DdC

What the WHO doesn't want you to know about cannabis
Marijuana Drug Czar Distorts Report
The Rave Act stops NORML benefit concert

RAVE Act Protests Across the Country, May 31, 2003
Have you ever wanted to dance for a good cause? Here's your chance. On Saturday, May 31, protest gatherings will be held in cities across the country to call for repeal of the RAVE Act. Click here to find a protest near you.

The RAVE Act Has Landed
When Holding a Party Is a Crime

Drug Czar Manipulating Data in a Report to Congress
Bill Would Outlaw Internet Drug Information
Meth Bill/Free Speech by Richard Lake


PREJUDICE: MARIJUANA AND JIM CROW LAWS

Breaking the Chains: Communities of Color and the War on Drugs
Excerpt: The Alliance’s “Breaking the Chains” (BTC) project is preparing to host its third major gathering on the impact of the drug war on communities of color. The event, to take place next March in Houston, Texas, will build on the successes of the Alliance’s groundbreaking BTC conferences in Los Angeles (2002), and Racine, Wisconsin (2003). BTC organizers anticipate an equally diverse group of community activists, drug treatment providers, family members of those incarcerated for drug offenses and others to gather in Texas.
NEW DATES: April 1-3, 2004 Houston, TX

Million Man Madness (How the Drug War is also a Race War)
Excerpt: Last week, Congressman Mark Souder of Indiana, who represents a district that is over 92% white, wrote of the drug war that "gross disparities in conviction rates (between blacks and whites) do not exist." Oh, but they do. Drug offenses are the largest single category of crimes for which Americans are serving time. And blacks comprise more than 55% of those convicted for those offenses, even while reliable studies show that rates of drug use among African Americans are proportionate to their numbers in society.

A report issued this week by the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives shows that by the year 2000, the number of African American adults behind bars will reach one million. At that time, roughly one in ten black men will be imprisoned. Not since the days of slavery have so many people of African decent lived in shackles. And no other nation on earth, as far as anyone can tell, is keeping so large a percentage of any ethnic or racial minority locked up in cages. Clearly, something is wrong.

Google: Mark Souder



Drug War Rant by Pete Guither

Saturday, August 2, 2003

Today in Marijuana History

August 2, 1937: The Marijuana Tax Act is passed, enacting federal marijuana prohibition for the first time. Harry Anslinger commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, tells Congress during a remarkably brief hearing, "Marihuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death." William Woodward, representative of the AMA testifies against the legislation, saying "The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that marihuana is a dangerous drug." On the floor of the house, the entire discussion was:

Member from upstate New York: "Mr. Speaker, what is this bill about?" Speaker Rayburn: "I don't know. It has something to do with a thing called marihuana. I think it's a narcotic of some kind." "Mr. Speaker, does the American Medical Association support this bill?" Member on the committee jumps up and says: "Their Doctor Wentworth came down here. They support this bill 100 percent."

Not true, but good enough to get Republican support and passage.

August 2, 1977: President Jimmy Carter tells Congress, "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself. Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana."

Human Rights & the WoD * November Coalition

(FAMM Foundation) * F.E.A.R. * M.A.M.A.

Cannabis News * MAP Inc.Org. * Drug Sense * N.O.R.M.L.

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