News

San Francisco Chronicle, June 26, 2007 - Posted June 30

The U.S. Supreme Court tightened limits on student speech Monday, allowing schools to punish youths for statements that might promote drug use -- a ruling that gives new prominence to laws in California and a handful of other states that provide protections for expression on campus.

Judge Orders Pot Crusader Krieger To Be Released On Bail

Calgary Herald, June 28, 2007 - Posted June 30

Alberta -- Medicinal marijuana crusader Grant Krieger was expected to be released from jail Wednesday night, after his lawyer succeeded in getting him bail until an appeal of his most recent conviction is heard.

More Cities Push To Nix Medical Pot Shops

San Bernardino Sun, June 27, 2007 - Posted June 30

YUCAIPA, CA -- Another inland town moved closer to snuffing out medicinal marijuana Monday when the City Council approved staffers' plans to craft an ordinance prohibiting medical cannabis dispensaries.

Number Of US Prisoners Has Biggest Rise In 6 Years

Reuters, June 27, 2007 - Posted June 30

WASHINGTON -- The United States, which has the most prisoners of any country in the world, last year recorded the largest increase in the number of people in prisons and jails since 2000, the Justice Department reported on Wednesday.

Rell Vetoes Bill To Legalize Medical Marijuana

Boston Globe, June 19, 2007 - Posted June 25

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have legalized medicinal marijuana, acknowledging she struggled with the decision.

Maastricht Coffee Shops Drop Plans for Biometric Security System

Der Spiegel, June 24, 2007 - Posted June 25

Plans for a biometric security system in cannabis-selling coffee shops in the Dutch town of Maastricht have been dropped -- but they're still going to be taking smokers' fingerprints when they buy their stash.

Marijuana Grower Wants A New Trial

San Francisco Chronicle, June 24, 2007 - Posted June 25

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ed Rosenthal, the self-described "Guru of Ganja" convicted for a second time last month of violating federal drug laws by growing marijuana for medical patients, wants a new trial.

The House That Hemp Built

Calgary Herald, June 23, 2007 - Posted June 25

Saltspring Island, BC -- Drew and Jaime Rokeby-Thomas had the property, builder, designer and finances lined up for construction of their straw-bale home on B.C.'s Saltspring Island.

New Merit Seen In Cannabis Remedy

Otago Daily Times, June 21, 2007 - Posted June 24

A cannabis folk remedy has been resurrected by scientists who found that active ingredients in the drug reduce allergic reactions.

Caught In The Middle

The Chico News & Review, June 21, 2007 - Posted June 24

After a decade of legal wrangling and more than two years in prison, med-pot pioneer Bryan Epis faces a return to prison

Pot Advocate Sick In Jail - Family

Calgary Herald, June 21, 2007 - Posted June 24

Calgary, AB -- The condition of notorious medicinal marijuana crusader Grant Krieger -- incarcerated at the Calgary Remand Centre since Monday -- is "rapidly deteriorating," according to his friends and family.

Activists Petition for Medical Marijuana in Michigan

City Pulse, June 20, 2007 - Posted June 24

Rochelle Lampkin of Detroit doesn't drink alcohol, smoke tobacco or use drugs for recreation. But about once a month, she takes in a substance that she says benefits her quality of life - even though it's against the law.

Medical Marijuana Measure Falls With Connecticut Governor's Veto

New York Times, June 20, 2007 - Posted June 21

Stamford, Conn. -- After struggling with what was described as one of the most difficult decisions in her three-year tenure, Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a measure today that would have legalized the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions.

Tickets For Marijuana Possession OK'd

Herald Times Reporter, June 19, 2007 - Posted June 21

MANITOWOC, WI - Possession of marijuana is now an ordinance violation, and first-timers who get caught with the drug face a city citation rather than a misdemeanor charge.

Medical Marijuana: New York Is Waiting to Inhale

Buffalo News, June 19, 2007 - Posted June 21

ALBANY, NY -- Joel Peacock, a registered member of the Conservative Party, has little use for liberal politicians.

Canadian Found Guilty In Dubai

Victoria Times-Colonist, June 19, 2007 - Posted June 21

UNITED NATIONS -- A Dubai court found Canadian anti-narcotics worker Bert Tatham guilty today on drug possession charges, sentencing him to four years in prison in the Arab emirate.

Supreme Court Embraces Rights for Car Passengers

New York Times, June 18, 2007 - Posted June 19

WASHINGTON -- A passenger as well as a driver has the right to challenge the legality of a police officer's decision to stop a car, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously today.

ND Farmers Sue DEA To Grow Hemp Crop

Contra Costa Times, June 19, 2007 - Posted June 19

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two farmers granted the first licenses in the nation to grow industrial hemp filed a federal lawsuit Monday to get final permission from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Pro-Pot Concerts Set to Roll in Starks

Kennebec Journal, June 16, 2007 - Posted June 19

STARKS, MAINE -- Along with warm temperatures, longer days and mosquitoes, summer in this rural town brings a full lineup of rock concerts laced with a heavy dose of marijuana advocacy.

School Suspends Teen for Discussing Drugs

National Post, June 14, 2007 - Posted June 19

Wawota, Sask. -- Kieran King says he's never seen marijuana, let alone smoked or sold it. But cannabis has been causing problems for the 15-year-old honour student lately, ever since a fellow student complained about Kieran expressing his opinions on pot.

Local Activism

A hotbed of cannabis activism, Washington State is home to many organizations working to bring about rational drug policy. Here are some things to get involved with:

Cannabis Defense Coalition has been very active lately. They focus on courtroom observation and medical marijuana activism.

The ACLU-WA Drug Policy Project created the Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation campaign, among other things.

Initiative 75, passed in 2003, deprioritized marijuana law enforcement in Seattle. A final report (2mb pdf) on the law was produced by the city.

The November Coalition, based in Colville, is a national reform group and works with prisoners and families.

SpoCannabis is a medical marijuana activist group in Spokane.

King Co. Bar Association Drug Policy Project has done amazing work educating the "suits" about the failure of our prohibition model of drug policy, and the need for a regulatory model of drug policy.

Seattle Hempfest is the third weekend in August on Seattle's waterfront.

Olympia Hempfest is a week after Seattle's big bash.