What’s Happening

in Oregon state and NorthWest - 2008

see below for details

Action Items and Alerts

Register, Vote and Get Everybody You Know to Do So Also.  And Vote Smart!  Visit NORMLs Campaign 2008 web page - http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6966

For example, Query every candidate running for office - from local dog-catcher to presidential contender - on how they would vote on this bill.

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Federal Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced by Rep. Ron Paul

Washington, DC:  Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) has introduced H.R. 5842, the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act,”.  This bill would make federal authorities respect states' current laws on medicinal cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law.

Representative Paul, whose presidential campaign prominently featured the ending of the drug war as a platform plank, was joined by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Sam Farr (D-CA) in co-sponsoring this bill.

“I think marijuana is a helpful medical treatment for the people who have intractable nausea,” Paul said in a 2004 House debate regarding a similar measure.  “I would like to point out this is not something strange that we are suggesting here. For the first 163 years of our history in this country, the federal government had total hands off, they never interfered with what the states were doing.”

Twelve states have approved the use of medical marijuana, beginning with California in 1996 with the passage of Proposition 215. The DEA continues to raid and harass medicinal cannabis dispensaries operating within these states' laws.  Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have both indicated they would end such raids should they be elected.

Michigan will vote on an initiative to adopt medical cannabis legislation this November.  Minnesota and Rhode Island's respective legislatures are also considering pro-reform legislation this year.

For more information, contact NORML Legal Director Keith Stroup at (202) 483-5500. Supporters can write their Representatives in favor of this bill at:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280351&type=CO

Events

* Every Tuesday, next is September 2nd * 7pm * Cannabis  T.V. Show filming in Eugene * Eugene Cannabis TV Weekly Production  happens every Tuesday from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at:   Community TV 29 Studio behind Sheldon High School  *  Call   541.517-0957  or visit:   http://mercycenters.org/events/Meet_CLF.htm  

* Every Wednesday, next is September 3rd * 7:00pm to 9:00pm * Patient MeetUp hosted by MERCY at Coffeehouse Cafe in Salem.  Located at 135 Liberty St. NE Salem, Oregon, 97301, their phone number is 503-371-6768  and they are letting us meet in the “Green Room”, This one will happen every Wednesday.  * for more info about Meetings and Meet-Ups,  call MERCY at:  503.363-4588  –or- visit: 

http://www.mercycenters.org/events/Meet_PUB_Café.htm

* Wednesday, September 3rd, 7pm * and 1st Wed of every month * an Oregon Green Free (OGF - PDX) meeting, at Stark Street Pizza, in Portland, Oregon * Social meeting, Open to public. 

* Forums.  A means to communicate and network on medical cannabis in Portland across Oregon and around the world.  A list of Forums, Chat Rooms, Bulletin Boards and other Online Resources for the Medical Cannabis Patient, CareGiver, Family Member, Patient-to-Be and Other Interested Parties.  *  Rsrcs > Pats (plus) > Online > Forums  *  Know any?  Let everybody else know!  Visit:  http://www.mercycenters.org/orgs/Forums.html   and Post It!

* Saturday, September 6^th, 10AM to 10PM – Sunday, September 7^th, 10AM to 10PM - 2008 * HempStalk happens in Portland, Oregon. *  Eastbank Esplanade,  2  S.E. Main, between Salmon and Madison  *  The reason marijuana is illegal has very little to do with drugs, and is really about money and the continued centralization of economic and political control. Hemp seed oil is biodiesel and is three times more productive than any other seed oil crop, and hemp seed oil will run any diesel engine today with no modification. Hemp oil is the reason the petrochemical industry made up the "reefer madness" myth. They renamed hemp, using racist propaganda, calling it marijuana, and lied to make it illegal. There is a truth that must be heard! That's what the Hempstalk Festival is all about.  To find out more about HempStalk, visit:   http://hempstalk.org/  *  or Contact HempStalk organizers:  The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCf), by phone:  1-800-723-0188  -or- visiting:   http://thc-foundation.org/ 

*  Sunday, September 7th, 1pm - 8pm * Public Meeting on Medical Cannabis in West Salem, will happen every 1st Sunday of the month * at the Westside Restaurant and Lounge, 610 Edgewater St. NW, Salem, Oregon, 97304 . For more info, Call 503.363-4588 -or- Click here for a flyer in MS-WORD.

* Saturday, September 13th, at Noon * a Patient Resource NetWork Meeting in Portland hosted by Oregon NORML.  NOTE: You must have an OMMP card among other requirements.  Visit: >   http://www.ornorml.org  < for the latest information on location, time and requirements.  

* Saturday, September 13th, Noon – 2pm * happens Every 2nd Saturday of the month * an Oregon Green Free (OGF-Eug) meeting, in Eugene * General Meet-Up, open to the public at 1pm. NOTE: The first hour, starting at 12:00 is for Card Holders, only.  The second hour, starting at 1:00 will be open to the general public. *  Growers Market, 454 Willamette St, Eugene, Oregon.

*  September 13^th  * and Every 2nd Saturday of the month * at DHS building, 1607 Gekeler Lane, in LaGrande at Noon * OGF East *  General Meet-Up, open to the public.

*  September 19, 2008  *  10:00 am to 2:30 pm  * ACMM / Quarterly Meeting * location:  Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon Street, Room 1-E, Portland, OR  97232  *  Next scheduled Quarterly Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) hosted by the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) – click here > http://mercycenters.org/events/Meet_OMMP.htm < for more info.  * Also, you can Contact the Program at   971.673-1226   or by visiting the OMMP website at: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/ 

* Saturday, September 20th * 12:30pm * at the Tigard Town Hall (Tigard) * OGF-PDX-West * Meeting, open to the public. Happens every 3rd Sat. of the month.

*  Saturday, September 20th * from 1pm til 4pm *  at the Cape Ferrelo Fire Hall, north of Brookings - * OGF-South-Coast *  Meeting. Open to the public. * The Cape Ferrelo Fire Hall  is at 96349 Cape Ferrelo Road, Brookings, Oregon.  Cape Ferrelo Road East is off  HWY 101 north of Brookings, about 3 miles up on the left.  Happens every 3rd Sat. of the month.

* every last Thursday of the Month, next is September 25th * 7:00pm to 9:00pm * TV Show filming and Patient MeetUp hosted by MERCY-TV at CCTV in Salem, at Capital Community Television,  585 Liberty St SE, Salem, Oregon, 97301 – Monthly Filming and Meeting  * call:  503.363-4588  or visit - http://mercycenters.org/tv/  - for more.

* Saturday, September 27th, 2pm * Willamette Valley NORML Public meeting * Normally happens every 4th Sat. of the month and is held at Herbs Toasted Subs, 1210 Willamette, in Eugene * call:  541.517-0957  –or-  visit:  http://WillametteValleyNORML.org

*  Saturday, September 27th at  2 pm * at Big Blue, the Oregon Green Free (OGF) Patient Resource Center 2375 SE 174th Ave., Portland * OGF-PDX-East * Meeting, open to the public.  Happens every 4th Sat. of the month.

*  Saturday, September 27th at Noon * in the Westlake Restaurant in Seaside * OGF-North-Coast *  Meeting. Open to the public. Happens every 4th Sat. of the month.

* Monday, October 6th, 7pm * and Every 1st Monday of the month ( except September, no meet ) * Public Meet Up of Sweet.Net, a Medical Cannabis Resource NetWork for Patients as well as CardHolders-to-be.  In Sweet Home (OR) * Call   503.363-4588  –or- visit: 

http://www.mercycenters.org/events/Meet_PUB_Sweet.htm

* Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 (21 days before election) * until 5pm * Voter Registration Deadline in Oregon.  Call the toll-free voter information line at 1-866-ORE-VOTE (1-866-673-8683). The voter information line is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, se habla Espanol. TTY services for the hearing impaired are available at 1-866-350-0596.  Additional voting resources are also available online at the Elections Division website; visit: www.sos.state.or.us/elections/elechp.htm .   Then * first Tuesday, November 7-ish * til the Polls close * Vote! in Oregon.   Read the Voting in Oregon Guide www.uhavavote.org/votingguide/index.html . get to the link and others by visiting: www.oregonvotes.org/elec101.htm 

* Sometime in 2008 * The Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards * The Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards (OMCA), an annual event, was last held at Ambridge Events Center - 300 NE Multnomah - Portland, Oregon –and – was Open to the Public: 10am-5pm - Banquet for ticketholders only: 7pm-10pm  *  hosted by Oregon NORML.  Visit: >   http://www.ornorml.org/omca

* Stay Tuned for Next * Public Meet Up in Bend-area (Redmond), Oregon * The first meeting of Oregon MMJ Support Group was September 5^th, 2007, at 5pm until 7pm, at the Redmond Public Library at 827 Deschutes Ave., Redmond, OR.  Another Medical Cannabis Resource NetWork Opportunity for Patients as well as CardHolders-to-be.  * Social meeting, Open to public * Call  541.546-9209  –or- visit:  http://www.mercycenters.org/events/Meet_OMMJSG.htm  < Others?  Let everybody know, visit:  http://www.mercycenters.org/events/Meets.html    and Post It!

*  Wednesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm * Next Emerald Empire Hempfest (EEH) Core Volunteer Meeting in Eugene is TBA* Location:  TBA.  Call   541-517-0957   or visit:   http://emeraldempirehempfest.com/

Details

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more details on What’s Happening

in Oregon state and the NorthWest region - 2008

--------------------- Action! ---------------------

Announcing the release of "Medical Marijuana Law," a book co-authored by Richard Glen Boire, of the Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics (www.cognitiveliberty.org), and Kevin Feeney

Medical Marijuana Law offers a complete overview of federal law and each of the 11 state medical marijuana programs. MMJ Law discusses the medical necessity defense in depth, how to qualify for each state program, the legal rights of patients and the role and legal rights of caregivers, how to deal with cops and how to remain legal under your state's law. MMJ Law also explores the rights and responsibilities of physicians who recommend marijuana, and explains how physicians can avoid legal troubles.

In addition to the above, MMJ Law contains a resource guide for each state, listing the prominent clinics and patient advocacy organizations in each state, contains the Marijuana Policy Project's Model Medical Marijuana Bill, a forward by Frank Lucido, MD, one of the prominent marijuana docs in California, and an article by Dale Gieringer (NORML) providing advice to medical marijuana providers.

The book is 190 pages and retails at 14.95, but is available on Amazon at a reduced price. Clinics who wish to stock this book should visit the website of Ronin Publishing at ( http://www.roninpub.com/ord_whole.html ).

We feel that this guide will be a valuable resource for patients, caregivers and their doctors. Any and all feedback on this book from readers is appreciated. Questions are also welcome.  For more information Contact:  Kevin Feeney, JD  (lalunaensumano@hotmail.com)

Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) meeting hosted by the OMMP.

Last Quarterly meet: 

June, 2008

In Bend

- and was an Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) meeting.

We’ll get whatever documentation we can and post.  Next meeting will be sometime in September and will probably be in Portland.

See:  http://mercycenters.org/ommp/meets/  for details, including any info we have, like proposed agenda, etc.  We’ll get copies of documents and stuff from the meetings - and post in our online library, print out and otherwise Keep you in the loop! - as we can(!)  You can also keep up on Public Meeting Notices by visiting the OMMP website at: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/ * Call the Program at   971.673-1226   for more info on OMMP hosted meetings. Also, see: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/acmm.shtml    for more detail on the Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) or visit:   http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/mtngnotice.shtml for latest OMMP hosted meetings.

--------------------- NetWork! ---------------------

At meeting and meet-ups hosted by these non-profit organizations –

*  Patients – current and to be – can Ask Medication questions about how to apply and get answers from those who have already experienced the issues.

*  Patients can meet with Caregivers - Caregivers can meet with Patients.

* Growing Patients and CareGivers can Ask grow questions and get answers from Oregon's best medical marijuana growers.

*  Non-CardHolders and CardHolders alike can Learn the legal details of Oregon's Medical Marijuana Act and the most recent laws and rules changes – and what they can do about them.

* Medical Cannabis Network opportunity in Sweet Home.  A Meet Up has been arranged by MERCY associate Dorothy Westofkansas at the American Legion Building, 1127 Long Street, Sweet Home, Oregon, 97386 starting at 7pm.  The purpose is to establish a regular networking of Patients, Caregivers and Interested Parties in the area.

It is a public meeting and there is no medicating or open exchange of resources at the site at this time (must be “brown bagged”, out of public view).  If resources available, places and times to exchange will be networked as can.  Call   503.363-4588  –or- visit:   http://mercycenters.org/events/Meet_PUB_Sweet.htm

This group will be meeting up on a regular basis every first Monday of the month. 

* Forums.  A means to communicate and network on medical cannabis in Portland across Oregon and around the world.  A list of Forums, Chat Rooms, Bulletin Boards and other Online Resources for the Medical Cannabis Patient, CareGiver, Family Member and Other Interetsted Parties.  * > Rsrcs > Pats (plus) > Online > Forums  *  Others?  Let everybody know, visit:  http://www.mercycenters.org/orgs/Forums.html   and Post It!