Taking Action
Current action alerts and news bulletins from: 1997-1998

The Archive

DRCNet Rapid-Response Bulletins
in reverse chronological order

12-5

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #21. British correspondent needed, legislation in MA, prohibition-induced violence.

11-23

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #20 DRCNet needs you, Canada news, student suspended for lemon drops.

11-20

Legislative Alert. Take action against mandatory minimums.

11-15

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #19 NJ NEP battle, Virginia and pain control, junior high student suspended for cough drop, stats on alcohol consumption, call for sentance reform in Colorado.

11-7

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #18 McWilliams Case Set Back, Washington Initiative Fails at Ballot, Prohibition at Work.

11-2

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #17 Focus on Columbia, Reformer's Calendar, Medical Marijuana Defense in Michigan, a survey.

10-24

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #16 DRCNet moves.. help us pay the rent! Dave and Adam return from the Drug Policy Foundation conference.

10-11

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #15 First Federally Sponsored Med Mj Research Research Approved, Interview with Alexander Robinson, FBI reports on Mj busts.

10-3

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #14 WEB MAGAZINE RATES DRUGLIBRARY A PERFECT 5, 11th International Conference on Drug Policy, House Judiciary Committee holds hearings on medical marijuana.

9-20

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #12 Anti-narcotics team busted on drug charges, State and Federal agents raid wrong house, Hempfest marred by official "mistakes" Mothers to march for needle exchange in NJ.

9-12

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #11 Membership/fundraising drive, David Borden to address drug war topics at UVA, Win in class-action lawsuit by California doctors, Focus: Michigan.

9-9

Help DRCNet Meet its Goals Help DRCNet Meet its Goals!

9-5

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #10 Britain feels the pangs of a stirring revolution, Costa Rica hands over its sovereignty to the DEA, Latest Activist Guide, Calendar

8-29

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #9 U.S. reports "progress" in the international War on Drugs. California Attorney General adds a surprising voice to calls for research. Wall Street Journal article on Columbia.

8-22

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #8 California appeals court ruling is a win-win for medical marijuana patients, George Soros gives $1 Million for NEPs, No indictments for marines who shot Texas schoolboy.

8-17

Help DRCNet Grow Appeal for help.

8-15

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #7 More on the New Jersey conviction, Constitutional Challenge to Canada's marijuana prohibition, New England Journal of Medicine follows up on it's January editorial in support of medical marijuana.

8-13

ACTION ALERT: Needle Exchangers Convicted Latest news about Thomas Scozarre and Diana McCague of the Chai Project NEP, and an opportunity for us to help change the law by writing to the media and to legislators.

8-1

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #5 Chai Project trial, Disturbing numbers from the CDC, Australia approves stage 1 of heroin maintenance trial, book reviews.

7/28

Drug Policy Media Alert -- Court TV and The Economist. Bulletin informing readers of Court TV coverage of the Chai Project needle exchange trial and the money laundering cover title in The Economist magazine.

7/24

The Week Online with DRCnet, issue #4. Request for members to write to the President, Congress, and the New York Times in support of the administration's advocacy of reducing crack cocaine sentences, and in opposition to their call to raise powder cocaine sentences.

7/22

Legislative/Media Alert on Crack/Cocaine Sentencing Disparity. Request for members to write to the President, Congress, and the New York Times in support of the administration's advocacy of reducing crack cocaine sentences, and in opposition to their call to raise powder cocaine sentences.

7/17

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #3. Third edition of DRCNet's weekly update on results of past action alerts and happenings with the organization.

7/10

The Week Online with DRCNet, issue #2. Second edition of DRCNet's weekly update on results of past action alerts and happenings with the organization.

7/5

DRCNet Gets Top Feature in Wired News! Announcement of DRCNet's first major publicity, with letter-writing feedback request..

7/2

The Week Online with DRCNet. First edition of DRCNet's weekly update on results of past action alerts and happenings with the organization.

6/24

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Recriminalization in Oregon. Request for phone calls and faxes urging Oregon's governor to veto a bill restoring criminal penalties for possession of small quantities of marijuana.

6/21

New York Times Misrepresents Online Drug Policy Reform. Request for letters to the editor to be sent to the New York Times responding to their drugs and the Internet front page article.

6/17

URGENT: 6/18 Vote on Forfeiture Reform Bill (Tomorrow). Letter writing request in support of the bipartisan Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1997.

6/2

Support for DPR Needed Within and Without Connecticut. Action alert in support of drug policy reform legislation in the Connecticut legislature.

5/21

Letters Needed This Week, and Other Items. Alert on public housing bill amendments requiring eviction of tenants convicted of drug offenses, and announcement of RAND study on mandatory minimum sentencing.

5/16

Will Foster Update and Action Alert. Action alert on behalf of Will Foster, patient serving 93 years for a first-time marijuana offense, who was being denied medical care by the prison authorities and was in danger of losing his legs.

5/11

Drug Policy Forum in New York City with Hugh Downs, 5/14. Announcement of public forum on drugs, prisons and justice, sponsored by the Partnership for Responsible Drug Information.

5/8

Urgent Federal Action Alert. Alert on public housing bill amendments requiring eviction of tenants convicted of drug offenses.

5/5

Washington, DC Action Opportunities THIS WEEK. Announcement of public hearings on District of Columbia marijuana mandatory minimum bill and FAMM rally on the Capitol steps.

5/2

Good News from Cleveland Needle Exchange. News release from the City of Cleveland of official acceptance of The Xchange Point needle exchange program, formerly threatened with prosecution.

5/1

ALERT: Santa Cruz Needle Exchange Facing Arrests. Letter-writing alert in support the Santa Cruz Needle Exchange Program, facing difficulties in their usually smooth relations with the city police.

4/28

Oregon Recriminalization Vote Tomorrow. Action alert in opposition to marijuana recriminalization bill in the Oregon legislature..

4/23

ALERT: Human Rights Abuses in Bolivian Drug War. Report and letter writing request on violence and other rights violations by Bolivian antinarcotics and other police forces.

4/19

ALERT: Major Canadian Newspaper Criticizes Drug Prohibition. Letter writing request in response to and support of The Ottawa Citizen's series of editorials criticizing prohibition.

4/17

Drug Policy Foundation Web Site Online. Press release from the Drug Policy Foundation, announcing the inauguration of their web site, and their pro bono advertising in Wired magazine.

4/17

ALERT: Important Federal Legislative Update. Action alert on federal crime bills and other legislation..

4/17

The Sky is Falling II. Urgent appeal for donations.

4/11

Federal Judge Says "Hands Off Doctors". Announcement of temporary restraining order against federal government regarding legal sanctions against doctors who recommend medicinal use of marijuana.

4/10

Major Constitutional Challenge to Canadian Drug Laws. Announcement of upcoming case in Canadian Supreme Court and information on how to donate to it.

4/10

Drug Policy Reform Calendar. April 10 edition of The Reformer's Calendar.

4/3

Oppose Drug Criminalization in Oregon. Action alert in opposition to several drug war bills and in support for medical marijuana and industrial hemp legislation..

4/3

Marijuana Legislation in California Legislature NOW. Action alert in support of medical marijuana and Prop. 215 implementation bill, and in opposition to "Smoke A Joint, Lose Your License".

4/3

Support Drug Policy Reform Bills in Connecticut. Action alert in support of several drug policy reform bills, including medical marijuana, deregulation of methadone treatment, and enactment of the comprehensive recommendations of the state's Law Review Commission for a public health approach.

3/26

Will Foster Action Opportunity. Action alert of behalf of medical marijuana patient Will Foster.

3/24

The Reformer's Calendar. Latest edition of our international calendar of events.

3/23

Help DRCNet Grow. Request for members to distribute recruitment text and place links on web sites.

3/23

Volunteering for DRCNet. Call for volunteers.

3/18

Human Rights Watch Denounces Disproportionate Drug Sentences. Information on report from human rights group denouncing U.S. drug sentencing as in violation of international human rights accords.

3/18

DRCNet Seeking Info for Calendar and on Current Events. Request for information for Reformer's Calendar and other purposes.

3/17

Nightline on drug policy. Announcement of Nightline edition featuring Prof. Craig Reinarman of U.C. Santa Cruz, a long-time drug policy reformer.

3/12

ALERT: Smoke-A-Joint, Lose Your License Vote Coming Up. Action alert in opposition to "Smoke-A-Joint, Lose Your License" and in support of opting-out of the federal requirement.

3/9

Drug Education Featured on DRCNet web site. Announcement of new drug education section on DRCNet's web site.

3/3

Protests, Hearings, and Meetings in Massachusetts THIS WEEK. Announcement of protest against drug czar Barry McCaffrey's appearance at Harvard and other events taking place in Massachusetts.

2/25

Press Release and Conference, 2/25/97, Washington, DC. DRCNet press release criticizing the Administration's 1997 Drug Control Strategy, and announcement of press conference held jointly by a variety of reform groups.

2/25

Clinton Drug Strategy Coming Out. Announcement of media coverage of the president's Drug Control Strategy by CNN, the Associated Press and National Public Radio.

2/21

DARE/Dateline tonight, and New Republic expose. Announcement of DARE exposés by NBC Dateline and the New Republic magazine.

2/18

Good News in Virginia, but Help Still Needed TODAY. Action alert, asking Virginians to call their Delegates in opposition to medical marijuana opponents' last ditch effort to pass a repeal bill by attaching it to a larger pharmacy bill.

2/14

Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for Medical Marijuana. Memorandum from Lake Research finding 60 percent support among Americans for medical marijuana and 68 percent support for California and Arizona's right to pass it.

2/14

Virginia Anti-Medmj Bill Faltering, Help Needed This Weekend. Request for Virginians to attend hearings at the Senate Health and Education Committee in opposition to repeal of the state's medical marijuana law.

2/12

URGENT: Virginia anti-medmj bill in committee TOMORROW. Request for letters to be sent to the Virginia Senate Health and Education Committee, asking them not to pass the anti-medical marijuana bill.

2/12

URGENT California Legislative Alert. Action alert in opposition to California's "Smoke-A-Join, Lose Your License" bill and in support of opting-out of the federal requirement.

2/8

Action Opportunity to Help California Physicians. Request for letters to the California Medical Board, asking them to develop sensible guidelines for responsible prescribing of medical marijuana to protect doctors from sanction.

2/6

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Patient Gets 93 Years. Information bulletin and letter writing request on behalf of medical marijuana patient Will Foster.

2/6

ALERT: Insane Drug War Bills in Maryland Legislature. Action alert in opposition to four negative bills filed in the Maryland legislature.

2/5

URGENT: VA Senate Considering Medical Marijuana Repeal. Action alert in response to the passage of an anti-medical marijuana bill by the Virginia House of Delegates and its fast-tracking in the Senate.

2/4

DRCNet Announcements, 2/4/97. Four media-related announcements, including a recap of the 2/3 Nightline debate and a listing of falsehoods and contradictions made by drug czar Barry McCaffrey about medical marijuana.

2/3

Nightline medical marijuana rescheduled for tonight. Announcement of Nightline rescheduling with debate between the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine and the chief counsel of ONDCP..

2/3

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Ohio Medical Marijuana Law Under Threat. Action alert on behalf of Ohio medical marijuana law facing repeal effort.

1/30

Nightline on medical marijuana. Announcement of Nightline coverage of medical marijuana and the NEJM editorial.

1/30

Medical Journal Endorses Medical Marijuana, Criticizes Feds. Announcement of pro-medical marijuana editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, with press release from Americans for Medical Rights.

1/29

Live Call-In to Medical Marijuana Debate TOMORROW. Announcement of debate between Kevin Zeese and Robert McGinnis (Family Research Council) on Janet Parshall's America and request for callers.

1/28

URGENT: Virginia Voting on Medical Marijuana Repeal This Week. Action alert on behalf of Virginia medical marijuana law facing repeal effort.

1/22

Another Media Appearance. Announcement of medical marijuana discussion with Eric Sterling on National Empowerment Television.

1/21

Drug Policy in the Media. Announcement of discussions of medical marijuana, syringe exchange and teen drug use on the Gordon Elliot show, UPN 9 News in New York, and the Geraldo Rivera show.

1/19

EMERGENCY ALERT -- Cleveland Needle Exchangers Facing Arrest. Action alert on behalf of The Xchange Point needle exchange program facing prosecution by the city.

1/17

CNBC program on medical marijuana, early Friday evening. Announcement of medical marijuana debate on the program Equal Time.

1/16

Prohibitionists Attacking Virginia Medical Marijuana Law. Action alert in defense of state medical marijuana facing repeal effort in wake of California and Arizona initiatives.

1/14

California Medical Marijuana Class Action Suit Against Feds. Announcement of 1st amendment suit by doctors and patients challenging federal government on its anti-medical marijuana threats, with press release and information from Americans for Medical Rights.

1/14

The Sky is Falling. Emergency request for donations.

1/10

Demonstration against General McCaffrey in San Francisco. Alert about medical marijuana protest of drug czar's appearance in SF, organized by ACTUP Golden Gate.

1/9

Drug Policy Reform Calendar. Latest version of our calendar of drug policy reform events and other related events around the world.

1/9

Drug Czar Contradicts Himself, Stalls on Medical Marijuana. Press from Americans for Medical Rights commenting on the redundancy of the proposed Institute of Medicine review of medical marijuana research and noting ONDCP's contradictory statements denying existence of research then denying having denied it.

1/6

Drug Czar Circulates Fraudulent Document at Press Conference. Press release from California NORML about government's fraudulent chart of medical marijuana uses falsely attributed to Dr. Tod Mikuriya, medical advisor to Prop. 215.

1/5

CNN Presents marijuana special Sunday evening (tonight). Announcement of airing of updated version of CNN's drug war expose Higher Times.

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