cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 19, 2003 NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 19, 2003 Posted by CN Staff on June 20, 2003 at 11:55:32 PT Weekly Press Release Source: NORML Israeli Company Receives Notice Of Allowance From US Patent Office For Synthetic Marijuana PharmaceuticalsJune 19, 2003 - Isrelin, NJ, USAIsrelin, NJ: The Israeli-based Pharmos pharmaceutical company announced last week that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application relating to the use of the company's synthetic marijuana derivative Dexanabinol in the treatment of stroke, anti-inflammatory diseases, and other disorders. The company is presently in the patient-recruitment phase of a US Phase III trial on the effectiveness of Dexanabinol for the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A previous Phase II trial by Pharmos of 67 Israeli patients found that Dexanabinol reduced mortality and eased intracranial pressure in subjects suffering from severe head injuries.Similar synthetic marijuana derivatives have been effective in preclinical models in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including "inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, brain ischemia, autoimmune diseases and pain," a Pharmos press release stated.According to a 1999 report by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, naturally occurring cannabinoids in marijuana also provide symptomatic relief for a number of indications, including AIDS, cancer, and chronic pain. Authors of the study further noted that marijuana's neuroprotective qualities are the "most prominent" of its potential therapeutic applications.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5675Marijuana Ingredient Helps Head Injurieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11046.shtmlCompound May Reduce Brain Trauma Damagehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11033.shtml NORML Certifies 100th Regional Chapter - Affiliates Up And Running In 39 States, As Well As Canada, Mexico, Israel, Jamaica, The Czech Republic, Hungary And New ZealandJune 19, 2003 - Washington, DC, USAWashington, DC: The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is pleased to announce the formation of its 100th local affiliate: Midlands NORML in South Carolina. The Midlands chapter joins NORML's growing network of regional affiliates throughout the nation and across the globe.NORML has established chapters in 39 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Israel, Jamaica, the Czech Republic, Hungary and New Zealand. Contact information for individual chapters is available online at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3433"NORML's extensive chapter network effectively allows us to deliver our message to legislators and the public throughout America and even beyond our borders," NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said, adding that NORML's affiliates have constituted the "long-standing backbone for NORML's marijuana law reform efforts since the organization's inception in 1970."St. Pierre noted that NORML is actively seeking to establish chapters in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Wyoming.NORML affiliates engage in state and local lobbying efforts, community and media outreach, and help organize some of the nation's largest annual political rallies, including the Seattle HempFest and Boston's Freedom Festival, among other activities.To learn more about NORML's chapter network, or for information about establishing an official NORML chapter, please contact NORML Associate Director Kris Krane at (202) 483-5500 or visit NORML's website at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3421DL: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5674Teen Facing 26 Years For First-Time Pot Offense Sentenced To TwoJune 19, 2003 - Moulton, AL, USAMoulton, AL: A 19-year-old teenager who had plead guilty to selling small amounts of marijuana had his 26-year sentenced cut to two by an Alabama state judge last week. The defendant, Webster Alexander, was ordered to serve one year in the county jail, and a second year on probation. He will be eligible for a work-release program in one month.Circuit Judge Philip Reich suspended 24 years of Alexander's 26 year sentence after noting the defendant had obtained a high-school diploma, started college, and successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program since his arrest.Webster must return to court in two years at which time the judge will evaluate his progress.Webster's original sentence sparked international headlines when the high-school senior was sentenced to 26 years in jail after pleading guilty to selling small amounts of marijuana to an undercover drug agent.Under Alabama law, selling marijuana is a felony offense. The penalties for sale of marijuana are enhanced if the sale takes place within a three-mile radius of a school or public housing project, adding five years to the sentence for the sale.For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5676Teen Has Sentence Cut from 26 Years To One Year http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16598.shtmlTeen Given 26 Years for Selling Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16098.shtml Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: June 19, 2003Copyright: 2003 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 12, 2003 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16604.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 4, 2003 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16547.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- May 29, 2003 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16447.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment