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   . . . a weekly service for the media on news items related to marijuana
                                prohibition.
                               August 7, 1997
  Wheelchair Trek For Medical Marijuana Scheduled For Wisconsin Next Month
          August 7, 1997, Mondovi, WI:  Organizers of the original "Journey
for Justice" are planning a second wheelchair trek in Wisconsin beginning on
September 11.  "Journey for Justice" is a week-long demonstration in protest
of the federal government's refusal to allow seriously ill patients access
to medical marijuana.  The inaugural journey took place in Ohio this past
May.
          Event coordinator Kay Lee, who uses marijuana medicinally to treat
severe rheumatoid arthritis, said that she hopes the second "Journey for
Justice" sends a strong message to state and federal politicians that there
are thousands of seriously ill patients who benefit from the medicinal use
of marijuana.  Lee also intends to drum up support for H.R. 1782, a federal
bill in Congress that would remove federal restrictions that currently
prevent physicians from legally prescribing marijuana.  "When common sense
and compassion are in conflict with the law, then the law is wrong and must
be changed," she said.
          Next month's event will feature medical marijuana patients from
across the nation, including Wisconsin native Jackie Rickart, who is helping
to organize the rally.  Rickart, who was approved by the federal government
in 1990 to receive marijuana but has never had her prescription honored, is
dedicating the demonstration to her late physician.
          The wheelchair trek will begin in Mondovi and travel 214 miles
across the state before arriving at the capitol on September 18.
Participants intend to meet with Rep. Frank Boyle (D-73 District) and hold a
press conference.  Boyle assured activists that he intends to propose
legislation designed to protect medicinal marijuana patients from state
criminal charges.
          Similar events are anticipated to take place this fall in Texas,
North Carolina, and Florida.
          For more information, please contact Kay Lee @ (715) 926-4950.
 Latest Survey On Drug Use Indicates Slight Dip In Adolescent Marijuana Use
          August 7, 1997, Washington, D.C.:  Use of marijuana by adolescents
aged 12 to 17 dipped slightly in 1996, but increased moderately among
adults, according to preliminary data from the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) latest Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
          The percentage of adolescents who reported using marijuana at
least once a month fell from 8.2 percent in 1995 to 7.1 percent.  This
figure marked a reversal from annual rates of increasing use beginning in
1992.  Today's percentages are far lower than those recorded in the late
1970s and early 1980s.
          Marijuana use among adults rose slightly in 1996.  In all, more
than 10 million Americans reported smoking marijuana monthly, and
approximately 20 million admitted yearly use.  The study reported that
almost 70 million Americans -- 32 percent of the adult population -- have
tried marijuana.
          "In light of this overall usage data, marijuana prohibition
appears to be a foolishly destructive policy," said NORML Executive Director
R. Keith Stroup, Esq.  "How sensible is it to criminalize an activity that
one third of the adult population admits having engaged in?"
          The report also noted that 77 percent of all current illicit drug
users consume only marijuana or hashish.
          For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup or Paul
Armentano of NORML @ (202) 483-8751.
                                    -END-
  MORE THAN 10 MILLION MARIJUANA ARRESTS SINCE 1965 . . . ANOTHER EVERY 54
                                  SECONDS!
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