In this issue:
1) TCCC makes National News
2) Whats right, whats wrong, What?!
3) What's ahead: Meetings start in North Texas to prepare for the next session


It has been a long time since the last newsletter, part of that is my fault, part is because our e-mail server crashed (thanks to donations we have a new e-mail server at SMTP.com). Regardless, our goal is to send an update once a month. I apologize for the hiatus.

1) TCCC makes National News on MSNBC
We had a great interview early this month with Scott Gordon for NBC 5 in Dallas /Ft. Worth. Overall the feedback we have received has been positive, please let us know what you think. You can watch it online  here.
On January 18th this story ran nationally on MSNBC as well. When New Jersey became the 14th Medical marijuana state (15th if you count Maryland's affirmative defense); this great piece of news coupled with the the timing for our story made it much easier to make the national news. Thanks to Tim Timmons in Garland for speaking up in this interview.

2) Whats right, whats wrong, What?!

In October, Obama finally released a memo to the justice department regarding new policy on medical marijuana. (link)
This policy has resulted in fewer raids in states with medical marijuana laws. Unfortunately the raids have not stopped.

In November the American Medical Association changed their statement on marijuana as medicine. This is a great move in the right direction. Here is their new policy word for word. (link)
"Our American Medical Association (AMA) urges that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines. This should not be viewed as an endorsement of state-based medical cannabis programs, the legalization of marijuana, or that scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis meets the current standards for a prescription drug product. (New HOD Policy)"

New Jersey Becomes 14th Medical Marijuana State (link)

New DEA Administrator, leader in DEA raids of state law abiding medical marijuana producers, patients and caregivers. This is very inconsistent with Obama's public stance.(link)

3) What's ahead: Meetings start in North Texas to prepare for the next session.
We will start Texas Coalition for Compassionate Care meetings  in north Texas this month.
When: The third Tuesday (Feb. 16th) at 7:00 PM.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff in 3839 W. Kiest Blvd. Dallas, Texas.  http://www.oakcliffuu.org/directions.shtml

Topics of discussion will be:
1) Writing monthly newsletters- Our statewide newsletter list is over 3000 people now and is growing every week. We are now paying for an e-mail server for our newsletters and will unlikely lose service again. We need others to help with the effort to inform this list about national and local news on medical marijuana and to utilize the energy of the people on this list help change policy in this state and nationally. We will also discuss setting up an online forum to help organize across the state.
2) Legislative Strategy:  We will discuss legislative strategy in both the Texas house and the senate.
3) Media: We have received great media attention for the effort we have put out there. The media is looking for our stories, we need to be there to share them.
4) Brainstorm Ideas to Build the strength of the coalition.
5) Future meetings: We will set up regular meeting times.