With Gov. Chris Christie’s approval ratings teetering, and talk of a potential presidential run in 2012, one would think the last thing he would want to do is exacerbate any issue that polls well with his constituency. But when it comes to the overwhelmingly popular topic of medical marijuana, Gov. Christie has yet to see the forest full of trees.
With 81 percent of Americans now in favor of medical marijuana, Christie finds himself fighting an uphill battle against common sense and compassion. And state legislators find themselves at an impasse with the program, thanks in part to the governor and his desire to make the program overly restrictive. New Jersey’s medical marijuana law is currently the most restrictive in the nation, and a year behind schedule.
Gov. Christie has created a stalemate that is angering advocates, politicians and patients alike. And with 2012 right around the corner, maybe now is not such a great time to blatantly ignore your supporters and press on with a personal agenda based on failed, prohibitionist policies.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Chapter Leader of the Week: Rob Pfountz, University of Arkansas
Basics:- Robert Pfountz
- SSDP State Coordinator for Arkansas
- Former President, University of Arkansas SSDP
- Major: Political Science Minor: Economics
Rob: The first SSDP event that I attended was to see Norm Stamper of LEAP speak on-campus at the University of Arkansas in 2008. I had always supported marijuana policy reform, but this event was the first time I realized that we also needed the same reform towards a regulated market with dangerous drugs like methamphetamine that have had a pernicious effect on our families and friends here in Arkansas.
SSDP: What has been your favorite SSDP experience?
Rob: My favorite SSDP experience was attending the Drug Policy Alliance conference in Albuquerque, NM in 2009 as a representative for our SSDP chapter at the U of A. I have never been around so many well respected and intelligent individuals from all around the world who share a common goal of reforming our failed drug policies. If you haven’t attended this unparalleled event I suggest for you to go to the one this November in Los Angeles, CA (reformconference.org).
SSDP: What issues are most important for your chapter?
Rob: With a stable economy and only a population of close to 80,000 our city of Fayetteville does not typically encounter some the drug problems frequently seen in the larger neighboring cities of Little Rock, Tulsa, and Kansas City. This has lead us to focus our attention on marijuana since it is the most widely used illicit substance in our area, and because it is the most politically feasible to accomplish significant progress towards reducing the harm caused by its prohibition. We have made inroads towards this goal by making marijuana the lowest law enforcement and prosecutorial priority in Fayetteville by initiative in 2008 with 66% of the vote, and by passing a SAFER initiative in 2009 with 67% of the student vote to equalize the penalties for alcohol and marijuana on our campus.
SSDP: Do you have any events planned for this semester?
Rob: In February we are having US Marine Corps Veteran Glenn Kunkel come speak about the medical applications that cannabis has for soldiers returning home with physical and mental ailments such as PTSD. Events like this one that was set up by our current president Stephen Duke will go a long way towards helping us attain safe access for medical marijuana here in Arkansas. We will also be attending SSDP’s 2011 Training Conference & Lobby Day at the University of Maryland!!!
SSDP: What do you like best about being part of SSDP?
Rob: There are few other student organizations that gather such a diverse background of individuals towards a common goal. Where you were once rejected you will find acceptance here at SSDP.
SSDP: What's your favorite "SSDP quote"?
Rob: I don't necessarily have a favorite SSDP quote, but the most memorable one was stopping the chant "Smoke Weed Everyday" that was started by a former chapter president in front of our student union. You have to remember that people will only take us as serious as we present ourselves.
SSDP: Any fun facts about you?
Rob: I am originally from Memphis, TN, but I have also lived in Dallas, TX and Toronto, ON Canada. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing guitar, and skateboarding. During my time as a teenager roaming the downtown streets of Toronto I made it into Thrasher skateboarding magazine in 1998. My reading usually gravitates towards US drug, foreign, and monetary policy that promotes individual and economic liberty. I am a non-traditional student, and before I returned to school I worked for the federal government for 4 years as a USPS Rural Carrier Associate. I was recently awarded SAFER’s 2010 Outstanding Student Activism Award, and helped lead our chapter to a number 8 ranking by SSDP for the top 20 schools for drug policy activism in 2010. Last semester I helped Jason Malonson establish our second Arkansas SSDP chapter at NWACC in Bentonville where Wal-Mart’s headquarters are located. Currently, I am working on a medical marijuana initiative to place on the Arkansas 2012 ballot.
SSDP: Do you have any advice for other chapter leaders?
Rob: As a chapter leader you have to remember it is you that has to push the group forward, and when doing this you will be held to a higher standard than other student organizations because of the stigma still attached to drugs. It is important to network and provide incentives for member involvement in chapter activities, but if you work hard others will notice and will naturally be attracted towards your determination. Drug policy reform is a lifestyle, and you will find many opportunities to make a difference. The best way to be prepared for this is to be well read on the issues so you can effectively communicate our tragic social condition. There are few no-brainers in politics, but drug policy reform is one of them. Don’t ever be ashamed or afraid of speaking the truth, because our opponents are on the wrong side of history.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Welcoming 2 more new SSDP chapters this week
With students going back to school, it's certainly been a busy week for student drug policy reform! As administrators get back to work as well, two more SSDP chapters have gained official student group approval from their schools, and now we're excited to welcome Tufts University and Utah State University to our chapter network.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. We also have chapter networks forming in several countries outside of the U.S. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.
Tufts University Boston, MA (Northeast Region)
Alex Baskin heard about SSDP in the Spring of 2010 through his friends who lead our chapter at Rutgers University New Brunswick and "was blown away" by the work the chapter was doing on a city wide lowest law enforcement priority initiative. He has been working on establishing a chapter of his own at Tufts University ever since. The first order of business for Tufts SSDP will be addressing campus marijuana policies that still sanction students through the judicial system for marijuana possession, which is no longer a crime in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis was decriminalized when Question 2 passed the legislature in 2009).
Utah State University Logan, UT (Mountain Plains Region)
Last September, Adam Black was looking for ways to get involved in drug policy reform when he came across our website. He says that Logan, Utah is a college town experiencing some of the most aggressive drug law enforcement with some of the harshest penalties in the world. USU SSDP is determined to do something about that.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. We also have chapter networks forming in several countries outside of the U.S. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Announcing 3 new official SSDP chapters!
We're proud to announce three newly established SSDP chapters this week, making them the first additions to our chapter network in 2011! As we officially welcome University of Akron, Central Washington University & University of Florida by adding them to the map, we'd also like to take this opportunity to tell you about the students who stepped up to lead the student drug policy reform movement at their school by founding an SSDP chapter.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.
University of Akron - Akron, OH (Midwest Region)
Anthony Burrows has been working to establish an SSDP chapter at U of A for almost exactly a year! In January 2010, he came across our website while searching for organizations whose missions are focused on ending the war on drugs. He was faced with obstacle after obstacle in his quest to establish an active SSDP chapter at U of A, navigating through administrative red tape for much of the Fall 2010 semester, but he wasn't going to let a little bureaucracy stop him. Finally, last week, Anthony received word from his school administration that his student organization recognition request has been approved!
Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA (Western Region)
Brian Grimmer discovered SSDP in October of last year while researching medical marijuana policies for Washington state college campuses. Now that the CWU SSDP chapter is up and running, he hopes to establish a campus medical marijuana policy that would provide protection for students who are medical cannabis patients.
University of Florida - Gainesville, FL (Southern Region)
Chase Corbin got connected to us in November when he was looking for drug policy internship opportunities, he noticed SSDP was mentioned on the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) websites and decided to check us out. Chase hopes to make an impact on campus with his chapter by facilitating professional and evidence based discussions about drug policy. Currently a University Scholar at UF majoring in philosophy & economics, he hopes to attend law school then pursue a career in drug policy reform after completing his studies as an undergrad.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Chapter Leader of the Week: Trevor Hosterman, West Chester University
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| From left: Josh Merer, Trevor Hosterman, Former Gov. Gary Johnson, Zach Hartshorne |
Basics:
- Name: Trevor Hosterman
- Position: Co-founder/President, WCU SSDP
- School: West Chester University
- Major: Political Science
- Location: West Chester, PA
SSDP: When did you 1st get involved with SSDP?
Trevor: I first got involved with SSDP in the fall of 2009 when my cofounder, Josh Merer, and I decided we wanted to make a change on our campus and in our community when it came to drug policy and harm reduction.
SSDP: What has been your favorite SSDP experience?
Trevor: My whole experience with SSDP has been remarkable. From conferences to camping trips, everything has been amazing. One of my favorite experience as a chapter was when we had the opportunity to host the former Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson.
SSDP: What issues are most important for your chapter?
Trevor: Right now one of the biggest issues we're looking into as a chapter is how to get our school to adopt a medical amnesty policy. They told us they won't do anything until the state does something first. So as a chapter we want to make sure our state representatives reintroduce SB 488 this year. SB 488 called for state wide medical amnesty in cases of alcohol poisoning.
SSDP: Do you have any events planned for the this semester?
Trevor: We sure do! We're kicking off the semester with a show at a local venue with Roots of Creation headlining on February 5. In the works we have a lobby day at the capital, a camping trip and we have a couple more things in the works.
SSDP: What do you like best about being part of SSDP?
Trevor: The wonderful, passionate friends I have met along the way.
SSDP: Any fun facts about you?
Trevor: I love concerts. I think I went to about sixty or so in 2010. You might also say I'm a fan of the great outdoors.
SSDP: Do you have any advice for other chapter leaders?
Trevor: Keep going what you're doing. Positive thought yields positive action.
Connect with the West Chester University SSDP chapter on Facebook & Twitter.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Marijuana Prohibition to Blame in Shooting Death of UMD Student
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2011
CONTACT: Stacia Cosner, SSDP National Associate Director – (410) 299-3433
Lauren Mendelsohn, UMD SSDP (202) 596-7737 
CONTACT: Stacia Cosner, SSDP National Associate Director – (410) 299-3433
Lauren Mendelsohn, UMD SSDP (202) 596-7737
Marijuana Prohibition to Blame in Shooting Death of University of Maryland Student
UMD student group says legalization will end drug war violence
College Park, MD. – Officials at Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) charged today that the murder of UMD student Justin DeSha-Overcash on Tuesday is a result of marijuana prohibition policies that actually put young people in more danger than a system of legalization and regulation. DeSha-Overcash, 22 years-old, had a bright future ahead and was slated to graduate in June with a degree in physics and astronomy.
“This isn’t simply a drug related crime as the media is calling it,” explained Stacia Cosner, Associate Director at SSDP. “This is drug-prohibition related violence. We don’t see students shooting one another over alcohol, because it’s legal and there are no black market profits worth protecting.”
SSDP is joining DeSha-Overcash’s friends and family in criticizing Prince George's County Police for placing the blame on the victim, labeling him as a drug dealer simply because marijuana was found at the home.
"As Justin’s friends and family mourn their loss, SSDP members extend their support by emphasizing a positive and fair characterization of his life," said Cosner. "On top of his ambitious schoolwork, he also worked as a teaching assistant and at the campus observatory. He was not simply a drug dealer whose death could somehow be justified by the presence of marijuana in his home as police have suggested."
Lauren Mendelsohn, a member of the UMD chapter of SSDP, expressed her concern about law enforcement’s stated priorities in response to the murder. "A young man lost his life, tragically and with the killer still on the loose. The College Park community is seeking support and assurance that the killer will be brought to justice, but the Prince George's County Police blaming the victim is incredibly concerning. It raises serious questions about their priorities.”
“Police need to start looking at the policies surrounding drugs and evaluating the unintended consequences of prohibition. If marijuana were regulated in a similar way to alcohol, perhaps Justin would still be alive today," says Cosner.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Win Tickets to Slightly Stoopid's Winter Tour!
Slightly Stoopid is one of the many artists on SSDP's AMPLIFY Project that is bringing SSDP tables to most of their shows on their Spring tour. To help spread the word about the work that SSDP does, the band is offering the chance for anyone who signs up on SSDP's action alert list to win 2 free tickets to these upcoming shows:
| DATE | VENUE | CITY | TICKETS | RSVP |
| FEB. 04, 2011 | TPC BIRD'S NEST | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | TICKETS |  |
| FEB. 16, 2011 | 9:30 CLUB | WASHINGTON, DC | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 17, 2011 | 9:30 CLUB | WASHINGTON, DC | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 18, 2011 | LUPO'S ON THE STRAND | PROVIDENCE, RI | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 19, 2011 | HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM | NEW YORK, NY | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 20, 2011 | HOUSE OF BLUES | ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 24, 2011 | ORBIT ROOM | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 25, 2011 | MADISON THEATER | COVINGTON, KY | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 26, 2011 | CANNERY BALLROOM | NASHVILLE, TN | TICKETS | |
| FEB. 27, 2011 | AMOS' SOUTHEND | CHARLOTTE, NC | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 01, 2011 | THE NORVA | NORFOLK, VA | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 02, 2011 | THE MUSIC FARM | CHARLESTON, SC | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 03, 2011 | JANNUS LIVE | ST. PETERSBURG, FL | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 04, 2011 | JANNUS LIVE | ST. PETERSBURG, FL | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 05, 2011 | PLUSH | JACKSONVILLE, FL | TICKETS | |
| MAR. 12, 2011 | 9 MILE MUSIC FESTIVAL | MIAMI, FL | TICKETS | |
| MAY 29, 2011 | HOOKAVILLE | THORNVILLE, OH | TICKETS | |
*Festival tickets are not included in the contest.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
SSDP to Co-Sponsor Series on California's Criminal Justice System at Golden Gate University
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Intern with SSDP!
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| Join SSDP's National Staff as an Intern! *Warning: you may get pied. |
It's the beginning of the Spring semester and many students will need to have internships. Why go the usual route of making copies and fetching coffee when you can intern with SSDP and help change drug policy!
We have some great opportunities available in both our Washington, D.C. and San Francisco offices.
Graphic Design Intern
Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA
Graphic Design Intern / Hourly
Unpaid, with class credit available
Starts: Monday 17, January 2011
Membership Coordination Fellow
Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA
Membership Coordination Fellow / HourlyUnpaid, class credit available
Starts: Monday 17, January 2011
Social Media Intern
Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA
Social Media Intern / Hourly
Unpaid, with class credit available
Starts: Monday 17, January 2011
Web Team Intern
Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA
Web Team Intern / Hourly
Unpaid, with class credit available
Starts: Monday 17, January 2011
Come join the SSDP team for an amazing experience working in drug policy reform. Apply today!
*Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and start times are flexible.
Human Rights and Harm Reduction: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
YouthRISE and the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) have partnered to produce a document on Human Rights and Harm Reduction from a child's legal perspective. A focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) gives the authors opportunity to discuss what children's rights may be violated when states attempt to protect them from illicit drug use.
The authors identify that Article 33 of the CRC is the only UN human rights treaty to deal with drug use and children. Protection from drugs for children must come with an "appropriate" response by the government. The YouthRISE/IHRA document lays out the text of the article and attempts to parse the meaning of "appropriate." The authors define and delimit the word by making it conform to types of action legally circumscribed by human rights law.
For example, the authors place appropriate within the context of the CRC's article 3, that is a stipulation of what makes the best interests of the child. It then reasons through the ways in which drug policy is often not in the best interests of the child. Or, put differently, that drug policy as currently conducted is often not appropriate to protect the child, or reduce harm.
The document is limited by its length so cannot withstand much criticism. It's a welcome first stab at trying to understand how to use international law, in this case human rights law for children, to fight back against irrational official drug policies, such as the drug war. But the document's authors offer little urgency in their task, a problem constructed by a populist methodology that goes in search of youth issues rather than the zones of conflict where the human rights violations actually occur. Since one of these conflict zones is Mexico, with 31,000 dead in the drug war, news organizations estimate 51,000 orphans, with a large number in Juarez. This is too big a problem to collapse into larger "issues."
And few in the human rights community have yet to define what is appropriate to protect the Mexican drug war orphans from greater harm. Juarez is, after all, the most dangerous city in the world.
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