PhillyNORML - News, Events, Feature Articles

420 - Civil Disobedience & Marijuana Reform - Philly Smokes Out Prohibition

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:13:05 GMT+6

by Rachel Abrons - 4/16/13

Every month, in collaboration with the Philadelphia-based podcast Panic Hour, PhillyNORML hosts Smokedown Prohibition, which is an educational rally capped with an act of ...

2013 NORML Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:04:38 GMT+6

NORML Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (EDT)
Panels: Claudia Cohen Hall at The University of Pennsylvania

NORML is pleased to announce the first ever Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Philadelphia, PA on March 16th, 2013!

Get your tickets here!

The conference will feature a day of enlightening panel discussions and speakers on topics ranging from...

Smoke Down Prohibition 2012 - Success

kclough — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:41:14 GMT+6

We had our Smoke Down Prohibition event yesterday, 12/15/2012.

Over 120 activists joined PhillyNORML and Philadelphia got a whiff of freedom at 4:20PM - no arrests or citations.

We're sorry if you missed it, but there will be more!...

Smoke Down Prohibition

kclough — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:21:49 GMT+6

Location: 5th and Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Time: 04:20 PM - 05:30 PM
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2012

â��Smoke Down Prohibitionâ�� at Independence Hall

Philadelphia - Landmark victories in Colorado and Washington State have legalized marijuana for adults but prohibition continues for the rest of America. Cannabis and hemp legalization supporters will gather at Independence Hall this Saturday to call for an end to the federal war on marijuana. Â

Organized by local comedy activism crew The Panic Hour â��Smoke Down Prohibitionâ�� will feature speeches from local reform activi...

“Smoke Down Prohibition” at Independence Hall

kclough — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:10:11 GMT+6

â��Smoke Down Prohibitionâ�� at Independence Hall

Philadelphia - Landmark victories in Colorado and Washington State have legalized marijuana for adults but prohibition continues for the rest of America. Cannabis and hemp legalization supporters will gather at Independence Hall this Saturday to call for an end to the federal war on marijuana.Â

Organized by local comedy activism crew The Panic Hour â��Smoke Down Prohibitionâ�� will feature speeches from local reform activi...

Hemp Heals Philly Music Festival

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:20:19 GMT+6

Location: Festival Pier, Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Time: 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2012

When: August 25th 2012,
Where: , Philadelphia, PA
What: Tabling a Music Festival

PhillyNORML will be tabling at the "Hemp Heals" Music Festival Philly on August 25th to promote hemp awareness. Headlining the event are music powerhouses Sublime, Cypress Hill, and Pepper; including up and coming acts such as Bong Hits for Jesus. Get your tickets online at http://hemphealsphilly.com/ and join us in support of a good c...

The Global Cannabis Peace March Hits South Street May 19th at 4 pm

kclough — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:36:17 GMT+6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Global Cannabis Peace March Hits South Street May 19th at 4 pm

Philadelphia, PA â�� May 17, 2012 â�� Philly NORMLâ��s annual marijuana march will be held on South Street this Saturday, May 19th. Participants will meet at 4:00 pm at the intersection of Broad and South Street for this one-of-a-kind demonstration march for the reform of marijuana laws.

The Global Cannabis Peace March has become an annual event in Philadelphia as well as i...

2012 Philadelphia Cannabis March

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:34:29 GMT+6

Location: Corner of Broad St. and South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

An annual event in over 300 cities worldwide, supporters of marijuana law reform take to the streets to protest prohibition policies and demand the changes that are inevitable. Legalization and regulation of cannabis hemp for all purposes - industrial, medicinal, recreational, and religious - it doesn't matter why you support marijuana legalization, come out and join hundreds to thousands of your fellow reform advocates here in beautiful downtown Philadelphia. Our route begins at the intersectio...

4/20 Party

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:23:33 GMT+6

Location: HeadHouse Cafe, 122 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Date: Friday, April 20, 2012

Join PhillyNORML and the NORML Women's Alliance of Philadelphia for our 4/20 Party and fundraiser!

Expect a holiday extravaganza featuring comics, musicians, speakers, and awesome like minded individuals that love ganja!

Hosted by street urchin/modern day prophet N.A. Poe and ganja farmer/asian enthusiast Steve Miller-Miller

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! for 4/20 @ the Headhouse.

Tickets are $7, at the door!

Guest Performers Incl...

Cannabis Info Seminar Lecture

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:17:10 GMT+6

Location: Philadelphia Free Library, Central Branch - 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Date: Monday, May 14, 2012

Seating Available: 100

Coming to your local library, we will be holding a Cannabis Information Seminar to provide a broader perspective on the issue of cannabis. If you ever wanted to learn about this amazing plant, its rich history, its symbiotic relationship with humanity, or the laws which make it illegal, this is the time to come out and learn. We will touch on and discuss a wide range of topics, and each seminar will include a Q&A session.

Topics an...

Cannabis Info Seminar Lecture

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:16:00 GMT+6

Location: Philadelphia Free Library, South Philadelphia Branch - 1700 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Seating Available: 75

Coming to your local library, we will be holding a Cannabis Information Seminar to provide a broader perspective on the issue of cannabis. If you ever wanted to learn about this amazing plant, its rich history, its symbiotic relationship with humanity, or the laws which make it illegal, this is the time to come out and learn. We will touch on and discuss a wide range of topics, and each seminar will include a Q&A session.

Topics and...

Cannabis Info Seminar Lecture

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:14:29 GMT+6

Location: Philadelphia Free Library, Fishtown Community Branch - 1217 East Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Location: , Philadelphia, PA
Seating Available: 75

Coming to your local library, we will be holding a Cannabis Information Seminar to provide a broader perspective on the issue of cannabis. If you ever wanted to learn about this amazing plant, its rich history, its symbiotic relationship with humanity, or the laws which make it illegal, this is the time to come out and learn. We wil...

Cannabis Info Seminar Lecture (4/3/12)

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:12:36 GMT+6

Location: Philadelphia Free Library, Northeast Regional Branch - 2228 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Date: Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Seating Available: 100

Coming to your local library, we will be holding a Cannabis Information Seminar to provide a broader perspective on the issue of cannabis. If you ever wanted to learn about this amazing plant, its rich history, its symbiotic relationship with humanity, or the laws which make it illegal, this is the time to come out and learn. We will touch on and discuss a wide range of topics, and each seminar will include a Q&A session.

Topics an...

Rally at PA State Capitol

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:31:49 GMT+6

Location: Main Steps (intersection of State Street and 3rd Street), Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Year after year the PA legislature takes up bill after bill and debates it until it reaches a vote - meanwhile our medical marijuana bills HB1653 and SB1003 languish in committees which don't seem to have any interest in having any debate. Marijuana could one day be legalized in Pennsylvania, for all adults or just for medical use, but it will take much more effort on the part of all interested parties if that is to become a reality. Can you help us bring 100 legalization-friendly citizens out t...

Candlelight Vigil

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:47:35 GMT+6

Location: Rittenhouse Square (northeast corner) at 18th Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Monday, March 05, 2012

PhillyNORML and Medical-Freedom.com are hosting a candlelight vigil to be held on the birthdate of Raymond Shafer - whom our medical marijuana bill is named after - in support of patients' rights across the nation and in solidarity against the escalating drug war, war on medical marijuana patients, and the legal industry that supports them. Join us at Rittenhouse square to show your support. We will have candles available....

Medical Marijuana Topic Keynote Speech at Medical Center Conference

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:43:00 GMT+6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Derek Rosenzweig
PhillyNORML, Secretary
PA4MMJ, Co-Founder
Phone: 215-586-3483
Email: derek.rosenzweig@gmail.com

USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA TOPIC AT MEDICAL CENTER CONFERENCE
Noted Substance Abuse Counselor to Speak in Favor of Medical Legalization

Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania will hold its annual conference on Palliative Care in Medicine on November 3, 2011. The keyn...

PhillyNORML Annual PotLuck BBQ

dOc — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:11:49 GMT+6

Location: 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Time: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Date: Saturday, September 03, 2011

Details for this year's Annual PhillyNORML PotLuck BBQ

When: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011
12:00pm (noon) until finish

Where: In the grassy field area Behind the Art Museum
and next to the Waterworks Restaurant (Off of Kelly Drive)
640 Water Works Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19130
[url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=640+Water+Works+Drive+Philadelphia,+PA+19130&daddr=39.967163,+-75.184187&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=39.966801,-75.181718&...

Quizzo with PhillyNORML

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:05:26 GMT+6

Location: The Bards, 2013 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 10:15 PM - 11:30 PM
Date: Thursday, August 18, 2011

Join us at The Bards Irish Restaurant for Quizzo at 10:15pm this Thursday, Aug. 18. Show your knowledge of marijuana and win prizes! Hosted by Johnny GoodTimes....

Federal Bill to be Introduced will Legalize, Remove Marijuana from Schedule I

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:37:18 GMT+6

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 will be a day fondly remembered by many. It marks the very first time that US Congressmen have introduced a bill that would make marijuana completely legal under Federal law. US Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) are the primary sponsors of, the 'Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011'. This bill would remove all Federal penalties for its possession, sale, and cultivation. Ask your ...

Federal Bill to be Introduced will Legalize, Remove Marijuana from Schedule I

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:52:06 GMT+6

Tabling at Kindfest Music Festival

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:21:24 GMT+6

Location: New Echo Lake Resort, 185 Echo Lane, Afton, NY 13730
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Date: Friday, August 12, 2011

New Echo Lake Resort in Afton, NY

PhillyNORML has been invited to table at Kindfest Music Festival! Featuring acts including Funkatronic, Selective Blur, Sons of AM, Jah Witness, and more! Buy Tickets Here - a part of the proceeds goes towards PhillyNORML!

...

PA Medical Marijuana Bill Named After Gov Shafer

phillynormlmedia — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:50:06 GMT+6

6/15/2011 by Chris Goldstein - State Representative Mark B. Cohen has re-introduced a bill to regulate medical cannabis in the Keystone State. The legislation, HB1653, has a new name: The Governor Raymond P. Shafer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This refers to the Republican former governor (1967-1971) and PA party leader.

In 1971 Shafer was picked by President Richard Nixon to direct ...

Marijuana Advocates Sue Fed. Government Over Rescheduling Delay

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:24:01 GMT+6

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ Monday, May 23, 2011, at 12:43 pm

A coalition of medical marijuana advocacy groups and patients filed suit Monday in D.C. Circuit Court to compel the Obama Administration to answer a nine-year-old petition to reclassify medical marijuana.

The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis (CRC) has never received an answer to its 2002 petition, despite a formal recommendation in 2006 from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Drug Enforcement Ad...

Philadelphia Marijuana Legalization Rally and Concert May 21st on South St

phillynormlmedia — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:23:21 GMT+6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/10/2011
www.phillynorml.org

Philadelphia Marijuana Legalization Rally and Concert May 21st on South St

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein media@phillynorml.org

PhillyNORMLs 2011 marijuana rally expands this year with a benefit concert at the Theatre of the Living Arts on South Street. Participants will meet at 5:00PM on Saturday May 21 at the intersection of Broad and South for the demonstr...

Upper Darby Pot Deliveries Display Abject Futility Of War on Drugs

Derek Rosenzweig — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:06:20 GMT+6

In the past week, Upper Darby law enforcement officials received two phone calls from citizens who received unsolicited packages in the mail. Inside these packages were 5 pounds of brickweed - low quality, highly compressed marijuana. The police then picked up the shipment and brought it in for evidence, citing that since the return address was fake, there is little chance they will find the person who really sent it.

As reported by [url=http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/...

Help PA's Medical Marijuana Bill SB1003 Get A Hearing!

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:49:18 GMT+6

Recently, our medical marijuana bill SB1003 was introduced into the PA Senate. Yesterday it was assigned to the Public Health and Welfare Committee, just as last session's SB1350 was previously.

Last time, we were never given a chance to hold a hearing or a vote in the Senate. This year, it ...

Medical Marijuana Bill Re-Introduced in Pennsylvania

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:42:48 GMT+6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/27/2011
PENNSYLVANIANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA
www.pa4mmj.org

A bill to legalize the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients and to create a statewide system of "Compassion Centers"has been introduced in the Keystone State. Senator Daylin Leach brought SB 1003...

PhillyNORML Presents 2011 Philadelphia Freedom Festival Benefit

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:09:08 GMT+6

Location: Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 7:30 PM - 2:00 AM
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011

Come on out to the first annual Philadelphia Freedom Festival, on the heels of our annual Cannabis March down South St. With music from varied genres, featuring acts including "The Synth Circus" and "Before the Accident Happens" from Philadelphia and Boston's own "Sorrow Seed," this night is sure to get you in the spirit of legalization! With money raised from this benefit, PhillyNORML will be more able to educate people about the pitfalls and unfortunate realities surrounding cannabis prohibiti...

2011 Philadelphia Cannabis March

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:08:11 GMT+6

Location: Corner of Broad St. and South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011

In over 300 cities worldwide, supporters of marijuana law reform take to the streets to protest prohibition policies and demand the changes that are inevitable. Legalization and regulation of cannabis hemp for all purposes - industrial, medicinal, recreational, and religious - it doesn't matter why you support marijuana legalization, come out and join hundreds to thousands of your fellow reform advocates here in beautiful downtown Philadelphia. Our route begins at the intersection of Broad St. a...

Bowling Over Prohibition

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:02:59 GMT+6

Location: Thunderbird Lanes, 1475 W. Street Rd., Warminster, PA 18974
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2011

Have a fun night knockin' down some stubborn pins with friends and supporters of PhillyNORML and marijuana law reform. Teaming up with Thunderbird Bowling Centers, we are hosting a series of fun, all-ages bowling fundraiser events in the next few months. Great opportunities to get more involved in the marijuana law reform movement, network with local marijuana reform enthusiasts, share ideas and resources, or just have a great time while supporting a worthy cause.

Event includes:[/...

Fundraiser 2 at Han Dynasty

dOc — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:18:28 GMT+6

Location: 108 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Time: 07:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011

On Thursday March 31, we will have another fundraiser at Han Dynasty (http://www.yelp.com/biz/han-dynasty-philadelphia).

The dinner will consist of a 20 (yes, TWENTY) course meal. Food is spicy - those with food restrictions shouldn't attend. There will be a mix of items from the last fundraiser and some new dishes as well. If you think you've had everything Han has to offer, you are mistaken.

Seating is li...

Fundraiser #2 at Han Dynasty

dOc — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:07:38 GMT+6

Location: 108 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Time: 07:30 PM - 11:00 pm
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011

On Thursday March 31, we will have another fundraiser at Han Dynasty (http://www.yelp.com/biz/han-dynasty-philadelphia).

The dinner will consist of a 20 (yes, TWENTY) course meal. Food is spicy - those with food restrictions shouldn't attend. There will be a mix of items from the last fundraiser and some new dishes as well. If you think you've had everything Han has to offer, you are mistaken.

Seating is li...

PhillyNORML dinner this Thursday: Cannabis science and 20-courses

phillynormlmedia — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:13:30 GMT+6

A spectacular dinner has been arranged as a benefit for PhillyNORML for tomorrow night at the Han Dynasty Restaurant. The evening will feature updates on local marijuana reform activity and present a keynote talk from local cannabis scientist Jahan Marcu.

Read full article: http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-philadelphia/phillynorml-dinner-date-cannabis-science-and-20-courses

Fundraiser at Han Dynasty

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:38:54 GMT+6

Location: Han Dynasty, 108 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011

On February 10, we will have a fundraiser at Han Dynasty (http://www.yelp.com/biz/han-dynasty-philadelphia).

The dinner will consist of a 20 (yes, TWENTY) course meal. Food is spicy - those with food restrictions shouldn't attend.

Seating is limited to 90 people maximum, so if you're interested please RSVP sooner rather than later.

The fundraiser price is $35/person, with $15 of that going to PhillyNORML...

Philly saving time and money with new pot procedure

phillynormlmedia — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:47:42 GMT+6

The Philadelphia District Attorney's office is calling a new set of procedures for minor pot cases a success and plans to continue with the Small Amount of Marijuana (SAM) program.

Last year the Pennsylvania Supreme Court worked with the new DA, Seth Williams, to make a pragmatic change in how the justice system deals with marijuana possession of 30 grams or less. A new program was created that includes a diversion court appearance, an education class and fees of $200. The major di...

PA Politicians Seek To Flush Taxpayer Money, Dig Deeper Hole

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:54:33 GMT+6

After combing the co-sponsorship memorandum pages for the PA House and Senate, I've come across some pretty disturbing findings. A few legislators and senators intend to introduce some seriously backward bills. Some have good intent, but, I'll let the co-sponsorship memoranda speak for themselves.

First up, by Representative Dick Hess (R - Bedford County, Fulton County, Huntingdon County):...

Fundraiser hosted by High Times Magazine and Plant Life Music

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:26:28 GMT+6

Location: Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Time: 8:30 PM - 2:00 AM
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (PhillyNORML) will be having a fundraiser on Thursday, January 20, 2010 from 8 pm - 2:30 am at Kung Fu Necktie. Sponsored by HIGH TIMES Magazine and Plant Life Music, this event will raise money for PhillyNORML's projects in 2011.

Door $10

Raffle of HIGH TIMES Magazine Items, as well as donated items from businesses that support our cause. Bring money for raffle tickets and drinks!
<...

Green shopping at the PhillyNORML Holiday Bazaar!!

phillynormlmedia — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:17:44 GMT+6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PhillyNORML www.phillynorml.org
Working to legalize marijuana

Green shopping at the PhillyNORML Holiday Bazaar

Thursday December 2, 2010 the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, PhillyNORML, will present some holiday items that also help legalize cannabis.

Special pricing on PhillyNORML and PA4MMJ medical marijuana T-Shirts and PhillyNORM...

DEA Emergency Schedules JWH-018 and 4 other synthetic cannabinoids

EdLee — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:55:03 GMT+6

by Mike Meno
November 24, 2010

The DEA announced today that it will temporarily classify five synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of marijuana as Schedule 1 drugs, meaning they have no medical value, a high potential for abuse, and will be illegal to sell, purchase, or use. (Marijuana itself, as many of us are already well aware, is also classified as a Schedule 1 drug).

The move comes after more than a dozen states nationwide have passed bans on the herbal blen...

2010 Candidates Positions on Marijuana Policies

EdLee — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:59:54 GMT+6

I decided to start a thread to keep a list of 2010 candidates and their positions on HB 1393 and medical marijuana, plus their positions on recreational use, industrial hemp, and other related issues. This is all I have so far, but I will try and keeping adding to it.
Gubernatorial Candidates:
Dan Onorato - Democrat - Opposes HB 1393 | Lt. Gov. Candidate H. Scott Conklin - Democrat - Supports HB 1393, Supported HB 176 Ban on Cannabinoids and Salvia
Tom Corbett - Repu...

Medical-marijuana grower busted by DEA pleads guilty

Quietus — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:58:32 GMT+6

_{Christopher Bartkowicz, 37, heads to the federal courthouse in Denver on Thursday. The Highlands Ranch man had shown his growing operation on 9News in February. ( John Prieto, The Denver Post )}

Christopher Bartkowicz walked out of a federal courtroom in handcuffs Thursday after pleading guilty to drug charges stemming from a raid on his medical-marijuana...

Philadelphia: Marijuana arrests remain high

phillynormlmedia — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:34:24 GMT+6

http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-philadelphia/philadelphia-marijuana-arrests-remain-high

Each year PhillyNORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, looks at the marijuana arrest data for the city. The information comes directly from the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System.

Here are the numbers for 2009, the most recent data available:

There were 6, 402 marijuana related arrests by Philadelphia City Police in...

Prop 19 Opponents Veer Off Into Paranoia

Pallidus127 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:39:43 GMT+6

The opposition to California's marijuana legalization measure is veering off into paranoid and delusional terrain in the final days of the campaign, echoing some of the more bizarre anti-pot themes more common in the early part of the 20th century when the film "Reefer Madness" worked to persuade Americans of the dangers of the drug.

The no campaign's website greets visitors with a photograph of a wrecked car and an overturned school bus, presumably filled by children killed by a ston...

PhillyNORML Tabling Event at Halloween Cypress Hill Show

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:15:57 GMT+6

Location: Theater of Living Arts (TLA), 334 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010

Miller Lite Presents - Cypress Hill with Millie Mag and Mason
Date: 10/31/2010
Time: 8:00PM
Location: Theater of Living Arts (TLA) on South Street.

PhillyNORML will be tabling the Halloween Cypress Hill show at the TLA! Purchase Tickets and join us for a fun time....

Pa. saw 25,635 marijuana arrests last year

phillynormlmedia — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 09:03:38 GMT+6

http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-philadelphia/pennsylvania-saw-25-635-marijuana-arrests-last-year

by Chris Goldstein 10/1/2010 - According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System there were 25, 635 adult arrests for marijuana prohi...

Pro-Marijuana Legalization Rally at Obama Campaign Event

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:18:18 GMT+6

Location: NOT AVAILABLE YET, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010

President Obama is coming to Philadelphia on Sunday, October 10th, 2010. The Pro-Marijuana legalization movement is going to let the President know that he needs to take action and legalize marijuana for medicinal reasons as well as for recreational purposes.

Cut off funding to violent drug cartels across our border who currently generate 60 percent of their revenue from the illegal U.S. marijuana market.

Tax me like you tax me when I use alcohol.

Tell your frien...

Tabling/Lobby Day at Capitol

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:53:53 GMT+6

Location: Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Time: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2010

There is a great opportunity to get involved in helping get the medical marijuana bills HB1393 and SB1350 passed. PA4MMJ will be setting up a table in the Capitol building in Harrisburg on Wednesday, September 22 from 9:30AM - 3:00PM, as well as lobbying our Legislators and Senators during the time we are there, and we'd like you to be a part of it!

If you are interested in joining us in speaking with legislators and raising awareness among elected officials, their staffer...

From 'Prince of Pot' to 'Prince of Prison': Marc Emery begins serving U.S. sentence

Quietus — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:37:53 GMT+6

BY DAMIAN INWOOD, POSTMEDIA NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

"http://www.montrealgazette.com/3512363.bin" width="50%" height="50%">
_{Vancouver's Marc Emery has gone from 'Prince of Pot' to prison pauper with a five-year U.S. prison sentence for mailing marijuana seeds south of the border.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, PNG Merlin Archive}

SEATTLE - Vancouver's Marc Emery has gone from 'Prince of Pot' to prison pauper with a five-year U.S. prison sentence for...

Risk of marijuana's 'gateway effect' overblown, new UNH research shows

Quietus — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:58:49 GMT+6

DURHAM, N.H.- New research from the University of New Hampshire shows that the "gateway effect" of marijuana - that teenagers who use marijuana are more likely to move on to harder illicit drugs as young adults - is overblown.

Whether teenagers who smoked pot will use other illicit drugs as young adults has more to do with life factors such as employment status and stress, according to the new research. In fact, the strongest predictor of whether someone will use other illic...

PA: Medical, police testimony favors marijuana at HB1393 hearings

phillynormlmedia — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:10:58 GMT+6

Medical cannabis is a complex public policy issue. But the message was made clear in Pittsburgh last week when some of the nation's top medical doctors and a former narcotics officer testified in favor of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana bill, HB 1393.

Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Dr. Cyril Wecht offered the most powerful expert medical testimony on the subject heard thus far by the PA House Health and Human Services Committee.

Read full article with video and media links:...

BREAKING - Aug 18 Public hearing for medical marijuana bill scheduled

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:35:08 GMT+6
8/12/2010 - The Pennsylvania House Health and Human Services Committee will hold a satellite hearing on medical marijuana in Pittsburgh, PA on August 19, 2010.

HHS Committee Chair Rep. Frank Oliver issued a memo yesterday:

Please be advised that on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health at 130 Desoto Street, Room G-23, Pittsburgh, PA 15320, there will be a public hearing on House Bill 1393.

HHS Hearing on HB 1393

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:36:45 GMT+6
Location: University of Pittsburgh Grad School of Public Health, Room G23, 130 Desoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010

According to http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTM, Rep. Oliver has scheduled the next HHS hearing on HB1393. All patients and advocates who are able to attend are urged to do so. Patients, physicians, nurses, medical professionals, or law enforcement officers who wish to testify should contact Patrick Nightingale (patrick@pittsburghnorml.org), who runs PittsburghNORML and is also on the board of Pennsylvanians for Medi...

V.A. Easing Rules for Users of Medical Marijuana

Quietus — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:29:17 GMT+6
By DAN FROSCH
DENVER - The Department of Veterans Affairs will formally allow patients treated at its hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal, a policy clarification that veterans have sought for several years.

A department directive, expected to take effect next week, resolves the conflict in veterans facilities between federal law, which outlaws marijuana, and the 14 states that allow medicinal use of the drug, effectively deferring to ...

Happy 4th of July, Hope You Remember Why

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:41:34 GMT+6
PhillyNORML would like to extend a happy 4th of July to you and your friends and loved ones.

We hope you all remember why we're celebrating this! It's not the fireworks, the food, or the music being belted out at the Parkway... it's our Inalienable Rights to Life, Liberty, and Happiness which some fool who thought he had "divine right" believed could take away from human beings. Guess what? While not nearly as messed up as what King George did (to people they'...

PW 20th Anniversary Concerts

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:29:32 GMT+6
Location: Rittenhouse Square, 18th St. and Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010

PhillyNORML and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) will be tabling at each of the 3 concerts in PW's series this year, to spread the word about medical marijuana and HB1393/SB1350, and ending the prohibition on marijuana users.

Current band list for each event TBA. Visit http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/event-series/PWs-20th-Annual-Concerts-in-the-Park-90969094.html[/...

PW 20th Anniversary Concerts

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:28:55 GMT+6
Location: Rittenhouse Square, 18th St. and Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

PhillyNORML and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) will be tabling at each of the 3 concerts in PW's series this year, to spread the word about medical marijuana and HB1393/SB1350, and ending the prohibition on marijuana users.

Current band list for each event TBA. Visit http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/event-series/PWs-20th-Annual-Concerts-in-the-Park-90969094.html[/...

PW 20th Anniversary Concerts

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:27:57 GMT+6
Location: Rittenhouse Square, 18th St. and Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2010

PhillyNORML and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) will be tabling at each of the 3 concerts in PW's series this year, to spread the word about medical marijuana and HB1393/SB1350, and ending the prohibition on marijuana users.

Current band list for each event TBA. Visit http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/event-series/PWs-20th-Annual-Concerts-in-the-Park-90969094.html[/...

Annual PhillyNORML Picnic and BBQ

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:47:18 GMT+6
Location: Clark Park, 43rd St. and Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Date: Saturday, August 14, 2010

The annual picnic is for members of the group to come out, have a good time, meet and mingle with other members of the group, and get to know each other better. Clark Park is well situated for this, with open spaces for throwing around a football or frisbee, spinning poi or staff, or just relaxing. We hope you'll come out and take the opportunity to get better acquainted with the people making the movement happen here in Philadelphia....

Clark Park Arts and Music Fest

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:32:19 GMT+6
Location: Clark Park, 43rd St. and Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2010

PhillyNORML will be tabling at the Clark Park Arts & Music Festival this Saturday, June 19th. All members are welcome to come out to this event as it's an open area with a dozen or so vendors. Great opportunity to talk legalization and medical marijuana with members of the community....

Philadelphia Marijuana Penalty Reduction Goes Into Effect Today

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:49:26 GMT+6
by Derek Rosenzweig, Secretary of PhillyNORML

On April 5th, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced that Philadelphia county would be easing marijuana possession penalties. Those in possession of 30g (just over one ounce, or about a month's worth of cannabis for a daily smoker) or less will no longer face a criminal record or jail time for a first time offense. This poli...

My Reponse to Rep Cutler

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:09:22 GMT+6
On May 4th after the introduction of SB1350, I had the opportunity to chat with Rep. Cutler during lunch. He expressed interest in learning more, and then sent this email to me after he returned to his office:

On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 12:45 PM, Bryan Cutler wrote:

Quote
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me today. I have cut and pasted my list of concerns below

I will not be supporting the bill for a variety of reasons.

First, there are just as ma
...

New poll shows 8 in 10 support medical marijuana in PA

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:39:05 GMT+6
Philadelphia NORML Examiner

Medical cannabis legislation is active in PA and residents continue to show strong support. New polling conducted by Franklin & Marshall College saw a full 80% of respondents 'Strongly Favor' (53%) and 'Somewhat Favor' (27%) legal medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. That's 80% total in support - more than any candidate for office entertains!

The poll was conducted fro...

PA Senate considers medical marijuana, patients call for support - 5/7/2010

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:47:05 GMT+6
Philadelphia NORML Examiner

On Tuesday May 4, 2010 Senator Daylin Leach introduced The Pennsylvania Compassionate Use Act. A companion bill in the House that saw committee hearing in December is still active. The Senator stood at a Capitol press conference surrounded by patients, doctors and advocates...

How Big Is The Marijuana Market?

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:25:08 GMT+6
Published By: Ariel Nelson, CNBC Director of Market Data & Content Services

Put arguments for and against legalization aside for a moment. If people could use marijuana - without fear of legal consequence - just how much would get used? More to the point, how much money is at stake?

A variety of businesses and tax-deprived governments would love to know the answer. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple one. By its taboo nature, marijuana consumption and demand is n...

Jack Herer dies at age 70

Quietus — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:14:03 GMT+6
By Anne Saker, The Oregonian
April 15, 2010, 6:18PM

_{Jack Herer (left) with Dennis Peron (right), founder of the Cannabis Buyers Club, in San Francisco in 1996.}

Writer and activist Jack Herer, whose 1985 book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" ignited the modern marijuana legalization movement, died Thursday from complications from a Septem...

Marijuana law enforcement in the city of brotherly love

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:29:53 GMT+6
Philadelphia is moving toward changing how minor marijuana possession offenses will be treated. Joining Marty to discuss the changes and what prompted them are Philadelphia District Attorney SETH WILLIAMS and CHRIS GOLDSTEIN of Philly NORML, an advocacy group opposing marijuana prohibition. Then, we'll talk to Carroll Doherty of the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, about a...

Philadelphia to ease marijuana penalty

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:50:55 GMT+6
By Craig R. McCoy, Nancy Phillips, and Dylan Purcell - Inquirer Staff Writers

The city's new district attorney and the state Supreme Court are moving to all but decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use in an effort to unclog Philadelphia's crowded court dockets.

Under a policy to take effect later this month, prosecutors will charge such cases as summary offenses rather than as misdemeanors. People arrested with up to 30 gra...

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:51:25 GMT+6
Location: The A-Space at 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

PhillyNORML Meets on the First and Third Thursdays of each month at 7:30PM at

The A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

The A-Space on Google Maps

This meeting will be a signmakin...

Philly Cannabis March 2010

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:29:53 GMT+6
Location: Meet at Broad St. and South St.; Headhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Date: Saturday, May 01, 2010

In over 300 cities worldwide, supporters of marijuana law reform take to the streets to protest prohibition policies and demand the changes that are inevitable. Legalization and regulation of cannabis hemp for all purposes - industrial, medicinal, recreational, and religious - it doesn't matter why you support marijuana legalization, come out and join hundreds to thousands of your fellow reform advocates here in beautiful downtown Philadelphia. Our route begins at the intersection of Broad S...

Philly: White women rarely arrested for pot

phillynormlmedia — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:10:01 GMT+6
In Philadelphia and other urban environments white women are the group least arrested for marijuana. Mainstream media has given significant attention recently to American women's appreciation for cannabis. From Tyra Banks to The View and Marie Claire to the New York Times we can see businesswomen, celebrities and soccer moms smoking pot for medication and recreation.

But a look at the data for Philadelphia in August 2008 reveals that just 9 white women were arrested for marijuana poss...

PhillyNORML March 18, 2010 meeting minutes

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:50:16 GMT+6
Meeting Minutes - 3/18/2010

Meeting began: 7:47PM
12 people in attendance

I. PhillyNORML News and Status
A. Treasurer's report: Current financial assets are at $3401.56.

II. Open Discussion, Introductions
Interest was expressed in starting a new chapter of NORML at Bucks County Community College.

III. Old Business
A. PA4MMJ / HB1393 Campaign
HHS commit
...

420 Fundraiser at Blockley Pourhouse

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:24:49 GMT+6
Location: The Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 7:30 PM - 2:00 AM
Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Join NORML & friends for a huge 4/20 rally, fundraiser & live music event at the BLOCKLEY POURHOUSE in Philadelphia!

Featuring live performances by:

- The Hustle (Indie > Experimental > Hip Hop)
http://www.myspace.com/thehustleband

- Agent Moosehead (Jazz > Nintendo > Progressive)
http://www.myspace.com/agentmoosehead

- I Yahn ...

Rethinking the War on Drugs: Disparate Impacts of the Current Drug Policy in Philadelphia

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:41:12 GMT+6
Location: Temple University - Moot Court Room (Klein Hall) - 1719 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Date: Thursday, April 01, 2010

Moderator: Temple Professor Scott Burris

Speakers: DA Seth Williams; Professor John Goldkamp - Dept of Criminal Justice; Emily Gibble, Prevention Point

Panel Presentations Followed by a Q & A

The 2010 Temple SPIN Forum will address the significant impacts of drug policy in the city of Philadelphia. Minor drug convictions often result in long prison sentences, overcrowded facilities, and a waste of government resources. The current punitive system also only ...

WalMart fires medical marijuana patient - 3/11/10

Quietus — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:07:21 GMT+6
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WZZM) - Now that medical marijuana is legal in Michigan, can an employer fire a worker who tests positive for the drug?

WalMart says it can, so it did.

"I was terminated because I failed a drug screening," says former WalMart employee Joseph Casias.

In 2008, Casias was the Associate Of The Year at the WalMart store in Battle Creek, despite suffering from sinus cancer and an inoperable brain tumor.

At his doctor'...

Was the Pentagon Shooter an Obama-approved Pothead?

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:16:12 GMT+6
Written by Cliff Kincaid Sunday, 07 March 2010 20:03

The left says he was a right-winger; the conservatives say that he was a leftist. What is abundantly clear, from reading his Internet commentaries, is that Pentagon shooter John Patrick Bedell was a psychotic pothead. He hated a government that he believed was standing in the way of his desire to use, grow and glorify marijuana. He virtually worshipped the drug. "I'm a cannabis enthusiast," he proclaimed.
...

Wilkes Barre, Medical MJ Rally

Derek Rosenzweig — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:29:15 GMT+6
Location: Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Date: Friday, March 19, 2010

Location: Public Square, Wilkes Barre, PA
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

There will be a peaceful rally in support of Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania. It will be to tell the big wigs in Harrisburg that it is time that they stop denying patients their rights!

Now we do not want to be ticking off the police so please do not perform in any illegal actions during this rally. But this does not mean we will not be loud, noticeable and strong. We want to get the attention of ever...

New drug worry in Phila.: synthetic marijuana - 2/20/10

Quietus — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:21:22 GMT+6
By Peter Mucha -Inquirer Staff Writer

Federal agents are cracking down on imports of a synthetic marijuana that has started appearing in the Philadelphia area.

It is not illegal in any state to possess the substance, but Food and Drug Administration regulations bar its import and sale because it is not a tested and approved drug.

Eighty-five parcels arriving from Amsterdam at a UPS facility at Philadelphia International Airport were detained and then seize...

Drug Policy Forum Hosted by Drexel University

Derek Rosenzweig — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:33:49 GMT+6
Location: Main Building, 3200 Chestnut St, Room 140, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Date: Saturday, March 06, 2010

...

Iowa board urges state to OK medical marijuana

Quietus — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:01:36 GMT+6
By MOLLY HOTTLE

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy on Wednesday unanimously recommended that the Legislature legalize marijuana for medical uses.
In a 6-0 vote, the board also called for lawmakers to change the classification of marijuana to a Schedule II drug. Such drugs have the potential for abuse but also have accepted medical uses.

The board's action makes it the first state pharmacy panel to take such a stance before either legislators or voters took steps to ...

Marijuana in PA - Legalize to Lessen the Pain - on WVIA

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:22:31 GMT+6
PITTSTON, PA (wvia) - Should marijuana be available to Pennsylvanians who suffer from cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses? We will discuss this issue on the next State of Pennsylvania Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. on WVIA-TV.

Recent testimony before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (www.youtube.com/pa4mmj) supports the practice of using marijuana as a safe and effective means to manage the pain of grave disease as well as subsequent treatments. Our l...

Medical marijuana lab in Colorado Springs latest to be raided by DEA

Quietus — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:53:53 GMT+6
By Joel Warner in Follow That Story, MarijuanaFri., Feb. 12 2010 @ 2:29PM

Michael Lee's lab, Genovations, was raided yesterday by the DEA.
We recently wrote about how a DEA raid at Full Spectrum Laboratories, a Denver medical marijuana testing facility, was triggered by the lab applying for an analytical lab licensure through the DEA. Now DEA agents have hit anot...

Demand CBS Reverse Marijuana Ad Decision

Derek Rosenzweig — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:48:36 GMT+6
Action alert for all members: Sign the PETITION!

We need 5,000 signatures. As of this writing, we are at 3,241. Media who pick and choose what their audience sees based on some outdated, insane 'morality' which often times is against the true morals and interests of the media entity in question, should be punished. CBS thinks people shouldn't do ma...

Medical Marijuana Week Movie Showing

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:15:33 GMT+6
Location: The A-Space at 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010

During Medical Marijuana Week, our normal meeting time occurs on Thursday the 18th. We'll be hosting a movie showing of "Waiting to Inhale," a medical marijuana documentary. Medical Marijuana Week originally came out of California's Proposition 215 - thus the annual date February 15th. Now on its eighth year, Medical Marijuana Week is a national phenomenon, and we encourage you to join us!

[url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=4722+Baltimore+Ave+19143&...

Site Downtime

dOc — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:04:27 GMT+6
Folks,
We here at PhillyNORML want to apologize for any inconvenience caused by our recent site downtime. As you may have noticed our site has been offline over the weekend due to a problem we were having on the site. We are remedying the situation and the full site should be back up. Any emails sent to us should have come through, but we may not have received them until today so there may be a delay in responding.
Thanks for understanding.
-Rob Dougherty on behalf of the PhillyN...

Four Dems for governor debate PA and National issues

anonymous professional — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:29:32 GMT+6
By PETER JACKSON Associated Press Writer
Updated: 01/29/2010 10:09:18 PM EST

HARRISBURG, Pa. - In the first debate of Pennsylvania's gubernatorial campaign, the four Democratic candidates for governor jousted Friday night over some of the hottest issues at a gathering sponsored by labor unions and citizen activist groups.

Questions posed by some of the roughly 300 people at the first Pennsylvania Progressive Summit illuminated differences among the candidate...

PhillyNORML 2009 Year in Review

dOc — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:01:54 GMT+6
Well folks, it has been an exciting year for PhillyNORML and Pennsylvania Cannabis Law Reform efforts. We wanted to send out an email about our 2009 efforts to keep you up to date on where we are. It is thanks to generous donations and local efforts by all of you out there that keep us moving towards our goals.

Thanks to everyone who has come out to the general meetings, held twice monthly at the A-Space in West Philadelphia and to the A-Space for hosting the meeting location...

Granny Storm Crow's MMJ Reference List for 2010

Storm Crow — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:55:20 GMT+6
How this list came about-

"If the truth won't do, then something is wrong!"

Those were the furious words of my grandfather to my Mother. I had walked in from joyfully stuffing my face with red raspberries in the garden, straight into "war zone"! My gentle grandfather in a fury, his hand raised! Mom was just beginning to shrink back away from him. They saw me and qui...

PA ponders medical marijuana (1/14/10)

Quietus — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:25:49 GMT+6
PA ponders medical marijuana

New Jersey is poised to become the next state to allow marijuana use for medical purposes. It took advocates years to push the bill through the General Assembly - and the result is a compromise that would create the most restrictive medical marijuana law yet. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania lawmakers just kicked off their debate last month. For the Health and Science Desk, Taunya English reports on worries from opponents and one patient's story.

Wal...

Ocean County Senior Citizens Form Medical MJ Collective

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:17:59 GMT+6
By Ellen Leyva
Watch the video
LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. -- It's the last place you might expect to find hundreds of people smoking pot: But seniors living at the Laguna Woods Village retirement community -- also known as "Leisure World" -- have formed a non-profit, patient-run medical marijuana collective.

Golf is a way of life at Laguna Woods Village, also known as "Leisure World."

PA Progressive Summit

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:48:36 GMT+6
Location: Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Date: Friday, January 29, 2010

From http://paprogressivesummit.org/:

The Pennsylvania Progressive Summit will be the largest, most dynamic gathering of progressive activists ever assembled in Pennsylvania. Register today to join hundreds of field organizers, volunteers, bloggers, labor leaders, elected officials and policy experts at the state and national level. We're coming together to galvanize the progressive movement in our state, make new alliances, discuss the ...

Published Study Shows How Cannabis Inhibits Brain Cancer

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:02:00 GMT+6
By ASA Medical & Scientific Advisory Board Member Jahan Marcu

As a member of ASA's Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, I've been actively engaged in pursuing further evidence of the medical efficacy of cannabis-based medicine. Some of this work occurred while I was working at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (CPMCRI), and yesterday the findings of that work were published by the peer-reviewed journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. With this stud...

NJ Medical marijuana bill sent to Governor Corzine

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:21:32 GMT+6
By Adrienne Lu - Inquirer Trenton Bureau

TRENTON - New Jersey is set become the 14th state in the nation to allow medical use of marijuana, under a bill approved yesterday by legislators.

Gov. Corzine is expected to sign the bill during his last week in office. The law, which advocates have worked for years to get passed, would go into effect six months later.

Last February, the state Senate approved a medical-marijuana bill with bipartisan support. But af...

American Drug War: The Last White Hope - Free Documentary Screening

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:10:44 GMT+6
Location: Ethical Society Building, 1906 South Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Date: Monday, January 18, 2010

Announcing a new Meetup for TRUTH, FREEDOM, PROSPERITY! http://www.truth-freedom-prosperity.ws/calendar/12198658/?eventId=12198658&action=detail

What: "American Drug War: The Last White Hope" - Free Documentary Screening

484-904-6004

So the ultimate question never seems to go away...."what to watch on a Monday night?" With so many enlight...

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:49:06 GMT+6
Location: The A-Space - 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

PhillyNORML Meets on the First and Third Thursdays of each month at 7:30PM at

The A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=4722+Baltimore+Ave+1...

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:44:40 GMT+6
Location: The A-Space - 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Thursday, January 07, 2010

PhillyNORML Open Meeting.

PhillyNORML Meets on the First and Third Thursdays of each month at 7:30PM at

The A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Check your calendar for the next date, or visit the front pag...

PA House Internet Video Program Medical Marijuana Episode

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:41:38 GMT+6
Ep. 109 - i on PA episode
See the video

i on Pennsylvania is a biweekly video podcast of public policy issues in Pennsylvania.

Imagine living in constant pain and discomfort from a debilitating disease or the side effects of powerful prescription drugs. The safest relief you can get is from the controlled use of medical marijuana, but you could get arrested. Should it be l...

10 Reasons the US Military Should Officially Use Pot

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:26:10 GMT+6
By Penny Coleman, AlterNet. Posted December 29, 2009.

Medical marijuana may have a host of advantages over other treatments for traumatized vets, but the VA won't even study its efficacy.

"There's a lot of things I'm passionate about, but getting a prescription for my marijuana from the VA is probably at the top of my list. I'd be like a kid waiting up for Santa if I thought he might be bringing me one of those. Haha!"

On top of a...

2010 Kickoff Fundraiser

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:44:29 GMT+6
Location: the Rotunda - 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Date: Friday, January 29, 2010

Cover: $5

Live at the Rotunda, PhillyNORML is proud to bring you this benefit kickoff event for 2010 and the new decade. Sure to be a big hit, with performances by:

Agent Moosehead
Psychedelphia
DJ Ginka
Si Senorita
Others TBA

MCing the event is Chris Goldstein, Communications director of PhillyNORML. Guest speaker list TBA. All funds raised benefit PhillyNORML and ai...

test

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:54:26 GMT+6
testing youtube:

...

New Quinnipiac Poll Shows Strong PA Support For Medical Marijuana

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:51:50 GMT+6
By Derek Rosenzweig

Consistent with previous polls, medical marijuana remains an idea that Pennsylvanians support. Today, Quinnipiac Univeristy Polling released the results of its latest poll of PA politics and issues. Directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., Quinnipiac conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.

Polling shows a total 59% in favor of medical marijua...

Stunning Reversal at Medical Marijuana Trial

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:34:26 GMT+6
By BRIAN THOMPSON

A judge reversed course today, allowing a man on trial for possession of 17 marijuana plants that he was growing during the summer of 2008 to testify about his medical condition.

Judge Robert Reed had earlier ruled that defendant John Ray Wilson could not present a defense based on this medical condition.

But then, after taking the stand in his own defense today, and after multiple conferences among the lawyers and the judge, Wilson was a...

TODAY!: Medical Cannabis Lunch: Live web-chat on WHYY

phillynormlmedia — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:08:25 GMT+6
12/8/09 from Chris Goldstein
WHYY Philadelphia, one of the nations largest public radio-tv outlets, is hosting an interactive web-chat on the topic of medical marijuana Tuesday December 8, 2009. Participants can log on live from 12NOON to 1PM. The guests will be PA4MMJ's spokesman Chris Goldstein and Edward M. Marsico Jr. President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and District Attorney for Dauphin County. The session is hosted by WHY...

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano: HB 1393 Testimony

phillynormlmedia — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:11:55 GMT+6
When PhillyNORML/PA4MMJ put out the call for written submissions on HB 1393 one of the nation's foremost experts on medical cannabis responded: Paul Armentano of National NORML.

Paul is also the co-author of the recent book Marijuana is Safer.

Here is his written testimony in full, as submitted to the PA House Health and Human Ser...

December 2, 2009 - Hearings in Harrisburg regarding HB 1393

mymedimar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:26:07 GMT+6
I attended yesterday's meeting in Harrisburg, and as always was prepared to be opened minded on both sides of the issues. I am sure it is no wonder that I thought the points raised by 1393 supporters were much stronger than those presented by its detractors.

First off, for all of you stoners out there let me clarify that this is for medicinal purposes only. You may consider this legislation "gateway" legislation for generalized legalization, but those pure...

Push To Legalize Marijuana In Pennsylvania

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:12:32 GMT+6
Sarah Arbogast Staff reporter - 5:23 PM EST, December 2, 2009

HARRISBURG, PA - The push for legalizing marijuana for medical use moves into Pennsylvania.

Lawmakers, patients, and health experts gather at the state capitol to push for House Bill 1393. The proposal would give seriously ill patients across the state access to marijuana.

"With having progressive MS, the drugs I was on did damage to my heart. At the time I didn't have the choice of me...

Medical marijuana gets hearing in Pa. House

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:06:22 GMT+6
It was standing room only as those for and against lined up to deliver tales and pleas.

By Amy Worden - Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG - The heart-wrenching stories came from both sides.

A Pittsburgh man testified of wishing he could have used pot to ease his dying mother's "excruciating pain." Parents of drug-addicted children said the last thing the state should do is join the 13 others that allow medical use of marijuana.

AIDS LAW PROJECT OF PENNSYLVANIA: COMMENTS ON HB 1393

phillynormlmedia — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:27:09 GMT+6
11/26/09
PA4MMJ is pleased to report that the AIDS Law Project sent in their comments for the HB 1393 legislative hearings next week. Here they are in full. - Chris Goldstein and Derek Rosenzweig

http://www.aidslawpa.org/

COMMENTS ON HB 1393
SUBMITTED BY: AIDS LAW PROJECT OF PENNSYLVANIA

The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania supports clients and others affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic by urging the pass...

American Medical Association Calls For Ending The "Schedule 1 Lie"

RxxY — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:24:34 GMT+6
November 10th, 2009 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

The Schedule I federal classification of cannabis - which states that, by law, the marijuana plant and its natural compounds have "no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States" - has long since passed the point of farcical. Nevertheless, defenders of the so-called 'Schedule I lie' have possessed, for nearly 30 years, one prestigious ally that they could always rely on to endorse their absurd po...

City Officials Consider Policy Change, Gain 3 Million in Budget Savings

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:27:30 GMT+6
November 17, 2009 - by Chris Goldstein, Communications Director, and Derek Rosenzweig, Secretary of PhillyNORML

Philadelphia could save more than $3,000,000 annually by not taking pot smokers in for mugshots

Minor marijuana possession arrests in Philadelphia are handled with mandatory custody; this is a different process than every other county in Pennsylvania costing the city millions of dollars. A disproportionate number of citizens (84%) arrested for marijuana pos...

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Committee to Debate Medical Marijuana Bill

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:27:57 GMT+6
November 9, 2009 - Chris Goldstein, Communications Director PhillyNORML

WHO: Pennsylvania House Health and Human Services committee
WHAT: Public Hearings on HB 1393, medical marijuana in PA
WHEN: December 2, 2009 at 11AM in Harrisburg
CONTACT: media@phillynorml.org

Philadelphia - Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) is pleased to announce that the PA House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committee will ...

HB 1393 HHS Committee Hearings

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:20 GMT+6
Location: Pennsylvania Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, December 02, 2009

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Health and Human Services Committee, a 26 member committee, will hear testimony about HB 1393, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.

Patients, doctors, and advocates are welcome to testify. Visit http://www.pa4mmj.org/pages/submit_testimony for details on how to testify as part of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana's efforts. Everyone is welcome to come in support. Details on exactly where it will be held will be posted soo...

Berks judge: End mandatory sentences involving drug sales in school zones

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:33:49 GMT+6
Punishment for drug sales within 1,000 feet of schools has unintended consequences
By Holly Herman
Reading Eagle

A Berks County judge called for immediate action from legislators to repeal a law allowing prosecutors to seek mandatory sentences for drug dealers selling within 1,000 feet of a school.

"We cannot continue to fill up the prisons with nonviolent people who sell marijuana," Judge Linda K.M. Ludgate said. "We are in a state budget cr...

AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued - 10/19/09

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:27:58 GMT+6
This is pretty good to hear, and hopefully will allay any PA legislators' fears that PA residents will be open to prosecution for abiding by a state medical marijuana law. From http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9mnrkJu2S7Mly9xuWs4p9_TRkdwD9BDU8CG2:

Quote
AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued

By DEVLIN BARRETT (AP) - 36 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users
...

AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:38:24 GMT+6
By DEVLIN BARRETT (AP) - 36 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors Monday.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict complian...

PhillyNORML Open Meeting

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:28:07 GMT+6
Location: 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009

PhillyNORML Open Meeting.

PhillyNORML Meets on the First and Third Thursdays of each month at 7:30PM at

The A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Check your calendar for the next date, or visit the front pag...

Marijuana chemical may slow multiple sclerosis - 5/12/09

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:25:01 GMT+6
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

CONTACT: Megan Chiplock <chiplock@temple.edu> 215-707-1731

In lieu of curing a debilitating disease, the next best thing scientists can do is slow its progression and create better treatments.

Armed with a $1.5 million National Institutes of Health grant, Temple researchers are studying more effective ways to treat multiple sclerosis. A...

PhillyNORML Needs your Support!

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:23:02 GMT+6
Thanks to the generosity of our membership and their friends and family, Team Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana was able to raise $540 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk!

Donate Now to Support Reform Initiatives in Pennsylvania
The A-Space
4722 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Check your calendar for the next date, or visit the front pag...

A push to legalize marijuana

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:32:32 GMT+6
By Marcus Wohlsen

Advocates are seeking to get measures on the ballot in California.

Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO - Marijuana advocates are gathering signatures to get as many as three pot-legalization measures on the ballot in 2010 in California, setting up what could be a groundbreaking clash with the federal government over drug policy.

At least one poll indicates voters would support lifting the pot prohibition, which would make the state of mor...

Pot legalization gains momentum in California

Quietus — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:19:15 GMT+6
By MARCUS WOHLSEN (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO - Marijuana advocates are gathering signatures to get as many as three pot-legalization measures on the ballot in 2010 in California, setting up what could be a groundbreaking clash with the federal government over U.S. drug policy
.
At least one poll shows voters would support lifting the pot prohibition, which would make the state of more than 38 million the first in the nation to legalize marijuana.
Such action would also s...

Philadelphia Represents East Coast Cannabis Consumers at NORML Conference

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:27:22 GMT+6
By Chris Goldstein and Derek Rosenzweig, PhillyNORML

10/1/2009 - Board of Directors

PhillyNORML and PA4MMJ were featured in the most important marijuana reform events in the country last week raising awareness for our local efforts.

On September 19th we were up north for the Boston Freedom Rally, the largest marijuana reform event on the East Coast, organized by MASSCANN/NORML. With perfect weather and newly relaxed marijuana laws, the event saw 30,000 people gather on the Boston Common to support ending cannabis prohibition....

Homegrown Pot Threatens Mexican Cartels

Quietus — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:53:41 GMT+6
ARCATA, Ca. - Washington Post: American Mom-and-Pop Marijuana Growers Are Cutting Into Profits of Foreign Traffickers

Stiff competition from thousands of mom-and-pop marijuana farmers in the United States threatens the bottom line for powerful Mexican drug organizations in a way that decades of arrests and seizures have not, according to law enforcement officials and pot growers in the United States and Mexico.

[img]http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2009/07/10/imag...

All New Jersey gubernatorial candidates support medical marijuana

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:55:27 GMT+6
By Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director CMMNJ

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey (CMMNJ) was pleased to see that all three candidates for governor of New Jersey said that they support medical marijuana. Democrat Jon Corzine, Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett all agreed to sign a medical marijuana access law during a debate Thursday. According to [u...

Marijuana grower: I did nothing illegal

Quietus — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:55:41 GMT+6
By Kelly Jerome and Traci L. Weisenbach

Published: Monday, October 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT

BAD AXE - It is rare that a person of interest in connection to a marijuana raid would, against attorney advice, speak to local media. But, Jeffery David Ellis, of Livonia, said he wants his story told for two reasons.

First, he said he did nothing wrong.

Second, he wants his possessions returned, including marijuana from the 34 mature plants found in the bas...

Suits and Ties Meet Ponytails and Dreadlocks at Day One of S.F. Pot Conference

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:49:38 GMT+6
By Anna McCarthy

Today was day one of three at NORML's 38th Annual Conference, which is being held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel off of Union Square. NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is a non-profit that has been trying to convince the world about marijuana's miracles since 1970. The theme this year, "Yes We Cannabis," evokes an already tried and true slogan, and a poster for the conference even features a rendering of President ...

Stiletto Stoners - Women Who Toke Instead of Drink

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:47:09 GMT+6
By Yael Kohen

They've got killer careers and enviable social lives. They're also major potheads. Why are so many smart, successful women lighting up in their off-hours?

Jennifer Pelham* kicks off her black Marc Jacobs pumps, slips out of her trim Theory blazer, and collapses on the couch. The 29-year-old corporate attorney for one of Manhattan's top law firms has just clocked another 12-hour day, and though it's over, she's having a hard time...

HB 1393 Puts Medical Marijuana on the PA Agenda

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:33:01 GMT+6
by Edward Pane, CAC Diplomate, CCS

Editor's note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of PCB.

On April 30, 2009, Rep. Mark Cohen introduced House Bill 1393 to the Pennsylvania legislature, Pennsylvania's entry into the arena of other states which have either legalized or are in the process of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The short title is, "An Act providing for the medical use of ma...

MPP's Nevada Chapter Issues $10,000 Challenge

Pallidus127 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:55:24 GMT+6

Quote
At a Las Vegas news conference today, the Marijuana Policy Project of Nevada announced details of a $10,000 challenge to the people of Nevada. MPP-NV will pay $10,000 to anyone who can disprove three statements of fact that demonstrate that marijuana is objectively and unquestionably safer than alcohol.

The challenge, announced by MPP-NV manager Dave Schwartz with a large mock check for $10,000, kicks off a long-term public education campaign regarding the rel
...

NORML Talks Pot

Quietus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:20:24 GMT+6
SAN FRANCISCO -- The leaders of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, urged medical marijuana supporters Thursday to further spread the message of cannabis' health benefits.

And spirits were certainly high.

For the first day of its 38th annual three-day conference, NORML activists and leaders talked about the increased public support for medical marijuana, as well as recreational use.

The conference continues through Saturday ...

NJ Medical Marijuana Bill Gains Momentum - 9/30/2009

Quietus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:11:53 GMT+6
By Nyier Abdou/The Star-Ledger
September 30, 2009, 12:30AM

His bedroom bears all the telltale signs: the distinct, lingering odor of marijuana, the rolling papers tossed carelessly on the desk, a pile of lighters stashed in a bedside table. Christiane Oliveri pulls open her son Michael's desk drawer and there it is, plain as day -- nearly half a pound of marijuana.

Michael, 25, who suffered deep depression as a child due to the onset of debilitating muscula...

Legalization of drugs spreads in Latin America. Will the US follow?

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:08:46 GMT+6
By Sara Miller Llana

The 'war on drugs' has failed, some Latin American leaders say. But legalization of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and other narcotics may not curb violence.

Mexico City - This year alone, two countries in Latin America have loosened punishment for personal drug consumption, and two others have moved closer to a similar scenario.

Just a few years back, this would have provoked an outcry in the US.

In f...

Popular Plant Spreading Across TV Screens - 9/14/2009

Quietus — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:28:00 GMT+6
LOS ANGELES - Tips for cultivating marijuana. Testimonials by patients about its medical benefits. Cannabis cooking lessons. Even citations for award-winning strains of pot. Viewers here can now watch, every week, what amounts to a pro-weed news program.

'Cannabis Planet' regulars include, top, Chef Mike DeLao and his assistant, Audrey Pulliam.

Booted off one skittish TV station but quickly picked up by another, the low-budget 'Cannabis Planet' show is televised evidence of...

Jack Herer suffers heart attack at at Portland Hempstalk

Quietus — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:48:17 GMT+6
(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The most well known person in the world on the subject of marijuana, author Jack Herer, had a heart attack Saturday, after a fiery speech at the Portland Hempstalk Event at Kelly Point Park.

Ironically, Jack told our Doctor Phil Leveque, an old friend of his in the fight to legitimize and legalize marijuana, that he was feeling better Saturday than he had, "In the ten years."

Event staff came together quickly and called in the paramedic crew tha...

How marijuana became legal

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:48:41 GMT+6
By Roger Parloff, senior editor, September 11, 2009: 4:20 PM ET
Medical marijuana is giving activists a chance to show how a legitimized pot business can work. Is the end of prohibition upon us?

(Fortune Magazine) -- When Irvin Rosenfeld, 56, picks me up at the Fort Lauderdale airport, his SUV reeks of marijuana. The vice president for sales at a local brokerage firm, Rosenfeld has been smoking 10 to 12 marijuana cigarettes a day for 38 years, he says.

That'...

JSPAN Supports Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Legislation - 9/4/09

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:39:38 GMT+6
I have no idea how this one slipped by, but it's awesome to hear nonetheless! The full letter can be found at http://www.jspan.org/docs/cohen_hb1393.pdf.

In recent weeks, State Representative Mark Cohen (D-202) introduced medical marijuana legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill is closely modeled after one in New Jersey which passed the state Senate and awaits a vote in the House. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram said the bill, allowing those suffering from A...

Legalize medical marijuana: Its benefits are proven; Pennsylvania is behind the times

Derek Rosenzweig — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:13:02 GMT+6
By Arthur Caplan and Brian Gralnick

Perhaps you know a Pennsylvanian suffering from multiple sclerosis, glaucoma or AIDS, or someone who is struggling to work up an appetite because of the nausea they suffer from chemotherapy. Beyond the difficulty these people face in dealing with these debilitating conditions, what would you say ought to be done if there were a beneficial, very affordable medicine that these patients needed but that they could not obtain in a safe and legal w...

Want to Tesify at HB1393's Upcoming Hearings? Instructions Inside!

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:41:24 GMT+6
House Bill 1393, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, was introduced by Representative Mark B. Cohen on April 29, 2009. It was assigned to the Health and Human Services committee on April 30th, where it remains. This fall, HB 1393 will be discussed in at least two committees - the House Health and Human Services Committee, and the Majority Policy Committee, which is seated by Democrats this term.

The Democratic Policy Committee will be discussing drug laws in general, and will...

Medical Movement to table at Happy Valley March

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:05:32 GMT+6
I wanted to let everyone know about an event that our allies in Harrisburg are doing. During the annual Happy Valley March at Penn State, Medical Movement will have tables set up and will be passing out information about HB 1393. Please if you're out there, show your support by stopping by and helping them pass out literature, which you can download and [url=ht...

Marijuana's success in medical use explored

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:10:31 GMT+6
By: MANASEE WAGH - Bucks County Courier Times

The words "marijuana" and "cannabis" can conjure up images of drug addicts and criminal behavior.

That's why the eight people attending a seminar about the drug at the Levittown branch of the Bucks County Public Library said they didn't want to reveal their names to the newspaper.

But Saturday's two-hour seminar by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or...

Washington State Legislators Support Marijuana Decriminalization

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:46:22 GMT+6
By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

Hempfest's massive crowds last weekend spurred Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells and former state Rep. Toby Nixon to pen a bipartisan letter in the Seattle Times on the need for Washington State to join the other 13 states that have "decriminalized" possession of cannabis - as well as the state's largest population center, King County (Seattle), which effectively decriminalized possession by popular vote in 2003. Checkout this CNN iRep...

Pot vs. Booze

Derek Rosenzweig — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:28:21 GMT+6
by Matt Kelley

There are countless arguments for the legalization and regulation of marijuana, and you've heard many of them in this space before. There's the cost - in both human lives and dollars - of incarcerating and punishing millions for a vict...

Mexico Legalizes Drug Possession

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:20:09 GMT+6
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Published: August 21, 2009

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico enacted a controversial law on Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for drug dependency free of charge.

The law sets out maximum "personal use" amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities will no longer face criminal prosecution...

Task force raids pot dispensaries, arrests owner

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:03:02 GMT+6
The Associated Press - Posted: 08/13/2009 02:59:18 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES - A task force of federal and local authorities raided two medical marijuana dispensaries and arrested the owner but gave no immediate explanation of how state law may have been violated.

Jeffrey Joseph, 40, was arrested Wednesday for investigation of possessing more than 50 pounds of marijuana for sale, authorities said.

Searches of his Topanga Canyon home and dispensaries in Marina del...

Georgia Lawmaker Calls For Caning, Executing Marijuana Offenders

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:49:56 GMT+6
August 12th, 2009 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

[Editor's note: This post is excerpted from this week's forthcoming NORML weekly media advisory.]

State Republican lawmaker Tommy Benton (31st House District) favors 'caning' minor marijuana offenders and 'executing' those who sell the drug, according to a recent correspondence sent by the representative to a constituent.

In a July 29, 2009 [url=http://stash.norml.org/georgia-rep-tommy-b...

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:40:41 GMT+6
Location: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19030
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Date:Sunday, October 18, 2009

On October 18, 2009, AIDS Fund is doing their annual AIDS Walk Philly!

The Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has started a team you can join or sponsor in this years walk. We need at least 5 people on our team walking, and as many people as possible to sponsor us.

To Walk: Visit http://www.aidsfundphilly.org/walk/register/login.php and register as a Walker, then when it gives you the option to join a team, put Phill...

Why Not Medical Marijuana? - 8/9/09

Derek Rosenzweig — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:00:16 GMT+6
New Jersey is taking the lead. Will we follow?
By Brendan Skwire Posted Aug. 9, 2009

Last week I bellied up in my local dive and bumped into "Barry," a pothead and occasional dealer who lives in my neighborhood.

"Dude, can I just tell you what a moron I am?" he said, as he waved a few bucks in the air trying to get the barmaid's attention. "Really. Even when I try to do the right thing, it just gets all messed up."

&...

Boston Freedom Rally

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:47:19 GMT+6
Location: N/A, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Time: 5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009

Join PhillyNORML this year in Boston for their annual Freedom Rally! This is the largest pro-cannabis event on the East Coast, and this year PhillyNORML will be renting a bus for our members. Details will be posted as soon as we have them. If you are interested in joining us, send us an email and we will keep you informed when details...

Medical Marijuana User Acquitted Of All Charges

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:22:16 GMT+6
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - A medical marijuana user has been acquitted of charges that he possessed more of the drug than allowed by state law.

A Boulder County jury acquitted Jason Lauve, 38, Thursday of a felony drug possession charge and lesser charges of possessing marijuana and marijuana concentrate.

The Louisville man was charged with possessing 17 times the permitted amount of marijuana the state allows for medical purposes - 2 ounces and no more than six plants.

Eagles' Parker arrested on marijuana charge

Derek Rosenzweig — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:18:49 GMT+6
By Bob Brookover - Inquirer Staff Writer

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Juqua Parker's college dorm room probably looked rather appealing early yesterday morning when he was sitting in a cell at an Easton prison surrounded by razor ribbon and barbed wire.

That's where the Eagles' starting left defensive end landed after being arrested by Lower Saucon Township police for possession of marijuana. Parker, 32, admitted to police that the marijuana belonged to him after ...

Marijuana Use Associated With a "Significantly Reduced Risk"of...

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:51:35 GMT+6
By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
For some 35 years the United States federal government has been well aware that cannabis possesses potent anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. And for the past three years, government-funded researchers have speculated that these qualities may...

Taxing Marijuana - 7/30/09

Derek Rosenzweig — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:19:10 GMT+6
By Chris Weigant - Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

California voters may soon get a chance to weigh in on whether marijuana should be legalized and taxed by the state. If enacted, this may help the state's budget by providing revenue from a brand new source, while also freeing up money that previously went to enforcement efforts against marijuana growing. Of course, marijuana would still be illegal under federal law, but this may be a turning ...

Judge won't let Franklin Township man cite medical need for marijuana

Derek Rosenzweig — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:43:18 GMT+6
by Jennifer Golson/The Star-Ledger

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP -- A Somerset County man won't be able to use multiple sclerosis as a defense for the 17 marijuana plants police found growing behind his house, a Superior Court judge ruled today.

A claim of personal use simply does not apply to the charges against Franklin Township resident John Ray Wilson, Judge Robert Reed said, following a hearing today in Somerville.

Wilson, 36, is accused of first-degr...