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Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:14
[Fwd: [asa] Medical Marijuana in the News - Week of 4/8]
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Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:14
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:14
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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------070108080804030906030402 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit IN THE NEWS: WEEK OF 4/8 ASA's Summary of Medical Marijuana Articles >RESEARCH: Cannabis may help the heart >NATIONAL: The Wait for Supreme Court Ruling >OPINION: Montel Williams Speaks Out >ALABAMA: New State Bill Draws Attention >MINNESOTA: Representative Introduces Bill >RHODE ISLAND: Strong Support for State Measure >TEXAS: Political Process for State Bill Begins >CALIFORNIA: Mendocino, Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario >OREGON: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana ______________________________________________ RESEARCH: Cannabis may help the heart The research on the medical possibilities of cannabis and its constituents has exploded in the last decade, as researchers realize that the plant's chemicals interact with natural body systems to protect against and treat an even wider variety of diseases and injuries than previously thought. Marijuana ingredient slows heart disease progression in mice <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1957> by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science Writer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution <http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/0405/06potheart.html> Low doses of the main active ingredient in marijuana slowed the progression of hardening of the arteries in mice, suggesting a hint for developing a new therapy in people. ______________________________________________ NATIONAL: The Wait for the Supreme court Ruling All eyes remain on the Supreme Court, awaiting its ruling on what by all accounts is the most significant case before it this term. The Raich case has achieved a level of visibility no marijuana-related case has ever had, bringing attention to the women who've brought the suit and providing pundits with material to ponder. High court to rule on medical pot <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1964> by Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune <http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2639167> Oakland's Angel Raich moved through the crowd like a rock star. With a U.S. Supreme Court ruling imminent in her medical-marijuana case, she was a head-turning honored guest at the annual conference of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws this weekend at the Cathedral Hill Hotel. Column: Supreme Court could alter drug cases <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1968> by Michael Krawitz, Collegiate Times <http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?ID=5631> As I write this column the United States Supreme Court is deliberating on the fate of over 32 individuals directly and many millions more by extension. I will dedicate my next column to my opinion of the legal aspects of the case and it's meaning within the overall debate on the use of marijuana as a medicine but for now I want to just introduce a few more facts. ______________________________________________ OPINION: Montel Williams Speaks Out Award-winning television personality Montel Williams has been speaking out about the relief he gets from the suffering of multiple sclerosis. This opinion piece ran in papers around the country last week. Don't treat patients using marijuana as criminals <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1966> by Montel Williams (OpEd), Modesto Bee <http://www.modbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/2294471p-10491131c.html> You may know me as a television talk-show host, but here in 40 states, I am also a criminal. My crime? Using the medicine that has allowed me to lead a normal life, despite having multiple sclerosis: medical marijuana. ______________________________________________ ALABAMA: New State Bill Draws Attention Alabama may be the first southern state to pass legislation protecting patients. While the south is still known for draconian laws punishing simple possession, the public is firmly in support of legal access for patients. Medicinal marijuana proposed in Alabama <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1969> by Cara Parell, The Auburn Plainsman <http://www.theplainsman.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/07/42545c2da1b7a> Alabama's Legislature is considering a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The bill would allow the use of marijuana with a doctor's prescription for certain conditions like AIDS, anorexia and chronic pain. Bill would allow medical marijuana in Alabama <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1963> by Sarah Kate Sullivan, The Crimson White (Univ. of Alabama) <http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/08/42562bfc61bbb> Laura Campbell hardly fits the bill of a grown-up hippie. To the mother of three, smoking the drug is not part of any recreational lifestyle. Instead, using marijuana is a necessity. She smokes it to make her chronic pain more bearable so she can be a better mother, she told The Huntsville Times last week. ______________________________________________ MINNESOTA: State Bill Crosses Another Hurdle State legislation cleared a senate panel in Minnesota this week. Long known for progressive, independent political thinking, it could set the stage for other Midwestern states to move forward with medical marijuana bills. Cancer patients swing Senate panel vote on medical marijuana <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1971> by Associated Press, KAAL_TV <http://www.kaaltv.com/article/view/86689/> A Minnesota Senate committee has voted to allow medical use of marijuana. DFL Senator Steve Kelley of Hopkins is the bill's sponsor. It also would prevent arrests of people who use marijuana to treat debilitating condition. Senate panel OKs medical pot bill <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1954> by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger , Pioneer Press <http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/politics/11320514.htm> A state Senate panel passed a bill to sanction marijuana's use for those with debilitating illnesses -- the first committee vote on the measure in Minnesota after years of debate. Minnesota Medical Marijuana Bill Advances <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1972> by Conrad deFiebre, Star Tribune <http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5333588.html> The push to add Minnesota to the list of 10 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use has passed a milestone with approval by a state Senate committee, but it isn't expected to go much farther this year. Minnesota medical marijuana bill advances <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1970> BigNews Network <http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=6a93dbd428014952> A bill that would make Minnesota the 10th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for medical purposes has advanced for the first time. ______________________________________________ RHODE ISLAND: Strong Support for State Measure Nearby Vermont passed its legislation last year, and support in Rhode Island has coalesced around the medical marijuana act currently before the state house. There is opposition, but it's not the state's doctors, nurses, the political leadership or the people. Senate Judiciary Committee hears medical marijuana testimony <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1952> by Mary-Catherine Lader, Brown Daily Herald <http://www.browndailyherald.com/news/2005/04/06/Metro/Senate.Judiciary.Committee.Hears.Medical.Marijuana.Testimony-914287.shtml> Chronically ill Rhode Islanders, medical experts and advocates testified in favor of the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon at the State House. Although State Sen. Leo Blais, R, expressed animated opposition to the bill early into the proceedings, there were no witnesses testifying against the measure. Lawmakers rally behind legalizing medical marijuana <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1951> by Liz Anderson, Providence Journal <http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050406_pot6.24f98ca.html> Support is building in both the House and the Senate for passage of a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Rhode Island, an idea endorsed by leaders of the General Assembly, the Rhode Island Medical Society and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association. ______________________________________________ TEXAS: Political Process for State Bill Begins When George W. Bush was governor of Texas he said he thought it should be up to the states whether they allow the use of medical marijuana or not. Most Texans support legal access, despite the belief among politicians that the subject is "taboo". Medical Marijuana Bill In Texas Legislature <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1955> KXAN - TV36 (Austin) <http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3172077&nav=0s3dYKKH> It's a subject that can be a political taboo. Using medical reasons as a legal defense for having marijuana got its first hearing in the Texas Legislative session. ______________________________________________ CALIFORNIA: Mendocino, Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario The story in California continues to be the wrestling of local governments with their responsibility to safeguard patients. The lack of any regulations or attempts to implement the state law have not served patients or their communities. Neither do bans and moratoriums, as they just bolster the black market or impose undue burden on the sick and suffering. Mendocino supervisors drop pot tax plan <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1959> by Glenda Anderson, Press-Democrat <http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS/504060329> Mendocino County supervisors on Tuesday shunned a proposal to study regulating and taxing medical pot, at least for now. Mendo supes say no thanks' to marijuana regulation <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1958> by K.C. Meadows, Ukiah Daily Journal <http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91%7E3089%7E2801645,00.html> In a rambling and inconclusive discussion, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday not to do anything about regulating or trying to make money off medical marijuana. Supes keep medicinal pot ordinance as is <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1965> by Stan Oklobdzija, Amador Ledger Dispatch <http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=153192> The board of supervisors voted Tuesday to unanimously continue with the county's medical marijuana ordinance which, amongst other things, prohibits the sale or distribution of medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of any residence, at their meeting on Tuesday. Modesto Council: No new stores for pot <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1961> by Todd Milbourn , Modesto Bee <http://www.modbee.com/local/story/10259825p-11070531c.html> No new medical marijuana dispensary may open in Modesto through at least February, under a measure passed Tuesday night by the City Council. Santa Rosa cracks down on pot clubs <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1960> by Paul Payne, Press-Democrat <http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS/504060328/1033/NEWS01> Fearing that Santa Rosa could become the pot distribution center for all of Sonoma County, the City Council on Tuesday halted the opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries and said it would adopt a law to strictly limit the three existing clubs. Medical marijuana policy under fire <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1953> by Naomi Kresge, Ontario Daily Bulletin <http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%7E21481%7E2800661,00.html> Supporters of medical marijuana asked the city Tuesday night to reconsider the temporary ban it placed recently on cannabis clubs, co-ops and dispensaries. ______________________________________________ OREGON: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana The responsibility of law enforcement to enforce state protections for patients is too often overlooked, and patients are looking to the intervention of courts. A star athlete has filed against police in Oregon in a case similar to those that triggered the lawsuit ASA has filed in California on behalf of patients. Police sued, accused of using too much force <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1967> by Ashbel Green, The Oregonian <http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/111295446068540.xml> A former all-state baseball pitcher with an injured throwing arm has filed a federal civil rights suit against Lake Oswego police, accusing them of using excessive force in handcuffing him and refusing to return his medical marijuana. ___________________________________________________________ FOR MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS Previous News Summaries from Americans for Safe Access are archived. The complete text of all these articles and more is available by clicking the links on the article name or the news source, as well as at the ASA website, safeacccessnow.org. You can also see the latest news for the week by selecting "News Articles" under the Press Room menu. To unsubscribe from this list, just reply with the subject line "remove". --------------070108080804030906030402 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title></title> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> <br> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name="GENERATOR"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">IN THE NEWS: WEEK OF 4/<span class="892265505-11032005">8</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">ASA's Summary of Medical Marijuana Articles </span></b></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>RESEARCH</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Cannabis may help the heart</span></span></span></span></p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>NATIONAL</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">The Wait for </span><span class="892265505-11032005">Supreme Court Ruling</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>OPINION</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Montel Williams Speaks Out</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span>><b>ALABAMA</b>: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">New State Bill Draws Attention</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> </span> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">><b>MINNESOTA</b>: Representative Introduces Bill</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span class="892265505-11032005">><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>RHODE ISLAND</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Strong Support for State Measure</span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span class="892265505-11032005"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>TEXAS</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Political Process for State Bill Begins</span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><strong>CALIFORNIA</strong></span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Mendocino, </span><span class="892265505-11032005">Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">><strong>OREGON</strong>: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span> </p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">RESEARCH</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Cannabis may help the heart</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><em><span class="892265505-11032005">The research on the medical possibilities of cannabis</span> <span class="892265505-11032005">and its constituents has exploded in the last decade, as researchers realize that the plant's chemicals interact with natural body systems to protect against and treat an even wider variety of diseases and injuries than previously thought.</span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1957"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Marijuana ingredient slows heart disease progression in mice </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science Writer</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/0405/06potheart.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Atlanta Journal-Constitution</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Low doses of the main active ingredient in marijuana slowed the progression of hardening of the arteries in mice, suggesting a hint for developing a new therapy in people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">NATIONAL</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">The Wait for the Supreme court Ruling</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"><em>All eyes remain on the Supreme Court, awaiting its ruling on what by all accounts is the most significant case before it this term. The Raich case has achieved a level of visibility no marijuana-related case has ever had, bringing attention to the women who've brought the suit and providing pundits with material to ponder.</em> </span></font></p> <font face="Verdana" size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1964"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">High court to rule on medical pot </font></span></b></a><br> </span><span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Josh Richman</font></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">, </span><span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2639167"><strong><font color="#008800">Oakland Tribune</font></strong></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style=""> </span><br> </span><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Oakland's Angel Raich moved through the crowd like a rock star. With a U.S. Supreme Court ruling imminent in her medical-marijuana case, she was a head-turning honored guest at the annual conference of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws this weekend at the Cathedral Hill Hotel.</span></span> </p> </span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1968"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Column: Supreme Court could alter drug cases </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Michael Krawitz</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?ID=5631"><strong><font color="#008800">Collegiate Times</font></strong></a></span></span> <br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">As I write this column the United States Supreme Court is deliberating on the fate of over 32 individuals directly and many millions more by extension. I will dedicate my next column to my opinion of the legal aspects of the case and it's meaning within the overall debate on the use of marijuana as a medicine but for now I want to just introduce a few more facts.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></p> <font face="Verdana" size="2"></font> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">OPINION</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Montel Williams Speaks Out</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"><em>Award-winning television personality Montel Williams has been speaking out about the relief he gets from the suffering of multiple sclerosis. This opinion piece ran in papers around the country last week.</em> </span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1966"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Don't treat patients using marijuana as criminals </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Montel Williams (OpEd)</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.modbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/2294471p-10491131c.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Modesto Bee</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">You may know me as a television talk-show host, but here in 40 states, I am also a criminal. My crime? Using the medicine that has allowed me to lead a normal life, despite having multiple sclerosis: medical marijuana.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">ALABAMA: <span class="892265505-11032005">New State Bill Draws Attention</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"><em>Alabama may be the first southern state to pass legislation protecting patients. While the south is still known for draconian laws punishing simple possession, the public is firmly in support of legal access for patients.</em></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1969"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Medicinal marijuana proposed in Alabama </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Cara Parell</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.theplainsman.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/07/42545c2da1b7a"><strong><font color="#008800">The Auburn Plainsman</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Alabama’s Legislature is considering a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The bill would allow the use of marijuana with a doctor’s prescription for certain conditions like AIDS, anorexia and chronic pain.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1963"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Bill would allow medical marijuana in Alabama </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Sarah Kate Sullivan</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/08/42562bfc61bbb"><strong><font color="#008800">The Crimson White (Univ. of Alabama)</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Laura Campbell hardly fits the bill of a grown-up hippie. To the mother of three, smoking the drug is not part of any recreational lifestyle. Instead, using marijuana is a necessity. She smokes it to make her chronic pain more bearable so she can be a better mother, she told The Huntsville Times last week.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">MINNESOTA</span>: State Bill<span class="892265505-11032005"> Crosses Another Hurdle</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005">State legislation cleared a senate panel in Minnesota this week</span>.<span class="892265505-11032005"> Long known for progressive, independent political thinking, it could set the stage for other Midwestern states to move forward with medical marijuana bills.</span></font></font></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="2"></font> <o:p></o:p></span></span> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1971"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Cancer patients swing Senate panel vote on medical marijuana </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Associated Press</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.kaaltv.com/article/view/86689/"><strong><font color="#008800">KAAL_TV</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">A Minnesota Senate committee has voted to allow medical use of marijuana. DFL Senator Steve Kelley of Hopkins is the bill's sponsor. It also would prevent arrests of people who use marijuana to treat debilitating condition.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1954"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Senate panel OKs medical pot bill </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger </font></strong></span></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, </font><span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/politics/11320514.htm"><strong><font color="#008800">Pioneer Press</font></strong></a></span></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> <br> </font><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">A state Senate panel passed a bill to sanction marijuana's use for those with debilitating illnesses — the first committee vote on the measure in Minnesota after years of debate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1972"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Minnesota Medical Marijuana Bill Advances </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Conrad deFiebre</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5333588.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Star Tribune</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">The push to add Minnesota to the list of 10 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use has passed a milestone with approval by a state Senate committee, but it isn't expected to go much farther this year.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </p> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1970"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Minnesota medical marijuana bill advances </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=6a93dbd428014952"><strong><font color="#008800">BigNews Network</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">A bill that would make Minnesota the 10th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for medical purposes has advanced for the first time.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="2"></font> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">RHODE ISLAND</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Strong Support for State Measure</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><em><font size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005">Nearby Vermont passed its legislation last year, and support in Rhode Island has coalesced around the medical marijuana act currently before the state house. There is opposition, but it's not the state's </span></font></em><em><font size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005">doctors, nurses, the political leadership or the people.</span></font></em></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><font size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></font></em> </p> <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1952"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Senate Judiciary Committee hears medical marijuana testimony </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Mary-Catherine Lader</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.browndailyherald.com/news/2005/04/06/Metro/Senate.Judiciary.Committee.Hears.Medical.Marijuana.Testimony-914287.shtml"><strong><font color="#008800">Brown Daily Herald</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Chronically ill Rhode Islanders, medical experts and advocates testified in favor of the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon at the State House. Although State Sen. Leo Blais, R, expressed animated opposition to the bill early into the proceedings, there were no witnesses testifying against the measure.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1951"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Lawmakers rally behind legalizing medical marijuana </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Liz Anderson</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050406_pot6.24f98ca.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Providence Journal</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Support is building in both the House and the Senate for passage of a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Rhode Island, an idea endorsed by leaders of the General Assembly, the Rhode Island Medical Society and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="2"></font></span></span> </p> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">TEXAS</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Political Process for State Bill Begins</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><em><font size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005">When George W. Bush was governor of Texas he said he thought it should be up to the states whether they allow the use of medical marijuana or not. Most Texans support legal access, despite the belief among politicians that the subject is "taboo".</span></font></em></p> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1955"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Medical Marijuana Bill In Texas Legislature </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3172077&nav=0s3dYKKH"><strong><font color="#008800">KXAN - TV36 (Austin)</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">It's a subject that can be a political taboo. Using medical reasons as a legal defense for having marijuana got its first hearing in the Texas Legislative session.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005">CALIFORNIA</span>: <span class="892265505-11032005">Mendocino, </span><span class="892265505-11032005">Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"></span></span></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span class="892265505-11032005"><em>The story in California continues to be the wrestling of local governments with their responsibility to safeguard patients. The lack of any regulations or attempts to implement the state law have not served patients or their communities. Neither do bans and moratoriums, as they just bolster the black market or impose undue burden on the sick and suffering.</em></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1959"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Mendocino supervisors drop pot tax plan </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Glenda Anderson</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS/504060329"><strong><font color="#008800">Press-Democrat</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Mendocino County supervisors on Tuesday shunned a proposal to study regulating and taxing medical pot, at least for now.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1958"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Mendo supes say no thanks' to marijuana regulation </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by K.C. Meadows</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91%7E3089%7E2801645,00.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Ukiah Daily Journal</font></strong></a></span></span> <strong><font color="#333333"><br> </font></strong><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">In a rambling and inconclusive discussion, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday not to do anything about regulating or trying to make money off medical marijuana.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1965"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Supes keep medicinal pot ordinance as is </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Stan Oklobdzija</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=153192"><strong><font color="#008800">Amador Ledger Dispatch</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">The board of supervisors voted Tuesday to unanimously continue with the county’s medical marijuana ordinance which, amongst other things, prohibits the sale or distribution of medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of any residence, at their meeting on Tuesday.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1961"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Modesto Council: No new stores for pot </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Todd Milbourn </font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.modbee.com/local/story/10259825p-11070531c.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Modesto Bee</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">No new medical marijuana dispensary may open in Modesto through at least February, under a measure passed Tuesday night by the City Council.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1960"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Santa Rosa cracks down on pot clubs </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Paul Payne</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS/504060328/1033/NEWS01"><strong><font color="#008800">Press-Democrat</font></strong></a></span></span><span style=""> </span><br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Fearing that Santa Rosa could become the pot distribution center for all of Sonoma County, the City Council on Tuesday halted the opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries and said it would adopt a law to strictly limit the three existing clubs.</span></span></p> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1953"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Medical marijuana policy under fire </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Naomi Kresge</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%7E21481%7E2800661,00.html"><strong><font color="#008800">Ontario Daily Bulletin</font></strong></a></span></span> <br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">Supporters of medical marijuana asked the city Tuesday night to reconsider the temporary ban it placed recently on cannabis clubs, co-ops and dispensaries.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </p> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="2"><strong>OREGON: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana</strong></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="892265505-11032005"><font size="2"><em>The responsibility of law enforcement to enforce state protections for patients is too often overlooked, and patients are looking to the intervention of courts. A star athlete has filed against police in Oregon in a case similar to those that triggered the lawsuit ASA has filed in California on behalf of patients.</em></font></span></span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><font size="2"></font> <o:p></o:p></o:p> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1967"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><font color="#008800">Police sued, accused of using too much force </font></span></b></a><br> <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><font color="#333333">by Ashbel Green</font></strong></span></span>, <span class="bodygreystrong1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/111295446068540.xml"><strong><font color="#008800">The Oregonian</font></strong></a></span></span> <br> <span class="text1"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Verdana;">A former all-state baseball pitcher with an injured throwing arm has filed a federal civil rights suit against Lake Oswego police, accusing them of using excessive force in handcuffing him and refusing to return his medical marijuana.</span></span></p> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p></o:p> </p> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">___________________________________________________________<br> <b>FOR MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS</b></span><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;"><br> <span style=""> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">Previous News Summaries from Americans for Safe Access are archived. </span><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;">The complete text of all these articles and more is available by clicking the links on the article name or the news source, as well as at the ASA website, safeacccessnow.org. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">You can also see the latest news for the week by selecting "News Articles" under the Press Room menu.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">To unsubscribe from this list, just reply with the subject line "remove".</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </body> </html> --------------070108080804030906030402--
Re: [asa] Medical Marijuana in the News - Week of 4/8]
Author: VOR
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 21:28
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 21:28
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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01C5436A.7E3034D0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Let's get this thing passed in Minnesota! "Anonymous" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message = news:425a783a$1_1@news.utk.edu... IN THE NEWS: WEEK OF 4/8 ASA's Summary of Medical Marijuana Articles=20 >RESEARCH: Cannabis may help the heart >NATIONAL: The Wait for Supreme Court Ruling >OPINION: Montel Williams Speaks Out >ALABAMA: New State Bill Draws Attention >MINNESOTA: Representative Introduces Bill >RHODE ISLAND: Strong Support for State Measure >TEXAS: Political Process for State Bill Begins >CALIFORNIA: Mendocino, Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario >OREGON: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana ______________________________________________ RESEARCH: Cannabis may help the heart The research on the medical possibilities of cannabis and its = constituents has exploded in the last decade, as researchers realize = that the plant's chemicals interact with natural body systems to protect = against and treat an even wider variety of diseases and injuries than = previously thought. Marijuana ingredient slows heart disease progression in mice=20 by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science Writer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution =20 Low doses of the main active ingredient in marijuana slowed the = progression of hardening of the arteries in mice, suggesting a hint for = developing a new therapy in people. ______________________________________________ NATIONAL: The Wait for the Supreme court Ruling All eyes remain on the Supreme Court, awaiting its ruling on what by = all accounts is the most significant case before it this term. The Raich = case has achieved a level of visibility no marijuana-related case has = ever had, bringing attention to the women who've brought the suit and = providing pundits with material to ponder.=20 High court to rule on medical pot=20 by Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune =20 Oakland's Angel Raich moved through the crowd like a rock star. With a = U.S. Supreme Court ruling imminent in her medical-marijuana case, she = was a head-turning honored guest at the annual conference of the = National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws this weekend at = the Cathedral Hill Hotel.=20 Column: Supreme Court could alter drug cases=20 by Michael Krawitz, Collegiate Times=20 As I write this column the United States Supreme Court is deliberating = on the fate of over 32 individuals directly and many millions more by = extension. I will dedicate my next column to my opinion of the legal = aspects of the case and it's meaning within the overall debate on the = use of marijuana as a medicine but for now I want to just introduce a = few more facts. =20 ______________________________________________ OPINION: Montel Williams Speaks Out Award-winning television personality Montel Williams has been speaking = out about the relief he gets from the suffering of multiple sclerosis. = This opinion piece ran in papers around the country last week.=20 Don't treat patients using marijuana as criminals=20 by Montel Williams (OpEd), Modesto Bee =20 You may know me as a television talk-show host, but here in 40 states, = I am also a criminal. My crime? Using the medicine that has allowed me = to lead a normal life, despite having multiple sclerosis: medical = marijuana. ______________________________________________ ALABAMA: New State Bill Draws Attention Alabama may be the first southern state to pass legislation protecting = patients. While the south is still known for draconian laws punishing = simple possession, the public is firmly in support of legal access for = patients. =20 Medicinal marijuana proposed in Alabama=20 by Cara Parell, The Auburn Plainsman =20 Alabama's Legislature is considering a bill to legalize the use of = marijuana for medical purposes. The bill would allow the use of = marijuana with a doctor's prescription for certain conditions like AIDS, = anorexia and chronic pain. Bill would allow medical marijuana in Alabama=20 by Sarah Kate Sullivan, The Crimson White (Univ. of Alabama) =20 Laura Campbell hardly fits the bill of a grown-up hippie. To the = mother of three, smoking the drug is not part of any recreational = lifestyle. Instead, using marijuana is a necessity. She smokes it to = make her chronic pain more bearable so she can be a better mother, she = told The Huntsville Times last week. ______________________________________________ MINNESOTA: State Bill Crosses Another Hurdle State legislation cleared a senate panel in Minnesota this week. Long = known for progressive, independent political thinking, it could set the = stage for other Midwestern states to move forward with medical marijuana = bills. =20 Cancer patients swing Senate panel vote on medical marijuana=20 by Associated Press, KAAL_TV =20 A Minnesota Senate committee has voted to allow medical use of = marijuana. DFL Senator Steve Kelley of Hopkins is the bill's sponsor. It = also would prevent arrests of people who use marijuana to treat = debilitating condition. Senate panel OKs medical pot bill=20 by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger , Pioneer Press=20 A state Senate panel passed a bill to sanction marijuana's use for = those with debilitating illnesses - the first committee vote on the = measure in Minnesota after years of debate. Minnesota Medical Marijuana Bill Advances=20 by Conrad deFiebre, Star Tribune =20 The push to add Minnesota to the list of 10 states that have legalized = marijuana for medical use has passed a milestone with approval by a = state Senate committee, but it isn't expected to go much farther this = year. Minnesota medical marijuana bill advances=20 BigNews Network =20 A bill that would make Minnesota the 10th state in the nation to = legalize marijuana for medical purposes has advanced for the first time. ______________________________________________ RHODE ISLAND: Strong Support for State Measure Nearby Vermont passed its legislation last year, and support in Rhode = Island has coalesced around the medical marijuana act currently before = the state house. There is opposition, but it's not the state's doctors, = nurses, the political leadership or the people. Senate Judiciary Committee hears medical marijuana testimony=20 by Mary-Catherine Lader, Brown Daily Herald =20 Chronically ill Rhode Islanders, medical experts and advocates = testified in favor of the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act before the = Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon at the State House. = Although State Sen. Leo Blais, R, expressed animated opposition to the = bill early into the proceedings, there were no witnesses testifying = against the measure. Lawmakers rally behind legalizing medical marijuana=20 by Liz Anderson, Providence Journal =20 Support is building in both the House and the Senate for passage of a = bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Rhode Island, an idea = endorsed by leaders of the General Assembly, the Rhode Island Medical = Society and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association. ______________________________________________ TEXAS: Political Process for State Bill Begins When George W. Bush was governor of Texas he said he thought it should = be up to the states whether they allow the use of medical marijuana or = not. Most Texans support legal access, despite the belief among = politicians that the subject is "taboo". Medical Marijuana Bill In Texas Legislature=20 KXAN - TV36 (Austin) =20 It's a subject that can be a political taboo. Using medical reasons as = a legal defense for having marijuana got its first hearing in the Texas = Legislative session. ______________________________________________ CALIFORNIA: Mendocino, Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa, Ontario The story in California continues to be the wrestling of local = governments with their responsibility to safeguard patients. The lack of = any regulations or attempts to implement the state law have not served = patients or their communities. Neither do bans and moratoriums, as they = just bolster the black market or impose undue burden on the sick and = suffering. Mendocino supervisors drop pot tax plan=20 by Glenda Anderson, Press-Democrat =20 Mendocino County supervisors on Tuesday shunned a proposal to study = regulating and taxing medical pot, at least for now. Mendo supes say no thanks' to marijuana regulation=20 by K.C. Meadows, Ukiah Daily Journal=20 In a rambling and inconclusive discussion, the Mendocino County Board = of Supervisors decided Tuesday not to do anything about regulating or = trying to make money off medical marijuana. Supes keep medicinal pot ordinance as is=20 by Stan Oklobdzija, Amador Ledger Dispatch =20 The board of supervisors voted Tuesday to unanimously continue with = the county's medical marijuana ordinance which, amongst other things, = prohibits the sale or distribution of medical marijuana within 1,000 = feet of any residence, at their meeting on Tuesday. Modesto Council: No new stores for pot=20 by Todd Milbourn , Modesto Bee =20 No new medical marijuana dispensary may open in Modesto through at = least February, under a measure passed Tuesday night by the City = Council. Santa Rosa cracks down on pot clubs=20 by Paul Payne, Press-Democrat =20 Fearing that Santa Rosa could become the pot distribution center for = all of Sonoma County, the City Council on Tuesday halted the opening of = new medical marijuana dispensaries and said it would adopt a law to = strictly limit the three existing clubs. Medical marijuana policy under fire=20 by Naomi Kresge, Ontario Daily Bulletin=20 Supporters of medical marijuana asked the city Tuesday night to = reconsider the temporary ban it placed recently on cannabis clubs, = co-ops and dispensaries. ______________________________________________ OREGON: Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana The responsibility of law enforcement to enforce state protections for = patients is too often overlooked, and patients are looking to the = intervention of courts. A star athlete has filed against police in = Oregon in a case similar to those that triggered the lawsuit ASA has = filed in California on behalf of patients.=20 =20 Police sued, accused of using too much force=20 by Ashbel Green, The Oregonian=20 A former all-state baseball pitcher with an injured throwing arm has = filed a federal civil rights suit against Lake Oswego police, accusing = them of using excessive force in handcuffing him and refusing to return = his medical marijuana. ___________________________________________________________ FOR MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS Previous News Summaries from Americans for Safe Access are archived. = The complete text of all these articles and more is available by = clicking the links on the article name or the news source, as well as at = the ASA website, safeacccessnow.org. You can also see the latest news = for the week by selecting "News Articles" under the Press Room menu. To unsubscribe from this list, just reply with the subject line = "remove". ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01C5436A.7E3034D0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD><TITLE></TITLE> <META http-equiv=3DContent-Type = content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1> <META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2800.1479" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY text=3D#000000 bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Let's get this thing passed in=20 Minnesota!</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20 style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV>"Anonymous" <<A=20 href=3D"mailto:nobody@nowhere.com">nobody@nowhere.com</A>> wrote in = message=20 <A=20 = href=3D"news:425a783a$1_1@news.utk.edu">news:425a783a$1_1@news.utk.edu</A= >...</DIV><BR> <META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=3DGENERATOR> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">IN THE NEWS: WEEK OF = 4/<SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>8</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">ASA's Summary of = Medical=20 Marijuana Articles </SPAN></B></EM></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 = class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>RESEARCH</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Cannabis may help the=20 heart</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">><SPAN=20 = class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>NATIONAL</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>The Wait for </SPAN><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Supreme Court Ruling</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>OPINION</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN = class=3D892265505-11032005>Montel Williams Speaks = Out</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 = class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN>><B>ALABAMA</B>: <SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>New State Bill Draws=20 Attention</SPAN></SPAN><O:P></O:P></P></SPAN> <P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">><B>MINNESOTA</B>:=20 Representative Introduces Bill</SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><O:P><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>RHODE = ISLAND</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Strong Support for State=20 Measure</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></O:P></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><O:P><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>></STRONG><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>TEXAS</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Political Process for State Bill=20 Begins</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></O:P></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 = class=3D892265505-11032005><STRONG>CALIFORNIA</STRONG></SPAN>: <SPAN= =20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Mendocino, </SPAN><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa,=20 Ontario</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>><STRONG>OREGON</STRONG>: Lawsuit Over = Return of=20 Marijuana</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN> </P><SPAN = style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>RESEARCH</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Cannabis may help the = heart</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><EM><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>The research on the medical = possibilities of=20 cannabis</SPAN> <SPAN class=3D892265505-11032005>and its = constituents has=20 exploded in the last decade, as researchers realize that the plant's = chemicals=20 interact with natural body systems to protect against and treat = an=20 even wider variety of diseases and injuries than previously=20 thought.</SPAN></EM></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1957"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Marijuana=20 ingredient slows heart disease progression in mice=20 </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science=20 Writer</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/0405/06potheart.html"><STR= ONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Atlanta=20 Journal-Constitution</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Low doses of the = main active=20 ingredient in marijuana slowed the progression of hardening of the = arteries in=20 mice, suggesting a hint for developing a new therapy in=20 people.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P><O:P></O:P></SPAN> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>NATIONAL</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>The Wait for the Supreme court=20 Ruling</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><FONT face=3DVerdana = size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><EM>All eyes remain on the Supreme Court, = awaiting=20 its ruling on what by all accounts is the most significant case before = it this=20 term. The Raich case has achieved a level of visibility no = marijuana-related=20 case has ever had, bringing attention to the women who've brought the = suit and=20 providing pundits with material to ponder.</EM> = </SPAN></FONT></P><FONT=20 face=3DVerdana size=3D2><SPAN class=3D892265505-11032005> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1964"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>High court=20 to rule on medical pot </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR></SPAN><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Josh = Richman</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New = Roman'">, </SPAN><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2639167"= ><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Oakland Tribune</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN = style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN> = </SPAN><BR></SPAN><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Oakland's Angel = Raich moved=20 through the crowd like a rock star. With a U.S. Supreme Court ruling = imminent=20 in her medical-marijuana case, she was a head-turning honored guest at = the=20 annual conference of the National Organization for the Reform of = Marijuana=20 Laws this weekend at the Cathedral Hill=20 Hotel.</SPAN></SPAN> </P></SPAN></FONT> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1968"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Column:=20 Supreme Court could alter drug cases </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Michael=20 Krawitz</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?ID=3D5631"><STRONG><FONT= =20 color=3D#008800>Collegiate Times</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN> = <BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">As I write=20 this column the United States Supreme Court is deliberating on the = fate of=20 over 32 individuals directly and many millions more by extension. I = will=20 dedicate my next column to my opinion of the legal aspects of the case = and=20 it's meaning within the overall debate on the use of marijuana as a = medicine=20 but for now I want to just introduce a few more = facts.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN></P><FONT=20 face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> =20 <P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>OPINION</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Montel Williams Speaks = Out</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><FONT face=3DVerdana = size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><EM>Award-winning television personality = Montel=20 Williams has been speaking out about the relief he gets from the = suffering of=20 multiple sclerosis. This opinion piece ran in papers around the = country last=20 week.</EM> </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P><O:P></O:P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1966"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Don't treat=20 patients using marijuana as criminals </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Montel Williams=20 (OpEd)</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.modbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/2294471p-10491131c.ht= ml"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Modesto = Bee</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">You may know me as a = television talk-show host, but here in 40 states, I am also a = criminal. My=20 crime? Using the medicine that has allowed me to lead a normal life, = despite=20 having multiple sclerosis: medical marijuana.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">ALABAMA: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>New State Bill Draws = Attention</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT = face=3DVerdana=20 size=3D2><SPAN class=3D892265505-11032005><EM>Alabama may be the first = southern=20 state to pass legislation protecting patients. While the south is = still known=20 for draconian laws punishing simple possession, the public is firmly = in=20 support of legal access for patients.</EM></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"> <O:P></O:P></SPAN> <O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1969"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Medicinal=20 marijuana proposed in Alabama </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Cara = Parell</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.theplainsman.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/07/42545c= 2da1b7a"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>The Auburn=20 Plainsman</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> = </SPAN><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">Alabama=92s=20 Legislature is considering a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for = medical=20 purposes. The bill would allow the use of marijuana with a doctor=92s=20 prescription for certain conditions like AIDS, anorexia and chronic=20 pain.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1963"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Bill would=20 allow medical marijuana in Alabama </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Sarah Kate=20 Sullivan</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/08/42562bfc61bbb= "><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>The Crimson White (Univ. of=20 Alabama)</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> = </SPAN><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">Laura=20 Campbell hardly fits the bill of a grown-up hippie. To the mother of = three,=20 smoking the drug is not part of any recreational lifestyle. Instead, = using=20 marijuana is a necessity. She smokes it to make her chronic pain more = bearable=20 so she can be a better mother, she told The Huntsville Times last=20 week.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT = face=3DVerdana=20 size=3D2></FONT> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>MINNESOTA</SPAN>: State Bill<SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005> Crosses Another = Hurdle</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><FONT = face=3DVerdana><FONT=20 size=3D2><SPAN class=3D892265505-11032005>State legislation cleared a = senate panel=20 in Minnesota this week</SPAN>.<SPAN class=3D892265505-11032005> Long = known for=20 progressive, independent political thinking, it could set the stage = for other=20 Midwestern states to move forward with medical marijuana=20 bills.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></EM></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P><O:P></O:P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in = 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><FONT=20 size=3D2></FONT> <O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN>=20 <P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1971"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Cancer=20 patients swing Senate panel vote on medical marijuana=20 </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Associated=20 Press</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 href=3D"http://www.kaaltv.com/article/view/86689/"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>KAAL_TV</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">A Minnesota Senate = committee=20 has voted to allow medical use of marijuana. DFL Senator Steve Kelley = of=20 Hopkins is the bill's sponsor. It also would prevent arrests of people = who use=20 marijuana to treat debilitating condition.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1954"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Senate panel=20 OKs medical pot bill </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger=20 </FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"=20 size=3D3>, </FONT><SPAN class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/politics/11320514.h= tm"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Pioneer Press</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><FONT=20 face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> <BR></FONT><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">A state Senate panel = passed a=20 bill to sanction marijuana's use for those with debilitating illnesses = =97 the=20 first committee vote on the measure in Minnesota after years of=20 debate.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1972"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Minnesota=20 Medical Marijuana Bill Advances </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Conrad=20 deFiebre</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5333588.html"><STRONG><FON= T=20 color=3D#008800>Star = Tribune</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The push to add = Minnesota to=20 the list of 10 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use = has passed=20 a milestone with approval by a state Senate committee, but it isn't = expected=20 to go much farther this year.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1970"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Minnesota=20 medical marijuana bill advances </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=3D6a93dbd428014952"><STRONG>= <FONT=20 color=3D#008800>BigNews = Network</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">A bill that would = make=20 Minnesota the 10th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for = medical=20 purposes has advanced for the first time.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT=20 size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>RHODE ISLAND</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Strong Support for State=20 Measure</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><EM><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Nearby Vermont passed its legislation last = year, and=20 support in Rhode Island has coalesced around the medical marijuana act = currently before the state house. There is opposition, but it's not = the=20 state's </SPAN></FONT></EM><EM><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>doctors, nurses, the political leadership = or the=20 people.</SPAN></FONT></EM></P> <P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><FONT = size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></FONT></EM> </P><O:P></O:P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1952"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Senate=20 Judiciary Committee hears medical marijuana testimony=20 </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Mary-Catherine=20 Lader</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.browndailyherald.com/news/2005/04/06/Metro/Senate.Judi= ciary.Committee.Hears.Medical.Marijuana.Testimony-914287.shtml"><STRONG><= FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Brown Daily = Herald</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Chronically ill = Rhode=20 Islanders, medical experts and advocates testified in favor of the = Rhode=20 Island Medical Marijuana Act before the Senate Judiciary Committee = Tuesday=20 afternoon at the State House. Although State Sen. Leo Blais, R, = expressed=20 animated opposition to the bill early into the proceedings, there were = no=20 witnesses testifying against the measure.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1951"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Lawmakers=20 rally behind legalizing medical marijuana = </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Liz = Anderson</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050406_pot6.24f98ca.htm= l"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Providence = Journal</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Support is building = in both=20 the House and the Senate for passage of a bill to legalize the medical = use of=20 marijuana in Rhode Island, an idea endorsed by leaders of the General=20 Assembly, the Rhode Island Medical Society and the Rhode Island State = Nurses=20 Association.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT=20 size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>TEXAS</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Political Process for State Bill=20 Begins</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><EM><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>When George W. Bush was governor of Texas = he said he=20 thought it should be up to the states whether they allow the use of = medical=20 marijuana or not. Most Texans support legal access, despite the belief = among=20 politicians that the subject is = "taboo".</SPAN></FONT></EM></P></SPAN></SPAN> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1955"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Medical=20 Marijuana Bill In Texas Legislature </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3D3172077&nav=3D0s3dYK= KH"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>KXAN - TV36=20 (Austin)</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> = </SPAN><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">It's a=20 subject that can be a political taboo. Using medical reasons as a = legal=20 defense for having marijuana got its first hearing in the Texas = Legislative=20 session.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P></SPAN></SPAN> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">______________________________________________<O:P></O:P></SPAN>= </B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>CALIFORNIA</SPAN>: <SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Mendocino, </SPAN><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005>Amador, Modesto, Santa Rosa,=20 Ontario</SPAN></SPAN></B></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005></SPAN></SPAN></B><FONT face=3DVerdana = size=3D2><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><EM>The story in California continues to be = the=20 wrestling of local governments with their responsibility to safeguard=20 patients. The lack of any regulations or attempts to implement the = state law=20 have not served patients or their communities. Neither do bans and=20 moratoriums, as they just bolster the black market or impose undue = burden on=20 the sick and suffering.</EM></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P><O:P></O:P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1959"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Mendocino=20 supervisors drop pot tax plan </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Glenda=20 Anderson</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/200504= 06/NEWS/504060329"><STRONG><FONT=20 = color=3D#008800>Press-Democrat</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN>&nb= sp;=20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Mendocino County = supervisors=20 on Tuesday shunned a proposal to study regulating and taxing medical = pot, at=20 least for now.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1958"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Mendo supes=20 say no thanks' to marijuana regulation </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN = class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by K.C. = Meadows</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91%7E3089%7E28016= 45,00.html"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Ukiah Daily Journal</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN>=20 <STRONG><FONT color=3D#333333><BR></FONT></STRONG><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">In a rambling and = inconclusive=20 discussion, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday = not to=20 do anything about regulating or trying to make money off medical=20 marijuana.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1965"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Supes keep=20 medicinal pot ordinance as is </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Stan=20 Oklobdzija</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=3D153192"><STR= ONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Amador Ledger=20 Dispatch</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> = </SPAN><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">The board of=20 supervisors voted Tuesday to unanimously continue with the county=92s = medical=20 marijuana ordinance which, amongst other things, prohibits the sale or = distribution of medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of any residence, = at their=20 meeting on Tuesday.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P><O:P></O:P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1961"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Modesto=20 Council: No new stores for pot </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Todd Milbourn = </FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.modbee.com/local/story/10259825p-11070531c.html"><STRO= NG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Modesto = Bee</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> =20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">No new medical = marijuana=20 dispensary may open in Modesto through at least February, under a = measure=20 passed Tuesday night by the City Council.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1960"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Santa Rosa=20 cracks down on pot clubs </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Paul = Payne</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/200504= 06/NEWS/504060328/1033/NEWS01"><STRONG><FONT=20 = color=3D#008800>Press-Democrat</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN>&nb= sp;=20 </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Fearing that Santa = Rosa could=20 become the pot distribution center for all of Sonoma County, the City = Council=20 on Tuesday halted the opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries = and said=20 it would adopt a law to strictly limit the three existing=20 clubs.</SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1953"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Medical=20 marijuana policy under fire </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Naomi = Kresge</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%7E21481%7E2800661= ,00.html"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>Ontario Daily = Bulletin</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN>=20 <BR><SPAN class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Supporters of = medical=20 marijuana asked the city Tuesday night to reconsider the temporary ban = it=20 placed recently on cannabis clubs, co-ops and = dispensaries.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN> </P></SPAN></SPAN> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><STRONG>______________________________________________<O:P></O:P= ></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = size=3D2><STRONG>OREGON:=20 Lawsuit Over Return of Marijuana</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20 class=3D892265505-11032005><FONT size=3D2><EM>The responsibility of = law=20 enforcement to enforce state protections for patients is too often = overlooked,=20 and patients are looking to the intervention of courts. A star athlete = has=20 filed against police in Oregon in a case similar to those that = triggered the=20 lawsuit ASA has filed in California on behalf of=20 patients.</EM></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN = class=3Dtext1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P><FONT=20 size=3D2></FONT> <O:P></O:P></O:P>=20 <P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20 href=3D"http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3D1967"><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT = color=3D#008800>Police sued,=20 accused of using too much force </FONT></SPAN></B></A><BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#333333>by Ashbel = Green</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN>, <SPAN=20 class=3Dbodygreystrong1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><A=20 = href=3D"http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/111= 295446068540.xml"><STRONG><FONT=20 color=3D#008800>The Oregonian</FONT></STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN> = <BR><SPAN=20 class=3Dtext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">A former=20 all-state baseball pitcher with an injured throwing arm has filed a = federal=20 civil rights suit against Lake Oswego police, accusing them of using = excessive=20 force in handcuffing him and refusing to return his medical=20 marijuana.</SPAN></SPAN></P></SPAN></SPAN> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana">___________________________________________________________<BR><= B>FOR=20 MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS</B></SPAN><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><BR><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Previous News = Summaries from=20 Americans for Safe Access are archived. </SPAN><B><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The complete text of = all these=20 articles and more is available by clicking the links on the = article name=20 or the news source, as well as at the ASA website, safeacccessnow.org. = </SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">You = can also=20 see the latest news for the week by selecting "News Articles" under = the Press=20 Room menu.</SPAN><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">To unsubscribe from = this list,=20 just reply with the subject line "remove".</SPAN><O:P></O:P></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Verdana"><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML> ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01C5436A.7E3034D0--
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