This is for Stacie.

http://pancreasfoundation.org/

To support the research of diseases of the pancreas and to provide information and humanitarian services to those people who are suffering from such illnesses. TO FULFILL ITS MISSION, the NPF raises and manages a charitable foundation from which grants are made directly to researchers seeking to resolve the challenging medical problems of pancreatic diseases. A support network is being developed for individuals suffering the isolating and debilitating conditions associated with pancreatic disease. The NPF and its founding members and volunteers are committed to maximum efficiency. The Foundation's goal is to channel 95% of all its proceeds into the direct support of research and humanitarian aid. To achieve this we rely heavily on the invaluable donations of time, energy and financial support of the many friends and interested parties who have been touched by the suffering of so many people. Research grant proposals from a wide variety of researchers are solicited. With the help of the Foundation's Grant Review Council, the NPF makes grants to those whose proposals appear most likely to lead to scientific advancements in the field of pancreatic disease.

Alameda county election fundraiser.

Friends of Prop 215 - Reception for Councilmember Richard Valle

Candidate for Alameda County Supervisor - 2nd District (Hayward/Union City)

At the Bulldog Coffeeshop, 1739 Broadway, Oakland

May 31st, 2006 - 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Richard Valle is running for Supervisor of Alameda Co, District 2 (Hayward/Union City). He is currently a city councilman in Union City, where he has voted right on every medical cannabis issue to come before him (often casting the only good vote on the council). He is running against incumbent Gail Steele, who has been tepid in her support of medical cannabis issues. A victory for Valle would give reasonable cannabis policy a majority on the Board of Supervisors, instead of the current 2 to 3 minority.

This is a competitive race, which Richard Valle has a good chance to win. He has compiled an impressive list of endorsements (see http://www.valleforsupervisor.com) but must raise money to match his incumbent's name recognition. Please donate as generously as possible to "Valle for Supervisros" There are no contribution limits in the race.

For other election news, including OCLA's endorsements for Oakland Mayor and City Council, see:

http://www.drugsense.org/dpfca/elect2006.06.html#oak

DrugSense & MAP and International Drug Policy Reform
by Mark Greer (26 May, 2006)

Thanks to DrugSense and the Media Awareness Project, the drug war can be discredited When Mexican President Vincente Fox bowed to U.S. pressure and refused to sign a bill that would have legalized the personal possession of all drugs, DrugSense was there. When England nearly re-criminalized the adult possession of cannabis, DrugSense was there. When American and Canadian activists, researchers, politicians and drug policy reformers organized a counter-symposium in Montreal to protest the DEA's International Drug Enforcement Conference, DrugSense was there. Whether it's decriminalization efforts in Mexico or Canada, the rejection of drug interdiction funding by Latin America, or ongoing harm reduction efforts in Europe, DrugSense and the Media Awareness Project (MAP) is there to help organize these international efforts. For example, we created a Canadian media contact list for the recent IDEC counter-conference in Montreal using our powerful and comprehensive Media Contact on Demand Coverage of this conference was then tracked through our MAP DrugNews Archive of drug-related articles from around the world, which now tops 164,000 clippings and counting! In fact, about half of the news articles received and posted by MAP are from outside of the U.S., and DrugSense has been integral in starting up Canadian, German, French, and Dutch versions of its popular Media Awareness Project. The progress made by other nations toward evidence-based drug policy may represent one of the best tools to push for positive change in the U.S. So, although DrugSense/MAP continues to focus on American drug policy reform, we have long been aware of the importance of assisting reformers all over the world. But, if DrugSense/MAP is to continue to provide news and services to the international drug policy reform community, and to use international pressure to push for U.S. reform, we need your help. Act now! Due to the generosity of a long time DrugSense sponsor, we have secured a matching funds grant! This means that anything you contribute to DrugSense and the Media Awareness Project RIGHT NOW will be matched, thus doubling the effective amount of your contribution. Please donate today! Our secure server accepts credit card and Paypal account payments. Checks should be made payable to DrugSense and mailed to: DrugSense 14252 Culver Dr #328 Irvine, CA 92604-0326 Please note that DrugSense is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent provided by law! Thank you again, merci, gracias, danke, dank u, grazie for working to end the international war on drugs, and for supporting DrugSense/MAP. • Mark Greer, Executive Director

Latest on the bike journey...

Greetings to all our many friends throughout this country and abroad who have been following along electronically in our journey across this fine nation.

I’m writing to you today from a KOA Campground in Limon, Colorado. This will be our second night here and a much needed day of rest. Two of our crew did not get in from the airport until 4:30am this morning. Tony had driven Suzanna to the airport and retrieved Hugh, fresh in from North Carolina. Suzanna will be returning to us in a week or so from a trip to the Netherlands.

We have met so many fine people along our journey; so many, as it was last night and this morning here in Limon, Colorado, who have been so attentive, asking questions, and expressing their desire for a natural substitute for the often debilitating and sometimes lethal drugs; drugs that are provided “legally” by our nation’s pharmaceutical companies, and endorsed by our federal government. Americans are waking up and realizing that the truth is out there. We’re bringing it to them.

It is your emails, phone calls, and visits that inspire us to continue. Thank you for your generosity and kind words. The “powers that be” have let us know in no uncertain terms that they do not want us doing this. Though it pains me to cause them discomfort (not!), we ARE continuing on. We are called to this purpose, and by God, we WILL see it to its favorable end. Enough concessions, enough empty promises – we need change, and we need it now.

I just concluded a very interesting video interview with a retired anesthesiologist. People….there are physicians out there who actually believe in the oath they took when they entered the field of medicine. They understand the benefits of cannabis and how their work could be far more effective if they could prescribe it legally.

As our journey continues, I expect to record literally thousands of such interviews. Please get the word out to any and all medical marijuana patients that we’re coming. We need their testimonies. We need people from every walk of life, every social status, every health condition that benefits from the medical use of cannabis. We need doctors, lawyers, police officers, etc. to join the Journey for Justice freedom fighters in this cause; to step forward and be heard for the sake of themselves and those without a voice. Not just the patients themselves, but also the caregivers - the family, friends, nurses, physicians and law enforcement so closely associated with this dilemma.

Please understand, I sympathize with those reluctant to step forward and be taped, especially when that video will be viewed by millions in this country and possibly the world. Perhaps they have been quietly medicating unbeknownst to their friends and co-workers, and even family. But only if we all pull together, for the sake of personal freedom, the very things this nation was built upon, only then can we hope to regain the basic rights we have been progressively denied and put an end to the persecution; put an end to prohibition.

Last night, our dear friend and co-worker in the cause, Timothy Tipton, braved the thunderstorms and the long drive to joined us at our campsite. It was really terrific for Ken and I to finally me this fine patriot. How we could change this nation, even if only with a handful of brave individuals like Tim! He’s bringing about real change, providing and organizing the tools and facilities necessary to meeting the needs of the chronically ill.

Please bear with us as we continue to augment our route. As requests come in for us to visit and assist local groups in their struggle, we are cognizant to our original purpose – that being education. If you need us, we want to do all we can to bring attention to the work you are doing locally, in your community. This is OUR work – all of us. This work affects us all, corporately, so we take seriously and wish to honor those who have blazed the trail before us. Use us.

I know it’s frustrating to see our route in a constant state of flux, but there is a method to our madness. We wish to be used by God to the best of the abilities he has bestowed in us.

Our next destination will be Franktown, Colorado. From there, we will determine which direction warrants our attention next.

I will try to upload the latest Journal entries this evening, if weather permits. Another storm is brewing. Just as it did yesterday, the wind is beginning to blow and a fierce layer of dark clouds are encircling our camp. Yesterday, it dissipated after night fall. I guess we will have to wait and see if tonight will be an encore performance.

Until our next update….

Mark and the J4J Crew

real time updates!

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bikeride/wherewearenow.htm

Keep on trucking folks! See Ya in Oakland!

Cross country update.

I talked to Mark tonight. He said their spirits are high but they're not. I asked him point blank if they were hiding their smoke and he said they had none because so many local cops were using dogs. They are weedless in the wilderness but they're not wandering. They know where they're going. They have planned their route 3/4 of the way through Colorado. They want to spend time in the states that need it. They are recieving warm receptions everywhere they go. As Mark says,"This is about civil rights." He met a Seventy four year old who cheered him on. I'll be posting more as I hear from them. Hopefully they'll stay at my house on their way to San Francisco.

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bikeride/

Drug Policy Alliance

Cut Those Stupid TV Ads Dear Fellow Reformer, Are you tired of your tax money being used to pay for those stupid anti-marijuana commercials? The ones that compare marijuana smokers to terrorists and claim marijuana will make you crazy, get you raped, cause you to shoot your neighbor and give you bird flu? Ok, we made that last one up. But doesn't it sound like something the government would say? You can help us take those stupid commercials off the air. As you may know, five government studies have found that the ads have not reduced marijuana use - and two of the studies found that the ads might make some teenagers more likely to start using marijuana. Now, a new study by two researchers at Texas State University-San Marcos finds that 18- to 19-year-old college students who view the TV ads develop more positive attitudes towards marijuana than those who do not. This "boomerang" effect occurs because people tend to rebel against fear-based arguments, factual inaccuracies and messages that don't conform to their perceptions and experiences. It's bad enough that the government is wasting your money on stupid anti-marijuana commercials. It's even worse that these commercials are backfiring. Over the last four years the Alliance has helped slash the program's annual funding from $180 million to $100 million. With this latest study we hope to finally convince Congress to kill this counterproductive program. Please fax your member of Congress. And please forward this action alert to others. Learn More

Contact the Drug Policy Alliance:

Drug Policy Alliance
70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10018

For subscription problems please contact
Jeanette Irwin, Director, Internet Communications
jirwin@drugpolicy.org | 202.216.0035

Medical Cannabis bike ride.

Well some country cops are being uptight but in all that darkness there is a few shining points of light. It's nice when police choose not to be cruel. They are the true patriots which will save this country from a fascist future.

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bikeride/

Hello everyone,

7am came real early for me this morning, but hey, I’m here. However, Ken’s coffee is just not as strong as I would make it. At least, not this morning.

It just occurred to me, some people might not realize just how helpful they could be, even on a limited income. As we pass through your area, all we need is a small bit of ground for me to pitch my tent, two parking spaces for our vehicles, a way to run an extension cord into their home so that we can have electric, and possible use of a toilet and shower.

Earlier this morning I used the phrase “locked out of the website”. Please, everyone, don’t think I was being diragatory toward anyone else on the team. “Locked out” would be the phrase I would use with any other nerd. It means, “…can’t git in ther!” J

I have uploaded the journals. There has been SO much happening over the last week or so!

We’re in the process of fine tuning the website, besides the migration thing, so please bear with us and check it out often. Kay’s making a bunch of really cool changes, so don’t wait for the next journal to check it out.

Here’s some excerpts from our journals:

Tony’s Journal

Saturday May 13, 2006

Yet again we move, not far but it is down the road to our destination. Me and Mark were pulled off the side of the road with our flashers on. He (cop) pulled up behind me, rand my plate then asked me if I needed any help. I said, “no sir. Just waiting.” He asked what for and I a had replied that I was waiting for the man in front of me to finish his work on the phone. The whole time he was talking to the radio on his shirt. He walked up to Ken’s truck where Mark was at, talked with him, ran his plate then left. Further down the road we saw a train carrying quite a few tanks. I got a few on film. Well needless to say, further down thee road, I got another cop behind me while I was pulled off to the side of the road. He asked me what I was doing, so I told him I am waiting on a bicycler to catch up with me. The he asked if I was doing some type of journey. Well to make a long story short, I gave him a LEAP badge and he was for our cause. He just could not sign the truck because the sheriff would not like it all that much. So we had got to the camp and set up we have already had three moments with a police officer and guess what happens around 11pm. I was woke up by Ken tapping on my window, telling me to wake up. When I finally did, there were 3 officers waiting there for us. Well I came at the last moment and was still half asleep but at the end, I gave the officers quit a few brochures and I gave another badge away.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark’s Journal

Saturday May 15 2006, Day 37

That was a rough night. Today won’t be a lot easier, at least not for Ken. 80 plus miles to Tuttle Creek State Park. Some breakfast and we were on our way.

A lot more police presence today. A county cop pulled in behind me and walked up to the window. As all the times before, he asked me if I was having trouble with a fairly congenial voice. I can’t help but wonder if he might not be as polite if I were thirty years younger. Amazing what difference it makes having gray in my hair and beard.

Tony is getting so bold. I am so proud of him. He’s been approached twice by cops today and both times he was polite but shared LEAP fliers with the officers. He is mature beyond his years.

I was thinking, if one were to ask a cop why they were hassling them for suspicion of marijuana possession, he’d most likely say that he was jus “enforcing the law. But if I recall, their oath, as well as the saying on most police cars states “to Serve & protect”. I take it that means to server and protect the American people. Enforce the law or serve and protect the people. For a dedicated policeman, which should he choose when the two conflict? After all, weren’t laws created to serve the people?
I have to tell Ken and Tony that one when I see ‘em.

15 miles out, I shot ahead to get things paid for and setup. Beautiful park. Packed out with groups celebrating graduations and Mother’s Day. Lots of campers. No problem. I like it. No more hiding back in some secluded spot. We want people to read our banners and signs. We want to talk to people. We want people to know that they don’t have to be afraid to talk about legalizing medical marijuana.
30 dollars is expensive by comparison to most of the parks we have stayed at, but it’s clean, well kept, beautiful lake, and the campsites are well kept.

Hamburgers and hotdogs a la Tony. So nice for a change of menu. Not. Oh well, it fills the belly. I just wish I could find the mustard.
I have so much writing to do. And I’m so tired. But not so tired that I didn’t want to go for a bike ride with the boys around the park. You should have seen the looks on peoples’ faces. I’m sure many of them were saying “There’s those marijuana guys.” Some suspicious looks, but many smiles and pleasant hellos.

It was around 11pm. I was dozing. I had been trying to work on my email update but just couldn’t keep my eyes open. So, I laid down and covered my legs with my sleeping bag and turned on the heater I had missed so the night before.

Then, through the mist of dream world, I heard the sound of cars, then an authoritative voice commanding someone to step out of their vehicle. That’s when I realized, police were in our camp and they were talking to Ken. I quickly (as quickly as a decrepit old hippy in a sleepy stupor can move at 11pm at nite) unzipped the door to my tent and peered out into the night at four or five silhouettes moving about our trucks.

I stepped out of my tent and immediately moved toward Ken and the police officers.
The one officer who seemed to be in charge turned out to be part of a canine unit for the local county sheriff’s department. He stated that someone had seen the signs on our vehicles and had called the park ranger, who in turn called the local sheriff’s department.

We told him that we didn’t understand why they were there. He said it was unlawful for us to be displaying our signs in a Kansas public park and that it gave them probable cause to use their dog to search our campsite and vehicles for drugs. He said it would be best if we voluntarily allowed them to search our vehicle.

When Ken told him that we did not condone any searches of our vehicles, he told us that some the officers would remain with us while one of them would go get a search warrant.
After listening to his spiel, Ken and I looked at each other and I said perhaps I should call

The attorney who had called me earlier that afternoon and get his advice on what was happening. Ken remained and proceeded to school them on why we were making the journey, his accident, and the many thousands throughout our country who depend on medical marijuana to help them with their chronic and terminal illnesses.

I returned to my tent only to be interrupted briefly by another officer asking if I had any weapons in my tent. After assuring the officer that I did not, I proceeded to call the Topeka attorney’s number. Unfortunately (I guess expectedly) I got his voicemail. When prompted for a message, I continued with a loud voice to describe what was happening, describing in as great a detail as I was able. The whole time, I had a search light shining in my eyes. After leaving my message, I called my dear friend and fellow Freedom fighters Kay Lee and Jess Williams.

I wasn’t sure what Kay would be able to do from Georgia, but I wanted a friendly voice on the other side of the line to be listening and making suggestions while I quite deliberately made everyone in our camp aware of the nature and contents of my phone call. I wanted all of the police officers to know that I questioned their behavior and that I was taking a proactive stance on the matter along with my favorite activist on the other side of the line. Unlike others in this country who are harassed daily without cause, I was not alone.

Kay asked me to ask whoever was in charge what their name was and what law enforcement agency they were with. So I laid down the phone and proceeded to walk over to the officers and began asking them if I might interrupt them for a moment. The first officer would not respond at all. He just stood there, staring at Ken and the canine officer. I then approached the deputy who was doing all the talking , interrupting his rhetoric with Ken, and asked him his name and department. After he responded I returned to my tent. I told Kay with a loud voice (I have an excuse, I’m half deaf in my right ear) how the one officer refused to talk to me and how they were milling about trying to look through our truck windows and all, then conveyed to her that the county sheriff’s department was responsible for this action.

Kay then asked me to ask the deputy for superior’s name and title. I laid down the phone, walked over to the deputy, apologized once again for the interruption, and asked him the name of his superior. He responded by giving me the name of the person who was over his department and quickly added that he would not be back in his office until Monday morning. I thanked him and returned to my tent.

I would be lying if I did not say that I was really enjoying this exchange, even though the adrenaline was flowing like a pressure hose.

Kay was having trouble hearing me, but continued to reassure me that the signs were not adequate cause for the harassment.

The canine officer then had the German Shepherd jump un on the Tailgate and sniff around, knocking a bag of sugar over and sticking his nose and feet all over our cooking utensils. I could tell the dog was getting excited as he sniffed about crumbs of food and grease splatter. Finally, the dog was directed to examine a bag of trash hanging from the side of the truck. I could see the deputy was talking to Ken and motioning toward the trash bag and Ken was answering him. I kept on narrating the action to Kay, stating with a loud voice over and over again that I didn’t understand why the police were doing what they were doing.

Kay was reassuring me on the phone, asking questions, and generally waiting out the cops’ next move while calmly recording the activity she was hearing.

Finally, the spot light went off and Ken walked over to my tent. He told me that the canine officer wanted to speak to me, so I handed my cell phone to Ken and, without missing a beat he took over what I was doing and I walked over to the officer.

Immediately the officer began telling me that it was obvious that I was speaking to my attorneys and he was sorry for waking us. He continued to apologize for disrupting our evening. He mentioned that his dog did not find anything elsewhere in the camp but did appeared to be finding something on the back of Ken’s truck. He did, however concede that it was most likely the food scraps.

While I was standing there, I noticed Tony handing out LEAP pamphlets to the officers. The park ranger who had called in the cops asked Tony if he had any more, so Tony reached in his truck and handed the ranger some more. He too, apologized for the inconvenience.

In the course of Ken and I talking to the deputy, Ken asked him if he’d like to sign our truck and he reluctantly said “Sure…” Not only did he sign it, but he put his dog’s name under his.

They never told us who made the original complaint, though we did see the patrol car pull down to a camper just across the way from us. I imagine it came as quite a disappointment to see the officers and park rangers shaking our hands, laughing and cutting up with us when all was done.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ken’s Journal

Well, we made it into Tuttle Creek State Park outside of Manhattan,Kansas. Beautiful place!!

OK! It is 1:15 am, we have just finished with a police raid on us in the state park, Why? Someone complained about the stickers and banners that we have on our vehicles!

I was working on my journal and the truck moved side to side a little. Thought nothing of it, then I hear a tap tap on the side of my truck. I said, “Hey Tony.” But No answer. ok, so I resumed typing and I hear tap tap again, I said, “What, tony?” and I hear, “This is the park ranger will you come out of your truck?!!.” I replied, “Very funny, Tony.” And looked to see 3 officers standing there! Yee haa.

Said, “Good evening officers. Can I help you?”
They asked me to step out of my truck and talk to them. They said they had complaints about our stickers and banners. That it had raised many RED flags! That they would like to search my truck. I told them NO, I do not waive my Rights. Ranger said that he has a dog ready to search right now! I said good! I still do not waive my Rights. So he signaled to a law enforcement officer that was standing to the side, to bring his dog out The dog went around my truck 3 or 4 times, jumped up on the tail gate of my truck, and smelled and Dug through our dinner food on the cook table that slides out of the back of the truck. Smelled through our garbage bag and gets excited. Officer asks, “What do you have in the bag?” I told him it was our garbage and grease scraps from cooking. He said that his dog says there is more than that. I told him, “No Sir.” And, “…the dog is smelling our dinner scraps and dinner was good tonight.” :O) “I can empty the bag on the ground to show you if you wish!” He thought for a second and said, “No need.”
Again, and again they asked “Is there any pot you want to tell us about?!!!!”
I told him No!.
”Ok!!” He tells me, If you want to be difficult.” I said, “No sir I am not being difficult. I am exercising my Rights.”
He said that he will go get a search warrant if necessary. Told him that if he must, to go get a search warrant.

While this was going on, Mark was busy on the phone!!! And the officer and Dog were busy smelling everything around my truck. Didn’t even touch Tony’s truck, which was 10 ft from mine!...with Tony asleep in it. The officers asked for my driver’s license and walked away and talked.
After about 10 minutes, they walked back over to me.
They told me I needed to get a new sticker for my plate. I told them that my wife was mailing me a new sticker . He said ok.

Again, and again they asked, “Is there any pot you want to tell us about!!!!?”
Told them, “No Sir.”

When the tension, leveled some, they asked about the bike ride, and I laid it on them, THE TRUTH.
Showed them the stick that struck me, my surgery and my lovely skull scars; screws and plates. They didn’t know what to say. I talked about the First Amendment, and that, We the People, have the Power and Right to exercise that Constitutional RIGHT. Especially , when laws are attacking Sick and Injured people; that people must stand up and defend the sick and injured and demand a change in the laws.……….

The evening has so far ended with hand shakes!! and one of the officers ,signing the petition truck :O) and his canine partner “Dino” and an apology from them. :o0 They said that they were just doing their job. I told them that I grew up around officers and police, and that I was raised that police are to “Protect and Serve the People”, not “Protect and Serve the Law!”

May not get much sleep tonight, lets see if they come with a search warrant.

Interesting night!.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s our route:

Note to all law enforcement:

If you have any question in regard to our location, at any given time, please don't hesitate to call my cell phone, 314-422-4524. If you get my voicemail, just leave a brief message and I'll get back to you at my earliest possible opportunity. Mark

From Tuttle Creek State Park, highway 13 south to highway 24 west, to highway 15, to 41 (?), to Oakhill, continuing west Lamar, then south toward Wells

Monday May 15, Day 39 - Ottawa S.F.L., near Minneapolis, Kansas (projected)

Out of park, traveling west to highway 81 north, to highway 24 west to just beyond Glen Elder

Tuesday May 16, Day 40 - Glen Elder State Park, Glen Elder, Kansas (projected)

Highway 24 to Downs, highway 24/9 to highway 9 south, to highway 24 west (just before Osborne), past the turn off to Webster, near Webster Reservoir

Wednesday May 17, Day 41 - Webster State Park, Webster, Kansas (projected)

Highway 24 west to just beyond Studley

Thursday May 18, Day 42 - Sheridan S.F.L., Studley, Kansas (projected)

Highway 24 west to Colby

Friday May 19, Day 43 - Burquin's RV Park & Old Depot Restaurant, Colby, Kansas (projected)

Highway 24 to Interstate 70/Highway 24, to Bus 24, to Goodland

Saturday May 20, Day 44 - Goodland KOA, Goodland, Kansas (projected)

Highway 24 to Interstate 70/Highway 24, across the Colorado border, to Highway 55 north at Peconic, to Highway 53, to Highway JJ

Sunday May 21, Day 45 - Bonny Lake State Park, Hale, Colorado (projected)

Highway KK north to Highway JJ, to Highway 36 west to Highway 385 south, to Highway 36 west

Monday May 22, Day 46 - Highway 36 heading toward Denver/Boulder Colorado

If any of you can meet us along the route and help us out, it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mark

314-422-4524

http://www.j4j.info

http://www.markpedersen.com

NORML confrence links

I wanted to post some links from the April 20th NORML confrence. I've been busy since then but I wanted to get them up as there are many amazing people and activities from around the country.
First of course in NORML itself.Chris Goldstein is the announcer at the NORML podcast.
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6685
Here's some of the speeches from the confrence...
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6881
Thanks also to all the hard workers at the front desk All in all this confrence was a great success.
And now the attendees...
I'll start with the Hawaiians as Hawaii is very dear to me.
On Maui, Maui County Citizens for Democracy in Action 2006 Voter Registration and Ballot Initiative Drive. They are working against corrupt local politicians who make up ridiculous rules trying to block the inevitable. As Hawaii struggles with truly hard substances like alcohol and meth (ice) it's insane to stop people from medicating whith such a helpful herb. They can be found here...
http://www.mccfdia.com/news.php

The Hawai'i Cannabis (THC) Ministry with web
locations in Hawai'i and Amsterdam;
www.thc-ministry.org and www.thc-ministry.net. We
provide a legitimate 'religious defense to
prosecution' for any sincere spiritual enjoyer of
Cannabis in the world. Our defense is guaranteed by
the Constitutions of every State in the U..S.A., and
by the U.S. Constitution. It works miracles every single day. Mahalo and aloha!

The Hemp front was represented by Richard Davis who is one of the most ego-free, honest, self sacrificing people in the movement period. I remember driving up the freeway in San Francisco and I passed a guy who was driving along with a huge hemp stem on top of his car as well as a huge top bud in a glass jar glued to his car. Needless to say he was not afraid of speaking his mind. He can be found here...
http://www.hempmuseum.org/

Stay tuned for my next post...

http://www.canorml.org/
is the link for the California NORML chapter. It has a the most complete list of medical facilities for patients including links and phone numbers as well as physicians and patient groups, marijuana law, legal referrals, legislative news, health info, Legalization vs prohibition info and an archive of past articles. The site is necessary reading for understanding the political situation in California.
Dale Geringer has do so much for the California scene. Amost singlehandedly he has carried this post for a long time. I owe him a lot. We all do here in the golden state.

http://www.maps.org/ is the site for The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) I pause to sum up MAPS accomplishments as their website and literature contains so much. They support research and education regarding substances including medical Cannabis. I have always been impressed with the depth and rationality they approach the prohibition of different substances.

http://www.drugpolicy.org/ Ethan Nadelmann is the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance which promotes alternatives to the war on drugs.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/ has a very informative map of the U.S. and each states political status for a number of substances.


http://www.drugsense.org/html/
originally the Media Awareness Project now named DrugSense. This website has much info and the "Drug War Clock". It's hard to describe their site because they have so much information it is amazing. They have a huge amount of legal and financial figures the war on drugs costs us all.

http://www.sweetleafpublishing.com/
Finally I want to review the book, "Grow Great Marijuana" by Logan Edwards. It is a solid book with lots of full color photographs. Any beginner would need a thorough explanation like this.
Simple diagrams and photos of equiptment make this book a well thought out compilation of the easiest methods for production. The huge color photos of buds is what got me.

http://www.leap.cc/
This website is amazing. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Gotta love these guys.