Signature Skirmish

A former librarian is barred from passing petitions in front of a public library in a private shopping center

by Tim Vanderpool

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Tucson NORML has been working hard to educate Southern Arizonans about the benefits of medical cannabis, the safety of recreational marijuana, and the value of industrial hemp.   We need a graphic artist to donate some time to develop promotional graphics and logos for the upcoming 4/20 World Wide Marijuana March in Tucson.  Please reply to this email to offer your assistance.

 

Our AZ4NORML music group will be meeting Monday February 01^st at 1PM, and every Monday this Spring.  Help us make great pro-cannabis music and come have fun.    No musical skills are needed and new members are welcome.  Please email music@az4norml.com for more information.

 

The next AZ4NORML leadership committee meeting will be Wednesday, February 03^rd  at 3PM, please join us to help steer the direction of AZ4NORML in the future.  Please contact us at lead@az4norml.com for more information.

 

Our Hemp Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, February 09^th at 1PM to plan our 4/20 march and festival, to create signs and banners, and to make our marijuana man suits.  Please RSVP to hemp@az4norml.com  for further information and directions.  New members welcome and creative skills are not required.  Donations of supplies are needed.  Old business suits, cash, paint, and more, please check our website for the details.

 

National Medical Marijuana Week kicks off on Saturday, February 13^th  through Sunday, February 21^st. We will begin the week by hosting our outreach table at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday, February 13^th   from 3PM to 9PM.   This will be a great opportunity to talk with your fellow citizens about marijuana and its benefits.  Please RSVP to volunteer@az4norml.com for more information.  We need Spanish speaking individuals to volunteer for this important outreach. We will celebrate the rest of the week with spontaneous protests around Tucson each day.    Stay tuned to www.az4norml.org for all the details.  Join us and make a difference!

 

The next general meeting will be on Saturday, February 20^th  at 3PM at the Ward 6 Council Offices in Tucson.  The offices are located at 3202 E. 1^st Street in Tucson near the intersection of Country Club Rd and Speedway Blvd.  Please check our website at www.az4norml.com for more information. New members welcome.

 

AZ4NORML will be hosting our large tent at the Tucson Peace Fair on February 28, 2010.  We are in need of a lot of energetic volunteers during shifts beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM or so.  Stay tuned to the newsletter for further information and please email az4norml@az4norml.com for more information.

 

On Thursday, March 11^th at 7:30AM in Phoenix, LEAP Spokesman, Commander Tony Ryan (A 36 year law enforcement veteran, Denver Police Officer) will be speaking at the Strategic Edge Business Alliance at Jim’s Coney Island Café, 1750 N. Scottsdale Rd. Tempe, AZ 85281.  New members welcome.

 

From March 12-14, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) will be hosting their 2010 conference in San Francisco.  Early bird registration available now.  RSVP to jon@az4norml.com if you decide to go.

 

On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 AZ4NORML will join hundreds of cities around the world for the World Wide Marijuana March! Help us plan the details by joining us at the 4/20 Planning committee meetings, more information to be coming soon!

 

Please see the links below for the latest news from around the country. 

 

NEWS, VIDEOS, and OPINION

 

[NEWS]  L.A. City Council Votes to Close Most Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.  70 clinics will be allowed, over a thousand currently exist.

 

[ACTION}  Arizona take action against injustice, Tom Gorman declares war on medical marijuana patients.

 

[NEWS]  Recent poll out of Washington shows 56% of citizens favor marijuana legalization.  Washington court rules police can search medical marijuana patients.

 

[VIDEO]  Cheech and Chong on Fox News declare “Marijuana should be legal…but not for Republicans too”

 

[NEWS]  NYC Police Accused of “Anal Assault”  for ……. Marijuana use?  NYC police have arrested over 300,000 people for low-level marijuana possession since 1997

 

[NEWS]  Denver Police: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Crime Rates Lower Than Banks!

 

[STUDY]  Dr. Mitch Earleywine is looking for veterans to fill out an online survey for his research into the use of marijuana for PTSD.  Access the survey here.

 

NEWS]  Bad News:  Science ignored again as President Obama nominates Bush DEA’s Michele Leonhart to head the DEA. 

 

[NEWS]  The Forfeiture Racket: Police and Prosecutors Won’t Give Up Their License to Steal.

 

[NEWS]  The New York Times discovers why research into medical marijuana is lacking…. The government won’t allow it!

 

[REVIEW]  Dorm Room Dealers:  A Peek into the Drug World of the White and Upwardly Mobile

 

[VIDEO]  Botany of Desire: Cannabis with Michael Pollan

 

[VIDEO]  Run From The Cure: The Rick Simpson Story

 

[NEWS]  The Heroic NH Officer Brad Jardis Kicked out of LEAP. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibtion)

 

[NEWS]  Sells, AZ: In Drug War, Tribe Feels Invaded by Both Sides.

 

[NEWS]  Russia busts pot growers…. From space?

 

[NEWS]  Marijuana/Medical Marijuana: More States, More Bills, and More Hearings.

 

[VIDEO]  Traders Nation interviews Cannabis Science President and medical marijuana patient, Dr. Robert Melamede.   Cancer Cure: Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

 

[NEWS]  TSA Security Screeners Plant Drugs on a Traveler….. as a joke?

 

[NEWS]  Do Employers Really Need to Give Drug Tests for Pot?

 

[NEWS] California High Court Strikes Down Medical Pot Limits.

 

[NEWS] Happy 4/20! The True Story Behind Stoners’ Favorite Number.

 

 

Have a great week!

 

Jon C. Gettel

Director

AZ4NORML

3400 E. Speedway Ste 118

Tucson, Arizona 85716

www.az4norml.com

www.myspace.com/tucsonnorml

www.facebook.com/az4norml

www.twitter.com/az4norml

Starbucks and other businesses are sponsoring the Arrest and Prosecution Industry’s fight to maintain Marijuana Prohibition. Help us fight back!

Read more and take action at Safer.org

There is an important action to take:

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14208901#ixzz0d0ZnYRjL

Tom Gorman,  who works in the Obama administration in the Office of Drug Control Policy is leading a campaign to gut and discredit Colorado’s constitutional amendment 20 which allows cannabis use for medical reasons.  Mr. Gorman is also director of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program in Colorado running an arm of the National Drug Control Policy office in four Western States.   Gorman has a contract that funnels $150,00 a year in federal money and he claims “Technically, if you ask me who I represent, it’s the Colorado Drug Investigators Association” in an interview with Susan Greene he goes on to say “Pot smokers are gaming the system” and  ”chaos and moral decay will ensue”.  Tom Gorman was instrumental in the campaign to overturn Arizona’s widely supported medical marijuana law in 1996.

This is an outrage.  This is an Obama administration director who is going against statements made by Attorney General Eric Holder on March 18, 2009 in which he declares the administration will be stopping the raids on medical marijuana patients and dispensaries.    Mr.  Gorman appears to be violating Federal law which does not allow for government funds to be used for lobbying against legislation or for candidates.

It is time to retire Tom Gorman, 66 of the Rocky Mountain HIDTA.    Tell our government to respect the rights of patients to use this valuable medicine, the voters spoke.

Please write or call President Barack Obama:

Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

(202) 456-1111

Email here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Attorney General Eric Holder

(202) 514-2001

Read More:  http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14208901#ixzz0d0ZnYRjL

Read about the campaign to undermine Arizona and California’s medical marijuana laws:  http://tinyurl.com/Underminevoters

AZ4NORML

3400 E. Speedway, Ste 118

Tucson, Arizona 85719

www.az4norml.org

The January general meeting of AZ4NORML is today. We will be meeting today Saturday, January 16th^th at 3PM at the Ward 6 Council Offices 3202 E. 1^st Street, 1 block South of Speedway Blvd and 1 Block East of Country Club Rd. inTucson, Arizona.

View Larger Map

Greetings AZ4NORML supporters, friends, and activists!

Tucson NORML has been working hard to educate Southern Arizonans about the benefits of medical cannabis, the safety of recreational marijuana, and the value of industrial hemp.   Please get involved and help us make a difference in 2010.  Contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@az4norml.com for more information and stay tuned to the website for upcoming events.  Are you fluent in Spanish? Do you read and write Spanish well?   We need your help!  Please donate some time to AZ4NORML and translate a brochure for us.

Email jon@az4norml.com for more information.  We have a full schedule of events and actions this week, please join us.

Our AZ4NORML music group will be meeting Monday January 11^th at 1PM, and every Monday this Spring.  Help us make great pro-cannabis music and come have fun.    No musical skills are needed and new members are welcome.  Please email music@az4norml.com for more information.

Our Hemp Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, January 12^th at 1PM to plan our 4/20 march and festival, to create our banners, and to make our marijuana man suits.  Please RSVP to hemp@az4norml.com for further information and directions.  New members welcome and creative skills are not required.  Donations of supplies are needed.  Old business suits, cash, paint, and more, please check our website for the details.

On Wednesday, January 13^th from 6PM to 7PM at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, Senator Jon Kyl will be hosting a town hall,  Join AZ4NORML as we ask Jon Kyl why he continues to deny that hemp is a valuable crop for Arizona. Hemp is low water, low pesticide, low fertilizer and it is a perfect crop for the State of Arizona and a great crop for Arizona farmers. RSVP to jon@az4norml.com if you would like to join us.

On Thursday, January 14^th, 2010 at 1:30PM at the Pima County Justice Court, AZ4NORML members will be showing their support for member Michelle Graye, who was asked to leave the River Center Library property while she was collecting signatures for a citizen’s petition drive.  We believe citizens should have the right to collect signatures at properties paid for by taxpayers.  Join us in support of Michelle and please RSVP to michelle@az4norml.com for more information.

On Friday, January 15^th at 8PM Planet Jam, 8 Minutes to Burn and Spirit Familia will appear at People’s Imports as a benefit/fundraiser for the Arizona Medical Marijuana initiative of 2010.

The next general meeting will be on Saturday, January 16^th at 3PM at the Ward 6 Council Offices in Tucson.  The offices are located at 3202 E. 1^st Street in Tucson near the intersection of Country Club Rd and Speedway Blvd.  Please check our website at www.az4norml.com for more information. New members welcome.

The next AZ4NORML leadership committee meeting will be Wednesday, January 13^th at 3PM, please join us to help steer the direction of AZ4NORML in the future.  Please contact us at lead@az4norml.com for more information.

We will be hosting our outreach table at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday, February 13^th from 3PM to 9PM.   This will be a great opportunity to talk with your fellow citizens about marijuana and its benefits.  Please RSVP to volunteer@az4norml.com for more information.  We need Spanish speaking individuals to volunteer for this important outreach.

AZ4NORML will be hosting our large tent at the Tucson Peace Fair on February 28, 2010.  We are in need of a lot of energetic volunteers during shifts beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM or so.  Stay tuned to the newsletter for further information and please email az4norml@az4norml.com for more information.

On Thursday, March 11^th at 7:30AM in Phoenix, LEAP Spokesman, Commander Tony Ryan (A 36 year law enforcement veteran, Denver Police Officer) will be speaking at the Strategic Edge Business Alliance at Jim’s Coney Island Café, 1750 N. Scottsdale Rd. Tempe, AZ 85281.  New members welcome.

From March 12-14, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) will be hosting their 2010 conference in San Francisco. Early bird registration available now.  RSVP to jon@az4norml.com if you decide to go.

Please see the links below for the latest news from around the country.

NEWS, VIDEOS, and OPINION

[NEWS]  Judge order 60lbs of marijuana to be returned to owner. California judge rules CHP sergeant unqualified to be an expert witness.

[BLOG]  15 Greatest Proponents of Marijuana Legalization

[NEWS]  High Times on Wall Street:  Marijuana occupies a place in the heart of business on Wall Street

[NEWS]  New Jersey Set to Vote on Medical Marijuana:  May become the 14^th medical marijuana state.  New Jersey scraps mandatory minimums tied to drug-free zones. Arizona must follow.  Check out FAMM.  Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

[NEWS] The Best Chance Yet for Legalizing Marijuana:  Tax Cannabis 2010 in California…

[VIDEO] Watch AZ4NORML’s Marijuana Man at the All Souls Procession in October, 2009, 59 seconds in.

[NEWS] Nevadans for Sensible Marijuana Laws work to change the law in Nevada by 2012.

[VIDEO]  Watch Big Bucks: Big Pharma by  Amy Goodman:  Read This Is Your Country on Drugs: Melody Petersen talks about how we’re hooked on Big Pharma.

[NEWS] Colorado Judge Rules: Medical Marijuana Patients Have a Right to Buy Their Medicine.

[NEWS] California Appeals Court Upholds Ban on Probationer Use of Medical Marijuana.  Minority judge issues harsh and scathing dissent.

[NEWS]  Drug War Racism Continues.  Blacks, Hispanics Disproportionally Face Marijuana Charges in NYC.

[NEWS]  Prince of Pot’s Fate in Justice Minister’s Hands.  Read about Marc Emery and his extradition.

[NEWS] Check out NORML Women’s Alliance:  Women Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

[NEWS] Ohio Drug Agent Accused of Framing 17 People:  Case may affect use of police informants.

[NEWS]  One Blogger Complies with TSA, One Blogger Does not. Guess who is smarter?

[TIPS] How to Clone Medical Marijuana Plants. Cloning helps patients obtain a consistent supply of a specific type of cannabis.

[NEWS] Drug War Travesty:  Court Denies Ryan Frederick’s Appeal: Justice fails again.

[NEWS]  Tennessee judge randomly selects people in the court to undergo drug tests.

[NEWS]  Weed Takes Root:  Read about Oaksterdam University.

[NEWS]  Decriminalization of small amounts of drugs in Mexico changes life little for those affected, but problems don’t worsen.  Full decriminalization will solve it!

[NEWS]  The family of a mother killed by out-of-control drug raid wins $2.5 million in city lawsuit.

Have a great week!

Jon C. Gettel

Director

AZ4NORML

3400 E. Speedway Ste 118

Tucson, Arizona 85716

www.az4norml.com

www.myspace.com/tucsonnorml

www.facebook.com/az4norml

www.twitter.com/az4norml

Hello AZ4NORML supporters, friends, and activists!

 

We hope everyone has a very happy 2010.  AZ4NORML has been working hard to educate Southern Arizonans about the benefits of medical cannabis, the safety of recreational marijuana, and the value of industrial hemp.   Please get involved and help us make a difference in 2010.  We have lots of events and outreach in the next few months and we need your help!

 

The next general meeting will be on Saturday, January 16^th at 3PM at the Ward 6 Council Offices in Tucson.  The offices are located at 3202 E. 1^st Street in Tucson near the intersection of Country Club Rd and Speedway Blvd.  Please check our website at www.az4norml.com for more information. New members welcome.

 

Our Hemp Committee will be meeting to plan our 4/20 march and festival, to create our banners, and to make our marijuana man suits.  We hope you can join us on Tuesday, January 12^th at 1PM.  Please RSVP to this email for further information and directions.  New members welcome and creative skills are not required.

 

Our AZ4NORML music group will be meeting each Monday in January at 1PM.  Help us make great pro-cannabis music and come have fun.    No musical skills are needed and new members are welcome.  Please RSVP to this email for more information and directions.

 

The AZ4NORML leadership council will be meeting each Wednesday in January, please join us to help steer the direction of AZ4NORML in the future.  We meet at 3PM and if you are interested please contact us at this email.

 

The THC medical cannabis patients will be meeting on Saturday, January 02^nd at 1PM.  The meeting will be held at the usual patients meeting location.  If you are a new patient and have not yet registered please contact us at this email for further information.

 

We will be hosting our outreach table at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday, January 09^th   from 3PM to 9PM.   This will be a great opportunity to talk with your fellow citizens about marijuana and its benefits.  Please RSVP to this email to become a volunteer. 

 

AZ4NORML will be hosting our large tent at the Tucson Peace Fair on February 28, 2010.  We are in need of lots of energetic volunteers during shifts beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM or so.  Stay tuned to the newsletter for further information and please reply to this email for more information.

 

On Thursday, January 14^th, 2010 at 1:30PM at the Pima County Justice Court, AZ4NORML members will be showing their support for member Michelle Graye, who was asked to leave the River Center Library property while she was collecting signatures for a citizen’s petition drive.  We believe citizens should have the right to collect signatures at properties paid for by taxpayers.  Join us in support of Michelle and please RSVP to this email for more information as this date may change.

 

Please see the links below for the latest news from around the country. 

 

NEWS, VIDEOS, and OPINION

 

[VIDEO]  Dr. Andrew Weil speaks about medical marijuana.  Watch this great video!

 

[VIDEO]  Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg Bake “green” Brownies

 

[EVENT]  Treating Yourself: Medical Marijuana and Hemp Expo in Toronto, ON, Canada July 16, 2010.

 

[VIDEO]  The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy met in Tucson in December.  The speakers’

                   Presentations are now available.

 

[LEGAL] Texas teenager sentenced to 8 years in prison for marijuana & graffiti?

 

[NEWS]  Fox News report on Mass Drugging of Society with Lithium.

 

[BLOG]  Stupid Drug Story of the Week:  The Washington Post’s Drug Problem.

 

[NEWS]  Strange New Twist in Scandal Involving Rogue Philadelphia PD Narcotics Unit.

 

[NEWS] 2009: The Year in Review – NORML’s Top 10 Events That Shaped Marijuana Policy.

 

[NEWS]  The Year on Drugs 2009: The Top Ten US Domestic Drug Policy Stories

 

[NEWS]  The Year on Drugs 2009:  International Drug Policy Developments. 

 

[NEWS]  The Vote Hemp Report of 2009. 

 

[BOYCOTT]  Chase Bank refuses to honor their commitment to drug reform groups.  Boycott here. 

                       Read about it here.

 

[VIDEO]  New American Drug Lords.  Watch it here.  Read the story here.

 

[NEWS]  13 year old boy tapes marijuana to thigh, arrested by CBP in Douglas.

 

[NEWS] Former Fortune Cookie Plant Up In Smoke…. With 1,000 cannabis plants.

 

[EVENT] Marijuana Policy Project’s 15^th Anniversary Gala: January 13, 2010 in Washington DC

 

[NEWS] The Raw (and Ugly) Truth About the War on Drugs.

 

[BLOG]  Arizona Medical Marijuana: Stricter Regs Needed by Christian Palmer of AZ Capitol Times.

 

[NEWS]  “Reefer Mad” Mainstream Media Does It Again by Paul Armentano

 

[NEWS]  Mexican Drug Official says “Legalize Marijuana, Take the Profit Out”

 

[NEWS]  Moves to Decriminalize Pot Gather Steam in Washington and Other States.

 

[AUDIO]  Mexico’s Drug War Brings More Carnage to Border.

 

[NEWS]  MPAA Gives Tame Meryl Streep Movie an R-Rating due to Marijuana use

 

[NEWS] Police Find 20 Pounds of Pot in Christmas Presents.  Prohibition continues.

 

[NEWS]  Pot-Stuffed bear Found in Orange County Toy Store. 

 

 

Have a great week, weekend and a happy new year!

 

Jon C. Gettel

Director

AZ4NORML

3400 E. Speedway Ste 118

Tucson, Arizona 85716

www.az4norml.com

www.myspace.com/tucsonnorml

www.facebook.com/az4norml

www.twitter.com/az4norml

Dear AZ4NORML supporters,

What a great 2009 it has been.  We have seen the 14th medical marijuana state, Washington DC, join the other enlightened states who offer protection to medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.  We saw many more states contemplate this sensible policy with action expected in 2010. We have seen the Arizona Medical Marijuana Project and its volunteers collect hundreds of thousands of signatures bringing the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act closer to reality. Please register to vote and be ready to vote for this important initiative in 2010.  Attorney General Eric Holder came out and said the Obama administration would no longer target medical marijuana patients and their caregivers in medical marijuana states, and we have seen this new policy begin to work.   We are truly excited for the possibilities in 2010, but we need your help.  We need tax deductible donations of money as well as office supplies and craft supplies to continue our aggressive community outreach.  Please contact us for all the details.

Please join us for the last meeting of the year!  Everyone welcome – new members encouraged!

Meeting :  Saturday December 19, 2009  3PM – 4:20PM

Ward 6 Council Offices  – Enter at the back door, knock loudly if locked.

3202 E. 1^st Street , 1 block South of Speedway and 1 block East of Country Club Rd.

We will be discussing our end of year financial report as well as our new action committees to help us accomplish even more.  We will be discussing our upcoming outreach at Sonic Youth, the Tanque Verde Swap Meet tables and booth and our 4/20 festival and march.  We need volunteers for these events and are also looking for donations of unwanted business suits.  Please bring these donations to the meeting for the Million Marijuana Man March.

AZ4NORML Music Group Meeting:  Monday December 21, 2009 at 1PM.  If you are looking to make great music and have some fun, please join the AZ4NORML music group!  We are looking for all skill levels.

AZ4NORML Arts, Crafts, and Hemp!  Meets the 2^nd Tuesday of every month with the next meeting on Tuesday, January 12^th between 1PM and 4PM.  Arrive anytime and have fun making banners, signs and our super fabulous marijuana man suits.  We need donations of paint and other materials, reply to this email for further information.

Our volunteer coordinator will be compiling a list of all people who may be interested in volunteering for one of our outreach programs at concerts, festivals, parks, churches, and more!  The AZ4NORML road sponsorship is beginning in 2010, If you are interested in being contacted for specific volunteer opportunities please reply to this email to get on this list!  You can accept or deny any opportunity and work the ones you are interested in.  Training is provided and we have numerous opportunities to suit all volunteers.

Check out our new website at www.az4norml.com and visit our Facebook and MySpace pages as well.   Please join AZ4NORML on Twitter also.   Please let us know if you have any suggestions or would like to write articles or your personal story for our website.  We also will be conducting video interviews next month to feature on our website and YouTube page.

Have a great weekend and I hope we see you at this week’s meeting and if we don’t, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Highest Regards,

Jon

Jon C. Gettel

Director

AZ4NORML

3400 E. Speedway Ste 118

Tucson, Arizona 85716

www.az4norml.com