I apologize for being so behind on blog posts here on my Globe blog and promise to have pictures and video up from our NORML's chapters trip to San Francisco, CA for the national NORML conference.

But, I needed to stop in and spread the good news! In what can only be described as major departure in the so-called ‘war on drugs’, the Obama Administration is issuing a new three page memo this morning mapping out the federal government’s new guidelines for states that have laws protecting medical cannabis patients.

In February Attorney General Eric Holder indicated in a press conference that the Obama Administration–which favors physician-recommended access to medical cannabis–would abate from what had been an aggressive law enforcement (and propaganda) campaign against medical access to cannabis.

Today’s memo from the Department of Justice formalizes these changes and is a MAJOR victory for citizens who support cannabis law reform!

More here:

AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued

By DEVLIN BARRETT (AP)
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors Monday.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

California is unique among those for the presence of dispensaries — businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

A 3-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

On Wednesday morning, chapter leaders from Joplin NORML will be setting off for the National NORML's 38th Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA!

The 2009 NORML Conference will be held Thursday, September 24 through Saturday, September 26 at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco, CA. The event will bring together NORML's staff and Board of Directors – and over 500 policy activists, medical patients, cultivators, doctors, politicians, and clinical investigators – as we congregate and celebrate in one of America's most 'cannabis friendly' cities.

I will be updating this blog with insights on panel discussions, photos from the conference, exciting news from the front-lines of reform, and much more!

Stay tuned :)

Today the Joplin Globe opined on the most heartbreaking and cruel aspect of marijuana prohibition, safe access to medical marijuana. For me it boils down to a simple point: Should seriously ill Missourians be arrested and sent to prison for using marijuana with their doctors’ approval? The answer is resoundingly no and the Joplin Globe is seeking opinions on the matter from readers right now. Make an impact and send them a letter to the editor regarding medical marijuana.

Need help? Visit THIS link for information on how to construct an effective letter in support of medical marijuana.

Go to THIS link to send your letter.

The time is now to act to protect our most vulnerable of citizens, the sick and dying. Write the Globe today to have your voice heard!

In our view: Marijuana used as medicine

There are plenty of pills in the medicine cabinets of many of our readers that are far more potent than marijuana.

The difference is that your doctor can legally prescribe them. That is not the case with marijuana.

But should it be?

Last weekend several thousand people gathered in Landreth Park for the Cannabis Revival. The event has been staged by volunteers from local chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws since 1997. The revival serves as a rally and information resource for local advocates of reforming marijuana laws. This year’s revival solicited donations to help support a medical marijuana initiative in Missouri.

As an institution, we aren’t likely to endorse legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. But, we are interested in learning more about the role it might play in medicine.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be exploring on the news side, through interviews with doctors and patients, the validity of marijuana as a prescribed drug.

There are several states and cities across America where the medical use of marijuana is legal. We’ll be talking to officials and physicians there to see what effects the medical marijuana initiatives have had there.

We would encourage you to send us your letters, conveying your opinions on this topic.

They're listening, now is the time for you to get active and support compassionate medical marijuana laws in Missouri.

That's right folks! It is that time of year again where you dust off your dancing shoes and get informed about our country's failed war on marijuana!

Our festival is featured in the Enjoy section of this Friday's Joplin Globe. Check out the article by Globe reporter, Dave Woods here:

Cannabis Revival to push reform, awareness and entertainment

By Dave Woods

Linda Yelvington said she’s excited about attending her first Cannabis Revival in Joplin and helping spread the word about drug-law reform.

“We have some nationally known speakers coming that are tremendous,” the 54-year-old cannabis activist said. “When can you have so much fun and be educated at the same time.”

While much of Saturday’s event is dedicated to education and drug-policy reform, the festival offers a long list of musical entertainment too.

“It’s going to be great,” said Yelvington, who moved to Joplin six months ago. “It’s the end of summer … everybody’s got to party.”

Billed on the Cannabis Revival 2009 Web site as “the biggest marijuana law reform festival in the Midwest,” the Landreth Park event promises live music, vendor booths offering art, crafts and clothing and plenty of food and beverages to keep the crowd satisfied.

For months, dozens of devoted marijuana-reform advocates have been planning, securing city permits, lining up food and other vendors and painting giant, green cardboard pot leaves to help guide attendees to the event site.

Darrell Sour, a 26-year-old Joplin resident and Cannabis Revival volunteer, played up the “good” aspects of the event.

“It’s all about good bands and good food, but what brings it together is the good people,” the Missouri Southern State University student and national board member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) said. “The people who show up are good-natured people. It’s an event where all people will be welcome.”

Hillary Fogerty, 37, who said she grew up during the Nancy Reagan-inspired “Just say no” era, said the cannabis revival will be a family affair.

“I’ll bring my son, and he’s 8,” said Fogerty, who is faculty adviser for the Missouri Southern chapter of SSDP.

“I like good music and good food and good company,” she said. “I think the festival is all about reform. I mean, it is a celebration, but it’s also about reform. I don’t think people should fear (drug law) reform, especially when prohibition has been a miserable failure.”

READ FULL ARTICLE...

I wanted to let you all know that it's Weed Wednesday on Vibes with Val tonight on KKFI in KC!

I will be talking about our upcoming event on Sept. 12th in Joplin, the Cannabis Revival. I will be joined by our keynote speaker at the Cannabis Revival, Mason Tvert, co-author of "Marijuanan is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?" and Exec. Director of SAFER. Mason will also be speaking be at MSSU on September 10th.

We will also be joined by a representative from LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), Michael Gilbert.

Tonight at 10pm Central listen here: www.kkfi.org