ORGANIZATION NEWS:

1.  Dr. John Morgan, M.D., to Speak at OPN’s Online Patient Forum June 5

2.  Join the Fun at the June 7 Hempfest

STATE NEWS:

3.  "States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act" Reintroduced

4.  Medical Marijuana -- Yes in Maryland, No in Connecticut

5.  Rosenthal Loses Motion for New Trial, Sentencing Date Looms

6.  Support the "Truth in Trials" Act

7.  Nevada Attorney General Condemns Drug Czar's Interference in State's Marijuana Vote

8.  GOP Effort to Let Drug Czar Propagandize Against Reform Stalled in House Committee

NATIONAL NEWS:

8.   Medical Marijuana "Truth in Trials Act" Introduced

9.   DEA Accepts Rescheduling Petition

10. Cannabis May Suppress Immune System

11. Marijuana Compounds May Act Without Causing a High

12. Rosenthal Asks for New Trial, Cites Juror Violations

13. Bill Passes Targeting Rave Scene

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

10. GW Signs Cannabis Deal

11. Marijuana Compound Effective in Treating Tourette's Syndrome, Study Says

12. Medicinal Cannabis Trial Approved

13. No Marijuana Possession Law in Ontario, Court Rules

14. Canada Moves to Ease Marijuana Possession Law

The following items are included in every OPNews:

* OPNews Disclaimer

* You Are Invited to OPN Meetings

* How to Get Your Information in OPNews

* How to be Removed from the OPNews List

* How To Contact Your State Representative And Senator

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1. DR. JOHN MORGAN, MD, TO SPEAK AT OPN’S ONLINE PATIENT FORUM JUNE 5

“Cannabis: More Than THC”

Dr. John Morgan, M.D., Professor of Pharmacology at City University of New York Medical School and co-author of Marijuana Myths Marijuana Facts, will be our guest speaker at the June 5, 2003, OPN Patient Forum.

This online event is free and will be held at 7:30 p.m. E.D.T. in the “OPN Patient Forum” voice/text chat room on PalTalk (see http://www.ohiopatient.net/Paltalk_instructions.htm for instructions).

The forum, “Cannabis: More Than THC,” will overview the pharmaceutical properties of the various cannabis constituents along with their effects.  THC, the most well known active component, is only one of several cannabis compounds. Dr. Morgan will discuss these other properties of cannabis and their medical utility. 

While this discussion is aimed at patients and their concerns, other interested parties are welcome to attend. It may be of particular interest to medical professionals, activists, and caregivers. Because this event will be conducted online, anyone, regardless of geographic location, can participate.

Dr. Morgan's presentation will be followed by a question and answer session from the audience. This represents a unique opportunity to interact with a renowned medical professional about a subject that is important and timely.

OPN Patient Forums are held on the first Thursday of each month on PalTalk.  Information about this month’s forum can be found at http://www.ohiopatient.net/Events.htm.

Join Dr. Morgan and OPN on PalTalk Thursday, June 5, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. E.D.T.

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2. JOIN THE FUN AT THE JUNE 7 HEMPFEST

By Ken Schweickart

(Columbus, OH)  This year’s Hempfest, which will be held at OSU in Columbus on Saturday, June 7, is going to be absolutely spectacular! Check the line up of bands and entertainment, get directions and help spread the word.  Find out what you need to know about the Hempfest, the beautiful OSU location, and the kind folks sponsoring our party at www.ohiohemp.org. 

While you are at the festival, stop by the OPN table.  Several OPN members will be there throughout the day to answer questions, recruit new members and make new friends.

The Hempfest was started in 1987 by an organization called Students for Cannabis Education. They disbanded in 1995. In 1996, a band member from Local Color commanded the project.  The Hemp Goddess and I produced a couple events, and then For A Better Ohio did several more. Now the very dynamic organization, OSU Students for Sensible Drug Policy, is hosting. This is a true evolution of the revolution, with folks from the past still helping, making the event get bigger and bigger every year. Last year, about 12,000 people showed up throughout the day.  Our goal is to eventually approach the size of Seattle’s Hempfest.

If you want to volunteer or be a leader for future Hempfests, Call 614-291-1026 and talk with some of the coolest people in Ohio.

NOTE TO ALL NORTH CAMPUS RESIDENTS:  Please call me at 614-265-VOTE or e-mail me at dpeo@earthlink.net to help with a special mission on the same day.

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3. "STATES' RIGHTS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT" REINTRODUCED

Source:  The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #288 -- May 23, 2003.  http://www.drcnet.org/wol/288.html#statesrights

(Washington, DC)  A bipartisan group of legislators, including Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA) and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) have reintroduced the "States Rights to Medical Marijuana Act."  The bill would reschedule marijuana under federal law so that states that wish to enact medical marijuana laws can do so without fear of federal persecution.  If the bill were to pass, federal prosecution of medical marijuana users in states that have legalized the practice would end and states could actually experiment with various means of providing marijuana to patients.

This marks the sixth time the bill has been introduced, and while it has yet to gain a committee hearing, the number of cosponsors continues to increase.  So far this session, legislators who have signed on to cosponsor the bill include Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Ed Case (D-HI), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), William Delahunt (D-MA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), George Miller (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ron Paul, (R-TX), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

That comes to 22 Democrats, two Republicans and one Independent.

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4. MEDICAL MARIJUANA -- YES IN MARYLAND, NO IN CONNECTICUT

Source:  The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #288, 5/23/03 http://www.drcnet.org/wol/yesandno

Medical marijuana advocates won one and lost one at statehouses this week. In Maryland, Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) signed into law HB 702, the Darrell Putnam Compassionate Use Act. Ehrlich's signature marked not only Maryland's first medical marijuana law, but the first time a Republican governor has signed such a bill anywhere. The bill, which does not legalize marijuana for medical purposes but does provide for a maximum penalty of a $100 fine, passed the Maryland legislature this year after several years of defeats.

There had been some concern that Ehrlich would not sign the bill. He had been a supporter of medical marijuana in his election campaign, but once the bill had passed the legislature, foes of medical marijuana, including drug czar John Walters, pressured Ehrlich not to sign it. That pressure didn't work, and Ehrlich signed the bill into law on Thursday. Maryland becomes the ninth state to protect its medical marijuana patients from jail and the second to act to do so through the legislative process.

Connecticut won't be the third state to do so, at least not this year. On Wednesday, the Connecticut House of Representatives defeated a medical marijuana bill on a vote of 79-64. The bill would have allowed doctors to certify that a patient needed marijuana for medical purposes and would have allowed patients to grow a limited number of plants.

[snip]

NOTES: 

* For more information, view the MPP’s May 22, 2003 Press Release MARYLAND'S GOV. EHRLICH SIGNS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL at http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr052203md.html.

* See http://www.mapinc.org/states/md/ and http://www.mpp.org/MD/news.html for archives of print media coverage about the Maryland victory.

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5. ROSENTHAL LOSES MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL, SENTENCING DATE LOOMS

Source:  The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #288 -- May 23, 2003.  http://www.drcnet.org/wol/288.html#rosenthalmotion

California medical marijuana activist and cultivation expert Ed Rosenthal is one step closer to federal prison after a judge denied his motion for a new trial.  Rosenthal, who grew marijuana for patient providers in compliance with state law and the approval of local authorities, was convicted on federal marijuana cultivation and trafficking charges....

In his motion for a new trial, Rosenthal claimed Breyer erred by refusing to let him argue in his defense that he believed he was immune from federal prosecution under state law and local action, by improperly excluding potential jurors who had favorable beliefs about medical marijuana, and by improperly instructing the jury about its right to nullify the law by voting not guilty.  Rosenthal also argued that juror misconduct -- one juror asked a lawyer friend for advice about jury nullification and was told to follow the judge's instructions -- violated his right to a fair trial.

But Judge Breyer was having none of it.... Rosenthal told the Associated Press he would appeal Breyer's ruling to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, while Breyer told the courtroom he would consider legal reasons to sentence Rosenthal to less than the five-year mandatory minimum sentence on June 4....

NOTE:  For a detailed, hard-hitting OPED, see "The Rebellion and its Martyrs," at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n758/a03.html.

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6. SUPPORT THE "TRUTH IN TRIALS" ACT

Source:  DRCNet (http://www.drcnet.org/) May 14, 2003 Action Alert.

...Recently DRCNet received a letter from [medical marijuana patient Brian] Epis, asking us to support the "Truth in Trials" Act, a federal bill (H.R. 1717) that if enacted would enable defendants in medical marijuana cases in states that have passed medical marijuana laws to tell their juries the whole truth.  Please help pass Truth in Trials by visiting http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/truthintrials/ to write to your US Representative and your US Senators today!

The Truth in Trials Act is a bipartisan bill introduced by members of Congress from California, Reps. Sam Farr and Dana Rohrabacher, who are angered by the federal government's disrespect for California's democracy.  Visit http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/truthintrials/ for links to further information and to send your letter now!

When you're done, please call your Representatives and Senators on the phone -- the Capitol Switchboard's number is (202) 224-3121 -- to make an even greater impact....

NOTE:  You can also view the bill and send a letter through the MPP at http://www.mpp.org/USA/index.html.

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7. NEVADA ATTORNEY GENERAL CONDEMNS DRUG CZAR'S INTERFERENCE IN STATE'S MARIJUANA VOTE

Source:  Marijuana Policy Project’s War on Drug Czar http://www.mpp.org/WarOnDrugCzar/index.html

As the direct result of a Marijuana Policy Project complaint filed with the Nevada Secretary of State, Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval provided the Secretary of State with an opinion in which he rebuked federal Drug Czar John Walters for "excessive" and "disturbing" interference in the state's vote on the MPP's Nevada marijuana initiative. Unfortunately, the Attorney General also opined -- incorrectly, we believe -- that the State of Nevada could not enforce its campaign finance laws against the drug czar. (The Attorney General's opinion can be read at http://www.mpp.org/WarOnDrugCzar/complaints/NAG_opinion.html; MPP's press release about the opinion is available at http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr042403.html.)

[snip]

NOTE:  For more information see "Drug Czar Escapes Prosecution for Election Law Violations in Nevada," at http://www.drcnet.org/wol/285.html#walterswalks.

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8. GOP EFFORT TO LET DRUG CZAR PROPAGANDIZE AGAINST REFORM STALLED IN HOUSE COMMITTEE

Source:  The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #288 -- May 23, 2003.  http://www.drcnet.org/wol/288.html#propagandaczar

(Washington, DC)  An effort by House Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), to explicitly enable the Office of National Drug Control Policy (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov) to use its billion-dollar anti-drug advertising campaign to engage in partisan campaigns against political candidates or voter initiatives that favor drug legalization has run into a buzzsaw of opposition on Capitol Hill.  The measure, part of the authorization bill for ONDCP spending, was supposed to have been voted on in the House Government Reform Committee Thursday, but has now been delayed at least until after the Memorial Day recess after GOP and Democratic members could not reach a compromise on the controversial language.

The authorization bill also contains language that would strip federal anti-drug funds from law enforcement in states with medical marijuana laws and transfer those funds to the DEA.  That language may not survive, said reformers who are monitoring the legislation.

Lobbyists from the Marijuana Policy Project (http://www.mpp.org) and the Drug Policy Alliance (http://www.drugpolicy.org), who led the effort to defeat the propaganda measure, declared Thursday's action a victory -- of sorts. 

[snip]

Source:  Marijuana Policy Project, April 10, 2003 News Release, http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr041003.html

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9. KUCINICH CALLS DRUG WAR “MISGUIDED” AND “BIASED”

SOURCE:  Dennis Kucinich’s 2004 Presidential Campaign website http://www.kucinich.us/issues/issue_drugwar.htm.  (Kucinich is currently serving as U.S. Representative for the Cleveland area.)

A safe, free and just America is undermined, not bolstered, by the costly and ineffective War on Drugs. While well-intentioned, this misguided policy -- which emphasizes criminalization over treatment -- has led to increased violent crime, misdirected resources of law enforcement and restricted Constitutional liberties.

Despite billions spent yearly on the drug war, addiction is up. Our country must rethink a policy that produces many casualties, but benefits only the prison-industrial complex. Non-violent drug offenders often receive Draconian sentences, tearing apart families.

Racial bias in the enforcement of drug laws is pervasive. According to a Human Rights Watch report based on FBI statistics, blacks were arrested on drug charges at nearly five times the rate of whites. Drug use is consistent across racial and socioeconomic lines -- yet in the state of New York, for example, 94 percent of incarcerated drug offenders are Latino or African-American, mostly from poor communities.

Countries in Europe and elsewhere are turning away from failed policies. They are treating addiction as a medical problem and are seeing significant reductions in crime and violence -- with fewer young people becoming involved with addictive drugs in the first place. In our country, due to misplaced priorities and resources, only one bed exists for every ten people who apply for drug treatment. Addiction is a medical and moral problem that should be treated by professionals, not dumped on the criminal justice system.

Most Americans believe that medical marijuana should be available to help relieve the suffering of seriously ill patients, and eight states have passed laws to allow it. But the Bush administration has harassed medical marijuana patients in an effort to assert federal authority. This is another aspect of the drug war that should be ended.

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10. GW SIGNS CANNABIS DEAL

Source:  The Guardian (UK), May 22, 2003.  Copyright: 2003 Guardian Newspapers Limited http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/.  The entire article is archived at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n759/a03.html.

By:  Mark Milner

GW Pharmaceuticals, the UK research and development group, has teamed up with German company Bayer to market the former's cannabis-based drug, Sativex(R), in the UK....

Sativex, which is sprayed into the mouth, is used to provide pain relief for multiple sclerosis sufferers and may be developed to alleviate cancer-related pain.

The deal announced yesterday only covers the UK, where the government has already indicated it is ready to change the rules governing the use of cannabis to allow doctors to prescribe Sativex.  However, Bayer also has an option to market the drug in the rest of Europe as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

[snip]

NOTE:  For more details, view GW Pharmaceuticals May 21, 2003 press release at http://www.gwpharm.com/news_pres_21_may_03.html

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11. MARIJUANA COMPOUND EFFECTIVE IN TREATING TOURETTE'S SYNDROME, STUDY SAYS

Source:  NORML News, May 15, 2003 http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5647

(Hanover, Germany) A primary compound in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is effective in reducing "tics" in patients suffering from Tourette's Syndrome (TS), according to clinical trail data published in a recent edition of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Tourette's Syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor tics (sudden spasms especially in the facial muscles, neck and shoulders) and one or more vocal tics.

Twenty-four patients participated in the double-blind placebo-controlled trial over a period of six weeks. Treatment with up to 10 mg of THC resulted in significant improvement of tic severity, authors wrote. No serious adverse effects to the treatment were reported.

In a separate article published in Neuropsychopharmacology, authors elaborated, "No detrimental effect was seen on learning curve, interference, recall and recognition of word lists, immediate visual memory span, and divided attention" from THC during or after the treatment.

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12. MEDICINAL CANNABIS TRIAL APPROVED

Source:  The Australian, May 21, 2003.  Copyright: 2003 News Limited http://www.theaustralian.com.au/.  The entire article is archived at:

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n744/a04.html

By: Megan Saunders and Monica Videnieks

(New South Wales, Australia)  The nation's first trial of cannabis for medical relief will begin in NSW by the end of the year, a move that Premier Bob Carr said yesterday would stop decent people feeling like criminals....

Under the four-year plan, the Government will establish a new Office of Medicinal Cannabis within the Health Department.

Patients would have to register annually and would need a doctor's certificate advising that conventional treatment would not relieve their suffering.

People with minor convictions for personal drug use would be eligible to apply.  But those with more serious drug convictions, or who are on parole, pregnant or under 18, would be banned.

People suffering from cancer and AIDS, nausea from chemotherapy, severe and chronic pain, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis would be eligible.

But the questions of who will pay for the drug, and its form of distribution, are yet to be finalised.  A draft bill will be presented to parliament within weeks.

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13. NO MARIJUANA POSSESSION LAW IN ONTARIO, COURT RULES

Cops Vow to Keep Arresting Users Anyway

 Source:  The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #288 -- May 23, 2003. http://www.drcnet.org/wol/288.html#nolaw

(Ontario, Canada)  As of May 16, there is no law banning the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Ontario, Canada's most populous province.  On that date, Ontario Superior Court Justice Steven Rogin upheld a lower court ruling that a Windsor teenager arrested for smoking marijuana in a park had not broken any law because Canada effectively has no marijuana law.  The ruling is binding on courts in Ontario and should provide precedent for courts in other provinces, according to lawyers who successfully argued the case.  Lower courts in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island had already joined with the courts in Ontario pronouncing Canada's marijuana possession law null and void....

But the federal Justice Department is moving to have the case heard in the Ontario Court of Appeal, and in the meantime is vowing to continue to prosecute marijuana cases.

[snip]

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14.  CANADA MOVES TO EASE MARIJUANA POSSESSION LAW

Source:  New York Times, May 27, 2003.  Copyright: 2003 The New York Times Company http://www.nytimes.com/.   View the entire article at:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n776/a12.html

By: Clifford Krauss

(Toronto, Canada)  The Canadian government introduced legislation today to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana but set stricter penalties for those apprehended for trafficking the drug.

After more than a year of internal debate on how to change marijuana laws, the form the legislation took was a compromise between those in the cabinet who see the drug as a minor nuisance and those who fear that anything approaching legalization would increase use by young people.

The Bush administration has been vocal in cautioning Canada that Washington would be forced to increase time-consuming border searches if decriminalization of marijuana is enacted.  American officials say decriminalization would increase supplies and trafficking.

Canadian officials argued today that the legislation would modernize law enforcement approaches to a drug whose use is often overlooked by the local police.

"I want to be clear from the beginning, we are not legalizing marijuana and have no plans to do so," Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said.  "What we are changing is the way we prosecute certain offenses of possessions.  We are introducing alternative penalties."

Under the legislation, possession of up to 15 grams -- about 20 cigarettes - -- would be an offense punishable by a fine of up to $180 for youths and $290 for adults.  But maximum sentences for illicit growers would increase, and the government would spend about $150 million on an educational campaign to convince young people not to use drugs.  Fines for possession would increase for intoxicated drivers.

It appears probable but not certain that the legislation will be enacted by the House of Commons within the next few months. 

[snip]

NOTE:  See the Media Awareness Project’s “Cannabis - Canada" news archives (http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm) for the latest information.

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The following items are included in every OPNews:

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OPNews DISCLAIMER

OPNews, a publication of Ohio Patient Network (OPN), provides medical cannabis news that affects Ohio patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

All articles are intended for educational purposes and do not reflect an official position, either positive or negative, by the OPN or its Board of Directors.

Ohio Patient Network does not endorse any candidates running for office. The reports of campaign-related activities are for educational purposes only.

For more information, contact Jean Taddie, Editor (editor@ohiopatient.net).

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YOU ARE INVITED TO OPN MEETINGS

The OPN Board of Directors invites you to participate in OPN patient forums, which are held at 7:30 p.m. (eastern time) the first Thursday of each month.  You are also welcome to attend the weekly OPN business meetings. 

These electronic voice/text meetings are held at the OPN chatroom in PalTalk (http://www.paltalk.com/).  To receive further information, including instructions for the PalTalk meeting room, check out http://www.ohiopatient.net/Paltalk instructions.htm or send e-mail to info@ohiopatient.net.

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HOW TO GET YOUR INFORMATION IN OPNews

OPNews is published monthly. To have your information considered for publication, submit your story to editor@ohiopatient.net.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. Please do not boldface or italicize text. Include a contact name with a phone number and/or e-mail address with submissions.

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HOW TO BE REMOVED FROM THE OPNews LIST

You may sign off this list at any time by using the webform at www.ohiopatient.net.

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HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR 

Find your Representative in the Ohio House at http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp

Find your Ohio Senator at http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/

Write to your officials care of their district office, or send your letter to their Columbus office at:

The Honorable (name)

Ohio House of Representatives

77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266-0603

-or-

The Honorable (name)

Ohio Senate Building

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone calls and emails are also persuasive, especially when the constituent contacts the district office.