Patricia Smith’s appeal was denied several months ago. This New Hampshire-based nurse with no criminal background is currently serving the next 2 – 4 years in the New Hampshire Department of Corrections for growing marijuana in her own home. Financially she was nailed too, paying over $35,000 in fines.
Letters to inmates help considerably with morale, self-esteem and connectivity to the “outside world.” And it only takes a few minutes.
In general, it’s best not to go on endlessly about the injustice surrounding her case (she gets it, trust me), but instead write about yourself, incidents in your life, interests, etc. Think of writing to a pen pal in a really crappy situation. Keep it informal, supportive and friendly.
Please write to hospice nurse and MMJ patient Patricia Smith who was sent the NH State Prison for growing medicine. She is serving 2-4 years. Please send her a letter of encouragement and solidarity today. Patricia Smith, Inmate #90724, NHSP/W 317 Mast Rd, Goffstown, NH 03045. If you wish to send her books or magazine subscriptions, they must be sent directly from recognized mail order companies or publishers. The receipt must be included within the packaging or it will be returned to the sender. Let’s support our struggling but brave sister.
More on Patricia Smith’s story:
Beth Mann is a popular blogger and writer for Open Salon and Salon. She is also an accomplished artist with over 15 years of experience, as well as the president of Hot Buttered Media. She currently resides at the Jersey shore where she can be found surfing or singing karaoke at a local dive bar.
6/28/2011 – The concurrent medical marijuana bills in Massachusetts had a public hearing today before the Committee on Public Health. Medical professionals and potentially qualifying patients outlined the strong case for legal accesss.
“…injuries from multiple car accidents left me with broken bones and nerve damage, I suffer from chronic pain that I will have for the rest of my life, including unpredictable debilitating pains on the entire left side of my body.” said Richard Merrill from Fitchburg. “The opiates I was prescribed made me vomit, caused sleeplessness, and put me into a long term depression. With the help of medical marijuana I’ve been able to get off the opiates and put my life back together again.”
Dr. Karen Munkacy MD, a specialist in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, testified in favor of medical cannabis at the hearings. “It’s much safer than Oxycontin and even safer than many over the counter pain relievers.” said Dr. Munkacy. “I once treated a patient with a Tylenol overdose. That doesn’t happen with medical cannabis.”
The bills, H.625 and S.1161 would allow doctors to recommend cannabis and regulate up to nineteen “Medical Treatment Centers” for dispensing marijuana across the state. Massachusetts decriminalized adult possession of cannabis (for all uses) by a ballot measure in 2008. But doctors are still not allowed to address the issue with seriously ill residents in a fully legal manner.
The Associated Press covered the committee hearing today in-depth:
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
A supporter protests for medical marijuana in Philadelphia
Because of the two-year cycle of the Pennsylvania General Assembly the medical marijuana bills are expected to be re-introduced soon. Advocates and legislators are also talking about some interesting changes.PA saw medical marijuana legislation introduced for the first time in 2009 by Rep. Mark B. Cohen of Philadelphia. In 2010 Senator Daylin Leach introduced the concurrent bill in upper chamber.The PA House Health and Human Services Committee held two important public hearings in Harrisburg and in Pittsburgh. Patients, physicians, advocates, religious leaders and even former law enforcement officers testified in favor of medical marijuana.This week the Board of Directors at the non-profit advocacy group Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) held a conference call with Rep. Cohen to look at the effort for 2011.During the call Rep. Cohen emphasized his commitment to re-introducing the bill this year and the group also discussed some alterations to the language.Cohen continues to be a strong champion for the issue in PA, commenting on his Facebook page today:
“Changes in the bill will include naming the act after former Pennsylvania Governor Raymond P. Shafer, a leading critic of federal drug policies…”
Shafer, a Republican, was appointed by President Nixon to oversee a blue-ribbon commission to study marijuana. In 1972 the panel of experts concluded that personal marijuana use and possession should not be criminal. They also found that marijuana did not belong in Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. *President Nixon ignored his own commission’s recommendation. Marijuana has remained in Schedule I since 1970. Each state has a drug scheduling system to match the federal code. Two states, Iowa and Oregon, have moved marijuana to Schedule II.There are also suggestions that provisions to re-schedule marijuana, at the state level, be included into the Pennsylvania medical cannabis legislation.A major shift for the issue in PA is the change in Governor. Ed Rendell would have likely signed a medical marijuana bill if it passed. But the newly elected Tom Corbett (the former state Attorney General) has voiced opposition to the issue.When Frankin&Marshall University conducted the most recent polling on the topic last year that showed a whopping 80% of state residents support the medical marijuana bill.It took over five years to pass legislation in New Jersey. Patients and advocates are striving for a less protracted fight in the Keystone State.Further updates on the status of medical marijuana in PA are expected soon – more info at www.pa4mmj.orgRep. Cohen’s medical marijuana page – http://www.pahouse.com/Cohen/med_marijuana_info.asp*Schedule I drugsunder the Controlled Substances Act for the United States. Required findings for drugs to be placed in this schedule:– The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.– The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.– There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
6/23/2011 – The medical cannabis bill in Pennsylvania has been stalled in House and Senate committees but some procedural wrangling this week could put the issue back in motion. HB 1653 was first assigned to the House Health Committee chaired by Rep. Matthew Baker. At previous public hearings Baker was a vocal opponent of the measure. Today the bill was re-referred to the House Human Services Committee. This means much better chances that public hearings and/or a committee vote will be be scheduled.
This year the PA bill was also re-named The Governor Raymond P. Shafer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This is to honor the former Republican governor who guided a commission for President Nixon on the topic of marijuana. In 1972 Shafer delivered a report that cannabis should not be classified with other narcotics and that personal possession should be decriminalized. There were also clear considerations about the medical use of cannabis in the report.
Previously the PA House Health and Human Services Commitee was combined and had 26 members. This year the committee was split into two separate entities.
At public hearings held in 2009 and 2010 testimony strongly favored the medical marijuana bill. Seriously ill residents, religious leaders, advocates, doctors and nurses spoke about the benefits of cannabis but the the bill never got a vote.
Patrick Nightingale, a Pittsburgh based attorney who serves on the Board of Directors at Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ), said today, ”Critically ill patients throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are begging merely that their voice be heard by their elected representatives.”
“The answer is not to ignore or bury the legislation but rather to give it a full and fair hearing,” Nightingale added.
Dr. Harry Swidler, an Emergency Medicine physician said at the 2009 hearings: “Marijuana is non-addicting. There is no physical dependence or physical withdrawal associated with its use. It is, from a practical standpoint, non-toxic. Marijuana is safer by some measures than any other drug. There is simply no known quantity of marijuana capable of killing a person.”
Derek Rosenzweig of Philadelphia spearheaded the PA4MMJ effort and testified at previous public hearings. He said in an email today: “With the introduction of legislation in the US Congress today that would remove marijuana from the federal Schedule I classification, states such as Pennsylvania may soon be free of federal interference in implementing medical marijuana laws. Activists across the state have been pushing for a vote. Everyone at PA4MMJ has been making phone calls and sending emails.”
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
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 The National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse. Working in an early form of the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana was classified as a prohibited drug. This was thought to be temporary and the blue-ribbon panel was tasked with exploring the issue to determine the final placement .
The team of sociologists, psychologists, physicians, lawmakers and policy experts toured the country to conduct careful research and observations. Shafer then led the effort to craft the final report: “Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding.” It was strikingly candid. The conclusion was that cannabis should not remain in the current narcotic drugs scheme. The Commission went further, recommending that personal possession of cannabis – even transfer for no remuneration – should be decriminalized.
There were also some very clear recommendations for medical use:
Historical references have been noted throughout the literature referring to the use of cannabis products as therapeutically useful agents. Of particular significance for current research with controlled quality, quantity and therapeutic settings, would be investigations into the treatment of glaucoma, migraine, alcoholism and terminal cancer. Read full report
President Nixon was not pleased with the Commissions’ assessments and chose to leave them out of policy. Cannabis remains in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act describing it as having “no medical value.” This is why states pass compassionate use laws for seriously ill residents.
Rep. Cohen first introduced the medical marijuana legislation in Pennsylvania in 2009. Public support has been very strong: Franklin&Marshall showed 81% voters back the issue.
Rep. Matthew Baker (R) chairs the House Health Committee where HB 1653 has been referred. He has expressed fierce opposition to the concept of medical marijuana. However Baker did allow a healthy debate, overseeing several hours of Committee testimony in 2009.
State Senator Daylin Leach re-introduced the compassionate use bill in April, so the measure is now active in both chambers. SB1003 is on the desk of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee chaired by Sen. Patricia Vance (R). A registered nurse, Vance has not taken a strong position on the medical cannabis issue. But she has stalled the bill; refusing to hold a hearing or call a vote.
Republican legislators in Harrisburg have been shy of the popular topic despite a Quinnipiac poll showing that 49% of Republican voters in PA support the medical cannabis bill.
The “War on Drugs” was declared by President Nixon 40 years ago this week. A majority of those efforts have been directed against marijuana consumers. There were more than 25,000 arrests last year in Pennsylvania just for possession of 30 grams or less. There is no data on exactly how many medical marijuana patients have become victims of prohibition.
The name of the PA compassionate use bill is a fitting memorial to Governor Shafer. Applying his vision for a common sense marijuana policy would be a great benefit for Pennsylvanians today.
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
5/25/2011 – When the Philadelphia Weekly video team hit the streets to talk about marijuana laws many officials were shy of the camera. But reporter Matt Petrillo did speak with Philly’s District Attorney Seth Williams and US Congressman Chaka Fattah in this new video. Both of these respected politicians call for a more sensible approach to marijuana, one that does not involve jail.
The video also features footage of the PhillyNORML South St. Cannabis Peace March on May 21, 2011.
Questions? Contact editor Chris Goldstein [email protected] or 267 702 3731
Marijuana reform signs at Occupy Philadelphia 10/10/2011 – Photo by Chris Goldstein
2/2/2012 – A progressive activist is getting national attention after announcing his run for US Congress in Pennsylvania’s 13th District. Nathan Kleinman, 29, is seeking the Democratic nomination from incumbent Allyson Schwartz. Kleinman has been consistently involved with Occupy Philadelphia on the front lines of many protest actions and in the General Assembly process.
Some of of Kleinman’s talking points as a potential candidate include ending marijuana prohibition and re-thinking the drug war.
A recent Times-Herald article pointed out:
Kleinman said he plans to stump on civil liberties issues, including marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans, and advocates complete decriminalization of marijuana and drug policy reform. He said Schwartz has let down her constituents by being silent on topics that matter. read full
No stranger to politics, Kleinman worked on several high-profile campaigns and did a stint as a legislative assistant for a PA state representative. Still, this is his first run for office.
Freedomisgreen.com caught up with Nate yesterday; he was brimming with excitement while planning the next steps for the campaign. “It was really amazing when the first people came out to sign the petition…there’s so much support. That’s why we’re going to win this.”
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
Diane Fornbacher with her family in NJ. Photo by Kevin Monko
7/17/2011 by Justin Escher Alpert – Last night may not have seemed unique in New Jersey, another pleasant and clear summer evening the likes of which fill my memories of The Garden State. After a day with the family trolling the shore for bass, or after a day with friends hitting a links in the lush green mountains, or after a day with the kids basking in the sun at the town pool, people gathered together under the stars and a nearly full moon.
Maybe they drank sangria and maybe they made fresh fish tacos. They shared and they talked and they gossiped and maybe they thanked God for the life that they were given, for the friends and family that they have, for their past experiences and future opportunities.
And maybe, as everyone relaxed, the sweet smell of Sensimilla filled the air.
They were your doctors, your lawyers, your bankers, your hairdressers… they were the clerk at that store you love and your trainer at the gym… they were Democrats and they were Republicans (definitely Libertarians), they were gay and straight, they were Christian and Jewish and Muslim and some other religions of which you may or may not have heard. They were parents and grandparents. They were friends and neighbors.
No, last night wasn’t particularly different than any other summer night in The Garden State. Last night was beautiful.
Do you know any of those people who got together last night? Those people who are adults and have lived their lives according to the rules, and studied hard, and married the right person, and are raising their kids properly, and are working real hard but don’t always get it right… do you know any of those folks? The folks navigating their lives pursuant to the sum of their past experiences and doing the best to captain their own ships?… do you know any of those folks?
Come in real close… I have a favor to ask. Do you think you could ask just a few of those folks to write to their State legislators?
We’re not asking them to light up a doobie on the State House steps in protest… No, just a simple email to their legislators.
Dear Senator _________, Assemblyman/woman __________, and Assemblyman/woman __________,
I support the intention of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and believe that safe, effective, and legal medicinal marijuana ought to be made immediately and readily available to those patients who might benefit upon the recommendation of their physician.
I also support Assembly Bill A4252, which would decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.
I am an adult and believe that other adults are capable of making responsible choices when it comes to the use of marijuana.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone
Do you think you could ask them to do that?… Your friends and neighbors? They are adults now, with real jobs and real families and it is their real destiny to be in the place to make the decisions about the rules that will govern their real lives.
There is no telling what we will be able to accomplish together when we are honest with ourselves, and we ask others to be honest with themselves.
Read it, digest it, talk about it, copy it, paste it, email it, post it, share it, like it.
Today will be another beautiful summer day in The Garden State.
Justin Escher Alpert is an attorney, writer, musician, actor, activist, husband, father, friend, and neighbor, and he lives his life to the best of his abilities with his family in Livingston, New Jersey.
[Editor’s Note – Justin walks-the-walk by keeping up a regular email dialogue to NJ legislators and testifying in Trenton (video below). Freedomisgreen posts commentary and other submitted content that is exclusive to the site. If you are interested in sending text or photos please contact [email protected] .]
On January 11, 2010 the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was passed by the Legislature and later signed by then-governor Jon Corzine. It marked the 14th US state to create legal access to cannabis for seriously ill residents.Lawmakers and advocates expected the program to be running by the fall of 2010 but the new governor, Chris Christie, has put up significant hurdles in the regulatory process.Currently there is no medical marijuana program running in the Garden State. The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) launched a controversial physician registry for doctors to begin recommending cannabis to their patents.DHSS representatives said in a phone call today that 69 doctors in 18 counties had registered so far, but the system to allow the registry of patients has not been brought online.
25 year-old Patricia Spottedcrow’s story typifies the excessive and unnecessary drug charges leveled against first time offenders. She’ll be spending the next 12 years behind bars for selling $31 worth of marijuana ($31? An additional buck for the baggie?). This video gives a face to an all too common story.
