RJ Bee
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project
P.O. Box 77492 -- Capitol Hill -- Washington, D.C. 20013
http://www.mpp.org -- RJ@MPP.ORG
phone 202-462-5747, ext. 118 -- fax 202-232-0442

The 3rd-person hearsay is that the Gov had no stance as of Labor Day. We suggest to all, who live in Oregon or care about medical cannabis in general, to call, fax or email the Gov of Oregon telling him to please veto SB 916 phone for gov's office is 503-378-4582, fax for gov's office is 503-378-6827. For E-mail - go to: www.governor.oregon.gov/contact.htm

Be nice, be polite (use 'please') and thank for his attention and get everyone you know to call fax or email This would strip unemployment for refusing to take 'drug tests'. Please distribute this memo widely. Forward to family and friends, everyone! ask them to visit http://www.mpp.org/OR

Please visit http://www.mpp.org/OR/action.html . After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to Governor Kulongoski ... all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference.

This measure was originally introduced as S.B. 921 (in the Senate) and H.B. 2824 (in the House). These bills did not move, but through political maneuvering the restrictive language found its way into S.B. 916. This bill was originally introduced to expand the definition of "members of the same family" for whom a corporation may elect not to provide unemployment insurance coverage. To read S.B. 916, see http://www.mpp.org/OR/bills_716.html .

MPP's state legislative alerts service is funded entirely by the contributions of MPP allies and members nationwide. If you find MPP's state legislative alerts service helpful, please consider making a donation at: http://www.mpp.org/MoneyForStates Because MPP devotes 100% of its efforts toward influencing public policy, contributions are not tax-deductible. However, the above link also provides a way to make a tax-deductible donation.

Chris Wise, J.D.
Executive Director
Northwest Environmental Justice Center
P.O. Box 1121
Fall Creek, OR 97438
http://envirojustice.tk
nejc@resist.ca

The text for either can be had by clicking on http://www.leg.state.or.us/billsset.htm and following the info that come up.

Subject: Oregon Legislature - SB 921
From: "Rep Prozanski" <Prozanski.Rep@state.or.us>
Date: Thu, August 28, 2003 3:49 pm
To: rj@mpp.org
Cc: nejc@resist.ca

Although I do not have insight into whether or not Governor Kulongoski will sign the bill, you may want to contact Margaret Hallock, the Governor's Labor, Workforce and Policy Advisor, to find the answer. Her e-mail address is <A HREF="https://mail.resist.ca/src/compose.php?send_to=margaret.hallock%40das.state.or.us"> margaret.hallock@das.state.or.us</A> and her telephone number is 503-378-6502. We hope you find the above information useful.

The war on drugs is a grievous attack on our civil liberties......and things are about to get worse. Yes, there have been successes. We've pushed senators to debate the RAVE Act on the floor, we've forced a medical marijuana vote in the House and we've got more support than ever before. Nevertheless, Congress and the Bush Administration are now conspiring against the Bill Of Rights with new legislation that threatens our right to assemble and erodes protections against search and seizure.

We have received reports that police are using the RAVE Act to pressure promoters into canceling festivals and events. Unbelievably, the first event targeted by the law was a political fundraiser in Montana. Taxpayer dollars have already been used on an expensive ad campaign calling marijuana users terrorists. Now, in an even bigger grab for control, Senators are working on a controversial bill that could punish nonviolent drug offenders as terrorists. We can't afford any illusions. If the war on terrorism is as unsuccessful as the failed war on drugs, we're all in big trouble.

Read on for some important updates and actions you can take on Rave Act II (including a September 6th protest in DC), a new "drugs and terrorism" bill, Drug Czar John Walters secretive tour around the country and the growing fight against U.S. Latin American drug policy.

With these new challenges come new costs, and your financial support is crucial in our fight to protect our rights, so please visit our online donation page at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4472 .

In the fight to repeal the RAVE Act we have come up against another piece of anti-rave legislation. If made into law, this latest attack on our civil liberties would open more doors for the prosecution of innocent business owners unable to stop drugs coming into their venue. Thousands of our supporters have already faxed their representatives about what we are calling the RAVE Act II (officially known as the Ecstasy Awareness Act) and groups across the country, like EM:DEF and ROAR, are mobilizing voters against the bill.

If you haven't faxed your Representative about the Ecstasy Awareness Act, please do so at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4336

We also need you to fax your Representative about the CLEAN-UP Act if you haven't already. http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4337

For more on what you can do to stop threats to hip hop and electronic music see: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4338

Thousands will gather at the Capitol in Washington, DC on September 6th for a musical protest against the RAVE Act and the continuing assault on dance culture. The event, sponsored by ROAR!: The National Dance and Music Rights Alliance, will feature Junior Vasquez, D:Fuse, booths, prizes, and much, much more.

Dance for your rights. U.S. Capitol, Washington DC. 1pm onwards. For more information on the protest including directions see: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4339

Tour Buses are being arranged from numerous cities. Please email info@roargroup.org for all general inquiries.

Two years ago, with the very real experience of terrorism in our lives, Senators rushed to pass the PATRIOT Act. Essentially a license for the government to spy on its own people, the Act has become one of the biggest threats to our civil liberties. Now, without urgency, Senators are about to make an even bigger mistake. The misnamed Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations Act of 2003, or the VICTORY Act (hang on.....that should be a small r and where did the Y come from??), contains numerous disturbing provisions including laws that could charge non-violent drug offenders as terrorists. It has not even been introduced yet and civil libertarians are commanding their battle stations. Judging by the title of the Act the government is more concerned about propaganda than dealing with real issues of terrorism or drugs. This legislation will undermine the country's struggle with terrorism by conflating it with the war on drugs. This legislation will become the next battle ground for civil rights in the U.S.

Stay tuned, as you can be sure the Drug Policy Alliance, with your help, will be mounting a concerted and persistent campaign against this act. For more information on the VICTORY Act

see: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4340

Senators are drafting a "drugs and terrorism" bill that could treat many non-violent drug offenders as terrorists and strip away civil liberties from every American. Unless you tell your Senators "No way!" it could be introduced soon.

Fax your Senators at:

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=5288

It was bad enough that the government used tax payer dollars to produce ads calling marijuana users terrorists. Now things are more serious and the government is trying to create new laws to boost their 'drug war' in the name of fighting terrorism.

'Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations (VICTORY) Act of 2003' could turn out to be more devastating for us (the ones these laws should protect) than the PATRIOT Act. The Drug Policy Alliance has been working behind the scenes to secure opposition to the bill in Congress and help remove some of the most dangerous provisions. Now we need your help.

Most recent drafts of the legislation would expand the Justice Department's already overbearing PATRIOT Act powers to provide extra penalties for drug sellers alleged to provide funding to terrorist groups (even if they do not know that they are connected with terrorists). Dramatically expanding the government's 'big brother' powers, the VICTORY Act also allows the government to spy on citizens without the checks and balances needed to prevent abuse.

Frightening as it is, Drug Policy Alliance believes that with enough pressure the VICTORY Act can be stopped before it's even introduced. Fax your Senators today to urge them not to co-sponsor or support the VICTORY Act. If Senator Hatch cannot find enough co-sponsors for his legislation, he may be forced to rethink this unnecessary legislation.

1) Fax your Senators at:

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=5288

2) Forward this alert to your friends and family

A draft of the bill obtained by the Drug Policy Alliance can be read at:

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=5289

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You received this message because librarian@pdxnorml.org is a member of the mailing list originating from alerts@actioncenter.drugpolicy.org.

Please visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/unsubscribe to unsubscribe from all lists. Visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/managesubscription.asp to learn about other lists you can subscribe to.

For problems, please contact Jeanette Irwin at jirwin@drugpolicy.org.

Please consider joining the Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join

Marching to the beat of the Bush administration's drug war drum, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Drug Czar John Walters is using tax-payer dollars to preach harmful, punitive drug policies across the nation while keeping the location of his appearances secret until the last minute. What does this say about the democratic process and the war on drugs? We've been asking supporters to contact both the White House and the ONDCP to ask that they operate in line with democratic transparency and release the dates and times of the Walter's tour.

Call the White House:

202-456-1414
president@whitehouse.gov
Call the ONDCP:
202-395-6700
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4341

For more on the Drug Czar's tour: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4342

Expanding its reigns beyond the borders, the Bush Administration funds the aerial fumigation of coca crops in Colombia. Damaging all crops, including food, and wreaking havoc on environmental and political conditions in a country already impoverished and plagued by civil strife aerial fumigation has only moved coca growing deeper into the forests and to other areas. The House of Representatives last month narrowly defeated Democrats' efforts to boost funds to fight the global AIDS epidemic by shifting money away from anti-drug efforts in Colombia. The House voted 226-195 against redirecting the money.

More on the vote here:

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4343

To read more on U.S. politics and power in Latin America read Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director, Ethan Nadelmann's Foreign Policy article 'Addicted to Failure'. http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=31099&l=4344

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You received this message because librarian@pdxnorml.org is a member of the mailing list originating from alerts@actioncenter.drugpolicy.org.

Please visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/unsubscribe to unsubscribe from all lists. Visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/managesubscription.asp to learn about other lists you can subscribe to.

For problems, please contact Jeanette Irwin at jirwin@drugpolicy.org. Please consider joining the Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join

www.rainbowfarmcamp.com TRIBE announcement list listmaster

Fighting raves, squelching speech

Jacob Sullum

Karen Tandy, expected to be confirmed soon as the new head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), did not face many tough questions when her nomination was considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. One of the few exceptions came from Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), who asked her about a problem he was instrumental in creating.

Biden referred to an incident in Billings, Montana, on May 30, when a DEA agent brought a copy of the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act to the local Eagles Lodge. The agent warned the lodge's manager that a fund-raising concert sponsored by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and Students for a Sensible Drug Policy might violate the law if anyone attending the event lit up a joint.

The law, which Biden sponsored, makes it a federal crime to "knowingly and intentionally" make a place available "for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance." Violators are subject to $250,000 or more in civil penalties, a criminal fine of up to $500,000, and a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The threat of these penalties "freaked me out," the Eagles Lodge manager told the Drug Reform Coordination Network. She said the DEA agent "didn't tell us we couldn't have the event, but he showed me the law and told us what could happen if we did. I talked to our trustees, they talked to our lawyers, and our lawyers said not to risk it, so we canceled."

Biden pronounced himself "troubled" by this application of his law. He pressed Tandy to explain how she planned to "reassure people who may be skeptical of my legislation that it will not be enforced in a manner that has a chilling effect on free speech."

The way Biden posed the question was telling: For both the senator and the DEA, the key thing is not so much to protect First Amendment rights as to "reassure people who may be skeptical" about his broadly worded, draconian statute. But for anyone who is concerned about freedom of speech and the rule of law, there are ample grounds for skepticism.

When the legislation was debated last year, critics argued that it could be applied to any event that attracts drug users, including not only raves (Biden's main target) but rock concerts, political rallies, even backyard barbecues if guests happened to smoke pot. The objections were so loud that the bill, then called the Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy (RAVE) Act, never came up for a vote.

This year Biden avoided debate by introducing his legislation under a new name and quietly attaching it to a wildly popular bill establishing a national alert system for abducted children, which was signed by President Bush on April 30. Barely a month later, critics of the legislation were proven right by the incident in Billings.

Jeff Sweetin, special agent in charge of the DEA's Rocky Mountain Division, defended the warning to the Eagles Lodge in a June interview with The Billings Outpost. But he conceded that "it certainly doesn't look very good."

Attempting to improve appearances, the DEA announced on June 20 that it is "committed to responsible enforcement of this law, which will shield innocent businesses from criminal liability for incidental drug use by patrons." It referred to "updated guidance" and a new requirement for "Headquarters review of proposed enforcement activity" to "ensure that all DEA activity under the Act complies with its terms and intent and with the First Amendment."

Tandy cited that announcement in response to Biden's questions, but it's not very reassuring. "Innocent businesses" that already had to guess at the meaning of "knowingly and intentionally"â€"a "high legal standard" according to Biden, but not according to that DEA agent in Billingsâ€"now have to wonder when drug use counts as "incidental."

That kind of uncertainty is the essence of a chilling effect. For anxious venue owners, the question is not whether the government could impose a civil fine or obtain a conviction that would be upheld on appeal; the question is whether a federal agent might think it's worth a shot.

There is a broader issue here than freedom of speech. The rule of law requires that people be given adequate notice of which actions will get them into trouble. In seeking to hold property owners and managers liable for other people's drug use, Biden's law fails that basic test.

Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason and the author of Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use (Tarcher/Putnam, May 2003).

NOTE: Read the letter from William B. Simpkins, acting administrator of the DEA, to Senator Biden. Which can be found at the following URL;

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=193&l=2736

In this letter he states that given its direct association with NORML the event was likely to create an environment of promoting the use of illegal drugs.

When did it become the mission of NORML to promote the use of illegal drugs? Is William B. Simpkins, acting administrator of the DEA legally allowed to make such a statement about an organization whose purpose is drug law reform?

Organization: SSDP http://www.ssdp.org/

To: ssdptalk@ssdp.org

Subject: SSDPTALK: Cheryl Phone Slam

At http://www.cheryldcmemorial.org/ssdp_phone_slam.htm you will find detailed instructions for how your chapter can make the most of the National Phone Slam for Medical Marijuana. This is a great opportunity for your chapter to earn some visibility on campus while participating in real legislative change. The Phone Slam is Tuesday, September 23, which is soon. Let's organize! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Tom Angell
SSDP Board member
AIM: PsilocyberSpore
email: tom@ssdp.org

http://cheryldcmemorial.org/

Below are a collection of recent announcements about the Project from various supporting organizations:

-----

Subject: Remember a Medical Marijuana Hero

Take Action Now! http://cheryldcmemorial.org

 Dear Medical Marijuana Supporters,

I've been involved in the fight for safe access to medicinal marijuana since doctors diagnosed my late wife Cheryl with multiple sclerosis in 1971. Throughout her life, to relieve her pain and suffering Cheryl, under the direction of her physician, tried numerous medications (including the THC capsule Marinol). Yet nothing relieved her symptoms like natural marijuana. Marijuana was the only remedy that alleviated my wife's pain.

Cheryl died from pneumonia and other MS-related complications on June 7th.

In the 57 years of her life she accomplished more than I could have imagined. Though MS left Cheryl severely disabled, she lobbied tirelessly for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and made numerous trips to Washington, DC to meet with her representatives and take part in acts of civil disobedience.

In honor of her dedication and inspiring courage several groups, including ASA, are organizing a vigil, press conference, and patient-lobby day in Washington, DC in memory of Cheryl.

Please join ASA and me in keeping Cheryl's work and memory alive.

 On the morning of September 22nd, medical marijuana patients from around the nation will visit the Multiple Sclerosis Society to encourage the organization to reconsider its stance against the use of medicinal cannabis. According to recently completed clinical trials in other countries, cannabinoids significantly alleviate pain and other nuerogenic symptoms associated with MS. In other countries, including England, MS patients, and MS researchers, are driving the approval of marijuana as a medicine.

Late that day, patients and activists will gather at the U.S. Supreme Court for a candlelight vigil and silent protest commemorating those patients who died without legal access to their medicine. Blown-up posters portraying Cheryl and other deceased patients will be displayed in front of the court, where activists will be asked to place sentimental items that will remind them of Cheryl's struggle.

At 11:00 am on September 24th, patients, members of Congress, activists, and drug policy reform organizations will host a press conference at the Rayburn House office building on Capitol Hill. Patients will demand that the members of Congress who ignored Cheryl over the years now listen to those whom she inspired. Patients will also highlight the effectiveness of marijuana in treating MS and focus attention on the need to pass HR 2233, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act; and HR 1717, the Truth in Trials Act. People who cannot be present that day are encouraged to participate in a National Phone Slam in support of both bills. Immediately following the press conference, this coalition of patients, activists, and organizations will spend the rest of the day lobbying their members of Congress and urge them to hold hearings on the two marijuana bills that are currently stalled in committee. In addition, patients will also target those Congressmen who recently spoke out against medical marijuana on the house floor, notably Rep. John Mica (R-FL) and Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), will specifically be targeted by the out-of-town patients. This coalition will also visit the offices of each member of the Health and Judiciary Committees, where these important bills are being held up. (To see where your US Represntative stands on medical marijuana, visit http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=676

I hope that by bringing attention to the plight of my late wife Cheryl, I can hasten the day when marijuana will be made available so that others are no longer needlessly forced to suffer with pain or risk arrest. Throughout much of her life, Cheryl risked arrest and jail to use the only medication that alleviated her suffering. Cheryl chose to take this risk, though many other patients are simply forced to suffer.

We have estimated the cost of shuttling patients to this event at approximately $1,500 per patient. Our goal is to pay for at least 15 patients to come to DC for the vigil, press conference, and lobby day. You can help by agreeing to sponsor one of the patients right now by making a pledge for this project in the amount of $1,500. To do so, please click:

http://cheryldcmemorial.org

If you can't afford to sponsor a patient, I hope you'll consider making a smaller contribution to this effort, or raising money from friends, family, and medical marijuana supporters in your area to sponsor a patient.

Please encourage others to make a financial contribution to this project right now by forwarding this email to friends and family or involve yourself by sending an item that reminds you of Cheryl's struggle to the NORML office. Sentimental items will be placed on the steps of the Supreme Court during the Tuesday evening vigil. I envision this display to be one of the most emotional aspects of the project. For this purpose, small sentimental items can be sent to:

NORML ­ The Cheryl Miller Project
1600 K St. NW Suite 501
Washington, DC 20006

This project is important to me, to Cheryl's memory, and to other medical marijuana patients who are suffering because of the government's insane war against them and their medicine. I hope you will help make an impact on Congress by contributing to this project.

Sincerely,

Jim Miller
jimmiller@norml.org

P.S. If you'd like to contribute to this project by using Paypal, please click here: http://cheryldcmemorial.org

Hilary McQuie
Political Director
Americans for Safe Access
1678 Shattuck Ave. #317
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone: 510-486-8083
Fax: 510-486-8090
www.safeaccessnow.org

Mondovi & Madison Wisconsin - Two longtime Wisconsin medical marijuana activists are helping to spearhead a Washington D.C. memorial for a New Jersey multiple sclerosis patient and fellow medical marijuana activist who died of complications from the disease on June 7. Jacki Rickert and Gary Storck, from the group, Is My Medicine Legal YET? (www.immly.org) will be traveling to Washington to memorialize the late Cheryl Miller (www.cherylheart.org), and visit congressional offices with other medical marijuana patients and advocates September 22-23, 2003. The two worked closely with Cheryl and her husband Jim, joining them on a number of lobbying trips to Washington, including one in 1999, when Jim Miller was arrested as the foursome blocked the former Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr's office doorway, to protest his opposition to medical marijuana. Barr went on to lose a GOP primary in 2002 after the Libertarian Party began airing a TV commercial featuring the seriously ill and paralyzed Cheryl Miller asking Barr why he would keep medical marijuana from her

(http://drugpolicycentral.com/real/cherylmiller.rm).

For further details, please visit the website of the Cheryl Miller Memorial Project: http://www.cheryldcmemorial.org/

http://www.cheryldcmemorial.org .

Please write to Congress in her memory and ask your elected officials to pass the bill she advocated, H.R. 2233, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act. You can fax a pre-written letter from MPP's Web site by visiting http://www.mpp.org/Remember_Cheryl . This link will take you directly to a page where you will enter your address. You then just need to click send when the letter appears (although you should feel free to edit it first).

Please take action to help realize Cheryl's goal of freeing medical marijuana patients from the fear of arrest by visiting http://www.mpp.org/Remember_Cheryl . Cheryl devoted 10 of the most difficult years of her life to this cause. It takes only two minutes to honor her memory by sending a pre-written letter to Congress.

Take Action Now! https://banqa.uaqa.com/norml/cheryl_miller.html

https://banqa.uaqa.com/norml/cheryl_miller.html

Jim Miller
jimmiller@norml.org

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5723

NORML was featured prominently in several media outlets this week, including the New York Newsday, The Quad-City Times and Metro Santa Cruz. To read these articles or about other NORML media appearances, check out "NORML in the Media" at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481

If you have not already done so, please consider making a donation to NORML's "Marijuana Truth" Campaign. To learn more about this campaign or to read NORML's new report, "Your Government Is Lying to You (Again) About Marijuana: A Refutation of the Drug Czar's 'Open Letter to America's Prosecutors,'" please visit: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5513

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3454

http://www.cheryldcmemorial.org/

http://cheryldcmemorial.org/banners.htm

Gary Storck
gstorck@immly.org