Denele Campbell, Executive Director of the Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy In Arkansas, Inc. (ARDPArk) has announced plans for public educational meetings at 11 am Saturday May 26 at the Ft. Smith Public Library community meeting room and at 2 pm Saturday June 16 at the Mountain Home Public library community meeting room.

"The Supreme Court decision has had a remarkable effect on our campaign," stated Ms. Campbell. "We’ve been swamped with phone calls and email messages from people who are outraged. As we move forward with our efforts to pass our proposed law, this new surge of interest is inspiring."

"Here are some examples of what we are hearing from people," Ms. Campbell said:

"I would love to help out in getting signatures and support for this cause."

"My heart sank when I heard about the Supreme Court ruling. I can’t believe the injustice. I had just signed the petition, then later that day I turned on the TV and heard the news. Please put me on your list [of helpers]."

"The Supreme Court based their decision on existing laws and policies enacted during the ‘war on drugs’ hype and hysteria. The real push for activists should be to reschedule Cannabis Sativa through Congressional means..."

"Yesterday I sent letters to our senators and the four reps, requesting action at the federal level ... where the problem lies."

"This morning I fired off a letter to Newsweek, saying how outraged I am that I can only presume that the powerful drug industry has a vested interest in seeing that marijuana stays illegal..."

"Please send me a packet with lots of petitions. I’m getting married in June and I plan to ask my wedding guests to sign the petitions at my reception."

"No doubt we will continue to hear from people on this issue," Ms. Campbell continued. "The people of Arkansas recognize that they have the power to reform state law so that sick and dying people have legal access to marijuana.

"We don’t have to let the federal government run all over us on this. If local and state law enforcement has the protection of a medical marijuana law, then the only officers who would have to arrest a medical marijuana user would be federal agents. And the U. S. Attorney’s office has told us that they aren’t really interested in seeking out arrests for so-called ‘personal’ amounts."

The U. S. Supreme Court ruled Monday May 14 that cooperatives in California which had been distributing marijuana to patients would not be allowed to continue. In an 8-0 decision, the Justices stated that federal law lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug, along with LSD and heroin, as having "no medical value." Previous court hearings have recommended moving marijuana to Schedule II, a category including morphine and cocaine which can be prescribed.

"We’ll be scheduling public meetings in every corner of Arkansas," Ms. Campbell stated, "and our volunteers will be at public events gathering signatures.

The Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas is a non-profit political action corporation dedicated to taking action on failed drug policies. ARDPArk’s center of operations is Fayetteville, serving over 300 supporters statewide.

Volunteers will petition today at the Elkins Springfest event and in Little Rock May 25-27 at all entrances to Riverfest. A benefit concert by Little Rock’s popular band Soul Ball is scheduled for 9 pm Thursday June 7 at Juanita’s.

The group is distributing a collection of booklets entitled "Patient Stories – Why Marijuana is Critical to the Life and Health of Arkansas People." Here’s an excerpt from the collection:

Charles is a 53 year old male and lives near Fort Smith. In the early eighties he worked in the oil well service industry and had no debts. In 1984 he had a major motorcycle accident, while not wearing a helmet. He was diagnosed with massive brain damage and nerve damage. He was in a coma and

had no memory for the first 27 days.

"Could you describe the prescription drugs used and their effects (good or bad)?"

Can't remember exactly -- at least Dilantin and Haloperidol to help seizures and anti-psychotics. These caused major swelling of my tongue. I had trouble breathing with them and quit the medication within the first month. Not only did they not work, they made things worse.

"Could you give a description of how marijuana affect your condition?"

I had a lot of anxiety and panic attacks, couldn't eat and sleep. I got desperate after five days of no food or sleep. I became suicidal. A veteran friend gave me some marijuana and for the first time in five days I went from desperation to having an appetite. And then I could eat and sleep.

How did you reach the decision to try marijuana? Did a physician or other medical practitioner recommend marijuana?