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5/5/2011 – Despite the recent flurry of paper threats from several US Attorneys against medical marijuana programs, more states are moving ahead with bills to legalize them. Last month the Delaware Senate passed compassionate use legislation and now the House has followed suit. Both floor votes showed strong support. The bill must return to the Senate to finalize some last-minute amendments but the House vote tonight is a good sign that “The First State” may become the 16th with a working medical marijuana law.

From The News Journal

The Delaware House approved use of marijuana for medical purposes today, but tacked on additional restrictions to require the drug is distributed in tamper-proof containers and prohibit smoking cannabis in buses and vehicles.

The House voted 24-17 on Senate Bill 17, which must go back to the Senate for the upper chamber to consider the changes.

The legislation allows Delawareans with cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder and other debilitating diseases to get a doctor’s recommendation to use marijuana to treat their pain, nausea or illness.
Qualified patients would be issued a state identification card.

Three state-regulated not-for-profit dispensaries would be established in each county to sell and distribute medical marijuana to qualified patients and caregivers. READ FULL ARTICLE

Medical marijuana legislation is also pending in New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and Connecticut … and that’s just on the East Coast.

Activism links:

http://www.mpp.org/states/delaware/

http://www.delawareansformedicalmarijuana.org/

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Dr. "Mollie" Fry – Photo by Sharon Letts

On May 2nd, 2011, two medical marijuana heroes – Dr. Marion “Mollie” Fry and her husband Dale Schafer, Esq. will begin five year federal jail terms for manufacturing marijuana and conspiracy to ‘manufacture and distribute cannabis. ‘

Fry, who is a breast cancer survivor, grew her own medicine throughout her chemotherapy and mastectomy. Schafer suffers from complications due to failed back syndrome and hemophilia. Unfortunately, Fry and Schafer will likely endure further medical complications in prison. Obviously, they will be unable to use the most effective therapy, cannabis, and will be at the mercy of the prison healthcare system for pharmaceuticals without an organic choice.

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) has created a form where concerned citizens can ask President Obama to grant clemency to both Mollie and her dear husband, Dale. The Online Action Center also urges the same compassion and sensibility for all medical marijuana patients:

“On Monday, May 2, 2011 our community will lose two more members to the failed war on drugs. Dale Schafer and Dr. Mollie Fry, both patients, must remand themselves into federal custody for participating in bringing medical cannabis to themselves, and to other sick and debilitated community members. How many more will become prisoners of war in the name of medical cannabis? We must urge the federal government to end the raids on our community, but in the meantime we must ask for clemency to be granted to those most affected.”

On the same day, ASA is also holding a Sick and Tired Campaign with a rally at the Department of Justice in Washington DC: “Participation in this campaign will send a clear message to President Obama from the medical cannabis community: We are sick and tired. We are suffering from chronic or debilitating conditions, and we are weary of false promises that do nothing to protect our rights as patients.”

More on Dr. Mollie Cry and Dale Schafer, Esq.’s plight:
Medical Marijuana Providers Dr. Mollie Fry and Dale Schafer Prepare for Prison

Sick and Tired Campaign Poster

Diane Fornbacher has been a cannabis law reform activist for 15 years. Fornbacher is the current Vice Chair of the NORML Women’s Alliance and serves on the board of The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ). When she isn’t working to change the cannabis laws she enjoys photography, writing poetry being a mother and performing spoken word with local bands.

Contact: grassroots { at } freedomisgreen.com

State Rep. Diane Russell of Maine (D-Portland)

4/8/2011 – Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland) has introduced a new bill in Maine that would cover all aspects of cannabis legalization. HP1067/ LD 1453 An Act To Legalize and Tax Marijuana sets out to carefully do everything in the title. Recreational marijuana can be sold and grown, medical cannabis caregivers will be grandfathered into larger growing spaces and industrial hemp will be farmed for profit.

Russell sat down with Freedomisgreen.com for an interview last month:

So the revenue will be coming from two areas with this bill, increasing the positive financial impact…

Well that’s what I’m looking for to be honest Chris is the economic impact of this. As a state lawmaker I have a fiduciary responsibility to my state. I really feel strongly that we need to build a long-term sustainable economy. I’m part of a younger generation I’m 34 and my dad always said in his thick Maine accent, “Jeez Diane we should just legalize it and tax the hell out of it.” And so I’m sort of doing this in honor of my Dad. He’s right. Why are we letting this market go to waste? We’re one of the states where marijuana is already the top cash crop… this is so basic.

Support the effort in Maine with this online petition:  http://signon.org/sign/support-mj-legalization

Full text of the new bill here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP106701.asp

NCIA logo

3/30/2011 – The National Cannabis Industry Association held a media event in Washington DC today that showcased a powerful new lobbying effort: Medical Marijuana.  Colorado’s new House Representative, Jared Polis, joined several prominent canna-business owners at the National Press Club.

From The Washington Times:

“It is time for the federal government to take this industry seriously,” said Steve Fox, NCIA director of public affairs. “[The government has] blocked research at every step. [Medical marijuana] should be recognized as medicine already, and it is a crime that it isn’t.” read full

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO)

The media seemed to be very attentive to the remarks of Congressman Polis (D-CO) who called for an end to marijuana prohibition overall. The Raw Story reports:

“Ending the failed policy of prohibition with regard to marijuana will strike a major blow against the criminal cartels that are terrorizing Americans and Mexicans on both sides of the border,” Polis said at the National Press Club, in response to a question from Raw Story.

“It’s been estimated that the drug cartels drive about half of their revenue from marijuana, so I think it would reduce the violence by half, and reduce the money that fuels the criminal enterprises by half.” read full

Several pieces of legislation for federal marijuana reforms are expected this year. Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) have been the leaders on this issue. In the past they helped co-sponsor a medical cannabis patient protection act and a hemp farming bill.

Rep. Polis is taking on a front-and-center role in national cannabis reform. He will speak at the 40th National NORML Conference in Denver Colorado on April 21, 2011.

March 11, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: chris {at} freedomisgreen.com

Activist brings marijuana policy to NJ Libertarian Convention

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana activist working locally with The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey and NORML-NJ. On Saturday March 12^th he will deliver a speech to the New Jersey Libertarian Party Convention. www.njlp.org

The 1PM talk takes place at the Brookdale Community College campus in Lincroft, NJ.

Goldstein has been helping to organize New Jersey patients and advocates in the fight with governor Chris Christie over reasonable regulations for the state’s new medical cannabis program.

The 30-minute talk will include a PowerPoint presentation on the history of marijuana prohibition in America. Goldstein will also speak about current events in the Garden State. There is also a question-and-answer portion for attendees and the media.

“The ongoing impasse over these regulations has been a disaster for the seriously ill residents who need this law to work. It has also created a rare Constitutional conflict. The Legislature is trying to uphold the law and protect the integrity of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.”

Goldstein recently launched a new website to cover marijuana reform on the East Coast: www.freedomisgreen.com

CONTACT: chris {at} freedomisgreen.com

New Jersey State House by C. David Freitag

5/6/2011 – The proposed regulations for the medical cannabis program in New Jersey violate the true intent of the Compassionate Use law. Assemblywoman Linda Stender has filed ACR 188, the final resolution that could invalidate them completely. The Senate and Assembly have already voted against the harsh regulations that removed provisions for home delivery, limited THC potency to 10 percent and created a controversial doctor registry for marijuana.

ACR 188/ ACR 151 states:

“A Concurrent Resolution prohibiting the adoption of certain Department of Health and Senior Services rules implementing the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.”

They rules were put forth by the Department of Health and Senior Services  (DHSS) and have been vocally defended by Governor Chris Christie. The seriously ill patients who the law is meant to serve have done nothing but criticize the regulations in a series of public hearings.

 But The Legislature is keeping up the fight for patients by using rare procedure to throw out the rules. It has three steps: 1) A concurrent resolution is passed (complete 1/20/2011) 2) A special public hearing is held to gather guidance testimony (complete 2/3/2011) and 3) Based on such testimony a final concurrent resolution must be passed (now filed as SCR 151/ ACR 188).

This form of resolution does not require the signature of the Governor. In fact it communicates that Governor Christie would have 30 days to amend to rules. If the Executive does not change the regulations to the approval of the Legislature they will be officially invalided in whole or in part.

Advocates and the sponsoring politicians are eager to make changes. The six Alternative Treatment Centers recently approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) can not open until final regulations are adopted. The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was supposed to have been fully running in the summer of 2010 but has seen a series of delays.

Questions?  [email protected]

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. He volunteers with local groups to change prohibition laws including PhillyNORML and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.

www.freedomisgreen.com – Marijuana News, Science, Activism and Culture

CONTACT: 267 702 3731 or chris [ at ]  freedomisgreen.com

UPDATE May 26, 2011: Freedomisgreen now appears in the Google News Feed. Site traffic May 1st to May 25th = 25,306 visitors for 35,106 page views

Sponsors enjoy strong presence on a content-driven site that is not overcrowded with ads.

To reserve one of the limited number of sponsorships please call  267 702 3731  or send us an email.

Growing the East Coast cannabis community

3/2/2011 – Chris Goldstein, a nationally recognized journalist and pro-marijuana advocate, is launching a new website to cover the East Coast: www.freedomisgreen.com .

“ Millions of cannabis consumers from Maine to Florida are searching out local information about legalization. Freedomisgreen.com is here to cover the news, activism and lifestyle of American marijuana,” he said today.

Known for popular blogs and newspaper columns in the Philadelphia area covering marijuana politics, Goldstein is regularly featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, Comcast, ABC and the Associated Press.

A limited number of initial sponsorships are available that feature prominent placement for advertising. Three levels of sponsorship are available too accommodate various budgets.

“Many businesses can benefit from sponsorship: Clothing companies, record labels, print publications and consumer products just to name a few. Cannabis lifestyles in America touch upon more businesses than we think, “ Goldstein said.

There are dozens of print magazines and websites catering to cannabis consumers on the West Coast. Now, freedomisgreen.com fills an important niche for the marijuana-friendly community in the eastern US while offering a powerful venue for businesses to connect with the region.

Chris has assembled a unique team of writers to produce exclusive content in the following categories: Freedom Buzz, Sensible Science, Green Justice, Mary Jane’s Corner, Canna-business and Grass Roots. The site has an open-call for submissions of writing, photos and video from voices in the local cannabis community.

For more information please call  267 702 3731  or send us an email

3/9/2011 11:29AM UPDATE 6:11PM- A Florida House Representative has formally introduced a medical cannabis bill this week. Advocates and the sponsor are planning a press conference for 10:00AM local time tomorrow on the 4th floor of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee.

The Tampa Bay Times/Herald reported today:

Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, has filed a joint resolution that if passed would let voters in 2012 weigh in on a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana.

The law would allow the use of medical marijuana if it’s recommended by physicians for patients with “debilitating medical conditions.” The proposal also allows the Legislature to set a maximum quantity of marijuana that can be owned for medical use, but that amount could be exceeded if a patient or doctor says greater amounts are necessary. Read full

Recent polling by the Florida Republicans indicates a groundswell of public support for the issue:  57% of Floridians reported that they want to legalize medical marijuana,

Robert Platshorn at NORMLCON 2010 – photo by NORML/David Sygall

The extra momentum for the new legislation came from an interesting place; two senior activists.

Robert Platshorn,  also known as Bobby Tuna, spent 30 years in federal prison for smuggling marijuana in the 1970’s. Now’s he’s giving talks about the benefits of medical cannabis as part of the NORML/High Times Silver Tour to educate seniors.

Bobby has been joining Irvin Rosenfeld, one of the four surviving federal medical marijuana patients, for special presentations to local  political clubs.

NORML South Florida attended local legislative meetings in January with Rep. Clemens in attendance.

After Bobby spoke in front of the Palm Beach County delegation Clemens requested more information and quickly introduced the resolution.

Look for an exclusive interview with Robert Platshorn on freedomisgreen.com later today!

More information: People United For Medical Marijuana  http://www.pufmm.org/

Video below of Irv Rosenfeld testifying for medical marijuana in Michigan