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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2004
For more info: Denele Campbell 489-839-2475
Drug Policy Literature Donated to 50 Arkansas
Libraries
Fayetteville, AR: George McMahon suffers a rare
genetic condition. He is one of seven remaining patients who receive 300
pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes from the federal government each month in
the remnants of a program that once supplied patients across the nation.
It was the closing of this federal program in the early 1990s that spurred
the grassroots movement to legalize marijuana for medical use in
individual states. George has been at the forefront of a patients advocacy
effort in support of the movement.
George’s new book, Prescription Pot, is among
three publications distributed this week to 50 community, regional, and
university libraries across Arkansas by Drug Policy Education Group, Inc.,
an Arkansas non-profit working to reduce the harm caused by failed drug
policies. In it he tells of his personal battle to survive the devastating
effects of his disabling condition, and how his medical use of marijuana
has resulted in numerous difficulties. His story is an inspiration to
patients everywhere.
"We wanted library patrons across the state to
have access to George’s story," stated Denele Campbell, executive director
for DPEG. "This is an excellent addition to our project."
Also included in the group’s 2004 donation is a
reprint of "Going to Pot: The growing movement toward ending America’s
irrational marijuana prohibition," by Ethan Nadelmann, which appeared in
the July 12, 2004, issue of National Review, and Drug War Facts 4th
Edition, a compendium of statistics and research from government agencies
on topics as wide-ranging as methamphetamine to the addictive qualities of
popular drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. An online version of Drug War
Facts is available to journalists and others at no cost. (See
www.drugwarfacts.org)
These three publications join a 2002 DPEG donation
to state libraries of several books, booklets, and other materials as part
of DPEG’s ongoing Delbert O. Lewis Memorial Library Project. The late Mr.
Lewis was confined to a wheelchair after contracting childhood polio, but
remained a strong fighter for reforms that would benefit persons with
disabilities. A complete listing of books previously donated is available
at http://www.dpeg.org/Resources/library.htm
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