NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REFORM OF
MARIJUANA LAWS
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Internet http://www.norml.org/
... a weekly service for the media on news items related to Marijuana Prohibition.
February 1, 1996
NORML Targets Republican Task Force: Urges Panel To Lift Ban On Medical Cannabis, Reconsider Decriminalization Of Marijuana
February 1, 1996, Washington, DC: NORML
has sent a formal letter and 50-page informative booklet to each
member of the new Republican task force on drugs. The
letter urges the committee to lift the federal government's ban
on medical cannabis and re-examine the decriminalization of
marijuana as a public policy. NORML also asks the
task force to include testimony from medical experts on these
subjects when the committee holds public hearings on drug use
later this year.
Enclosures to the letter include endorsements of the potential of
medical marijuana from such well respected organizations as the
National Academy of Sciences, American Public Health Association
and others. Also included in the booklet is a summary of
the 1981 Monitoring the Future briefing paper that stated,
"decriminalization [of marijuana] has had virtually no
effect either on the marijuana use or related attitudes and
belief about marijuana use among American young people."
"This compendium makes a strong argument for a federal
re-evaluation of our current marijuana policies," says NORML
Deputy National Director Allen St. Pierre. "It is
intended to persuade as well as inform the newly established
Republican drug task force."
The letter and booklet are two of NORML's latest efforts
to garner political attention and support for U.S. Representative
Barney Frank's federal medical marijuana bill (H.R. 2618). Frank's
legislation would amend the federal law to permit doctor's to
prescribe marijuana as a therapeutic agent to seriously ill
patients. The bill has been referred to the Commerce Subcommittee
on Health and the Environment and the Judiciary Subcommittee on
Crime where it is presently awaiting a vote.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre of NORML
@ (202) 483-5500.
Washington State Senators Introduce
Legislation
To Allow Research Of Medical Marijuana
January 30, 1996, Olympia, Washington:
Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl, D-36th District, along with
Sens. Bob McCaslin, R-4th District; Darlene Fairley, D-32nd
District; and Pat Thibaudeau, D-43rd District, has introduced a
bill (S.B. 6744) that would allow further research to be
conducted regarding the medical uses of marijuana.
The legislation, known as the Controlled Substances Therapeutic
Research Act, finds that there is a need for research regarding
the cultivation, processing, and distribution of medicinal
marijuana under strictly controlled circumstances.
Therefore, S.B. 6744 amends current state statutes, creates new
sections, and allows for appropriations to achieve those ends.
The bill has been referred to the 25-member Committee on Ways and
Means and must be brought to an initial vote by February 6.
For more information, please contact Joanna McKee of Green
Cross @ (206) 780-0630. For more information on the medical
uses of marijuana, please contact Allen St. Pierre of NORML
@ (202) 483-5500. Senator Jeanne Kohl may he contacted @
(360) 786-7670.
Pot Charges Against Legal Marijuana User Dismissed
January 31, 1996, Ft. Lauderdale, FL:
Attorney Norman Elliot Kent announced today that all charges
against Elvy Musikka, a 56-year old glaucoma patient from
Hollywood, Florida, and one of only eight people in the country
allowed by the federal government to use marijuana for medical
treatment, have been dropped by the Alachua County State's
Attorney's Office.
Musikka was arrested by Gainesville police on December 9, 1995
while performing on stage at the sixth annual Florida
Hempfest. Despite having a prescription for marijuana
issued to her by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),
Mussika was arrested after she took out one of her marijuana
cigarettes and began smoking. She was dragged off the stage
arm-and-arm by two police officers and was later charged with
possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. "The police
just attacked the stage, reached up and grabbed me, and knocked
me down," Musikka said. "I was in total
shock."
"The State Attorney honorably entered a nolle prosequi
[decision not to prosecute] all charges after we presented them
with the medical and legal documentation that supported our
position," stated Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm Kent.
Musikka says that she will continue to work as a medical
marijuana activist.
For more information, please contact either Elvy Musikka @
(954) 966-4238 or Attorney Norman Kent @ (954) 763-1900.
Trial Date Set In Johann Moore Case
January 25, 1996, New York City, NY:
A trial date has been set for April 3, 1996, in the case of
Johann Moore, the longtime marijuana activist who was arrested
last August when law enforcement officials busted New York City's
underground cannabis buyers club. Moore is the coordinator
of the club.
At a preliminary hearing, Judge Stolz of Manhattan's Criminal
Court chose not to dismiss felony sales charges against
Moore. Stolz refused the defense's motion to dismiss on the
grounds that the sale took place in a public space and because
Moore has no formal training in medicine.
Moore has stated that he has no intention of ceasing operation of
the club.
For more information on this case, please contact Cures Not
Wars @ (212) 677-7180. E-mail: cnw@cures-not-wars.org
Internet address: http://www.cures-not-wars.org/
Washington Human Rights Group Criticizes Incoming Drug Czar
January 24, 1996, Washington, DC:
The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) released the
following statements concerning President Clinton's nomination of
Army General Barry R. McCaffrey as the nation's new "Drug
Czar."
"General McCaffrey has an impressive record of service to
this country," says George R. Vickers, Executive Director of
WOLA. "But what is needed is a fundamental shift in
U.S. anti-narcotic policies, away from failed military strategies
that have had little impact on the supply of illicit drugs coming
to the United States.
"Regardless of his personal qualities, McCaffrey's
nomination symbolizes the misguided militarization of U.S. drug
policy," adds WOLA Senior Associate Colleta Younger,
"and suggests a continued erosion of civilian control over
law enforcement efforts in this field."
As Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command,
General McCaffrey has overseen the U.S. military's anti-narcotics
operations in Latin America. The WOLA has monitored human
rights and United States policy in Latin America since 1974 and
has produced numerous reports on U.S. anti-narcotics policy in
the Andes.
For more information, please contact either Colletta Younger
or Bill Spencer of the Washington Office on Latin America @ (202)
544-8054.
CNN Marijuana Special Slated To Air On February 11
January 25, 1996, Atlanta, GA: The
much talked about CNN special on marijuana is scheduled to air at
9:00 p.m. EST. Entitled "Higher Times," the
feature will explore a comparative analysis of federal marijuana
policies in America and Holland. The segment will feature
interviews with law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and
political figures from both countries. In addition, the
special will contain footage of interviews conducted with NORML
Deputy Director Allen St. Pierre and Senior Policy Analyst
Richard Cowan.
The CNN feature was initially slated to run in late 1995, but was
delayed due to scheduling conflicts.
DON'T FORGET: NORML DEPUTY DIRECTOR ALLEN ST. PIERRE DEBATES FORMER DRUG CZAR LEE BROWN LIVE ON AMERICA ON-LINE ON FEBRUARY 19.
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