DdC

Congress to end syringe exchange ban!;
Pelosi deems shift a top priority.

Have we got good news for you! The House and Senate joint 2010 appropriations bill released late last night completely removes the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange in the U.S.

The bill also nixes the 1,000-foot rule that would have banned syringe exchange programs within 1,000 feet of schools, recreational centers, daycares, playgrounds and video arcades.

“This is a wonderful and amazing victory,” said the AIDS Institute’s Carl Schmid. Two weeks ago, Schmid met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s staff, who said removing the “1,000 foot rule” was a top priority for the Speaker.

The appropriations bill still has to pass the full Congress, but Schmid said with all the earmarks that Congressmembers have in the bill “it’s very slim” that the bill won’t pass.

In the conference committee Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) tried to keep the ban completely in place, but that amendment was voted down 15-9 in a party line vote.



The other drug lobby celebrates
Funding for the White House “drug czar’s” ad budget has been slashed by more than a third of its size last year. Studies have repeatedly shown that these ads actually cause teens to use more — not fewer — drugs.

Prosecution: No More Crack Pipe Felonies for Houston

Deputy Drug Czar: “I hate this job” Dec 9 2009
DRCNet: The New York Times has a rather strange visit with Deputy Drug Czar Tom McClellan in which he says he only took the job because his son had recently died from a drug overdose and now admits that he hates working there…

California Tax and Regulate Cannabis Initiative Suspends Signature Gathering
Because They Have Enough Already!
The Tax and Regulate Cannabis 2010 initiative, sponsored by Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee, has laid off its paid signature gatherers, saying they already have sufficient signatures to qualify for the November 2010 ballot.

Congress allows DC to implement 1998 medical marijuana law

(US Senate) Removing Special Restrictions on the District of Columbia: Eliminates a prohibition on the use of local tax funds for abortion, thereby putting the District in the same position as the 50 states. Also allows the District to implement a referendum on use of marijuana for medical purposes as has been done in other states, allows use of Federal funds for needle exchange programs except in locations considered inappropriate by District authorities, and discontinues a ban on the use of funds in the bill for domestic partnership registration and benefits.

Washington DC already has a medical marijuana law in place from 1998. This allows it to be implemented.


Cheryl Miller - New Jersey woman who suffered from multiple sclerosis and became an activist for medical marijuana usage, who on several occasions took over offices of elected officials opposing the use of medical marijuana, including Georgia U.S. Bob Barr who was subsequently ousted from office, partly over the ongoing fight with Miller’s organization IMMLY, died June 7 of MS in Brick, NJ at age 57.

Thank You Cheryl…

Pot Users Invade Barr Office October 22, 1999

Three medical marijuana users and their supporters blocked the door to the Cobb County Republican’s Washington office Thursday to protest his attempts to block implementation of a referendum that would permit seriously ill people in the nation’s capital to use marijuana legally if their doctors recommend it.

Capitol police arrested Jim Miller of Silverton, N.J., after he lifted his wife, Cheryl Miller, from a wheelchair and placed her on a sleeping bag in the doorway to Barr’s office. He was charged with demonstrating within a Capitol building, a misdemeanor.

Two other admitted medical marijuana users, Jacki Rickert of Mondovi, Wis., and Gary Storck of Madison, Wis., joined Cheryl Miller on either side of the door.

Another half-dozen protesters entered Barr’s office and began chanting, “Stop arresting patients,” and “Bob Barr you’ve gone too far.”

Council Cautious on Legal Marijuana

DdC

Even Bob Barr has had a change of heart...
Come on Obama... Give Pot Peace a Chance...

kamikazi89

a decent public health move(imo)

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katie west is the best