California NORML Release - Dec 21, 2008 News: (1) California NORML agenda for 2009 targets changing federal law: http://www.canorml.org

California NORML Release - Dec 21, 2008 News: (1) California NORML agenda for 2009 targets changing federal law: http://www.canorml.org

California NORML Release - Dec 21, 2008

News:
(1) California NORML agenda for 2009 targets changing federal law:
http://www.canorml.org/news/2009agenda.html
(2) California Police Chiefs Association called on the DEA to raid
medical marijuana facilities and undermine state law, according to a
letter submitted to the House Juciciary Committee.
http://www.canorml.org/news/CPCAtoDEA.html
(3) Warning: Marinol patients being tested for marijuana!
Cal NORML has recently heard increasing reports that Marinol
patients are being drug tested and denied employment for use of
marijuana.  In particular, we have heard from legal Prop. 215
patients who were denied jobs despite presenting Marinol
prescriptions after being re-tested specifically for marijuana.
 Until recently, Marinol and marijuana were indistinguishable on
the standard drug tests, so that patients with a Marinol prescription
had a valid medical excuse under federal law for testing positive for
marijuana.   However,  special testing techniques have been developed
that make it possible to distinguish the two by testing for
non-standard cannabinoids that appear in marijuana but not Marinol.
Until recently, these tests were expensive and rarely used except in
high-profile criminal cases.   However, it appears that they are now
being routinely used by certain laboratories in cases where Marinol
use is claimed.   In particular, we have heard reports of such
testing being used to disqualify Marinol-using Prop 215 patients by
the transportation industry and by Walmart.
    Cal NORML has accordingly altered its drug testing advice to
warn against relying on Marinol RXs as a screen for marijuana use.
http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/testing.tips.html
    There is of course no valid scientific or health justification
for allowing patients to use Marinol but not marijuana.  The only
purpose is to enforce compliance with the law.  It is  a tribute to
the power and influence of the drug testing industry that they have
prevailed  in foisting the costs of this unnecessary and obnoxious
procedure on employers.

DRug WarRant

There's a war going on. It destroys lives and families, spawns violence, suspends civil liberties, tramples on the infirm, locks up millions of peaceful citizens, costs billions, and subjugates reason with fear. This network brings refomers together to find a peaceful solution.

www.drugwarrant.com

Community Partners and Ways to help...

1. 420 Community

Drug Policy Reform Links:

Alternet: Drug Reporter

ACLU Drug Policy

Americans for Safe Access

Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy

Cannabis Culture

Cannabis News

Cato Institute: Drug War

Change the Climate

Christians for Cannabis

Common Sense for Drug Policy (CSDP)

DanceSafe

Drug Action Network

Drug Policy Alliance

Drug Policy Forum of Illinois

DrugSense

A Drug War Carol

Drug War Facts

Educators for Sensible Drug Policy (EfSDP)

Daniel Forbes articles at MAP

Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR)

Fully Informed Jury Association

Harm Reduction Coalition

True High

IDEAL

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)

The Lindesmith Center

Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)

A Marijuana Smoker's Lounge

M.A.S.H. Action Group

Media Awareness Project (MAP)

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Narco News

NORML

The November Coalition

Orange County NORML

Religious Leaders for a More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy

Salon.com Drug War Archives

Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)

Unitarian Universalists for Drug Policy

U.S. Marijuana Party

Vaults of Erowid


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Drug War Cheerleaders:

DEA

ONDCP

Pushing Back - the Drug Czar's "blog"

SAMHSA

NIDA

Freevibe

DOJ

Media Campaign

Federal Prisons

CIA drugs

Miserable Failure at Drug Policy
2. Write a letter to the editor
The government is using your tax dollars to campaign for continuing the failed war on drugs. You can't afford to do the same advertising they can, but you can make a huge difference. A letter to the editor has the same impact as an expensive ad, but at no cost but your time and effort.

There's a fabulous resource called Media Awareness Project, which has just about every important article printed in a newspaper anywhere (usually within a day), along with contact information for writing a letter to the editor. There are even resources to help you write letters. Voluteer contributors got enough letters printed last year to be equivalent to almost $4 million worth of advertising.





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3. Contact your elected officials
When issues come up in Congress, I'll give you an alert on Drug WarRant. There are also some excellent places to find out about alerts, that will walk you through an easy web process to send an email or fax to your representatives. If you have time, write a regular letter, or call their office and talk to the staff. It has even more impact. Recently, I called the office of Senator Durbin to say how much I appreciated his efforts regarding the Tandy nomination, and the staff was so happy to hear a positive word. It can really make a difference.

Go to the NORML Action site











Or visit the ACLU Drug Policy Action Site.





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4. Sign up for informative newsletters
StopTheDrugWar.org has an excellent weekly newsletter with a review of what's going on in the drug war called "The Drug War Chronicle". Click on the link and sign up for the free email newsletter.






Another site with a newsletter is the Drug Policy Alliance:





Drug Sense has a weekly newsletter:





Check the list of Drug Reform Organizations on the Drug WarRant front page for more places to visit.


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5. Know your rights
Go to Flex your Rights and order a copy of the DVD: "Busted"





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6. Know how to talk to young people
Go to Safety First - a reality based approach to teens, drugs, and drug education, with some outstanding wiritng by Marsha Rosenbaum.






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7. If you live somewhere on this planet...
Sign the international appeal for an Anti-prohibitionist Reform of Drug Laws.