Welcome to Pittsburgh NORML
Working to Reform Marijuana Laws in Western Pennsylvania
Jared Polis and the fearless campaign
Jun 09, 2011 -
The drug war is a waste of
time, money, and resources. Worse, though, it ruins lives.
The enduring legacy of the war on drugs will forever be the horrible impact it
has had on the people and families who have seen terrible, outsized punishment
for minor, non-violent infractions.
That's why I'm going to make a stand. On June 14th, I'm making a speech from
the House floor demanding that we bring this counterproductive war to an end.
To make my argument, though, I need your help.
Tell me how the war on drugs has
negatively affected your life, or the life of a loved one, now.
I'll read some of the most compelling stories as part of my speech on the House
floor. And, of course, I will not reveal any private information like your last
name.
It's really important for me to have these stories to share. They can
illustrate better than any statistic that this war isn't really a war on drugs.
It's a war on the Americans who use drugs.
Drug addiction is a serious problem and, while there can be a criminal
component, our lawmakers should address individual drug use as the health
problem it is instead of investing billions to incarcerate with no intention to
rehabilitate.
So, whether the war on drugs has caused you or a loved one to be put in jail,
thrown out of school, or lose a job, please share that experience with me so I
can include it in my speech. While it may be too late to undo the pain you've
gone through, it's not too late to prevent it from happening to someone else:
http://www.fearlesscampaign.com/war-on-drugs
Thanks,
Jared
ALERT: Support New Medical Marijuana Bills in Congress
Jun 09, 2011 - David Borden @ stopthedrugwar .org
On May 25, 2011, a bipartisan group of US Representatives introduced
three new medical marijuana bills. H.R. 1983 would exempt people
complying with state medical marijuana laws from federal arrest and
prosecution. H.R. 1984 would protect banks accepting deposits made by
medical marijuana dispensaries. And H.R. 1985 would allow the
dispensaries to deduct business expenses on their federal taxes like any
other business, putting an end to dozens of industry IRS audits already
underway.
Please use our online web form to contact your US
Representative and your two US Senators in support of these important
bills. Please follow-up by calling their offices too -- if you don't
know their numbers (or aren't sure who they are), you can reach them by
calling the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. And please use
our tell-a-friend form that you'll find on the site after sending your
letter to spread the word.
Click here to read the Chronicle report on these three bills -- and be sure to sign up for our email list while you're here, or paste our medical marijuana category feed into your RSS reader.
T Shirts and a New Pittsburgh Logo Needed
Jun 09, 2011 -
Dear friends - we're soliciting designs for a t-shirt that Cafe Press will find acceptable (no Steelers logo!) If anyone is interested in submitting a design for consideration should contact patrick@pittsburghnorml.org. Winning submission earns you a lifetime of good karma . . .
Vermont Becomes Eighth Medical Marijuana Dispensary State
Jun 09, 2011 - Phillip Smith @ stopthedrugwar .org
The bill, SB 17, passed the Vermont House last month on a 99-44 vote. This despite a threatening letter
the day before sent to the governor and the legislative leadership by
Vermont's US Attorney. The letter was similar to those received by state
officials from US Attorneys in a number of states where dispensary
legislation was being considered.
"The Department of Justice will carefully consider legal remedies
against those who facilitate or operate marijuana dispensaries or
marijuana distribution or production as contemplated by S. 17, should
that measure become law," said US Attorney Tristam Coffin in the letter.
But unlike his gubernatorial counterparts in states, including Arizona,
Rhode Island, and Washington, who have buckled after receiving such
letters, Gov. Shumlin had the political courage to sign the bill.
Medical marijuana has been approved by voters in 16 states and the
District of Columbia, but only half of those states explicitly allow
dispensaries. The other seven states are Arizona, Colorado, Delaware,
Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.
DEA Analyst: Legalize Drugs to Stop Violence
Jun 08, 2011 -
Sean Dunagan, a former DEA analyst, praises a report from former presidents and other world leaders saying that countries should begin legalizing marijuana and other drugs to put violent cartels out of business. Sean is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), which any civilian can join for free at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com
