OPNews_May

May 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:

JUNE PATIENT FORUM

June's Patient forum (June 24th. 2004 @ 8:00pm EST.) will include Sandee Burbank, founder of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse http://www.mamas.org - She will be discussing Practical Implications of Oregon's Medical Marijuana law reform.

Sandee is founder and, since 1982, the executive director of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse (MAMA).

Mother of two young adults, who were home schooled, she is active in her community, serving Wasco County for 18 years at the appointment of the County Commission on the Wasco County Planning Commission and other groups that address land use planning and criminal justice issues, recreation, and family advocacy. Sandee volunteers countless hours addressing many issues such as lack of access to drug treatment, mentoring young mothers, organizing fun activities, and advocating for social programs that teach people the skills they need to provide for their basic needs, i.e. adult literacy, job skills, decision making, and parenting skills.

Sandee is nationally recognized for her extensive efforts to reduce the harm from all drug use and the social harm caused by irrational and punitive drug policy. In recognition of her work, in 1997 the Drug Policy Foundation awarded her the prestigious Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the Field of Citizen Action.

She is currently involved in the practical implementation of Oregon's Medical Marijuana laws who have over 10,000 patients protected under state laws.

GROWING THE OPN

News-Hawking, or what you can do to help the OPN grow!

By Richard Lake

If you agree that it is important for OPN to attract more members, there is a way you can help. And you could help increase core supporters, who may well help OPN with funding, from both within and outside Ohio. All it takes is for you to volunteer a little of your time, using your computer and the internet, whenever you can. Perhaps most important for many of you is that nobody will know you are doing it - nothing traces back to you personally.

The way to do this is to do volunteer newshawking for the Media Awareness Project (MAP) of DrugSense, the volunteer-supported, educational non-profit that hosts the OPN website and this email list.

Are you thinking 'why will this help?' The answer: because of the huge reach of MAP within it's community of interest on the web. No other drug policy reform organization comes close. MAP's website has over a quarter million different visitors every month - reading the archived news clippings. The clippings all contain a short message written by the newshawk - and it can be a message in support of the OPN.

If you don't believe my popularity statement, message me and I will point you to websites that make independent assessments on a daily basis.

If you go to www.mapinc.org and click on cannabis related focal points on their home page and look at the clippings you will see a fair number with Newshawk lines pointing to www.mpp.org and other well known organizations. While MPP thinks it is important enough to get their link in MAP's news clippings to pay a staff member to spend time newshawking, many of the other less well funded organizations encourage their volunteers to do it - all because they want the visibility newshawking brings to their website.

OK, if your sold, or at least thinking about it, then how do you do it? Please go to MAP's how to page and read thru it a couple of times http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm Gosh, there is a lot there, but once you have that in hand we can make it a little more simple.

First, newshawking newspapers is the easiest, and Ohio newspapers are not very well newshawked - other states have more volunteer newshawks focusing on their state's newspapers. Go to http://www.mapinc.org/perl/press.pl and use the "List By Area" dropdown to bring up the list of about 50 Ohio newspapers that have websites you can newshawk from. Those that show a higher count in the right hand column are more likely to have appropriate news items to newshawk - not every day, but often enough.

Click the newspaper name and you are at the newspaper's website. Find out how to best search the site. Then newshawk the appropriate items. Check the same group of newspapers as often as you can. You will learn which are worth your time, and which may not be.

Then send what you newshawk via email to editor@mapinc.org But wait, we can make it more simple. For those papers you found above, you need specific lead lines - not all of them in the hawking instructions. And they should be at the top of your email message in this order:

Newshawk: - this is where you give the plug for OPN.
Pubdate: - the date the news item was published, in this format: 1 Jun 2004 (our software will put in the day, etc.)
Source: - the name of the newspaper - as it is shown on the list of newspapers you found above
Author: the name of the person who wrote the news item, if any.
Webpage: the URL or link, copied from the URL line (address bar) in your browser (this helps the volunteers who will process and post the item in case it does not come thru the system smoothly for any reason).

That's it. Oh, here are some examples of newshawk lines (which must be less than 76 characters and spaces including the word Newshawk: ) that will help OPN. You may think of others.

Newshawk: Info on medical cannabis in Ohio www.ohiopatient.net
Newshawk: Reform Ohio's medical cannabis laws www.ohiopatient.net

Questions? Send me an email at rlake@mapinc.org

Richard Lake, senior editor, www.mapinc.org - and an OPN supporter from day one.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Ohio Patient Network members, supporters and friends we need your help staffing our booth at events this summer. We need people to staff our booth at this next weekends Hempfest (www.ohiohempfest.org) in Columbus on June 5th. We will also need help during the 3 day Comfest (www.comfest.com) in Columbus being held on June 25th, 26th & 27th.

These are just a few of the events and festivals that OPN will be at this summer and all we need is a few hours of your help to take our message to thousands of people across Ohio. This is very simple, fun and essential work that needs to be done by our members. Please contact me so I can schedule you for your best time to help all of us!

K R "Doc" Miller Director of Development Ohio Patient Network www.ohiopatient.net krmiller@ohiopatient.net Phone: 614-737-3415

WEBSITE ADDITIONS!

We've updated our website again! We've added a 24 hour chat room where members can meet online, any time of the day or night to discuss events, reform efforts or whatever you like. Check out our new chat room; http://www.ohiopatient.net/action/chat.htm

We've also added a new 'Calendar of Events' In real to life calendar format! Visit our website and check out the new calendar soon! Then check back often as the calendar is updated

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State News:

NO JAIL FOR PATIENT WHO GREW HIS OWN MARIJUANA

Carter Singleton, 65, said marijuana helped him overcome the effects of chemotherapy and he regained some of the 80 pounds he lost.

A 65-year-old Mount Healthy man, convicted of growing marijuana he said he used to stimulate his appetite while undergoing cancer treatment, was placed on three years probation Thursday.

DATABASE WOULD KEEP ABUSERS FROM SHOPPING FOR PRESCRIPTIONS

CINCINNATI - An Ohio bill designed to prevent "doctor shopping" by creating a database to track drug abusers who get prescriptions from multiple physicians has moved to the Senate.

The database would be modeled after a system in Kentucky, which takes about 20 minutes to review a customer's history. Police say Kentucky residents are going to out-of-state pharmacies or doctors because of the system.

COURT BACKS MEDINA'S GO-DIRECTLY-TO-JAIL POT LAW

Medina- A decision Wednesday by the 9th Ohio District Court of Appeals means Medina is again the worst place in the state to be caught with a marijuana cigarette.

Defense lawyers vowed to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

LAWMAKERS AIMING FOR 'ZERO TOLERANCE' OF POT-SMOKING DRIVERS

As the federal government continues to prod states into passing or improving their Driving Under the Influence of Drugs ( DUID ) laws, or potentially face significant hits to future federal financing for highways, Ohio marijuana activists are asking how many more teeth will the law have?

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National News:

RUNNION'S VIEW ON MONTPELIER

Montpelier -- Rep. Sylvia Kennedy, R-Chelsea, tried to stop him. The White House tried to stop him. But Gov. James Douglas turned down both and let the highly controversial medical marijuana bill become law this week.

Was it a tough decision? "Very difficult," said press secretary Jason Gibbs. He paused. "Very difficult," he said again.

DOCTORS TO DECIDE ON LEGAL POT DOSAGES

Santa Cruz -- County officials are seeking doctors' advice on how much medical marijuana is enough.

The county Board of Supervisors this week named George Wolfe, a former county health officer, to convene a group of doctors to develop guidelines for the quantity of pot that patients might need for treatment and how much they should be allowed to possess. The group is to report back to the board Aug. 17.

JUDGE TAKES LEAVE FROM BENCH TO JOIN SENATE RACE

Libertarian Jim Gray Is Challenging Barbara Boxer in a Longshot Campaign. He Believes Changes Are Made by Example.

UKIAH, Calif. -- Jim Gray, rigid as a judge's gavel, stood at the front of a high-ceilinged tavern here and ran through a list of political positions he hoped would appeal to Mendocino County's famously idiosyncratic voters. Pot should be legal. Genetically modified foods should be labeled. The Patriot Act should be gutted.

MED MARIJUANA OK, SAYS TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOC.

On May 14, during its annual state convention, the Texas Medical Association unanimously - and without discussion - adopted a new policy recommendation supporting the right of doctors and patients to discuss medical marijuana as a viable treatment option, without fear of recrimination by authorities. The TMA delegates also reaffirmed the association's call for further research on medicinal marijuana, "including well-controlled studies in patients who have serious pain-related conditions," according to the report of the TMA's Council on Scientific Affairs, which was approved by the TMA delegates. "Paramount is support for physicians to discuss with patients any treatment option available and to do so without recrimination for the physician and/or patient."

HOUSE: VERY SICK CAN USE MARIJUANA

MONTPELIER, VT - The House of Representatives spent four hours Thursday debating proposals to allow patients suffering from chronic pain to smoke marijuana to alleviate their pain.

The debate followed a vote late Wednesday in the Senate to allow certain seriously ill patients to possess limited amounts of marijuana. After the Senate amended a House bill by adding a medical marijuana section, the bill returned to the House for a vote.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAUGHT IN LEGAL HAZE

Users in Chowchilla and Clovis Sue Authorities Over Handling Of Cases.

Three Valley medical marijuana users say law enforcement and the judicial system function backward for them, that they are guilty until proven innocent.

THIS IS YOUR GOVERNMENT ON DRUGS

It sounds a bit like the answer to one of those old late night, "so whatever happened to..." questions.

Tommy Chong, 65-year-old grandfather, the lesser-known half of the goofy late-70s burnout comedy duo Cheech and Chong, was convicted of the illegal sale of drug paraphernalia over the Internet ( i.e. he marketed a line of glass bongs ). In a bit of priceless comedic irony, the investigation was code-named Operation Pipe Dreams. Chong was sentenced to 9 months in prison on the second anniversary of September 11.

COMPROMISE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL ADVANCES

MONTPELIER -- For months, one man stood in the way of a bill intended to protect seriously ill Vermonters from arrest and prosecution if they used marijuana to ease painful symptoms or reactions to treatment.

LAWMAKERS DEBATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

The war on drugs has battled its way to the state Legislature where lawmakers debate whether to legalize marijuana for medical use. The House of Representatives voted on a medical marijuana bill that would allow residents to grow marijuana in their homes for personal use, provided they receive a doctor's prescription for the drug.

MONTEL WILLIAMS SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE TO SMOKE POT DAILY

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Montel Williams threw his support behind legalizing medical marijuana in New York, saying pot helps him cope with multiple sclerosis. Williams

Williams, who was diagnosed with the neurological disease in 1999, said he uses marijuana every night before bed to relieve the pain in his legs and feet

MEDICAL POT GROUP CRASHES KIND PRESS CALL

Congressman Ron Kind clashed with medical marijuana advocates during what was supposed to be a press conference phone call about presidential politics.

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International News:

MARIJUANA BRIEFING FOR SELECT COMMITTEE

Experts and officials from Government-sanctioned medical marijuana programmes in the Netherlands, Canada and the United States will visit New Zealand this month.

Governments around the world have begun legalising the use of marijuana by patients with chronic pain and other forms of suffering.

A parliamentary health select committee has recommended New Zealand consider making cannabis-based medicines available to suffering patients, and the Drug Policy Forum Trust has invited the overseas experts to brief it on their programmes. -END-

MYRDEN GETS NDP NOD IN OAKVILLE

Medical marijuana advocate Alison Myrden won a federal New Democratic Party nomination on her second try.

The Burlington resident has accepted the NDP nomination for the Oakville riding. She recently lost the Burlington riding nomination to David Laird.

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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 .

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YOU ARE INVITED TO OPN MEETINGS

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

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

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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.

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HOW TO GET YOUR INFORMATION IN OPNews

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

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

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HOW TO BE REMOVED FROM THE OPNews LIST

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

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HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR

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

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

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

The Honorable (name)

Ohio House of Representatives

77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266-0603

-or-

The Honorable (name)

Ohio Senate Building

Columbus, Ohio 43215

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

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

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

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