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University of Hawai'i |
(808) 956-8856 Telephone |
For Immediate Release: |
November 19, 1999 |
Contact: Richard Miller, professor of law emeritus, phone 254-1796; fax 254-1596; email rmiller@aya.yale.edu
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| Medical marijuana expert to speak at Law School |
Lecturer Robert C. Randall will discuss American drug reform as a guest at a brown bag lunch at the William S. Richardson School of Law, a topic on which he has written six books and several articles. The forum will take place in Classroom 2 of the law school from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6.
In 1976 Randall made legal and medical history when he became the first American to receive legal access to marijuana for medical purposes. Randall uses the drug to treat his glaucoma. Diagnosed with AIDS in 1994, Randall also has the dubious distinction of being the last surviving AIDS patient receiving federal supplies of medical marijuana.
Randall is the co-founder and president of the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, the first non-profit organization devoted solely to the reform of laws prohibiting medical access to marijuana.
Randall helped to write and pass the first state law recognizing marijuana's medical utility, and he assisted with the passage of similar laws in 30 states between 1978 and 1983. In 1981 he also helped to draft the first federal legislation to repeal the laws that prohibit medical access to marijuana.
Enlisting the pro bono support of Washington's fourth largest law firm, Randall took the lead in court-ordered public hearings before the chief administrative law judge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in the late 1980s, resulting in the most comprehensive review of marijuana's medical use in the 20th century.
He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Rho Pi Phi Galen Award for Superior Achievement in Expanding the Capability of Health Professions by Introducing New Therapeutic Methods and has been a frequent guest on television and radio talk shows.
Randall will also participate in a forum at the McCoy Pavilion at 7 p.m.
on Dec. 7 sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i.
