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Amidst an era of medical marijuana proponents and educators suffering at the hands of repeated federal and local crackdowns, one woman holds her own. Her name is Liz McDuffie.

Growing up in Louisiana in the 1950s, Liz McDuffie’s only relief from debilitating migraines was pushing her skull against the headboard of her bed to release pressure. As an adult, the headaches continued to plague her, to the point that her only refuge was a dark room and a bag of ice.

Then, one day in 1969, on the advice of a doctor she met while teaching in Germany, she tried hashish. For the first time, she was able to function without the throbbing pain.
As her headaches subsided, they were replaced with an insatiable curiosity about the medicinal properties of cannabis. The deeper McDuffie dug, the more she realized how much the plant was shrouded in misinformation, despite its 3,000-year history.

After teaching for the U.S. Army and the Pasadena Unified School District, earning a postgraduate degree from USC’s School of Public Administration and running the upscale consignment boutique Ritz Resale, McDuffie shifted her focus. In a self-described “holy endeavor,” she dedicated her life to the one thing that had allowed her to reclaim hers.

“It seemed like it was the only road for me to take,” she says in an accent that still carries hints of Southern twang.

The passionate educator’s energy and determination belie her age. At 70, McDuffie’s petite frame is all the more accentuated as she stands where she’s most comfortable — in front of a classroom full of students. Her copper-streaked hair falls softly around her delicate glasses, but her fervor shines through, with eyes that rarely stray and hands that whirl to emphasize her words.

Her creed, at its core, is that “knowledge is power.”

“It all has to do with education,” she says. “That’s really how you change anything.”

Since 2006, McDuffie has been director of the Medical Cannabis Caregivers Directory, or MCC, a nonprofit center where students learn how to grow, use and sell medical marijuana.

Read more at LA Weekly.

 

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Sex work and medical marijuana activism share common ground. Both parties understand that their cause is based on a victimless crime, needlessly stigmatized by society. Both parties have been on the wrong side of the law and have witnessed wasted lives and countless dollars in needless arrests. And both movements benefited immensely from Robyn Few, who passed away on September 12, 2012 from a long struggle with cancer.

Robyn Few, a native of Kentucky, USA, ran away from home at age 13 and later became an exotic dancer. After marrying and having a daughter in her twenties, she began to take college courses in the hopes of earning a degree in theater arts. She went to California in 1993 to pursue theater and become an activist. Acting and activism not being the highest paying jobs, Few turned to prostitution to pay the bills in 1996. She has worked tirelessly as an advocate and caregiver for medical marijuana and AIDS patients and has gained quite a reputation in the Bay Area activist community as an effective lobbyist for the issue. In June of 2002, the FBI arrested Few, under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Using the Patriot Act, Ashcroft was able to equate terrorism with prostitution and get additional funding for the very expensive investigation. She was convicted on one federal count of conspiracy to promote prostitution and received six months house arrest, which she finished serving in June 2004. Judge Marilyn Hall Patel allowed Few to continue her activism and volunteer efforts while under house arrest.

Dubbed the “patriotic prostitute,” a campaign centered on the idea that prostitution should be decriminalized to protect women from violence began in October 2003 with The Sex Workers Outreach Project. SWOP is an outgrowth of the anger and frustration that Few feels as a result of her federal bust. “Until prostitutes have equal protection under the law and equal rights as human beings, there is no justice. Until prostitutes are no longer criminals why would they come forward and allow themselves to become targets for law enforcement? Decriminalization is the beginning of the solution; it’s not the solution itself” — says Few.

Robyn Few was the Director of SWOP-USA and co-founder of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, held on December 17th each year. SWOP helps sex workers and their organizations organize to protect their rights and fight against stigmatization and discrimination. It published media manual, citizen lobbying handbook and decriminalization fact sheets. Its volunteers and staff provide consultation on local, national and international campaigns and organize trainings on topics including lobbying, media, action planning, civil disobedience and strategy.

Federal laws are not exactly fun reading that you bring to the beach. The complex language often makes them tough to understand. But we’re pretty sure everyone knows how the US federal government feels about marijuana. It is illegal – Just Say Drug War.

Perhaps they ended prohibition down in Washington DC and never told us? Just in case, the Maine Health and Human Services Committee and New Jersey’s Attorney General Paula Dow are making sure the US Department of Justice reaffirms their position on pot.

US Attorneys in several states have fired off some unsolicited letters on the issue of medical marijuana. These lay out, in excruciating detail, all of the nasty things that could befall an individual or business who grows, distributes or sells medical cannabis; all in compliance with state law.

The reaction on the ground from governors, state legislators and even the non-profit business owners has been mixed.  Rhode Island’s governor Lincoln Chafee put the only approved dispensaries (all three) on hold after receiving a hand-delivered DOJ letter.

This week Maine’s HHS Committee got their response.  It was very much the form-letter that everyone expected. Still, US Attorney Thomas Delahanty’s carefully worded reply is getting a different reaction in Maine.

State Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland), an outspoken advocate for the medical marijuana program, was not surprised.

“Everything has changed in the last few weeks,” said Russell this afternoon. “But the letter is not stirring as much controversy as it could. ”

Home cultivation was already a part of the safe access law, now Maine is opening the first regulated dispensaries in the state. The program is already off paper and into practice, so could the letter put a wrench in the works? Russell doesn’t think so, “Our program is already in place so we would have to actively shut ours down.”

Maine’s governor is Paul LePage, a Republican. Would he bow to the Fed like Gov. Chafee in RI? Again Russell thinks that Maine has a more state’s rights foundation, “He would be hard pressed to cave. If the HHS committee did that it would be a different story.”

Russell added, “The Governor is very supportive on medical marijuana.”

Maine legislators also took an interesting step to protect the privacy of medical cannabis patients: The registry is now on a volunteer basis.  Most cannabis programs are now mandating that patients register and carry a special identification card, something that is not required for pharmaceutical drugs.

New Jersey was the first compassionate use law in America to pass without any provisions to grow at home. NJ patients must access all of their marijuana at one of six Alternative Treatment Centers…after they register and get an ID card. NJ’s law was passed in January 2010 but the actual program is bogged down – not a single patient card has been issued.

Republican Governor Chris Christie, a former US Attorney, has thrown up every hurdle and legal delay he can muster. Make no mistake; in Jersey the big green marijuana buck stops right at Christie. The six ATCs are planning to capitalize at about $300 $200 million.

On April 22, 20011 New Jersey State Attorney General Paul Dow sent a letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder with some questions about medical marijuana.

Attempts to reach the NJ US Attorney Paul Fishman about any possible reply letter were referred to the press office for the Department of Justice in Washington DC. This is a very interesting move. Fishman may not join the other US Attorneys in their recent rattling of paper sabers. Instead he may be genuine in his expectation for a response from the head office and Attorney General Eric Holder.

There is already intense pressure on DOJ and Holder personally to make some definitive statement on the medical marijuana issue. While Holder seems like he’s in no hurry to talk, Fishman’s response may be a signal that something is coming down the pipe.

Jessica Smith, a spokesperson reached at the Department of Justice said, “We can confirm that the letter [from NJ AG Paul Dow] was received and is under review.”

So what should states do while they wait for DOJ or should they wait at all?

Diane Russell says that Maine is going forward. “I can’t speak for other states but our medical marijuana bill came about through voter referendum. All those Mainers went got out there and went to the polls. They understand that it’s illegal federally too! So they know it’s illegal and when they went to the voting booth they voted for it anyway.”

Russell added with some Maine accent, “We don’t really care where the feds stand.”

The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act of New Jersey also says pretty much the same thing right in the opening paragraphs:

c.     Although federal law currently prohibits the use of marijuana, the laws of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington and Montana permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and in Arizona doctors are permitted to prescribe marijuana.  New Jersey joins this effort for the health and welfare of its citizens2.;

d.    States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law; therefore, compliance with this act does not put the State of New Jersey in violation of federal law

Legislators and voters are well aware of the conflict between state and federal law for medical pot. But more important; in New Jersey the law is aware of this fact, putting Dow and Christie on shaky ground. One thing seems very clear – These medical marijuana laws are written and passed for the direct purpose of countering the federal position.

So is there an upside to all of the activity from US Attorneys? Rep. Russell is also working on a full marijuana legalization bill, LD 1453, that would tax recreational cannabis. After initial hearings before the Criminal Justice Committee the bill is still alive. LD 1453 will have to pass both houses then go to voters for approval.

“The one thing that the letter has done is start legislators asking questions,” Russell said today. “And the idea of sending it out for a referendum may actually get it some more votes over here on the hill.”

Maine is not only state on the East Coast with active legislation for fully legal cannabis; A bill was introduced in Massachusetts, HB 1371, to tax and regulate the marijuana market. There are also ballot initiatives in process for 2012 in California, Colorado and Washington.

Based on the sensitivity of the US attorneys regarding the medical cannabis programs, it seems unlikely that they will stay silent about concepts that go even further.

On the ground:

Maine – www.facebook.com/LegalizeMaineFirst

Massachusetts – www.masscann.org

New Jersey – www.cmmnj.org

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.

logo from maine.gov

6/24/2011 – Governor Paul LePage signed a new law today expanding privacy protections for medical cannabis patients in Maine.

“I am pleased that the Legislature has voted to move the law closer to the initiated bill that was enacted by the voters,” said Governor Paul LePage in a statement today. “I am proud to a sign a bill that protects patient privacy and respects the will of the voters.”

Maine voters approved the compassionate use law on a ballot measure in 1999.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union issued a press release today with a statement from the law’s sponsor:

“Researching this program for the last 7 months has been quite an education,” said Representative Deborah Sanderson (R-Chelsea), primary sponsor of the bill.   “I’ve read countless case studies on the benefits of marijuana for many conditions.  What has been the most informative and moving however, has been speaking to the patients themselves.  Folks who suffer chronic debilitating pain and have used opiates, often for months, are seeing better pain management results without the highly addictive results that opiates often have.”

The bill makes registration optional for patients and some caregivers and eliminates the requirement that patients disclose their specific medical condition to the state.  The law also mandates more effective processes for adding approved medical conditions, improves the procedure for minor patient access and prevents municipalities from instituting regulations more restrictive than State Law.   Importantly, patients, caregivers and dispensary employees acting under the law will be protected from arrest, prosecution and discrimination.

Earlier this week we spoke with Jonathan Leavitt who represents medical marijuana interests under the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine trade association.

“This gets the state out of the business of a patient’s health and puts it back in the hands of those patients and their physicians here in Maine,” said Leavitt.

National NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano, a medical marijuana policy expert, commented, “At the same time when lawmakers in many other states are enacting impossibly restrictive measures, Maine lawmakers have elected to instead significantly open patients’ access to medical marijuana under the law.”

Here is a link to the full executive summary.

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]

UPDATE 6/14/2011- 11:13AM ET – Maine House accepts the “ought not to pass” report from Criminal Justice Committee – bill sent to Senate. 

6/13/2011 – World leaders and even President Obama say that there should be a “legitimate” debate about cannabis prohibition. But this week a body of elected officials may actually engage in that dialogue. The House and Senate in Maine could consider LD 1453, “An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana.” The last two days of the legislative session are this week. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland), says that the issue has garnered enough interest among her peers for a floor debate.

Today Russell sent an email to supporters that said, “We have all worked so hard for this to happen and now the day is upon us.”

LD 1453 had a hearing on May 10th before the Criminal Justice Committee where two caveats were added. It must wait to become law until 1) federal policy changes and 2) it is approved by Maine voters directly on the ballot. Those two criteria must be met after LD 1453 passes a floor vote in both houses (outside chance but possible) and is then signed by Governor LePage (less possible). The bill creates careful systems of regulated cultivation, cannabis sales (to adults only) and taxation models.

This week marks the 40th year since President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs” that has largely been fought against marijuana consumers.  A 1972 Presidential Commission presented a report that called for cannabis to be de-scheduled from the Controlled Substances Act and that personal possession should be decriminalized at the federal level. Nixon instead placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and began vigorous enforcement worldwide.

The Global Commission on Drug Policy held a press conference on June 2, 2011 calling for governments to explore new options to replace criminal prohibition. Regulating cannabis was a priority, especially for the former Presidents of Colombia and Brazil.

This week there will be demonstrations, press conferences and vigils commemorating the victims in the 40 years of prohibition. But the live stream from the State House in Maine may be the only chance to see politicians get into the nuts and bolts of crafting a vital solution for cannabis.

Because it is the end of the session, the debate for LD 1453 is not a sure thing. Rep. Russell is asking Maine residents to contact their legislators and support the bill’s open debate. Maine House:  (207) 287-1400 — Maine Senate: (207) 287-1540.

Grassroots link: http://www.facebook.com/LegalizeMaineFirst

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]

5/11/2011 UPDATE 4:59PM ET – A landmark hearing yesterday in Maine before the Criminal Justice Committee on a bill to tax and regulate recreational marijuana had an interesting outcome: The issue could eventually be decided by Maine residents.  If LD 1453 does pass floor votes in the legislature the bill must also pass a voter referendum to become a  law.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Diane Russell of Portland, made the referendum motion and was pleased with the hearings. She has reported a massive surge of public support for Maine’s legalization effort. The media and bloggers have also been focused on the bill, bringing in attention from around the country. For example, the hearing on LD 1453 is the top story right now at Reddit.com.

Rep. Russell said in an email to Freedomisgreen.com today, “I had no idea this would make it to the front page of Reddit literally overnight. The response has been astounding and there have been a remarkable number of interesting and good questions. Not to mention, a ton of support!”

Maine could join California and Colorado as states that are looking to end marijuana prohibition by the end of 2012 with direct participation by voters. All three would create systems of regulated cultivation, sales to adults and taxation systems.

[Editor’s Note – Original post at 4:28PM ET mis-stated that LD 1453 would go  directly to the voter referendum process.]

Maine First Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/LegalizeMaineFirst

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.

Margaret Trudeau, former wife of late Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and author of the 2010 biography Changing My Mind, which chronicles her life dominated by bipolar disorder, has been making the lecture rounds recently, talking about a topic near and dear to her: mental health (or what she likes to refer to as “brain health).

Here is an excerpt of an interview with her, regarding her past use of marijuana:

MBF [Marian Botsford Fraser]: You talk about how marijuana started out as ballast, when you were traveling in Morocco, and later, you thought it was good for you, but it became something else.

MT: It gave me focus, brought me out of my depression [and] gave me energy to get through the day. When people try to self-heal, the first thing you want to do is escape – [use] alcohol, street drugs, gambling, anything to comfort yourself, [to] get away.

To tell you the truth I’d still choose being a pothead any day over being an alcoholic. It’s natural…it seemed to be the thing. I needed it and it was part of the culture. But the truth is studies have shown recently that the PHC in marijuana can trigger you into mania, or has a propensity to do so. The jury is still out on it, and of course bipolar condition is one of the conditions that medical marijuana is prescribed for. But the marijuana that’s being smoked today is not our father’s Oldsmobile!

It’s very, very different now, and it can greatly affect your health if abused. There were times when I abused marijuana and I regret it. But it also may have saved my life.

MBF: Do you still smoke marijuana?

MT: I don’t want to now. Don’t get me wrong, I love marijuana: I’d rather have a toke than a martini any day. But why do I have to have either? It’s not part of my day-to-day life, as it was before when I was really ill and trying to escape all my pain, especially the death of my son.

I finally realized that the amount of marijuana I started using after the death of Michel [in 1998], trying to get away from my grief, in fact delayed my mourning. It kept me from facing it, dealing with it, allowing myself to be a wholly grieving person instead of desperately sad, wallowing in self-pity, with no hope left, and feeling such disappointment that life could throw such a mean, cruel blow to our family. It just rocked me, losing my little Michel.

Read more.

5/13/2011 – Tonight in Washington DC there was a memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty. One of those keeping vigil was Neill Franklin. He worked undercover on the streets of Baltimore but now he is one of America’s leading voices calling for an end to the war on drugs as the executive director of LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Franklin spent a career in Baltimore and then at the Maryland State Police Academy, so he has been to the event before, but in a different capacity. He attended the candlelight memorial service this year to honor his partner, Ed Toatley, who was shot during a cocaine buy in 2000 while on an FBI assignment.

Neill’s perspective is both moving and resolute. Still, this was the first time he attended Police Week as the director of LEAP.

We caught up with Neill for a telephone interview as he kept up a busy schedule.

Tell us about why you are attending the memorial event tonight?

Many years ago there was fund started to erect a police officer’s memorial in Washington DC. It’s similar to Viet Nam Memorial where the names are carved into stone. Every year the officers that die in the line of duty are engraved into the memorial with thousands of others. But during Police Week they they also have bike rides, torch runs – one from Philadelphia all the way down to DC Friday- and the vigil at 8:00pm.

It has been many years since I was at this event. The work I’m doing right now with LEAP kind of rung a bell for me …this October was 11 years since Ed Toatley’s assassination. I thought well this year I’m going back to DC for the vigil to celebrate and remember his life and try to make a stament this week that we can save officers lives by ending the war on drugs.

It’s not just police officers here in the US but many hundreds of officers are dying in Mexico, Venezuala, all over the world really. So it’s an international statement we’re making as well.

Chris I have to tell you that this is not a popular position to take among the law enforcement community.

So while I’m at the memorial yeah it’s probably going to be a little awkward if I’m in conversations with the other folks there; who are there to honor those who fallen. But if you look back at history there are so many things were never popular at the beginning – but it has to be done.

Have you seen some thawing on the part of active law enforcement that you have encountered when it comes to prohibition?

There has been more of that at the bottom of the ranks; at the patrol officer level, those out in the streets.

First of all they understand that this is a numbers game – to use the example of New York City; how can we miss that? Fifty thousand arrests! They know it’s a numbers game they see it’s a numbers game. This is how the federal funding comes into the coffers of local law enforcement agencies.

But if we at LEAP continue to do what we do, at least educate these officers to get the facts about the war on drugs – if they pause to let it sink in – they realize that this also makes their job much more dangerous than it needs to be.

When we talk about the Drug War many people many think of it in academic terms, but you experienced it right at the front of the conflict. It seems like police are given an awful job here to make war on their own communities?

This is what has happened. But because of our drug policies, over time, police have now become somewhat removed or physically separated themselves from their communities.

I’ve got to mention this – When I was growing up in Baltimore city the teenagers would all hang out at the end of my block. We weren’t the best kids … we did mischievous things. Some would smoke marijuana down there in the hood. But when the police car turned at the top of the hill no one scattered or yelled 5-0. But we walked over to the car and greeted Officer Rex. And if we were doing something that we shouldn’t be doing he would say ‘DON’T DO THAT! ‘and we stopped.

But he was part of the community. If something were to happen, if something were to go down and Officer Rex was to get in the middle of some real trouble, that community would be there to support and protect him. Let me ask you – Would that happen today?

Now that same neighborhood when the police car turns the corner the people scatter. If there is any communication at all there is no greeting.

This shift in relationship between police and community rests on the foundation of prohibition.

Back when was I was policing undercover I never carried a gun. We went out and worked our cases, many times without backup. That was the 1980s. Today it is unheard of to work without backup and firearm. That tells you how dangerous this job has become.

If the police were in fact a part of the community – which they should be because they often spend more time in the community they police than their homes – But if the police were just there to take a violent person out of the community they would have overwhelming support. That is how it should be.

So can these soldiers, our police, can they come around to get that community relationship back?

I believe so. It wouldn’t happen overnight. We have to begin by handling this huge wall that is put between them and their communities and it really is prohibition.

That’s why they go to search homes; for drugs. That’s why they search cars and search people, all looking for drugs.  If you remove prohibition you can begin to re-build that relationship.

Because of this policy police are put in an awkward position. When you have people dying among them they shut down more and more ….they expect to deal with the worst. The policy creates the criminal market and that’s what creates the violence. Why are so many guns in our community today? Prohibition is the foundation of that too.

So there’s a real need, a necessity, to breakdown this huge barrier that has been constructed over the past 40 years.

Many of us thought we would never see the Berlin Wall come down – why can’t we do that here? Let’s end the madness of prohibition so that we can reduce the overall violence in America.

Learn more: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition http://leap.cc

[Editor’s Note – Also asked Neill about the NYC undercover encounter, look for his thoughts on that in a future post.]

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.

5/19/13 – Federal Park Rangers and Philadelphia City Police disrupted the monthly “Smoke Down Prohibition” protest at the Liberty Bell calling for marijuana legalization and made several dramatic arrests.

On Saturday May 18, 2013 a crowd about 150 gathered in front of Independence Hall.

At 4:20PM, the moment when much of the crowd participates in civil disobedience by openly smoking cannabis, dozens of law enforcement moved into the crowd.

Those on stage speaking to the crowd were targeted for detainment, including one of the organizers.

Video: http://youtu.be/NTHBC6JOc4M

There were at least five arrests, including NA Poe of the comedy crew The Panic Hour.

Also arrested were Adam Kokesh host of AdamVsTheMan and Don DeZarn a New Jersey Libertarian candidate for US Senate.

Ed “NJWeedman” Forchion was briefly detained but released. One unidentified woman was roughly carried away but also quickly released.

The protests take place in front of Independence Hall permanently reserved by the National Park Service for First Amendment activity. Despite the targeted arrests and a heavy police presence, dozens in the crowd continued the action by openly smoking marijuana from 4:20PM-4:45PM.

At four previous “Smoke Down Prohibition” events there were no arrests or citations.

NA Poe and Adam Kokesh are still being held in the Federal Detention Facility at 7th and Arch Streets. A solidarity demonstration will take place in front of the jail today starting at 2:00PM.

“What was originally a rally to highlight issues regarding cannabis prohibition has shown that our First Amendment rights are not protected by the park rangers and police,” said PhillyNORML Executive Director Kevin Clough.

The Panic Hour issued this statement: “These arrests are the beginning of a long fight we have ahead of us to end cannabis prohibition and maintain our right to free speech.”

FB Solidarity Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/194482224036867/

The N.A. Poe Defense Fund – http://fundly.com/the-n-a-poe-defense-fund

7/6/2011, Updated – The issue of medical marijuana is set to be encamped on President Obama’s doorstep. The District of Columbia is in the process of implementing a 1998 law that was specifically blocked by Congress until 2009. The Washington Times reported yesterday that eighty-two applications to run cannabis centers were submitted to Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration.

A majority of them, 47, listed mailing addresses in the District in their letters to the health department. Other applicants were from Maryland (18), Virginia (7), New York (3), New Jersey (2), and one each from California, Colorado and Montana.

A few of the out-of-state applicants boasted experience in medical marijuana where it is already legal. A spokeswoman for the health department could not be reached for comment on whether experienced growers and sellers would gain preference over applicants originating in the District.

Of the applicants who listed a cultivation or dispensary site, many of them had lined up property in Northeast, where industrial space is more plentiful.

A panel of five members — one each from the Department of Health, Metropolitan Police Department, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and a consumer or patient advocate — will score each of the eventual applications based on a 250-point scale that examines criteria such as security and staffing at their facilities, their overall business plans and the opinions of local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. READ FULL ARTICLE

The current regulations for medical marijuana in Washington DC are similar to those in Delaware and New Jersey. There are no provisions for patients or caregivers to cultivate a personal amount of cannabis. There are no legal protections for patients who access the underground marijuana market. All of the seriously ill residents who would qualify must access one of the proposed dispensaries.

In 1998 District voters approved Initiative 59, a ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana, with 69% approval. That was just the beginning to one of the strangest stories in medical marijuana politics.

Congressman Bob Barr (served 1995 to 2003), a Republican from Georgia, was one of America’s most vehement prohibitionists. He had a particular dislike for marijuana reform. Barr attached an amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill in 1999 that funds Washington DC. The US Congress controls the DC budget. The amendment blocked Initiative 59 from being enacted. Despite several court battles the Barr Amendment was inserted into successive spending bills for a decade.

In 2008 Barr shifted in his stance on marijuana a full 180 degrees. And it wasn’t just talk, Barr began professional lobbying activities on behalf of the two groups he battled the most on the issue: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).

In 2009 Congress lifted the amendment  from the Omnibus Spending Bill and Washington DC was allowed to proceed with medical marijuana implementation. Barr’s intensive lobbying effort to remove his own creation was seen as a key factor.

Another driving force behind DC’s compassionate use law was one of the worst tragedies of American marijuana prohibition. In 2004 Jonathan Magbie, a quadriplegic man in his late 20′s, was caught with a marijuana blunt while riding in a car with friends. A municipal judge sentenced Magbie to 10 days in the city jail after he was unabashed about his marijuana use to relieve some of his symptoms. The jail failed to provide the ventilator Jonathan needed to breathe and he died on the floor of his cell serving the first night of his sentence.

Magbie’s death may have been avoided if the DC medical cannabis law had not been blocked by Congress. Now, patients like Magbie continue to wait for the law to be fully implemented.

DC Mayor Vincent Gray and other officials are aware of the recent “Cole memo” from the Department of Justice. But the DC regulations require each prospective facility to grow less than 95 cannabis plants at any given time. This quantity (less than 100 plants) is thought to avoid interference from federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

It remains to be seen if the federal authorities will set armed agents and prosecutors against the centralized dispensary systems in DC, New Jersey and Delaware. Because of the free-market model employed in states like Colorado and Michigan federal raid activity does not shut down entire state-regulated systems for patient access.

But raiding or interfering with these centralized facilities could completely shut down all of the regulated supply of medical cannabis to qualifying residents. Such activity may be much harder for federal authorities to justify.

Having an operating medical marijuana law and access system in Washington DC could set the stage for another major shift in the politics for American cannabis: a US Senator or Representative who is also a card-carrying medical marijuana patient.

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]