Veterans of the War on Drugs

On April 20 (4:20) we met with Senator Chuck Schumer, Cory Blumenauer, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep Barbara Lee (on Zoom video), Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Jackey Rosen, Reps David Joyce, Senator John Hickenlopper, Rep Brian Mast, Rep Nancy Mace and many others. There is hope for the HOPE Amendment to expunge cannabis convictions. Now that 68% of Americans support legalization one would think Washington would wake up. Progress is "Glacial" to say the least. I was impressed with Diane Goldstein, retired LA police sergeant from LEAP which advocates for legalization. Oh and Jeremiah Morteller from Ameticans for Prosperity. Those two made the most sense. There are more Bills proposed but what we need is TO REMOVE CANNABIS FROM THE LIST OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES -- NOT RESCHEDULE IT! "DESCHEDULE IT" THE DISPENSARIES are paying BIG BUCKS TO (MEMBERS OF CONGRESS) TO RESCHEDULE CANNABIS. NO! The Clean Slate Act, MORE ACT, CAOA. HEY, COLORADO RACKED IN 3.8 BIL

 COME JOIN US AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON APRIL 20. HOLD SIGNS & PHOTOS OF CANNABIS LIFERS WE WANT OUT OF PRISON.  STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY (SSDP) ARE PUTTING IT ON & FREEDOMGROW, LIFEFORPOT.COM, AND OTHER GREAT ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE THERE. SEARCH THE WEB FOR MORE INFO.

LUKE SCARMAZZO WAS GRANTED COMPASSIONATE RELEASE TODAY BY HIS JUDGE & HE IS ON HIS WAY HOME THANKS TO THE UNTIRING WORK OF GORGEAN ARSONS. SHE HAS HELPED MANY PRISONERS FIND FREEDOM & SHE NEVER TAKES CREDIT FOR HER WORK; NOT LIKE A FEW OTHER ADVOACY GROUPS I WILL NOT MENTION BY NAME AT THIS TIME, ORGS THAT RECEIVE DONATIONS TO HELP PRISONERS AND DO LITTLE OR NOTHING BUT WHENEVER SOMEONE GETS OUT THEY CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FREEDOM - ALL THE WHILE PAYING THEMSELVES SIX-FIGURE SALARIES WITH MONEY EARMARKED FOR PRISONERS. IT MAKES ME SICK. BUT I AM SO HAPPY FOR LUKE AND HIS FAMILY.

 We are starting the new year with renewed hope and cautious optimism. Congress whines about the debt ceiling but fails to save tens of millions of dollars each year simply by releasing all pot-prisoners. We know the unions & others are behind this and they have a lot more resources than we do. Is there any hope, really? Maybe not. Last year we traveled across America meeting people and handing out flyers & t-shirts informing the public that there are still over 200 men & women locked up in federal prisons for cannabis violations. All of those we spoke to were incredulous and furious that this is happening today whether we were in front of a Wal-Mart or inside a dispensary. Now our plan for this year is to continue informing the public and helping those locked up have the ability to write and call anyone they want to. And, if released, we will help them with whatever they need. Even if the future looks hopeless, we must keep trying.