From: paulwolf@voicenet.com

OPEN LETTER TO PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE

June 22, 1999

WHY RENEE BOJE'S COURT CASES ARE IMPORTANT

The best opportunity to date to take a giant leap forward in the movement towards an end to prohibition of marijuana and hemp has arrived. I am convinced that the most important drug case in US history will take place in Vancouver, Canada on November 1st.

I was the director of Media and Public Relations for Greenpeace Canada twenty years ago and President of Earth Day International in the early nineties. I've got a nose for these kind of things. I believe it was no accident that brought Renee to my doorstep and brought me out of activist retirement. I am currently bearing witness to Renee Boje's ordeal with extradition to the USA and application for refugee status in Canada relating to her arrest with Todd McCormick for growing medicinal marijuana in California.

She has done a great job of spreading the word about her facing a mandatory 10 years to life in prison and the frightening treatment she can expect to receive according to a recent Amnesty International report of women in US prisons. However, we are changing the focus of her public appeal from being a victim of the War on Drugs, to a pivotal change agent in the movement to end prohibition. Unless a victim stands up and holds their space, they do nothing more than empower their oppressor.

It is too difficult and unproductive to play defense all the time. We need to take every chance to score goals if we are ever going to win. Every opportunity has a shelf live and the net will be open on this one for only four months.

The Renee Boje extradition trial and refugee hearing in November are extremely important landmark cases. If just one of them is won, the War on Drugs and especially the prohibition of marijuana must end. Canada can show the US that a new era of morality is upon us and that their policies about marijuana and hemp are inconsistent with the mountain of evidence to the contrary that will be presented at both these court events.

Canada is already on the verge of going beyond the Netherlands as an enlightened nation in terms of recognizing that marijuana is not harmful and is in fact an extremely beneficial commodity.

It will be very difficult for the US policy makers to do a dramatic about turn. Admitting they were wrong would launch a flood of litigation from those current and past convicted marijuana users. Those who paid fines, had property confiscated and lost income through incarceration will attempt to be paid back with compensation. Over two million people have been unjustly persecuted and victimized by the War on Drugs. That many plaintiffs translates into $1 billion for every $500 spent or awarded. The financial costs and preoccupation of the courts would be a serious blow to the country.

This is why Renee Boje's case is important.

If the pressure to change comes from the international community, the policy makers can blame someone else for forcing the changes to their policy. They will do it to stop the exodus of people from the US to Canada much like the way Jimmy Carter pardoned the draft dodgers and conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War. There were too many bright and decent people fleeing to Canada and the US wanted them back. Some of the most progressive communities in Canada are the result of American influences during the influx of peaceful beautiful people settling in the sixties and seventies.

Many have created such an ideal lifestyle for themselves they chose to stay with their families and communities.

In short, if Renee wins just one of her cases, everything changes. A safe haven for those facing prosecution will exist in Canada and the US must face the fact that their closest neighbor and staunchest ally is holding a mirror up to the US Drug policy makers. The message will be clear "What you are doing to your citizens is wrong and we in Canada cannot allow you to persecute those seeking refuge here."

This will be an excruciating blow to the collective pride of the DEA and anyone else who is either spreading or believing the lie about marijuana.

These people know what it will mean to their careers and ideology if Renee wins either her extradition trial or is declared an International Convention Refugee. These people are trying very hard to pressure Canadian politicians to tow the US line, and are spending a lot of money in the process. They know how important this case is - now you do too.

Renee's lawyers say only two things are required to win this case, a very high public profile and enough money to fly, feed, accommodate and pay some of the several expert witness from all over the world to testify for a week in both the extradition trial and refugee hearing. They estimate all the costs will be about $250,000. Double that if it goes to the Supreme Court. A real bargain compared to the $ billions of taxpayers money wasted each year on enforcement, the courts, prisons and lost productivity.

It is estimated that sixty million North Americans partake in marijuana on a casual or regular basis. Here is a chance for them to actively participate in changing US drug policy and decriminalizing themselves.

Remember after such a long time how the Berlin Wall suddenly came down and after 26 years in prison, Nelson Mandella was freed and became President of South Africa. We have the same kind of opportunity here to make some rapid change. Success is 98% timing and 2% courage. We just need a lot of people with a vested interest in a positive outcome to do a bit of work by talking, sending the message out and mailing in a bit of cash.

Remember, there is an ounce of pot for every $25 donation. See Cannabis Certificates on Renee's web site. http://www.thecompassionclub.org/renee

Yours in Service to the Earth,

Maury Mason