NORML's 1998 Weekly Media Releases

December 31, 1998

• New Zealand Health Committee Advocates Relaxing Marijuana Laws, Finds Moderate Use Harmless
• Marijuana May Offer Protection Against Tumors, Research Shows
• Maine Will Decide Medical Marijuana Question In '99

December 22, 1998

• Will Foster To Spend Another Christmas Behind Bars, Medical Marijuana Patient Remains Incarcerated Despite Parole Board's Plea For Early Release

December 17, 1998

• Increasing Marijuana Reform Legislation Anticipated In 1999 State Legislatures

December 10, 1998

• High Court Overturns Iowa Blanket Search Law, Marijuana Conviction
• Clinton Administration Calls Amendment Nixing D.C. Medical Marijuana Vote "Sensible"
• Michigan Man Must Return To Virginia Jail To Serve Out 24 Year Old Marijuana Conviction
• Jamaican Custom Officials To Order Drug Tests For Airline Passengers
• Congress Allocates $23 Million To Develop Anti-Marijuana Fungus

December 1, 1998

• Premiere British Medical Journal Pronounces Marijuana Safer Than Alcohol, Tobacco
• Louisiana Drug Testing Statute Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
• Body Shop Hemp Product Line Continues To Meet Opposition Abroad
• DEA To Rule Shortly On Reclassifying Synthetic THC

November 24, 1998

• Marijuana Arrests For 1997 Most Ever: FBI Data Confirm Clinton's Marijuana War To Be Toughest In Nation's History
• Medical Marijuana Patient Unable to Take Conventional Medications Freed From Jail

November 19, 1998

• Government Health Officials Deny Marijuana and Pain Study, Again
• House of Lords Backs Prescription Cannabis, But Parliament Balks
• Drug Testing Negatively Impacts Employee Productivity, Study Concludes

November 4, 1998

• Message From Voters To Washington: Legalize Medical Marijuana: Measures Protecting Patients Pass in Five States, District of Columbia
• Two-Thirds Of Oregon Voters Reject Criminal Penalties For Marijuana Violations

October 27, 1998

• Medical Community United In Support Of Medical Marijuana Reform

October 27, 1998

• Synthetic THC Fails To Provide Relief For Some Patients, New NORML Report Finds

October 22, 1998

• Marijuana Plays No Significant Role In Automotive Crashes, Australian Study Finds
• Magazine Publishers Of America Enlist In Drug War Media Blitz
• Alaska Nurses Association Backs Passage Of Medical Marijuana Initiative
• National Black Police Association Supports Passage of D.C. Medical Marijuana Proposal
• Medical Marijuana Proposal To Appear On Colorado Ballot, But Votes Won't Count, Secretary of State Announces

October 16, 1998

• Oakland Medical Marijuana Club Scheduled For Shut Down Monday
• High Court Won't Revive Tax Stamp Law On Illegal Drugs

October 15, 1998

• Marijuana Ranks Fourth Largest Cash Crop In America Despite Prohibition...

October 8, 1998

• Marijuana Derivative Benefits Head Trauma Victims, Human Trial Show
• Clinton Signs Law Denying Student Aid To Marijuana Smokers
• U.K. Drug Czar Backs Limited Use Of Medical Marijuana
• South Carolina High School Issues Ban On Hemp Jewelry

October 1, 1998

• Pair of Lawsuits Challenge New Louisiana Drug Testing Requirements
• Man Held In Oklahoma Jail For Possessing Legal Weed Still Faces Court Battle
• Senate Mulls Whether To Prohibit Possession Of Large Amounts Of Cash By Travelers
• New Roadside Test Can Detect Drug Impairment, Police Claim
• Federal Officials Say No To Montana Hemp Beer Maker

September 24, 1998

• House Okays Legislation To Test Driver's License Applicants, Others For Drugs
• Senate To Take Up Resolution Rejecting Medical Marijuana
• Voters In Nation's Capitol Will Decide On Medical Marijuana
• Government Website Uses Anti-Drug Trafficking Funds To Launch State Propaganda Campaign Against Medical Marijuana
• Reminder: Year's Largest Marijuana Reform Rally To Take Place Next Week

September 17, 1998

• Ninety-Three Members of Congress Stand Up For Medical Marijuana
• Colorado Medical Marijuana Initiative Will Appear On November Ballot
• University Study Gives Green Light For Hemp Cultivation In North Dakota
• DEA Raids Humbolt Cannabis Center, Destroys Patients' Medicine

September 10, 1998

• Governor's Signature All That Stands In The Way Of Freedom For Medical Marijuana User Originally Given 93 Year Sentence
• Court Challenges Boost Hopes For Colorado, DC Medical Marijuana Initiatives
• Patient's Glaucoma Justified Medical Marijuana Use, Cultivation, Canadian Judge Rules

September 3, 1998

• French Police Threaten To Prosecute British Company For Marketing Hemp Products
• California Legislature Closes Without Deciding On Medical Marijuana Research Center
• Judge Allows California Buyers' Clubs To Remain Open, Rejects Oakland Plan To Immunize Dispensary From Prosecution
• Judge Finds City-Imposed Restrictions On Scheduled Marijuana Rally Unconstitutional

August 27, 1998

• Louisiana Governor Backs Unprecedented Drug Testing Plan Despite Costs, Legal Problems
• Government's Household Survey Data Contradicts Prop. 215 Critics
• Private Researcher Plants First Medical Marijuana Crop
• DEA Says Federal Marijuana Prohibition Trumps Tribal Law Okaying Hemp Cultivation

August 20, 1998

• Relative Safety Of Moderate Marijuana Smoking Not Challenged By New Study
• Best Selling Author Jailed On Medical Marijuana Charges Expected To Post Bail Tonight
• West Australia Decriminalizes Marijuana On "Trial" Basis

August 13, 1998

• Cannabis Club Staff Designated As Officers Of City Of Oakland
• Oregon Democrats Oppose Marijuana Recriminalization Effort
• DC Medical Marijuana Petitioners Challenge Initiative Count
• ACLU's Stance On Marijuana In New York Times Attacked By Drug Czar's Office
• International Marijuana Symposium To Be Held In London

August 6, 1998

• Marijuana Poses Few Health Risks, New Zealand Health Ministry Says
• States Certify More Medical Marijuana Initiatives For Fall Ballot
• California Marijuana Arrests Soar Despite 215's Passage
• Indian Tribe Approves Ordinance Supporting Hemp Cultivation
• Three Recent Polls Reveal Overwhelmingly Support For Marijuana Reform

July 30, 1998

• MS Patients To Receive Whole Smoked Marijuana In English Trials
• Oakland City Council Votes To Shield Local Cannabis Dispensary From Federal Prosecution
• North Carolina Appeals Court Rules Cops Can't Lie "In Good Faith" To Secure Search Warrants
• Off Campus Pot Arrest Not Grounds For Expulsion, State Supreme Court Rules

July 24, 1998

• Body's Natural Pain Controlling Agents Mimic Marijuana, Nature Magazine Reports
• Oakland City Council Moves To Support Local Medical Marijuana Dispensary
• California Senator Attacks Advertising By "Head Shops" On The Net
• Medical Marijuana Petitioners Confident Recount Will Place Initiative On Nevada Ballot
• Best Selling Author Indicted On Marijuana Conspiracy Charge

July 16, 1998

• Drug Czar Distorts Facts To Malign Dutch Drug Policies
• Oregon Voters Will Decide On Legalizing Medical Marijuana This Fall
• Australian State Decriminalizes The Possession Of Marijuana
• Nevada Medical Marijuana Proponents To Challenge Signature Count

July 9, 1998

• Marijuana Appears To Protect Against Brain Injuries, Federal Researchers Find
• Hemp Could Be Lucrative Cash Crop For State, University Of Kentucky Report Says
• Medical Marijuana Proposals Await November Ballots In Several States

July 3, 1998

• House Approves Spending Program To Encourage Drug Testing For Small Businesses
• Medical Marijuana Distribution Bill Defeated In State Assembly
• Hemp Organization Issues Report To Counter White House Misinformation Campaign

June 25, 1998

• California Legislature To Debate Measure Providing Medical Marijuana Distribution By Local Communities
• Judge Sets Bail At $10,000 For Retired Professor Who Smoked Marijuana

June 18, 1998

• Canadian Government Health Agency Calls For Decriminalizing Marijuana
• French Government Report Says Marijuana Poses Less Dangers Than Alcohol
• Military Judge To Rule On Third Hemp Seed Oil Case In Seven Months

June 11, 1998

• Senate Okays Massive Anti-Drug Package In Tobacco Bill
• New Hampshire Judge Dismisses Farmers Request To Grow Hemp
• Washington State Democrats Back Medical Marijuana Initiative

June 4, 1998

• Federal Court Halts School Board Policy Mandating Urine Tests For Teachers
• California Legislators Urge President To Allow State Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
• Michigan City May Lose Millions In State Funds For Lenient Marijuana Law
• Early Studies Show Marijuana Derivative Prevents Brain Injuries

May 28, 1998

• CMA Backs Removal Of Marijuana From Schedule I Prohibitive Status
• NORML, Others Testify Against DEA Marijuana Eradication Program At Washington, D.C. Hearing
• S.F. Officials Explore Distributing Medical Marijuana In Wake Of Cannabis Healing Center's Closure
• International Drug Reform Coalition Declares "Global Days Against The Drug War"

May 21, 1998

• House Amendment To Higher Education Bill Bars Marijuana Smokers From Receiving Student Aid
• Medical Marijuana Distribution Summit To Take Place Next Week
• California County Allocates Funding For Medical Marijuana Study

May 15, 1998

• Kentucky Farmers File First Ever Federal Lawsuit To End Hemp Prohibition
• Judge Orders Closure Of Six California Medical Marijuana Providers: Intent of Prop. 215 In No Way Challenged By Ruling

May 7, 1998

• Federal Marijuana Eradication Program Seizes Nothing But Ditchweed, State Auditor's Report Says
• ABA Association Opposes House Resolution Attacking Medical Marijuana
• No Link Between Decriminalization and Increased Marijuana Use, Australia Report Finds
• Jury Overturns Court Martial After Hearing Marine Consumed Legal Hemp Oil

April 30, 1998

• Colorado Legislature Okays Resolution Rejecting Efforts to Legalize Medical Marijuana
• Former Marijuana Smokers Denied Entrance to the U.S., Canadian Paper Reports
• Judge Rules Cannabis Healing Center Can Stay Open
• Minnesota Governor Vetoes Hemp Research Bill

April 23, 1998

• Alaskan Voters Will Decide On Legalizing Medical Marijuana In November
• DEA Marijuana Eradication Program Under Review: Department Of Justice Requests Public Comments
• British Nurses To Vote On Medical Marijuana Issue At Annual Conference
• San Francisco Medical Marijuana Dispensary Reopens As "Healing Center"

April 16, 1998

• New Zealand Report Urges Government To Legalize Marijuana, Exposes U.S. Role In Maintaining Worldwide Prohibition
• San Francisco Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordered Closed By Judge
• Iowa Legislature Okays Bill Enhancing Marijuana Penalties, Granting Police Power To Drug Test Drivers
• Oklahoma Rally To Be Held Monday To Address Plight Of Medical Marijuana Patients

April 9, 1998

• Senator Wants To Extend Marijuana Prohibition To Include Medical Research
• Use Of Thermal Imaging Without A Warrant Unconstitutional, Ninth Circuit Rules
• Hawaii Health Committee Urges Federal Government To Expedite Medical Marijuana Research

April 2, 1998

• Need State Assistance In Florida? Better Pass a Drug Test: Florida House Approves Measure To Drug Test Welfare Recipients
• British Protest To Legalize Marijuana Draws 10,000
• California State Senate Committee Quashes Effort To Restrict Prop. 215
• Oklahoma Legislature Poised To Authorize National Guard To Engage In State Marijuana Enforcement

March 26, 1998

• Judge Stays Federal Request To Shut Down California Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
• Coalition Heads To Washington To Petition DEA To Lift Hemp Ban
• Oklahoma Senate Committee To Decide Today Whether To Move On Bill Authorizing National Guard To Engage In State Marijuana Enforcement
• Congress To Recess Without Voting On Resolution Opposing Medical Marijuana

March 19, 1998

• "Who's Afraid of Hemp?" Drug Testing Industry Running Scared Calls On Congress To Prohibit Legal Hemp Products
• Local Pressure In Support Of California CBCs Mounts As Federal Hearing To Close Clubs Approaches
• Journal of the American Medical Association Reports That Majority Of Americans Favor Legal Access To Medical Marijuana

March 12, 1998

• "War On Drugs" Can't Succeed, Australian Drug Policy Head Admits: Okays Chief Police Commissioner's Plan To "Caution" Rather Than Arrest Marijuana Users
• CNN Internet Poll Shows 96 Percent Of Respondents Support Use Of Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes
• Judge Dismisses Felony Charge Over Possession Of Legal Hemp Seeds
• Empower America Conference Attacks Medical Marijuana

March 5, 1998

• House Republicans Continue Assault On States' Rights, Medical Marijuana Research: House Judiciary Okays Resolution Calling Marijuana a "Dangerous And Addictive Drug"
• Canadian Farmers Will Grow Commercial Hemp Plots For First Time In 50 Years, Health Minister Vows At Agriculture Conference
• Nearly Half Of All Americans Say That Marijuana Is "Hot" In Annual Poll

February 26, 1998

• House Republicans Declare: Damn The Science, Full Speed Ahead! Approve Resolution Opposing Any Use Of Marijuana As A Medicine
• California State Senator Introduces Legislation To Limit Patients Protected By Proposition 215
• Jury Reverses Court Martial After Hearing Evidence Of Legal Products Testing Positive For Marijuana

February 19, 1998

• Leading Research Magazine Claims WHO Suppressed Report Showing Marijuana To Be Safer Than Legal Intoxicants
• Medical Marijuana Activists To Open Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Across Eastern Canada
• Criminalization Of Marijuana Coincides With Explosion In Use, Federal Data, American Journal of Public Health Indicates

February 12, 1998

• Canadian AIDS Patient Files Civil Suit Demanding Federal Government Supply Medical Marijuana
• Growing Number Of College Students Say They Support Legalizing Marijuana
• Circuit Court Judge Agrees To Retry Seven Year Old Marijuana Seed Case
• Arbitration Court Rules Snowboarder May Keep Gold Medal Despite Positive Drug Test

February 5, 1998

• Republican Coalition Proposes Life Without Parole For Kansas Marijuana Growers
• Local Officials Pledge Support For Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Named In Federal Lawsuit
• Hawaii Supreme Court Strikes Down Marijuana Challenge
• School Anti-Drug Programs Preaching "Zero Tolerance" Receive Failing Grade From National Research Journal

January 29, 1998

• Medical Marijuana, Hemp Legislation Pending In Several States

January 22, 1998

• 17 Year-Old First Time Offender Faces 10 Years For Role In $20 Marijuana Sale
• AIDS Treatment Publication Defends Medical Marijuana
• American Farm Bureau Reverses Position On Industrial Hemp
• Former U.S. Attorney General, New York Times Columnist, Others To Speak Out On The Drug War

January 15, 1998

• U.S. Files Civil Suits To Shut Down California Cannabis Buyers' Clubs
• State Senator Calls For Summit On "Responsible Medical Marijuana Distribution"
• HHS To Conduct Binding Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status

January 9, 1998

• "Smoke A Joint, Lose A Limb?": Pending Mississippi Bill Threatens Dismemberment For Convicted Drug Violators
• CASA Prison Study Reaffirms That Marijuana Plays No Role In Violent Crime
• ACLU Argues For Change In Ballot Title For Upcoming Marijuana Measure
• House Speaker Calls For Increased "War On Drugs"
• Former NORML Head Launches On-Line Magazine

January 2, 1998

• Canadian Federal Health Agency Says It's Ready To Approve Limited Use Of Medical Marijuana: Proposal May License Toronto University To Grow The Drug For "Emergency" Purposes
• France Approves Experimental Use Of Medical Marijuana, Anticipates Eliminating Criminal Penalties For Recreational Use
• Ontario Farmers Anticipate Planting Commercial Hemp Plots This Spring
• DEA Temporarily Ceases Threats To Subpeona Names Of Marijuana Book Buyers