Pubdate: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 Source: Courier, The (Middletown, NJ) Copyright: 2010 The Courier Contact: http://www.bayshorenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4176 Cited: Students for Sensible Drug Policy http://www.ssdp.org/ Cited: Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey http://www.cmmnj.org/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Jim+Miller EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF MARIJUANA RED BANK (Monmouth County, NJ) - Even after spending more than $50 billion a year on the drug war, drugs are more available and drug cartels are more wealthy than ever before according to Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) website. SSDP mission statement is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the war on drugs is failing our generation and our society. SSDP will hold a free screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High" and host speakers Jim Miller, a medical marijuana patient's advocate and director of the non-profit, "Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey" whose late wife suffered from multiple sclerosis. Joining him will be Rick Cusick, a long time marijuana law reform activist and associate publisher of "High Times Magazine." The event will be held at the Red Bank Public Library, 84 West Front Street on Wednesday, January 13 at 6pm. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. "The Union" explores the history of marijuana along with its social, health, legal and economic effects though interviews with law enforcement officers, lawyers, doctors, criminologists, economists, politicians and pop-culture icons. "Through this event we hope to educate the public and encourage a rational public dialogue about marijuana prohibition" said Evan Nison, SSDP chapter vice president. Jim Miller and Rick Cusick will speak following the screening. SSDP seeks to reduce the harms caused by drug abuse and drug laws through new policies based on focused research, honest dialog, and informed debate. SSDP policy has chapters active at college and universities worldwide, including Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, at the School of Law in Camden and their main New Brunswick campus. For more information about SSDP visit their website. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake