Take Action Now! http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7184456

Dear Friend:

You may remember that the AARP announced this past October that it would be publishing a survey in it's magazine regarding senior citizens' support for the use of medical marijuana among senior citizens. The results of the survey were overwhelming. Among Americans 55 years or older, 72% supported the right of patients to use medical marijuana, and 55% said they would obtain marijuana for themselves or a loved one who needed it.

For details visit: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6381

Further details of this important survey were scheduled to be released in an article appearing in last February's issue of AARP The Magazine. Yet, to date, no article has been published. According to media reports, the AARP decided not to publish the article primarily because of pressure from outside anti-drug and right wing media watchdog groups.

The survey's findings illustrate that medical marijuana is an important issue for older Americans, yet the AARP appears to be paying more attention to the concerns of anti-drug groups than those of it's own members. In an attempt to persuade the AARP to reverse their position, NORML has teamed with the Drug Policy Alliance in asking our supporters to write the AARP and ask that they publish the medical marijuana article (written by noted L.A. Times reporter Eric Bailey) as originally planned.

My personal view; one of the primary reasons I ascribe to the absurd staying power of marijuana prohibition is that most policy makers operate from a myth of consensus - that a majority of voters do not support major marijuana law reforms. With your help today, please help NORML shatter this freedom-stymieing "myth of consensus."

Please take two minutes to send a pre-written letter to AARP CEO Bill Novelli urging him to print the article and the results of the AARP's medical marijuana survey by visiting: http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7184456

Thank you for your help in this important matter.

Regards,

Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director NORML

***

Drug War Zealots Pressure AARP To Kill MMJ Story: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20292.shtml

Older Americans’ Attitudes on Medical Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20204.shtml

Reefer Oldness: Potheads Hijack AARP?: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20094.shtml

WHAT: Medical Marijuana Bill To Receive A House Hearing Tomorrow!

WHERE: New Mexico House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee State Capitol Santa Fe, NM 87501

WHEN: Thursday, March 10, 2005

NORML is pleased to announce that SB 785, The Lynne Pierson Compassionate Use Act, continues to move through the New Mexico Legislature. Tomorrow, March 10 at 1:30, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 785, which would enact statewide legal protections shielding seriously ill patients who use marijuana therapeutically from state prosecution.

If you have not done so already, please take a moment today to write your Representative and tell him or her to support Senate Bill 785. Pre-written letters are available online from NORML at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7140111&type=ST

In addition, if your Representative serves on the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, it is vital that you call him or her TODAY, and voice your support for medical marijuana. The committee is expected to vote on this proposal immediately following the hearing.

The following Representatives serve on the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee:

Representative Gail C. Beam (D-NM 18th), Chair - (505) 986-4844 Representative Irvin Harrison (D-NM 5th), Vice-Chair - (505) 986-4464 Representative Thomas A. Anderson (R-NM 29th) - (505) 986-4226 Representative Keith Gardner (R-NM 66th) - (505) 986-4211 Representative Joni M Gutierrez (D-NM 33rd) - (505) 986-4234 Representative Dianne Miller Hamilton (R-NM 38th) - (505) 986-4221 Representative Al Park (D-NM 26th) - (505) 986-4234

The large outpouring of support from people like yourself was largely responsible for the bill passing overwhelmingly in the Senate. We hope that we can count on your support once again as the bill faces a vote in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.

To help support NORML's state legislative efforts, please donate today at: https://secure.norml.org/join/

Thank you again for your support of NORML's legislative efforts in New Mexico.

Regards,

Kris Krane, Associate Director NORML

Medical Marijuana Passes Senate: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20307.shtml

STEVE FOX, director of government relations for the MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT in Washington, D.C.: "Ashcroft v. Raich, the medical marijuana case on which the U.S. Supreme Court will rule this spring, is a case where medical marijuana patients have much to gain but almost nothing to lose. If Angel Raich prevails, the federal war on medical marijuana is effectively over. A government victory, on the other hand, merely preserves the status quo: patients protected under the medical marijuana laws of 10 states will retain that protection, but will remain potentially vulnerable to federal prosecution. Some have suggested that this case could overturn state medical marijuana laws, but that is incorrect." News Contact: Bruce Mirken, bruce@mpp.org Phone: +1-415-668-6403 (3/9/05)

Friedrich Nietzsche from Also Sprach Zarathustra, Chapter 29

But I'm taking that "boldly" ticket...I hope it's translated fairly correctly...and running with it.

If you don't hear from me...you'll know to avoid the "boldly" and "insistance"...and "demanding" route to an anwer.

I feel so weak.

"Perfect love casts out all fear."

I've knocked on "the door". I've kicked it. I'm using a battering ram now.

Help me, anyone who will, please.

I used to know I was a "prayer warrior".

I insist that He show Himself at the door. Maybe He'll zap me. Maybe He'll open the door.

The insanity of prohibition must end.

Maybe I need a bullhorn to pray through. I've been patient. To say I'm beginning to feel disconcerted is putting it mildly.

The prohibitionists and government worshippers aren't interested in keeping imparied drivers off the road, obviously. They are more interested in expanding their raw power as far as plausibly possible. 'Fighting drugged drivers' is as good an excuse as any for them.

So lemme guess. These moral mighty-men in government who proposed this freedom-shrinking police state expansion, they are willing to let peaceful adults use cannabis if they willingly give up their driver's license, and happily renounce driving, in favour of personal cannabis use?

Of course not.

After years of observation, I have come to the conclusion that many prohibitionists are dedicated punishers, they are not reasonable people.

Punishers (prohibitionists) seek to expand their use of force coercion and punishment.

Their (the punishers') story is as follows.

They have ways to punish, you know. Creative new methods of punishment. (Most profitable ways to punish.) And so, it is simply a matter of seeking out and discovering those who require our new ways to punish. Then the world will be a Better Place. For, you see, Bad People exist (say the punishers.) Therefore, we must seek out and punish.