November, Breckenridge legalized possession of up to one ounce. Question: Is Nederland the first municipality to legalize selling of marijuana for recreational (vs. medical)use?