OPNews January 2004

newsletter template.htm

January 2004 Edition

Organizational News:

State News:

National News:

International News:

Regular Features:

OPNews Disclaimer

You Are Invited to OPN Meetings

Help the OPN Support Patients

How to Get Your Information in OPNews

How to be Removed from the OPNews List

How to Contact Your State Representative and Senator

Organizational News Items:

OPNews gets a new look

Beginning this month, the OPNews will have a new look. In keeping with fair use standards and practices, articles featured will have a brief introduction and are followed by a link to our news feed provided by the Media Awareness Project. Due the great number of medical-marijuana related articles, we have limited the number of articles in each section to a short-list of the best news items. Please visit our live news feed at: http://ohiopatient.net/media/index.htm#news for complete coverage.

OPN featured on morning radio show

On January 7th, OPN's Director of Patient Advocacy, Deirdre Zoretic, and President, John Precup were featured guests on Cleveland's WMMS morning show with Tom Magallis and Rick Eberhart. Listen to the show: http://www.mapinc.org/temp/opnwmms.rm

Bringing the OPN to your community

With 2004 here and the introduction of the OMMA we at OPN want to hear from you the members on how we can bring the message of the compassionate use of medical cannabis to your area. We need to know what events, festivals and speaking venues in your cities and communities that we should schedule for 2004. As of now our schedule is open, but as the weather gets warmer our calendar gets hotter also. Since OPN is a statewide organization we need to raise awareness of our mission in the three C's (Columbus, Cleveland & Cincinnati) but also in the other areas in Ohio.

We need your suggestions and ideas now so we can properly schedule volunteers and logistics. We have the tools and speakers ready to come to your area to table festivals and speak to groups of any size. But, only with your help can we educate and enlighten the public in your community and keep OPN growing! Only with your ideas and support will we get the OMMA passed! Please send your suggestions and ideas about festivals and events in your area to the OPN Director of Development at krmiller@ohiopatient.net or call 614-737-3415.

OPNews Editor Resigns

OPNews' Editor Jean Taddie has resigned in order to pursuit her lifelong goals. Jean currently teaches communications courses at three colleges and universities in northern Ohio. She holds a B.B.A. in Human Resource Management and a M.A. in Applied Communications. Jean will continue to be active in the OPN.

Corrections and Clarifications

An article in the October 2003 edition of the OPNews incorrectly stated that Medical Marijuana patient George McMahon requested a (smoking) room to use at the Ohio Statehouse for a legislative briefing presented by the OPN. The room request was actually made by State Representative Kenneth Carano's aid Sara Hall, at Mr. Carano's request.

OPNews regrets the error.

[TOP]

State News:

REHNQUIST SPEAKS OUT

In unusually strong language, Chief Justice William Rehnquist has asked Congress to repeal a law it passed last year that restricts judges' sentencing discretion. And he was particularly critical of efforts by Attorney General John Ashcroft and House Republicans to identify and monitor judges who depart from federal sentencing guidelines, a ham-handed way of trying to browbeat judges into imposing stricter sentences.

PATIENTS LAMENT CLINIC'S CLOSING

Out of pills, the pain returns.

The constant pain that started with everything from a car crash to trying to move furniture that was too heavy.

The people who pull off of I-77 in New Philadelphia and into the parking lot of the Professional Pain Management of Ohio clinic say relief for them comes in the form of hydrocodone pills from Drs. Edward DeHaas and William Napoli.

OHIO CONSIDERS RX DATABASE

Police Could Track, Thwart Drug Abusers From Kentucky

COLUMBUS - Ohio lawmakers hope to help police attack a growing black market in powerful prescription drugs with a new statewide database that would track their sales.

A bill introduced Wednesday is aimed at halting an increase of "doctor shopping" cases, in which patients visit many doctors to get several prescriptions for drugs like the addictive painkiller OxyContin. In these instances, police often suspect drug abuse or illegal selling.

Read more: http://www.mapinc.org/newsopn/v04/n157/a11.html

[TOP]

National News:

MONTEL WILLIAMS GOES TO POT

On November 3, Montel Williams was briefly detained at Detroit Metro Airport, where baggage screeners found a glass pipe and residue of a marijuana by-product in his bags. That's when the talk show host, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was outed as a user of the herb for medicinal purposes.

In his first interview after the airport discovery, Williams makes no apologies. In fact, he devotes several chapters to the case for medical marijuana in his new autobiography, "Climbing Higher," in bookstores today. He clears the air to TV Guide Online.

Chase away the cold with something warm!

If you are suffering from the winter blues the time is right for something nice and warm to keep you happy and healthy. Right now at the OPN Store, http://www.cafepress.com/opnstore we're having a sale on some great winter gear such as sweatshirts, "hoodies" and long sleeved T's.

Need a little boost to keep you going and heat you up? Our OPN coffee mugs include free coffee right now! Get your friends, family and associates talking when they see you sporting some great OPN merchandise and show them who and what you support!

OPN Store: http://www.cafepress.com/opnstore

THE NANNY IN CHIEF

Bush Thinks He Knows What's Good for You, and He'll Spend Money to Prove It

There's barely a speech by President Bush that doesn't cite the glories of human freedom. It's God's gift to mankind, he believes. And in some ways this President has clearly expanded it: the people of Afghanistan and Iraq enjoy liberties unimaginable only a few years ago. But there's a strange exception to this Bush doctrine. It ends when you reach America's shores. Within the U.S., the Bush Administration has shown an unusually hostile attitude toward the exercise of personal freedom.

9 OFFICERS CITED FOR CONTEMPT IN POT CASE

In a collision of federal and state drug laws, nine law enforcement officers, including a federal drug agent, were issued contempt citations Wednesday and ordered by a judge to appear in court Feb. 2 to explain why they shouldn't be jailed or fined.

PAIR CRY FOUL OVER ARRESTS IN COURT ON U.S. POT CHARGES

The medical marijuana confrontation between California and the U.S. government took a dramatic turn this week when two people were arrested on federal charges as they sat in a Tehama County courtroom. David Dean Davidson and Cynthia Barcelo Blake were waiting for their attorneys to finish a meeting in the judge's chambers after Deputy District Attorney Lynn Strom had announced at the Tuesday hearing that she would seek a dismissal of charges against the pair for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. When the prosecutor, who requested the meeting in chambers, left the courtroom with the defense attorneys and the judge, sheriff's deputies ordered the defendants into the hall, handcuffed them and told them they were under federal arrest.

MEDICAL POT: DETROIT HAS IMPORTANT VOTE AHEAD ON ISSUE

Detroit voters will enter the national debate over legalizing the medical use of marijuana in August, when the issue will be on the city's primary ballot. The idea of permitting physicians to recommend the drug to relieve chronic pain, reduce nausea, restore appetite and treat multiple sclerosis and glaucoma makes sense.

WIS. REP. SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

MILWAUKEE -- State Rep. Gregg Underheim's fight against prostate cancer got him thinking about whether those suffering from cancer should be allowed to use marijuana to cope with the pain.

The Oshkosh Republican has decided to go against his party's leadership and introduce a bill that would let doctors prescribe marijuana for medical reasons.

POLITICAL FEARS MAY STYMIE POT LEGISLATION

Republican state Rep. Gregg Underheim's push for legal, medicinal marijuana seems likely to start a whole new round of questions about whether folks ever partook of the stuff themselves - for less than therapeutic reasons.

And that's a flashback politicians aren't always eager to experience.

LEGALIZE PAIN RELIEF FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Give state Rep. Gregg Underheim credit for courage and compassion. The Oshkosh Republican has broken with party leaders to endorse marijuana for cancer pain relief - a position that makes more sense every day.

FEDS REFUSE ORDER TO RETURN MARIJUANA

In a clash between state and federal law, a Routt County man whose medical marijuana was seized in a law enforcement raid was still waiting to get it back Monday.

A county judge had set the date as the deadline for the government to return the marijuana.

A federal official said the government had no intention of giving it back.

NEW LAWS/2004 - POT MEASURE STUCK AT STARTING LINE

A program to issue medical ID cards and clarify parts of Prop. 215 lacks startup funds.

Next Thursday was supposed to be a big day for medical marijuana users.

That's the day Californians with AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic pain and other ailments could begin getting state-issued identification cards -- thus freeing them from jail time as they debate their medical need with cops.

That won't happen.

MEDICAL POT USER SAYS LAW OF LITTLE HELP

Staff reporter Colin Hickey interviewed Carroll Cummings, an East Vassalboro resident, who is a medical marijuana patient. Cummings said he uses marijuana to provide relief from torticollis, a condition that causes involuntary and painful contractions of the neck muscles. He said he has been hounded for his marijuana use despite his careful attention to stay within the dictates of Maine's Medical Marijuana Law. Maine is one of nine states with such a law.

[TOP]

International News:

BRITAIN POISED TO APPROVE MEDICINE DERIVED FROM MARIJUANA

A marijuana-based medication for people suffering from multiple sclerosis and severe pain is expected to be approved for sale in Britain early this year, British officials say.

The drug, Sativex, developed by GW Pharmaceuticals, a British company, is a liquid extract from marijuana grown by the company under license from the government. Developed to be sprayed under the tongue, it would be the first drug in recent decades to include all the components of the cannabis plant, advocates of medical marijuana say.

STUDY TO PIN DOWN MARIJUANA DOSES FOR CHRONIC PAIN

MONTREAL - After years of delay, a Canadian study on the value of marijuana as a pain reliever is underway in Montreal.

Dr. Mark Ware, a professor of family medicine and anesthesia at McGill University, treats patients with severe, chronic pain. His clinical trial aims to determine the therapeutic value of cannabis for these patients under real-life conditions.

How your movie mania benefits others

The first time movie audiences were treated to a flushing toilet was in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 release Psycho. Think of how much money could go to the Ohio Patient Network if supporters bought movies (sans flushing toilets!) at: http://www.iGive.com/OPN , where up to 26% of every purchase is donated to the OPN! At iGive.com, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the Mall at iGive.com, where you can shop at 400+ stores like DVD Planet, Buy.com, Barnes&Noble.com, TowerRecords.com, and Half.com for all your favorite box office hits.

CRUSADER FOR POT DIES AFTER MS FIGHT

Londoner Lynn Harichy, whose efforts helped to legalize medicinal marijuana use in Canada, died Christmas Day after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 42. As part of a national network of lobbyists, Harichy was a longtime crusader for the legalization of pot for medicinal uses. She once lit up a joint on the steps of London police station, an act that led to her arrest.

MEDICINAL-POT CRUSADER BUSTED

Expects to ship more 'product' to Manitoba over next few days

AN Alberta medicinal marijuana crusader is demanding RCMP return the dope and cash they seized from him Wednesday after his car was spot-checked in Headingley.

Grant Krieger, of Calgary, said yesterday Mounties confiscated $7,500 in cash and "product'' -- one pound of marijuana divided up for delivery to his 28 clients in Selkirk and Winnipeg.

[TOP]

Regular Features:

OPNews DISCLAIMER

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

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

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

For more information, contact editor@ohiopatient.net

[TOP]

YOU ARE INVITED TO OPN MEETINGS

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

These electronic voice/text meetings are held at the OPN chat room on PalTalk http://www.paltalk.com/ . To receive further information, including instructions for the PalTalk meeting room, contact info@ohiopatient.net

[TOP]

HELP THE OPN SUPPORT PATIENTS

The Ohio Patient Network's goal is to provide a voice for Ohio's medicinal cannabis patients and create an environment where this vital medicine becomes an accepted and legitimate therapy. To do this, we need your help.

We'd like you to personally become involved in OPN by donating your time. Please check out our various committees and activities at http://ohiopatient.net/donate/index.htm#volunteers . Respond with your interest to our Membership Coordinator, Doc Miller, at KRMiller@OhioPatient.net.

If you'd prefer, you can also support medicinal cannabis and what we are doing by contributing monetarily to OPN. Please note that the Ohio Patient Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the State of Ohio. Donations to OPN are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

Please visit our donations page at http://ohiopatient.net/donate/index.htm to make a contribution using your credit card. Please note that these donations will be processed through Paypal.

If you would prefer to donate by check or money order, please make them payable to the "Ohio Patient Network" and mail to P.O. Box 26353, Columbus, OH 43216.

Thank you for supporting the Ohio Patient Network.

[TOP]

HOW TO GET YOUR INFORMATION IN OPNews

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

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

[TOP]

HOW TO BE REMOVED FROM THE OPNews LIST

You may sign off this list at any time by using the web form at http://ohiopatient.net/join/index.htm#disclist

[TOP]

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR

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

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

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

The Honorable (-name-)

Ohio House of Representatives

77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266-0603

-or-

The Honorable (-name-)

Ohio Senate Building

Columbus, Ohio 43215

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

� A publication of the Ohio Patient Network (OPN) Contact editor@ohiopatient.net

[ TOP ]

Ohio Patient Network - P.O. Box 26353 - Columbus, Ohio 43226-0353

1-888-OH-Patient (1-888-647-2843) info@ohiopatient.net