MILESTONES

February 3, Vancouver & Victoria, BC.
Rallies were held in opposition to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act at Vancouver City Hall and the Provincial Legislature in Victoria. The Vancouver rally attracted about 2000 people, and was given nationa media exposure.
February 3, Ottawa, Ontario.
Parliament dissolved for a month, and so all legislation that had not yet been passed was considered "dead". This included Bill C-7, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. See march 5 for the rest of the story.
February 11, USA.
CNN broadcast Higher Times, a one hour look at the effects of the American War on Drugs, with a comparison to the Dutch policy of tolerance and harm reduction. This internationally broadcast special was the first show of it's kind to air on CNN.
February 12, USA
The National Review, America's leading right-wing conservative magazine, ran an issue with the cover story "The War on Drugs is Lost." This is the first time that the editors of the influential publication have taken a formal stand in favour of "movement towards legalization."
February 16, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Manitoba Hemp Alliance sponsored a Hemp Symposium, which featured Polish and Ukrainian hemp breeders who had been working with hemp for decades. Speakers also included Gordon Reichert of Agriculture Canada and Dr Jack Moes of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. For more information contact the Manitoba Hemp Alliance at (204)947-2315, or email.
March, Olympia, Washington.
Washington State University and the State Department of Health agreed to administer a clinical study of the benefits of medical marijuana. Only patients receiving chemotherapy treatments, or suffering from glaucoma, AIDS or HIV-related illnesses, multiple sclerosis, or other such illnesses will qualify for the study. For more information call Senator Jeanne Kohl's office at (206)285-1869.
March 5, Ottawa, Ontario.
The liberal Government sent the Controlled Drugs and Sunstances Act straight back to the Senate. The bill was renamed C-8, but it is exactly the same piece of legislation. This was also the day that the budget was released, so media attention was diverted elsewhere. See our article on Bill C-8 for more information on this vicious and destructive bill.
March 8, 11-14, Abbotsford, BC.
John Conroy continued his challenge of the constitutionality of the prohibition of simple possession of cannabis. John is defending Randy Caine, who was arrested for possession of half a gram in June 1993.
Expert witnesses who gave testimony included Neil Boyd, Head of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, Dr. Peck, Deputy Health Officer for BC, and Dr. Al Connelly, who described the evolution of Canada's drug policy. The trial will continue on May 27 and 29. For more information email Randy Caine or contact at (604)583-7004.
March 8, Vernon, BC.
Police raided Hemp Generation and seized about $1000 of stock in the form of pipes and roach clips. The items were seized as being for the use of illicit drugs, even though owner Terry Katchen had displayed a sign behind the counter stating that all pipes were "for tobacco use only." No charges had been laid as of this printing. For more info contact Terry Katchen at (604)542-8166.
March 17, Chandler Heights, Arizona.
The Coalition for Hemp Awareness and the Native Americans of the Wide Ruins chapter of the Navajo Nation planted a small seed crop of industrial hemp on Navajo land in Arizona. The project has over 30,000 acres of land available for planting, but only has enough seeds for four acres at present. See our article on Arizona.
March 22, Ottawa, Ontario.
About 350 people braved the cold weather to participate in the Carleton Cannabis Club's Marijuanathon, a walk walk/run/bike from Carleton University to Parliament Hill. For more information fax (613)788-3704.
March 22-23, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Atlanta Harm Reduction Working Group sponsored a two day conference to promote and advance harm reduction policy in the Southeastern USA. This coincides with the consideration of a statewide harm reduction bill in the legislature in the Spring 1996 session. Email for more information or call (404)616-7633.
March 25, Toronto, Ontario.
A conference on the economic possibilities of industrial hemp was held in the Toronto Dominion Center in Toronto. Speakers included Gero Leson of the German Nova Institute, Sue Riddlestone of England's Ecology Centre, Don Wertschafer of the Ohio Hempery, and Gordon Reichert of Agriculture Canada. For more information contact the Industrial Hemp Information Network at (416)216-2160.
March 31, USA.
Seventy four percent (74%) of readers who responded to a USA weekend poll supported decriminalization of marijuana. This result mimics the outcomes of similar polls conducted recently by Parade Magazine and America Online.
April 6/7, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Over 5,000 people gathered at the University of Michigan to celebrate the 25th annual Hash Bash. Over sixty people were arrested for possession of marijuana, but the even went smoothly.