Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Activism Alert: 
Newsletter - March 2009 Vol. 11 Issue 2
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The DPFOK serves the public with information and expert opinion
about legal and illegal drugs and the issues surrounding them.
Inside This Issue
1. The President’s Corner: Comments by DPFOK President Larry Bonnell
2. DPFOK Board Meeting: Wed., March 18
3. OSU Earthfest, April 22, 2009: We need volunteers!
4. DPFOK Event (film): Thursday, April 30
5. DPFOK Board Election Results 2009
6. DPFOK Financial Report 2008
7. DPRNOK Financial Report 2008
8. Article: World’s Oldest Marijuana Stash Totally Busted
9. Article:Obama administration ends DEA raids in California!
10. DPFOK Contact Information
11. DPFOK Membership/Contribution Form
*Distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.*
Chief Editor: Jeff Pickens
1. The President’s Corner
The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma strives to educate the public about some of the
issues surrounding illegal drugs. Another board member told me he believes there is an
approximately fifteen year time span between the time an idea for change begins to germinate
and the time a person actually changes his or her position. This is probably true and it makes me
realize how much work we have to do. The public needs to understand that marijuana is not the
evil substance our laws suggest it is. Our group needs money for educational programs but more
importantly we need committed individuals who will volunteer their time. Chiefly needed is an
organizer who can follow up and speak with folks who have expressed an interest in our group.
We also need someone who can coordinate our membership lists and keep the members updated
and make sure specific tasks are assigned to a specific person or persons.
If you’re willing give me a call: (405) 414 0767
Yours Truly,
Lawrence E. Bonnell
2. DPFOK Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 18
All members are encouraged to attend. Members of the Public are also invited.
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The next board meeting of the Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma will be March 18, 2009 @ 6:30 pm at the Student Lounge next to the “Starlight Terrace” on the 4th floor of the OSU Student Union, Stillwater, OK.
There is plenty of free parking surrounding the Union. Please be careful to read all parking signs and meters.
The DPFOK will be having board meetings every third Wed. of the month. Meeting locations will alternate between Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Alva, OK.
3. OSU Earthfest 2009
The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma will have a booth at
the Oklahoma State University Earthfest, on Earthday, Wednesday April 22.
Our mission of drug policy reform fits in well with the Earthday cause.
The War on Drugs causes a great deal of environmental damage:
- Fossil fuels burnt on aerial surveillance of “drug crops”
- Fossil fuels wasted pursuing/investigating nonviolent drug users
- Fumigation of tropical rainforest with herbicides.
- Repression of renewable resource development (e.g. industrial hemp).
This is a great event, with live music, guest speakers and numerous exhibit booths.
The ECO-OSU student group always offers a large free cookout, with healthy, delicious foods contributed by local businesses and supporters.
We will be offering free drug policy literature, signing up new members, recruiting support for the medical marijuana campaign and offering hemp items to raise money.
If you can spare a few hours or even fifteen minutes to sit at our booth it would be a great contribution.
The booth will run 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
One of our organizers will always be present at the booth to make sure things run smoothly.
Community events are a great place to inform the public and have a great time! There is strength in numbers, so come on and give us a hand.
To volunteer for the booth contact:
Larry Bonnell, 405-714-1236
Jeff Pickens, howzkeepa@hotmail.com
4. DPFOK Event (film): Thursday, April 30, Midwest City, OK
The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma features “The American Drug War: the last white hope” an award winning documentary (2008) by Sacred Cow Productions and Texas filmmaker Kevin Booth.
Thursday, April 30, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, at the Midwest City Public Library, 8143 E. Reno, northeast corner of Reno and Midwest Blvd, behind the fire station.
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Admission and refreshments are free.
There will be open discussion after the film; all opinions are welcome.
To learn more about the film go to: www.AmericanDrugWar.com
5. DPFOK Board Election Results 2009
The DPFOK met on Feb. 21 for our 11th anniversary celebration and annual board elections.
We had a great meal and then got down to the business of choosing this year’s board members and officers.
The following members were elected to the board for terms of three years:
- Jeff Pickens
- Keary Prophet
- Joseph Bonnell
The following officers were elected for terms of one year:
- President-Larry Bonnell
- Vice President-Ron Shewey
- Secretary-Joseph Bonnell
- Treasurer-Jeff Pickens
6. DPFOK Financial Report 2008
Financial Report for the Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma (DPFOK), Inc.
a 501 (c) (4) nonprofit organization, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008
Revenues
Financial Contributions 537.87
membership fees and cash contributions
Total Revenues 537.87
Expenses
Printed Materials 177.90
Events (meeting room rentals, refreshments) 420.44
Telephone (DPFOK cell phone fees) 310.13
Mailing 286.80
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Resource Expense 49.75
Petty Cash 32.38
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Total Expenses 1277.40
_____________________________________________________________________Revenues 537.87
Expenses 1277.40
Loss (2008) -739.53
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Treasurer Analysis and Progress Report, DPFOK Treasurer 2008, J. Pickens
In 2008 our expenses were $739.53 more than our revenues.
We ended 2008 with $104.09 in the DPFOK account.
In 2008 the DPFOK planned to file an application for 501 (c) (3) nonprofit status.
Attainment of 501 (c) (3) status will allow for tax-deductible contributions to the DPFOK.
Unfortunately the application has been revised and requires another year of financial records.
At the beginning of 2010 we intend to move forward with the application process.
Separate articles of incorporation have been attained for political activities. Our new political organization is the
Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma, Inc. (DPRNOK). DPRNOK will continue to support specific legislation as a 501 (c) (4) nonprofit.
This reorganization has established two separate groups. The DPFOK will continue to focus on educational outreach, while the new organization is directly involved in legislative activism. All drug policy reform supporters are encouraged to participate in both organizations. All DPFOK members are also members of DPRNOK.
There is not a separate membership fee for both organizations.
The Oklahoma Compassionate Care Campaign for medical marijuana is now
organized by the new political organization.
7. DPRNOK Financial Report 2008
Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma (DPRNOK), Inc.
a 501 (c) (4) nonprofit organization, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008
Revenues
Financial Contributions 150.93
cash contributions
Total Revenues 150.93
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Expenses
Telephone (DPRNOK cell phone) 301.70
Events (meeting room rentals, refreshments) 50.00
Printed Materials 21.41
Mailing Exp. 7.60
Total Expenses 380.71
_____________________________________________________________________Revenues 150.93
Expenses 380.71
Loss (2008) - 229.78
_____________________________________________________________________Treasurer Analysis and Progress Report, DPFOK Treasurer 2008, J. Pickens
In 2008 our expenses were $229.78 more than our revenues.
We ended 2008 with $40.58 in the DPRNOK account.
In 2008 we intended to aggressively raise funds, but it didn’t happen.
Our organization did host a successful event in Edmond, Oklahoma, promoting our medical marijuana campaign.
In 2008, most political attention was on the U.S. presidential campaign, but many good things did happen for drug policy reform.
In November, Michigan became the 13th state to allow medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.
In Massachusetts, voters approved a ballot initiative lowering the penalty for 1 ounce of marijuana to only a $100 fine, with no jail time. Nationwide, 10/11 initiatives passed in favor of drug policy reform. Finally, in the last few weeks, the Obama administration announced that the Justice Dept. will no longer use federal law enforcement resources to override state medical marijuana laws. Truly, the tide continues to flow in the direction of positive change in U.S. drug policy.
Here in Oklahoma we are moving slow, but we are part of the national success. Our efforts here contribute to the overall movement. I have no doubt that when people hear that we want drug policy reform here in Oklahoma, it encourages them to work harder in their states as well. Now more than ever, it is time for supporters of drug policy reform to “pick up a shovel”, and help us dig out of this hole of ignorance and prejudice.
8. World’s oldest marijuana stash totally busted
Two pounds of still-green weed found in a 2,700-year-old Gobi Desert grave
Source: discovery.com © 2009 Discovery Channel http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28034925/from/ET/
By Jennifer Viegas
updated 12:19 p.m. CT, Wed., Dec. 3, 2008
Nearly two pounds of still-green plant material found in a 2,700-year-old grave in the Gobi Desert has just been identified as the world’s oldest marijuana stash, according to a paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany.
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A barrage of tests proves the marijuana possessed potent psychoactive properties and casts doubt on the theory that the ancients only grew the plant for hemp in order to make clothing, rope and other objects.
They apparently were getting high too.
Lead author Ethan Russo told Discovery News that the marijuana “is quite similar” to what’s grown today.
“We know from both the chemical analysis and genetics that it could produce THC (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase, the main psychoactive chemical in the plant),” he explained, adding that no one could feel its effects today, due to decomposition over the millennia.
Russo served as a visiting professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany while conducting the study. He and his international team analyzed the cannabis, which was excavated at the Yanghai Tombs near Turpan, China. It was found lightly pounded in a wooden bowl in a leather basket near the head of a blue-eyed Caucasian man who died when he was about 45.
“This individual was buried with an unusual number of high value, rare items,” Russo said, mentioning that the objects included a make-up bag, bridles, pots, archery equipment and a kongou harp. The researchers believe the individual was a shaman from the Gushi people, who spoke a now-extinct language called Tocharian that was similar to Celtic.
Scientists originally thought the plant material in the grave was coriander, but
microscopic botanical analysis of the bowl contents, along with genetic testing,
revealed that it was cannabis.
The size of seeds mixed in with the leaves, along with their color and other characteristics, indicate the marijuana came from a cultivated strain. Before the burial, someone had carefully picked out all of the male plant parts, which are less psychoactive, so Russo and his team believe there is little doubt as to why the cannabis was grown.
What is in question, however, is how the marijuana was administered, since no pipes or other objects associated with smoking were found in the grave.
“Perhaps it was ingested orally,” Russo said. “It might also have been fumigated, as the Scythian tribes to the north did subsequently.”
Although other cultures in the area used hemp to make various goods as early as 7,000 years ago, additional tomb finds indicate the Gushi fabricated their clothing from wool and made their rope out of reed fibers. The scientists are unsure if the marijuana was grown for more spiritual or medical purposes, but it’s evident that the blue-eyed man was buried with a lot of it.
“As with other grave goods, it was traditional to place items needed for the afterlife in the tomb with
the departed,” Russo said.
The ancient marijuana stash is now housed at Turpan Museum in China. In the future, Russo hopes to conduct further research at the Yanghai site, which has 2,000 other tombs.
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| 9. Obama administration ends DEA raids in California!
Source: MPP.org When I spoke with Barack Obama at a Capitol Hill reception in September 2004 (two months before his election to the U.S. Senate), he said he agreed with me that states should have the right to determine their own medical marijuana policies without federal interference. That was the beginning of a series of events that culminated two days ago, when Attorney General Eric Holder announced - while standing next to the current DEA administrator - there will be no more DEA raids on medical marijuana establishments in California or elsewhere. This is significant, given that Holder is the “top cop” of the nation and the boss of the DEA! Medical marijuana patients, dispensary owners and staffers, growers, MPP staffers, and other activists are breathing a sigh of relief … having been terrorized by the Bush administration for eight years. How did we get to this point? Please watch this one-minute video clip of Obama responding to one of our campaign volunteers in New Hampshire on August 21, 2007, in the heat of the presidential primary campaign … After that, Obama publicly reiterated that he would discontinue Bush’s policy, including in an interview with the editorial board of an Oregon paper. And, since Obama was elected, we’ve kept in touch with high-level staffers in the White House and on his transition team, as a way of keeping this issue on their radar screen until the policy was officially changed. Then, when Bush holdovers in the DEA raided five medical marijuana dispensaries in California in the days after Obama took office on January 20, MPP barraged the media and MPP members barraged the Obama administration to demand an end to the DEA’s raids (and to fire the Bush holdovers). And, of course, MPP and a host of other organizations - including conservative groups like Citizens Against Government Waste - have built support for the annual vote (from 2003 to 2007) on the House floor for an amendment that would have forbidden the DEA and the Justice Department from spending taxpayer money to subvert state-level medical marijuana laws. All of this advocacy by thousands of patients, dispensary owners, volunteers, paid lobbyists, medical associations, and so many others has paid off. You did it; we all did it. Now it’s time for us to take our work to the next level by (1) enacting medical marijuana laws in Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York; (2) improving California’s and Rhode Island’s existing medical marijuana laws in order to provide licenses to dispensaries in both states; (3) reopening the federal “compassionate IND program” so that patients in all 50 states can obtain legal access to medical marijuana; and (4) passing our medical marijuana ballot initiative in Arizona in November 2010. Please consider making a financial donation to all of this work. Thanks so much … Sincerely, Rob Kampia |
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10. Contact DPFOK:
Send submissions, contributions, membership forms, questions, and/or request for free trial issues of Newsletter to:
DPFOK, 601 S. Washington #203, Stillwater, OK 74074
Larry Bonnell (Ph.): (405) 714-1236, Jeff Pickens: Howzkeepa@hotmail.com
DPFOK Board of Directors (email): policy08@sbcglobal.net web site: www.dpfok.org
11. DPFOK Membership/Contribution Form
One of the best ways to support our mission of drug policy reform is to become a contributing member.
Go to our online membership/contribution form at http://dpfok.org/donations.html
Memberships are only $5 until our DPFOK elections on Jan. 21, 2009. Please send your completed form
and $5 before Jan. 21, or pay your membership in person the night of the party/election.
Memberships will still be available after Jan. 21 for the regular $10 fee.
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Please print out the form below and complete the required information
Please remember to check the appropriate line(s) below.
Anonymous contributions are great. We accept check, money order or cash.
Please take steps to conceal any cash sent.
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*LARGER DONATIONS ARE NEEDED & APPRECIATED
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Make checks or money orders payable to: Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma or Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma
Mail to: Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma, 601 S. Washington #203, Stillwater, OK 74074
*All memberships include a full year of our newsletter.
*All $ go to the ongoing mission of drug policy reform.
* The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma (DPFOK) is a non-profit 501-C-4 Public education organization.
* The Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma (DPRNOK) is a 501-C-4 Political action organization.
* Donations to 501-C-4 non-profit organizations are not Tax Deductible.
Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma
