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NEW NATIONAL
NETWORK
OF REFORM ORGANIZATIONS
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While
at the DPF conference, a
group of thirty or more
representatives from various state
and local organizations attended a meeting called by Kevin Zeese, founder
of Common Sense for Drug Policy, to discuss the formation of a new national
network. There was unanimous agreement that such a network is needed, and
it was decided to move ahead with it. As envisioned, the organization will
facilitate different reform groups to work together on specific projects.
A consensus was reached on the following points.
1. Developing a movement organization
will be very useful in increasing |
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reform
organizations as it will serve to make statements on behalf of tens of
thousands, avoid duplication and enhance current programs.
2. The initial projects to be pursued
include:
• Creating a reform newspaper for
national distribution
• Developing an advertising
campaign
• Developing a media presence
• Developing a data base of the media
and key contacts for each organization.
3. The new organization will be called |
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A
formal announcement of this new entity will be made sometime in the fall.
4. It was emphasized that organizations,
such as DPFH, joining this coalition will not be giving up their independence
or identity. Each organization will continue to exist in its own right
and remain independent except for the work that we do under the coalition
banner. The idea is that the projects pursued by the coalition will lead
to the expansion of each member organization.
DPFH has agreed to join the Common
Sense for Drug Policy coalition. Stay tuned for future developments.
-Pau |
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particular
qualifying patient has registered with the department " So far so good,
as this is merely verification of whether a specific name is on the list,
not a release of all the names. The language continues, however,
"and may provide reasonable access to the registry information for official
law enforcement purposes." This latter part is awfully vague and it's unclear
whether this could give access to the feds as well as to local or state
authorities.
So where are we as of late May/early
June? After the Governor signs the bill, rule-making must be done
by the Department of Public Safety. This involves a sometimes lengthy process
in which the department promulgates and publishes draft rules (available
on the Lieutenant Governor's website), accepts public comments for 30 days,
then holds public hearings to receive more comments.
If a consensus seems close, than the
rules are finalized; if not, a second draft is put out and the process
repeats itself. In other words, folks, it's good news; bad news:
there is still opportunity for input into how the medical marijuana bill
will work, but, on the other hand, our work is not over and our oversight
cannot be relaxed. As Jefferson said, "Eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty." This is never more true than in attempts to reform our nation's
drug laws. -Pau |
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newsletter,
several members of
the DPFH board have made presentations
on drug policy issues at Rotary Clubs around the state. The response has
been very positive, and we feel that this is an excellent way of raising
the issues with people who hold key positions in business, government and
professional organizations.
The focus for these presentations
has been mainly on the costs of the war on drugs and the negative consequences
of it, e.g. overflowing prisons, erosion of civil rights, more and cheaper
drugs than ever before, and negative consequences on education and social
programs for which funding has been reduced.
We hope to expand this program to
other organizations, such as Kiwanis and Lions clubs in the coming months.
The members of our speakers bureau bring specific knowledge about various
aspects of the drug war and its consequences.
Again, we ask your help in directing
us to other organizations where we can get the message out to the public
- neighborhood boards, PTAs, churches,
to page
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community
organizations. We are ready and willing to go anywhere you can find an
audience, be it large or small. -Pau |
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Medical marijuana
bill info
Will be posted on website
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DPFH
has received numerous
telephone calls and letters inquir-
ing about the procedures for signing
up for authorization to use medical marijuana. Apparently many people think
that DPFH is the responsible and administrative agency.
As explained in Pam Lichty's article
in this issue, the bill does not become law until the Governor signs it
(or does not veto). Then there will be a period during which the rules
will be worked out by the Department of Public Safety. DPFH has offered
to work with the DPS on the most effective procedures.
After this information is available,
DPFH will post it on the DPFH website. Please refer any inquiries you may
get to: www.drugsense.org/dpfhi.
-Pau |
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