HOT OFF THE 'NET

REPORT TO THE UN FROM THE "BEYOND 2008" VANCOUVER NGO CONSULTATION

This consultation was held at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue,
Vancouver, British Columbia on February 4th & 5th, 2008.

http://www.vngoc.org/details.php?id_cat=8&id_cnt=50

The report from the consultation has now been prepared and it can be
downloaded here: http://carbc.ca/portals/0/resources/Beyond2008.pdf

MAINSTREAM MEDICINE HAS ENDORSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA

By Dr. Jocelyn Elders (Former Surgeon General)

An historic document from the 124,000-member American College of
Physicians certifies the medical value of marijuana.

Continues: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/80582/

SPITZER'S FALL SPARKS HOPE FOR OVERHAUL OF NEW YORK'S ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS

By John Tarleton

With a progressive new governor and state Republicans on the verge of
extinction, New York may soon be ready to "drop the Rock".

Continues: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/80574/

UPDATE ON COMMONWEALTH V. CUSICK AND STROUP

By Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Director

When the court clerk finally called our case, the judge almost
immediately called the attorneys to a bench conference, where he
quickly indicated he would not have the time to hold this evidentiary
hearing, but that he would refer the case to another judge in another
courtroom, and we would have our evidentiary hearing that very day.

Continues: http://drugsense.org/url/tdyNblGS

BARNEY FRANK AND NORML TEAM UP ON FEDERAL DECRIMINALIZATION LEGISLATION

Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) has announced that
he will shortly introduce legislation in Congress to strip the
federal government of its authority to arrest responsible cannabis
consumers. Representative Frank made the announcement Friday on the
nationally syndicated television show, "Real Time With Bill Maher."

Continues: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7561

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5okcvl7zE

CALLING B.S. ON THE IDEA OF 'MARIJUANA ADDICTION'

By Paul Armentano

It's laughable that the Feds are pushing the concept of pot addiction
when science shows that withdrawal symptoms from caffeine are far worse.

Continues: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/80408/

WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN - YEA OR NAY?

DrugSense FOCUS Alert #362 - Monday, 24 March 2008

Earlier this month, the voters of Michigan succeeded in qualifying an
initiative for the November election ballot. When passed by the
voters on November 4th Michigan law will allow patients to use,
possess, and grow their own marijuana for medical purposes with their
doctors' approval. This will likely make Michigan the first medical
marijuana state in the heartland, although there are bills pending in
some other midwest states. Michigan is home to more than 10 million
people. Of the states with current effective medical marijuana laws
only California has a larger population.

Continues: http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0362.html

STUDENTS GET A RAW DEAL

By Bill Piper

Remember the Aid Elimination Penalty of the Higher Education Act
we've been talking about? It's the federal law that denies student
loans and other education assistance to students convicted of a drug
law violation. Tens of thousands of students have been kicked out of
college because of it, mostly for simple possession of marijuana.
Momentum is building to repeal this unfair law this year, but we need
your help.

Continues: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/032508hea.cfm