cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - November 8, 2006










  NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - November 8, 2006

Posted by CN Staff on November 08, 2006 at 10:58:56 PT
Weekly Press Release  
Source: NORML  

 2006 Mid-Term Election Results Offer Mixed Bag For Marijuana Law ReformNovember 8, 2006 - Washington, DC, USAWashington, DC: The 2006 mid-term elections offered mixed results for marijuana law reformers, with voters rejecting three statewide liberalization efforts, but approving numerous local measures to 'deprioritize' pot law enforcement.
Voters in Colorado, Nevada, and South Dakota turned back efforts to amend state penalties on the use and possession of cannabis. Colorado's Amendment 44, which gained 40 percent of the vote, sought to eliminate civil penalties on the possession and use of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults. Question 7 in Nevada, which won 44 percent of the vote, sought to remove all civil penalties for the private possession and use of small quantities of cannabis, and directed state officials to create a statewide system for the taxation, legal cultivation, distribution, and sale of marijuana to adults by licensed vendors. South Dakota's Initiated Measure 4, which gained 48 percent of the vote, sought to allow the physician-authorized use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.Regarding the three failed statewide initiative efforts, NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre stated: "These outcomes, while disappointing, were not unexpected. Despite these results, adults in both Colorado and Nevada continue to live under state laws that authorize the medical use of marijuana and allow adults to possess and use small amounts of pot without the threat of incarceration or a criminal record. South Dakota's result, while disheartening, does nothing to change the fact that according to national polls, nearly eight out of ten Americans support the physician-approved use of medicinal cannabis."Local cannabis reform initiatives won overwhelmingly in yesterday's election. In Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 64 percent of voters approved a citywide ordinance directing local law enforcement to issue a summons in lieu of a criminal arrest for adults found to be in possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and/or marijuana paraphernalia. The measure, sponsored by the Fayetteville/University of Arkansas chapter of NORML, is the first pot 'depenalization' measure ever approved in the state.In California, local voters approved a trio of pot 'deprioritization' measures. In Santa Barbara, 65 percent of voters backed Measure P, which directs municipal police to make all law enforcement activities related to the investigation, citation, and/or arrest of adult cannabis users their lowest priority, and also appoints a community oversight committee to monitor police activity as it pertains to marijuana law enforcement. Santa Cruz and Santa Monica voters approved similar measures (Measure K and Measure Y) each by votes of 63 percent.A separate pot deprioritization measure (Initiative 2) also passed in Missoula, Montana, with 53 percent of the vote.Finally, in Massachusetts, voters in eight State House districts and nine Senate Districts approved public policy questions concerning the decriminalization of cannabis for personal use and the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. Since 2002, more than 420,000 Massachusetts voters in 110 communities have approved similar non-binding resolutions.NORML's St. Pierre said that the strong showing in local races demonstrates Americans' overwhelming support for more responsible pot policies. "What these results tell us is that citizens strongly support reforming America's marijuana laws, but that they prefer to do so incrementally," he said. "These successes on the municipal level, once again, affirm that a majority of US citizens don't want adults who use marijuana responsibly to face arrest or jail, and they do not want their tax dollars spent on policies that prioritize targeting and prosecuting marijuana offenders."St. Pierre added that this year's election results also have potential federal ramifications, noting that California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who now stands to be House Speaker, is a longtime supporter and former co-sponsor of medical marijuana legislation. "It is our hope that with new Democratic leadership in the US House of Representatives we will finally be able to move forward with legislation and hearings on both the physician-approved medical use of marijuana as well as the decriminalization of cannabis for responsible adults," he said.For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre or NORML Senior Policy Analyst Paul Armentano at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7084Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: November 8, 2006Copyright: 2006 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/CannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml 

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Comment #69 posted by whig on November 11, 2006 at 14:49:35 PT
Richard Zuckerman
You threatened a judge. You sent death threats in the mail. You are not going to get sympathy for not being allowed to watch a hearing.
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Comment #68 posted by Truth on November 11, 2006 at 13:48:11 PT
Comment #34 posted by global_warming 
Sounds like the good ol' boys are goin' to have some 'spaning to do.'bout time!
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Comment #67 posted by afterburner on November 10, 2006 at 20:18:38 PT
OT: Bumper Sticker
"Choose Life"Life Is Sacred"From Conception through Natural Death"Why stop there?Does life cease to be sacred if a person is murdered (unnatural death)?
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Comment #66 posted by dankhank on November 10, 2006 at 17:01:28 PT
Felon?
If there is a prohibition, hate that word, from running for office by a felon he never would have gotten on the ballot.Each state is different.stories of disenfranchment from Florida indicate that Florida probably is tougher on "felons."In Oklahoma a felon's right to vote is restored when sentence is completed, automatically.Ed is a good man who has suffered much from the drug war.
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Comment #65 posted by Richard Zuckerman on November 10, 2006 at 12:27:10 PT:
BANNED FROM WATCHING MED POT HEARING!
On June 8, 2006, I was denied entrance into the State House Annex, Trenton, N.J., to watch the Medical Marijuana Bill, Senate Bill 88, live testimony of Montel Williams and Dr. John P. Morgan, M.D., CUNY. I filed a lawsuit. On the Show Cause hearing, about a month ago, New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Randal Weaver asserting the building guards had not been properly advised, that they should have allowed me to enter the building but kept an eye on me. I asserted to trial judge Paul Innes, J.S.C., Mercer County, that there is Supervisory liability and that this was not a mere innocent "mistake" because I had asked to speak to a Supervisor, the guard got on the telephone and spoke to somebody prior to escorting me out of the building and denying me entrance. Judge Innes ordered more pre-trial discovery on the matter.I noticed on Election Day that Ed Forchion ran for U.S. Senator on the Legalize Marijuana ticket. Isn't he a convicted felon? Isn't it a waste of our votes to vote for a convicted felon who is ultimately legally disqualified from holding public office? I voted for Len Flynn, Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Senator for New Jersey, wrote his name in every other public office election candidate, also. I wonder whether the winner, Bob Menendez, U.S. Senator for N.J., Democrat, supports Med Pot?Richard Paul Zuckerman, Box 159, Metuchen, N.J., 08840-0159, (Cell telephone number)(848) 250-8879.
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Comment #64 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 15:35:16 PT
Hey..Wow
re: Sex is sex. It's what you do with it that makes it right or wrong. JUST LIKE MONEY.The Seal and Approval may tokeroo guard the seals and signs that carry Every One of us to the table of truth and REAL Justice.It Is Time
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Comment #63 posted by Toker00 on November 09, 2006 at 15:09:04 PT
Hey guess what? Re: (nuevo mexican)
There are some men who prefer sex with men.There are some men who prefer sex with women.There are some men who prefer sex with men and women.There are some women who prefer sex with women.There are some women who prefer sex with men.There are some women who prefer sex with women and men.When all of these men and women are consenting adults, no "crime" has been committed. Why, then, do they pass laws which LIMIT the RIGHTS of SOME of these people?Now there are those who also prefer forbidden and forced sex, such as Politicians hustling underage Pages in The WHITE HOUSE, and the morally corrupt organizations of Man/Boy love, which involve kidnapping and probably even torture and murder, knowing that some men have no limit of evil in their hearts, plus all of those who commit sexual crimes and violence against children and women. Those are the criminals the laws SHOULD be passed against, not mature, consenting, loving, caring people, no matter WHO they LOVE. If what you have is perverted, it is not LOVE. It is LUST. But it what you have creates LOVE and RESPECT, JOY and FAMILY, then it is LOVE. It's ALWAYS been like that. Sex is sex. It's what you do with it that makes it right or wrong. JUST LIKE MONEY.Toke. 
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Comment #62 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 14:40:41 PT
The Good Samaritan
May have been a gay human being, would that have mattered to that rough handed carpenter when he was thirsting? When you find your Eternal Place in this World, do you really believe that your gender will be important?Do you think that your skin chemistry will matter?Do you have enough money?Do you think that looking in this direction or some other direction will bring your Everlasting Soul closer to the Power that Feeds this Green World?
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Comment #61 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:43:27 PT
Support the Troops: Treatment Instead of Jail 
Support the Troops: Treatment Instead of Jail for Returning Vets November 9, 2006This Saturday, our Republicans and Democrats in office will again be urging us to "support the troops" in commemoration of Veterans' Day. Doubtless, they will talk about our brave men and woman risking their lives to defend America and our way of life.Upon closer inspection, however, I find the sincerity of most elected officials' "support" for the troops approximating the hypocrisy of Mark Foley and Ted Haggard as the guardians of "family values."http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-newman/support-the-troops-treat_b_33734.html
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Comment #60 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 10:40:20 PT
nuevo mexican
I don't think Tucker Carlson is gay, he reminds me of a scared little boy. Here's how I see it, he likes women but he's afraid of them, which is pretty common for conservatives of a certain kind.
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Comment #59 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:38:17 PT
Hope
I really do hope that this change in leadership will help usher in a more sensible policy on cannabis and the drug war. Democrats, that are progressive, think outside the box. What is weird to me is I always understood what Kerry meant when he said something that upset other people. The emotion that has ruled this country by the right has been anger. Anger that won't change anything or fix anything. I hope that Nancy Pelosi will be able to do good and be able to work with the president. At least I really believe she will try. Maybe he will listen to her advice since she is really representing the people who voted for change but I don't think he will. He might try though.
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Comment #58 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 10:29:32 PT
Not sure about "strong" and "wise".
but I do try to be kind to one and all.My "role model" is the scripture that describes the "quiet and gentle spirit". That's what I want and what I want to do.A quiet and gentle spirit doesn't keep me from saying something though, when something is wrong...like the so called War on Drugs.I'm appalled at stuff I've seen go down in the name of the War on Drugs. I'm appalled, horrified, and offended. Quietly, and gently, I'd like to say, "Get those damned jack boots off the necks of my fellow citizens! It's so wrong, what you're doing! Why can't you see that?"Whether you like or dislike cannabis is your business. When you mistreat people, though, because they do like to consume the cannabis plant...I have to say something about people being mistreated and abused.
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Comment #57 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:21:18 PT
Hope
Thank you and you know that I really admire you too. You are a very strong, wise and kind lady.
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Comment #56 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 10:18:14 PT
Arriana went through the same thing.
Yes, she did. I'd forgotten about that.
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Comment #55 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 10:17:10 PT
FoM
When I look at so much of what you have had to endure during your life, like the situation with your first husband then all the stuff with your son and ultimately losing him so early in his life, I have to think, my Lord...this woman has been through it. She has a spirit that has, indeed, been tested by fire.I admire you so. You are one tough, spirited woman!
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Comment #54 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:16:49 PT
Hope 
Thank you. I am fine with it all now. I wasn't when I found out but that was when being Gay was not even talked about so no one knew how to deal with it. Arianna Huffington went thru the same thing I think.
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Comment #53 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:14:15 PT
Hope
I don't understand how people can not be upset when someone is maimed or killed. Life is precious. I don't care where a person was born or what religion they practice because they are human beings and I just care. I dread going to the VA Hospital in the Cleveland area if and when my husband has to go for any tests. I know what I will see and it will break my heart.
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Comment #52 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 10:13:13 PT
Total Bummer!
So sorry about that. What a bummer. To say the very least.You have a good husband, now. I know you are thankful for him.
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Comment #51 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:06:38 PT
nuevo mexican
I was married once before and I found out after we were divorced that he was Gay. I have a Gay radar too. I don't think anything about Gays but I think there are way more Gay Republicans then Democrats because with Democrats we basically know if they are Gay. I think they protest too much if you understand what I mean by that.
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Comment #50 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 10:05:05 PT
Comment 48
It's really scary to me, too.Especially seeing as it's fellow humans we're talking about being killed and maimed. Some dogs, even, have the character to rise above their darker or baser instincts. Apparently the people who enjoy or profit from war don't have even the character of a good dog.
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Comment #49 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 09:56:46 PT
nuevo mexican
I saw the interview last night and just watched the YouTube clip of it. I don't know what you mean about editing it though. I must admit I was very tired last night and maybe the whole thing didn't completely register.
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Comment #48 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 09:51:34 PT
Hope
Thast is really scary to me. 
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Comment #47 posted by nuevo mexican on November 09, 2006 at 09:48:44 PT
Censorship at CNN, Bill Maher too!
Did you see Bill last night FOM, he outed Republican Party CHAIRMAN Ken Mehlmen, who doesn't deny it, and will out more top closeted gay Republicans on his show Friday, please watch, (the point being, these guys have an anti-gay agenda to keep those evangelicals voting for them, regardless of the price of their hypocrisy).So what does CNN do, make it a HUGE story, by editing it out of the interview!Now, does anyone think this might backfire, on CNN, and on the Repugs who got anti-gay marriage ballots to win in seven states or so. Next election, lets make a point to remind voters of the sexual preferences of Republican lawmakers, who no doubt consume Cannabis at their leisure, behind closed doors, and out of the reach of the law, sharing it with young pages, who probably don't drink, you can only (hold your nose)imagine what these Repubes  do behind closeted doors!Watch Bill Maher on Friday, spike his ratings, and get ready as 5 planets in Scorpio til Nov. 21st, to keep the subject on sex and power, mostly the abuse of both!Lurking journos', this story is for you! (and exposes CNN'S willingness to shill and cover for bush, AND this, AFTER the REPUGS have been massively repudiated!What are they afraid of? Everyone at CNN being exposed?
Most know Anderson Cooper is gay, though perhaps not widely known, so what up CNN!
(and the bow-tie guy, on MSNBC, 'Tucker' Carlson, he fits the bill, according to my 'gaydar')!
LOL!
Funny way to start the new 'more democratic' phase of America on this note, Thanks Bill, for your support of Cannabis, the truth, hypocrisy, and here is to your continued success, partly due to cluesless CNN execs!http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/11/bill-maher-just-outed-republican-party.html
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Comment #46 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 09:46:06 PT
"....rationality or reason."
Or compassion. They have no compassion, and a perverted sense of rationality and reason, a lot of the time, it seems.
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Comment #45 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 09:44:06 PT
Pro War people should see the damage done.
It probably won't do any good, though it should. We had a beautiful little border collie that had a chicken killing streak in her. She wore dead chickens tied around her neck, sometimes for days. I spanked her and threatened her with dead chickens. Chicken pens didn't stop her. Nothing could stop her. She only stopped when all the chickens were dead.I think pro war people and war mongers are kind of like that little dog. They have a killer instinct and they can't overcome it with rationality or reason.
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Comment #44 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 07:48:59 PT

CNN Combat Hospital Special
They just showed a short piece of seriously injured soldiers. It will be on Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM. I hope people who are pro war will watch this program. The little bit they showed really made me feel sick and we should see how our young men and women are getting maimed and killed particularly if a person is pro war. Thank you CNN.
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Comment #43 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 07:25:12 PT

Shock and Awe Video 
I just found the new video of Neil Young on his Living With War page. Thank you Neil!http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/shockandawe_wm.html
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Comment #42 posted by greenmed on November 09, 2006 at 07:06:33 PT

afterburner
You are right. Congress could reclassify cannabis out of schedule I but unfortunately there seems less support for that approach. It would be the ideal as it would protect all medical cannabis users with a Rx.On the other hand, it seems the targeting of medical users specifically by the DEA has garnered support for Hinchey-Rohrabacher, but it does nothing for patients in states or communities that haven't passed their own legislation, and so still face local and state prosecution.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_rescheduling_in_the_United_States
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Comment #41 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 07:02:19 PT

Had Enough
I think you are right. Yes there might be some really upset people back east today. I'm playing a violin. Can you hear it? LOL! 
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Comment #40 posted by Had Enough on November 09, 2006 at 06:59:55 PT

Opps
Last post meant to reply to #37, not 27
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Comment #39 posted by Had Enough on November 09, 2006 at 06:57:27 PT

re: #27
Maybe this is a good time to purchase stock in Pepto Bismol. :-)There are some upset individuals in DC today. TV Ad Machine too.*********off to the daily grind.
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Comment #38 posted by Had Enough on November 09, 2006 at 06:32:21 PT

gw 
I don’t think you are racist for using that. It was used for impact, not as a racist slur. You have some way with using words; do not get politically correct, it interferes with the flow.I don’t think that either would offend Obama. But I will not speak for him, maybe he might, but I don’t think so.The way that word was placed it reveals the ignorance that used to, and still does exist, and it’s absurdity of it all. Like a reminder kinda thing.

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Comment #37 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 06:25:28 PT

Had Enough
I know that Nancy Pelosi will be very dignified but Bush well what can I say. I'd have lots of Rolaids handy.
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Comment #36 posted by Had Enough on November 09, 2006 at 06:20:47 PT

News for Lunch
Nancy Pelosi & George W. are strapping on the feedbag for lunch today.That ought to be some really good "get together for old times sake" event.Can you just imagine!!!Those two despise each other to the max!!!That will be some lunch.George W. will say, "Where's the Beef?"Nancy Pelosi will say, "I'll have a BLT with extra sauce, and a shrimp cocktail."Voters will say, "No thanks, I've lost my appetite."***********Politician’s Stuff – It’s What’s for Dinner.

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Comment #35 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 05:50:53 PT

About Fox News
I never watch Fox News but I turned it on for a second and while they are talking about elections on CNN and winning the House and Senate they were talking about Britney Spears. Who cares about her? I hope people don't believe Fox News. MSNBC has been really good with Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann though. If people don't just want to hate the Democrats then turn on one of the other two news channels. 
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Comment #34 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 05:20:09 PT

re: comment 20
Sorry whig, no I am not racist. I will refrain from using that word in the future.snipped from http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/November 8, 2006 -- Although President Bush says he wants to reach out to the Democratic Congress, don't look for him to stop using the common GOP pejorative term "Democ-rat" -- with an emphasis on "rat" -- anytime soon. The GOP strategy is shaping up to blaming the new Democratic Congress for present foreign and domestic ills even before it is sworn in.Bush is in denial about losing his longtime rubber stamp Congress. His first shock treatment will come from House and Senate chairmen who have been stonewalled on everything from investigating pre-war intelligence and Pentagon contract fraud to torture and rendition flights. There are countless other investigations that were blocked by the congressional GOP leadership.John Conyers (D-MI) becomes chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. His portfolio to investigate election fraud and Patriot Act abuses may result in possible impeachment articles being put forward.John Dingell (D-MI) becomes chairman of the House Commerce Committee. His committee has oversight for energy (Cheney's secret energy task force is under the gun), telecommunications (media consolidation issues could be on the table), consumer protection, and public health.Barney Frank (D-MA) becomes chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Minimum wage increase on the agenda.Charlie Rangel (D-NY) becomes chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rolling back tax cuts for billionaires as well as corporate offshore tax havens will be on the agenda.Henry Waxman (D-CA) becomes chairman of the House Government Reform Committee. He will exercise subpoena power to bring witnesses (friendly and hostile) before his committee to investigate Pentagon contract fraud (watch out Halliburton and KBR).Ike Skelton (D-MO) becomes chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Will also investigate Pentagon contract fraud.Alcee Hastings (D-FL) may become chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Look for real fireworks here with former members of the US Intelligence Community being called to testify on pre-war intelligence cooking.Neo-conservative ally Tom Lantos is slated to take over the House International Relations Committee. This is the only committee where the Bush administration will have anything close to a safe haven. Lantos was a supporter of the Iraq war.In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee under the chairmanship of Patrick Leahy will be able to bottle up any right-wing nominations to the Supreme Court, if any should arise. Bush will be forced to submit the names of moderate consensus judges.Joe Biden will become Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Iraq will be at the top of the agenda.Jeff Bingaman becomes Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where gasoline price gouging and Interior Department scandals will feature prominently.Jay Rockefeller becomes Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence with subpoena power on pre-war intelligence cooking. Pat Roberts, who has stonewalled for the White House, will be relegated to ranking member.Carl Levin becomes Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.Max Baucus becomes Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.Robert Byrd takes over as Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Byrd also becomes President pro tem of the Senate, fourth in line for the White House after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Dick Cheney.
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Comment #33 posted by Wayne on November 09, 2006 at 04:48:06 PT

p.s.
And Fox hasn't said a word about the Montana race, which actually has a closer margin. It's all VERY suspect. I can see right through them.
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Comment #32 posted by Wayne on November 09, 2006 at 04:45:50 PT

Dankhank
Typical. It's 8 am now, and Fox is officially the only network that STILL hasn't acknowledged that Webb won. It even says this: "The Associated Press projected Webb as the winner late Wednesday, which would give Democrats complete domination of Capitol Hill for the first time since 1994, but the race is still too close for FOX News to call." I guess Fox is too good for the AP, maybe they're not fair-and-balanced enough. I guess a 50-50 Senate would be more 'fair-and-balanced' than a 51-49 Senate. And to think I actually used to watch that network on a regular basis.I'm still wondering if they're gonna try to pull out some dirty trick like they did with Bush. In case anyone doesn't remember, the entire Florida-2000 debacle started with a single Fox News prediction.
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Comment #31 posted by afterburner on November 08, 2006 at 21:29:40 PT

greenmed #25 & FoM #26
If the Democratic Congress can reschedule cannabis as Schedule 2, do we really need Hinchey-Rohrbacher?
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Comment #30 posted by Dankhank on November 08, 2006 at 21:06:32 PT

Quite the story
that is developing ...and Fxnews is still mum on the web, since I don't get Fauxnews I don't know what they are saying, but they aren't writing anything ...cowards ...
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 20:20:31 PT

Greenmed and Dankhank
I feel such a sense of relief. Onward and upward we go I hope.Dankhank even Canada is reporting about it. Report: Democrats Win Majority in SenateWed. Nov. 8 2006 CTV.ca News Staffhttp://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061108/midterm_elections_061108/20061108
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Comment #28 posted by greenmed on November 08, 2006 at 20:12:11 PT

FoM
I agree. There's every good reason to be optimistic now.
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Comment #27 posted by Dankhank on November 08, 2006 at 19:59:53 PT

Nothing on FAUXNEWS
yet about movement in Va....scared SOBs
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 19:46:58 PT

greenmed 
Now it should be the right time. As long as things stayed as they've been I really felt we wouldn't get anywhere for many years and I wondered if anyone would stay interested or just move on and consider it a lost cause and then we would be back like years ago when it fell apart. It could have become Deja Vu all over again and that was depressing to think about for me. I really believe most Democrats are mature enough to know that the laws against marijuana are not right. We will see and we will push and we do know Nancy Pelosi understands and that's a good thing.
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Comment #25 posted by greenmed on November 08, 2006 at 19:34:53 PT

cannabis medicine
"... in Massachusetts, voters in eight State House districts and nine Senate Districts approved public policy questions concerning the decriminalization of cannabis for personal use and the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. Since 2002, more than 420,000 Massachusetts voters in 110 communities have approved similar non-binding resolutions."This seems the silver lining to the cloud of rejection of harm-reduction measures in Colorado, Nevada, and especially South Dakota. Massachusetts seems ripe for a statewide measure to protect the sick from prosecution for using cannabis medicine. The MA voters have shown a great measure of compassion. Thank you.I'm hopeful the Dems, now with control of both chambers, can consolidate their views on this issue, and along with thoughtful Repubs, work to get Hinchey-Rohrabacher passed this session. It can be done... if not now, when? Time to put on the pressure.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 19:20:28 PT

Dankhank
I really do appreciate good news too.
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Comment #23 posted by Dankhank on November 08, 2006 at 19:02:10 PT

He's gonna go .....
Senator Macacca will likely admit defeat tomorrow ...thank the Gods ....................................He can play football to his hearts content haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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Comment #22 posted by ekim on November 08, 2006 at 18:46:02 PT

thanks everyone for hard work on the elections
KLSD 1360 Interview 08:00 AM Norm Stamper San Diego California USA 
 LEAP speaker and author of Breaking Rank: A Top Cop's Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing, Norm Stamper is interviewed on the Stacy Taylor Show. Listen live from their site! Nov 13 06 Law Enforcement Administration Class 06:00 PM Norm Stamper San Diego California USA 
 Retired Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, speaking to a criminal justice class at San Diego State University hosted by Prof. Rulette Armstead ( retired San Diego P.D) Nov 14 06 KPBS San Diego Full Focus public affair program 03:30 PM Norm Stamper San Diego California USA 
 Live taping for airing at 6:30pm and 11pm. 

http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 17:53:34 PT

Just Heard About This on MSNBC
Rush Tells His Audience 'I'm Full of Crap'...Seriously! November 8, 2006Failure always inspires naval-gazing. So I expected to hear the conservative media talking-heads do a little introspection after last night's lopsided loss. What I didn't expect was for Rush Limbaugh to come right out and say "I'm full of crap." Check out the top of the third hour monologue from today's show.Here's Rush at approximately 1:14 p.m. Central time today:The way I feel is this: I feel liberated, and I'm going to tell you as plainly as I can why. I no longer am going to have to carry the water for people who I don't think deserve having their water carried. Now, you might say, "Well, why have you been doing it?" Because the stakes are high! Even though the Republican Party let us down, to me they represent a far better future for my beliefs and therefore the country's than the Democrat [sic] Party does and liberalism. 
Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but doesn't this sound like Rush telling his audience, right in front of God and everybody, that he's been lying to them? Rush continues...I'm a radio guy! I understand what this program has become in America and I understand the leadership position it has. I was doing what I thought best, but at this point, people who don't deserve to have their water carried, or have themselves explained as they would like to say things but somehow aren't able to? I'm not under that kind of pressure.Complete Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-derych/rush-tells-his-audience-_b_33690.html
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Comment #20 posted by whig on November 08, 2006 at 17:48:46 PT

gw 
Are you racist? Why do you use that word?
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 17:46:40 PT

Dankhank
Thanks for saying how you see it.
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Comment #18 posted by Dankhank on November 08, 2006 at 17:37:36 PT

Black President ...
The culture of the south is smarmy, evil, racist and unrepentant.How else could such a good-ole-boy think that he could use the "maccaca" appellation in public with no loss of integrity?I lived in central Georgia from 1963 'till 1972 and have traveled to there many times since, last time, last Christmas.I will forever think of Mr Allen, lame-duck Senator of Virginia, as Senator Maccaca and I hope he is pulling his hair out for letting slip his genial racism, killing his chances for further political life.You spoke it, sir, now eat it and choke.and to all of the rest of the southern "gentlemen," watch you ass ... we are listening and will make you pay.Nuff said ...
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 17:22:31 PT

global_warming
Thanks for the conversation today. I am starting to get so tired because it is over and I might sleep for a week. Not really but now for a time I won't worry. Ever since The Freedom of Speech Tour I have been fired up inside. Now it is done and we did our part. That's a very good feeling. Now maybe our country can begin to heal.
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Comment #16 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 17:00:59 PT

re: time to find
your place, your good handyour vision in this God Green World
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Comment #15 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 16:52:55 PT

regarding Mrs...Clinton and the next page
She' ia a women of the female genderThat nigger Obama has my low white class vote and respectthe next pagethe election is over and done it is time
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 16:40:10 PT

global_warming
I really like Obama. He seems like a good man who thinks deeply before he talks. Mrs. Clinton isn't a person that I would want. I can think of a few others that I like though. When Republicans talk about Mrs. Clinton being a good pick I wonder why it should matter to them. Maybe because they feel she is beatable if she runs in 08. My worry is are people from the south ok with a black president? I hope that prejudice is gone but I worry that it might not be. 
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Comment #13 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 16:32:54 PT

regards comment "10"
"we can do it I think."It will be Obama, and Hillary at his side,You want democrat you got itI want Cannabis To Be FREE
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Comment #12 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 16:12:06 PT

regarding: the ' morrow
that was yesterday,I do not know this manhe was with those christiansI do not know this man
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Comment #11 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 15:31:03 PT

regarding: It is time to end this blind ignorance
it is time to put your good hand up to the voteuse your good eye to see where you arein this God Green Worldthe election is overyet 'we those people are the same people"all" seeking freedom and truthsleep and refreshfor the morrows dawn lights upthe path towards freedom and Everlasting Glory
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 15:28:45 PT

global_warming
We are making progress. I am not upset about what we didn't win this time because we turned the House and maybe the Senate around. When I see a problem and I know what the end result should be I try to look at how we can get there from here. Ever since the Republicans got power and then Bush was made President and Gore lost I thought this was really going to be a long wait and it has been. Now I see the bridge to cross that I felt was needed to complete the job. Clinton's hands were tied so even though I didn't care for Clinton or vote for Clinton the Republicans had a lot of say in his presidency. After 08 if we get a really good Democrat to win the presidency we can do it I think.
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 15:03:27 PT

I know 'we are all very tired
This boomer wishes that some of these jackass thumpers would understand the message, every time they press the wrong button some man or women is nailed to the modern cross.Yet I am amazed that Cannabis Reform is such a hotly discussed subject, and is appearing in so many voting precincts.I never saw so much interest in reforming our drug laws specifically Cannabis.It is time to end this blind ignorance against Cannabis.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 14:50:35 PT

global_warming
I'm very tired and I should try to be clearer but you figured out what I meant. 
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 14:49:30 PT

global_warming
Sorry yes that is what I meant. 
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Comment #6 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 14:46:25 PT

sorry
you meant to say that this domain name is available, it is a good green name.
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Comment #5 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 14:44:58 PT

re: link to Gods Green World
it don't work..http://www.GodsGreenWorld.com/

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Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 14:40:32 PT

global_warming
Someone should develop this url. I like what you said and did a search and it's available.http://www.GodsGreenWorld.com/
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Comment #3 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2006 at 14:29:04 PT

regarding the Overall
 "Overall, it’s clear that the tide is turning in favor of reforming marijuana laws--but we wish it were turning faster."Some of us at least are wishing it were turning faster, yet these are truly exciting times when voting initiatives are popping up all over the place, guess that goes to show, you cannot keep a good weed down, you cannot eradicate not one stitch of God Green World.See you next year and the year after that.
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Comment #2 posted by whig on November 08, 2006 at 13:24:15 PT

Here's an interesting map...
For those who follow such things...http://vote.ss.ca.gov/Returns/sec/mapDN.htm
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 08, 2006 at 13:01:45 PT

Press Release from The Drug Policy Alliance
 What Do the 2006 Election Results Mean for Drug Policy Reform?***November 8, 2006Democrats have taken control of the U.S. House for the first time in 12 years, picking up at least 27 House seats from Republicans. And Democrats picked up at least five Senate seats and may win the other seat they need to take control of the Senate (Virginia is still undecided). Ten local marijuana law reform initiatives also won big yesterday. But voters rejected three important statewide marijuana initiatives, and approved a measure in Arizona that will undercut the state’s successful treatment-instead-of-incarceration law. What does all this mean for drug policy reform? 
Ballot Measures 
Statewide measures to legalize small amounts of marijuana failed in Colorado (40% to 60%) and Nevada (44% to 56%). South Dakota voters narrowly defeated a medical marijuana initiative (48% to 52%). The South Dakota defeat is especially disappointing because it marks the first time that medical marijuana has lost at the ballot box. (Voters have approved medical marijuana in eight other states). None of these losses can be described as a total surprise. Polling all year long showed that support for the initiatives was much lower than support for successful reform measures in previous years. The voters just were not ready for them.
 In California, voters in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Monica approved local measures making marijuana possession the lowest law enforcement priority in their cities. Voters in Missoula, Montana and Eureka Springs, Arkansas approved similar measures. In Massachusetts, voters in two legislative districts approved non-binding resolutions in support of making possession of up to one ounce of marijuana a civil violation subject only to a $100 fine. And in two other Massachusetts legislative districts, voters approved non-binding resolutions in support of legalizing marijuana for medical use. Voters in Albany, California approved an initiative allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to open in the city. 
Overall, it’s clear that the tide is turning in favor of reforming marijuana laws--but we wish it were turning faster. Drug Policy Alliance Network (DPAN), the lobbying arm of the Drug Policy Alliance, welcomes feedback on how to move marijuana law reform forward. [link feedback to e-mail].
 In Arizona, state legislators put a measure on the ballot that will undercut Proposition 200, a treatment-instead-of-incarceration law that voters approved in 1996. (Prop. 200 served as a model for Proposition 36, which California voters approved four years later). Arizona voters approved the measure, 58% to 42%. The new law allows judges to exclude people arrested for methamphetamine possession from the state’s successful treatment program. DPAN is deeply concerned that other states will view this new law as a model. But we're happy to have beaten back a similar attack on treatment in the California legislature earlier this year.
 Congress
 The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House (and possible takeover of the Senate) provides DPAN with some exciting opportunities next year. Democrats at the federal level are far more sympathetic to reform than Republicans (this stands in contrast to state-level politics where Republicans are some of the strongest champions of reform in key states). For instance, 144 House Democrats voted earlier this year to prohibit the U.S. Justice Department from undermining state medical marijuana laws. Only 18 Republicans supported the measure. 169 Democrats voted last year to cut funding to the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (more commonly known as "Plan Colombia"), but only 19 Republicans voted to do so. Since almost all of the Republicans who were defeated yesterday were bad on both of these issues, we look forward to significantly more support next year. (Only one of the defeated Republicans supported medical marijuana, and only three voted to cut funding to the Andean Counterdrug Initiative). 
Our federal political action committee (DPAC) helped several good state legislators get elected to Congress--most notably Steve Cohen (D-TN), who backed medical marijuana and sentencing reform in the Tennessee legislature, and Chris Murphy (D-CT), who supported DPAN's medical marijuana and crack/powder cocaine sentencing reform bills in the Connecticut legislature. 
Many members of Congress DPAN works with were re-elected, including Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Senator Bob Menendez (D) was re-elected in New Jersey and Rep. Ben Cardin (D) was elected to the Senate for the first time in Maryland. Both voted for medical marijuana in the House, making them the only two U.S. Senators to have voted for medical marijuana in the past. This puts DPAN in a good position to advance this issue in the Senate.
 The most important change will come early next year when Republican Committee chairs like Rep. James Sensenbrenner (WI) and Rep. Mark Souder (IN) are replaced by solid drug policy reformers. Instead of playing defense trying to stop bad bills like Sensenbrenner’s horrible "snitch" bill [link], DPAN will be able to devote more resources to moving good bills forward.
 The Democrats who will be leaders in the new Congress are better on drug policy reform than Democrats were in the 1990s under Clinton, and much better than Democrats were in the 1980s under Reagan. For instance, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who will most likely be Speaker of the House next year, is a strong supporter of medical marijuana and sentencing reform. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who will chair the House Judiciary Committee next year, is a member of the Drug Policy Alliance’s advisory board. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), who will chair the Government Reform Committee, is a strong supporter of syringe exchange programs and other harm reduction measures. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) are strong supporters of drug sentencing reform. All three will likely control key Congressional committees next year.
 We’re excited. It’s very possible that DPAN can pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment and other reforms next year. At a time when the Bush Administration is increasing federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their providers, we have the capability of pushing back–-hard.
 State Races
 Here are some brief updates on some of the states DPAN is very active in: 
In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was re-elected. Generally speaking, he has been better on drug policy issues than his predecessor, Gray Davis (D), but he has still vetoed several of the reforms DPAN passed through the legislature. Schwarzenegger worked to defeat a "three strikes" reform initiative DPAN backed in 2004, and has severely underfunded Prop 36, our successful treatment-instead-of-incarceration law that California voters approved in 2000. But he has signed a number of reform bills that his predecessor vetoed, most notably DPAN's syringe access bill that will do more to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in California than any other piece of legislation.
 In Connecticut, Gov. Jodi Rell (R) was re-elected. She vetoed the first crack/powder sentencing reform bill that DPAN passed in the state, but signed the second one into law. Cliff Thorton, a drug policy reformer who heads the Connecticut-based reform group Efficacy, took 1% of the vote in his Green Party bid to unseat her. While votes are still being counted, it looks like Democrats will pick up enough seats in the Connecticut legislature to override the governor's vetoes. This puts us in a good position for next year, where DPAN will advance bills to legalize medical marijuana and reform draconian drug sentences. We are excited that a state legislator who supported our bills in the legislature, Chris Murphy (D), beat Congressman Nancy Johnson (R) and will be going to Congress.
 In Maryland, Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) lost. He supported medical marijuana, treatment-instead-of-incarceration and sentencing reform. We’re hoping the new governor, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D), will be even better. We’re especially hoping that O’Malley will appoint Peter Beilenson as the state’s Health Commissioner. (Peter Beilenson is the former Baltimore Health Commissioner. He’s a strong supporter of drug policy reform, and an ally of DPAN. We backed his effort to win a Congressional seat, but he narrowly lost in the primary). Rep. Ben Cardin (D), who supported medical marijuana in the U.S. House, won his race to become a U.S. Senator. Kevin Zeese, who co-founded the Drug Policy Foundation (which merged in 2000 with the Lindesmith Center to become the Drug Policy Alliance) took 2% of the vote in his Green-Libertarian-third-party fusion bid to beat Cardin and his Republican opponent.
 In New Mexico, Governor Bill Richardson (D) was re-elected. The director of DPA's New Mexico office, Reena Szczepanski, co-chairs his methamphetamine taskforce. He also supported DPAN's medical marijuana bill last year and has promised to support it again in 2007. His Republican opponent, John Dendahl, has also supported medical marijuana and other reform issues. Our federal political action committee (DPAC) contributed money to Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D) for her campaign to defeat Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R), who has voted against medical marijuana three times in the U.S. House. Votes are still being counted in this very close race.The New Mexico House of Representatives was up for re-election this year, and results are positive for drug policy reformers. Two medical marijuana opponents were defeated--House Minority Whip Rep. Terry Marquardt, R-53, Alamogordo, and Rep. Don Whitaker, D-61, Eunice. House Majority Leader Ted Hobbs' retirement coupled with Marquardt's loss also means entirely new leadership for the House Republicans in 2007. DPA NM's projected House votes look promising for both treatment-instead-of-incarceration initatives and legal access to medical marijuana. The New Mexico Senate's membership, which voted 34-6 last year in favor of medical marijuana, remains the same for 2007-2008.
 In New Jersey, nothing changed with state-level races because those are up in odd years in the state. But our federal political action committee (DPAC) backed Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) in her effort to unseat Congressman Michael Ferguson (R). She came very close (48% - 50%) in an excellent campaign to unseat someone who was considered unbeatable. She will continue to be a good ally in the legislature, where she supports DPAN's legislation to make sterile syringes more available. DPAC also supported Senator Menendez (D), who supports medical marijuana and other drug policy reforms. 
In New York, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) will replace George Pataki (R) as governor. It is too early to tell where Spitzer will be on all the issues, but we know he will be a stronger supporter of reforming New York’s draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws than Pataki. We’re a little concerned that District Attorney Michael Arcuri (D) won his Congressional race. Arcuri has cruelly prosecuted people under the Rockefeller Drug Laws and opposed reform efforts. We hope his victory in a state that overwhelmingly supports reform will change his mind. 
In Washington, Roger Goodman was elected to the Washington Senate. Goodman runs the King Country Bar Association’s Drug Policy Project. He has moved drug policy reform forward in the state and will be a major ally in the legislature. Our state political action committee contributed to his campaign.
 Conclusion 
Over the coming weeks, look for information about DPAN's 2006 legislative strategy, which includes prohibiting the Justice Department from undermining state medical marijuana laws, eliminating the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity, and cutting wasteful drug war spending. Thank you for your ongoing support--we couldn’t do any of our work without you! 
 http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/110806vote.cfm
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