| Aug. 1, 2003 #311 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) HIGH TIMES IN ROME (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Pop into the Italian capital's first "smart shop" to get your 100%
natural - and totally legal - buzz | ||||||||||||||||||
Are you experienced?" guitar legend Jimi Hendrix's loaded question
helped define the mind-altering LSD culture of the late-1960s youth
scene. In early 21st century Italy, there's a different query on the
lips of young people: "Have you gotten smart?" No, they're not talking
about university courses. And they're not talking about drugs, either.
Well, not exactly. | ||||||||||||||||||
The D word is carefully avoided by the nine friends who recently
opened the PuraVida Shop in downtown Rome, even though most customers
refer to their merchandise as "smart drugs." The store, along with
similar "smart shops" recently opened in Milan and Bologna, gives
Italy its first sniff of a quietly burgeoning Europe-wide market for
all-natural, mostly herb-based substances that advertise an
out-of-the-ordinary physical sensation without the ugly side effects
of synthetic drugs. Both scientists and customers say it is a much
softer experience than Jimi's acid trips. But what really makes it
smart is the fact that it's 100% legal: none of the psychoactive
ingredients show up on the Interior Ministry's list of banned
ingestible substances. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(2) FRIEND-OF-COURT BRIEF FILED IN STILLBIRTH CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
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COLUMBIA - A group that supports alternatives to prison for drug
offenders has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf on a
Conway woman convicted of homicide by child abuse after her stillborn
child tested positive for cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Drug Policy Alliance filed the friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of 26 public health, medical and social organizations Tuesday. | ||||||||||||||||||
Regina McKnight was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May 2001. Her
conviction was upheld by the state Supreme Court in January, sending
her lawyers appealing to the U.S. high court. | ||||||||||||||||||
Prosecutors have said McKnight is responsible for her daughter's death
because she took crack cocaine even though she knew it could kill her
fetus. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
In their brief, the Drug Policy Alliance says the state Supreme Court
took "a dangerous and unprecedented departure from law, science and
established medical practice" with its ruling. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(3) SWISHER COMMISSION TURNS DOWN MCEACHERN REQUEST (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
TULIA - Embattled district attorney Terry McEachern asked the Swisher County commission for help fighting a State Bar of Texas grievance Thursday, but county officials said they had to turn him down. | ||||||||||||||||||
Swisher County Judge Harold Keeter said McEachern requested a special
session Thursday to ask the commission to help pay for the legal cost
of fighting a grievance based on McEachern's role in the controversial
1999 Tulia drug sting. The board voted unanimously to deny the
request. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
McEachern was the prosecutor on all of the cases filed against 46 people, 39 of them black, who were arrested in 1999 after an 18-month investigation conducted by undercover agent Tom Coleman. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The findings of fact allege McEachern committed the following
questionable acts: | ||||||||||||||||||
* The state knew or should have known at the time of the trials
Coleman "had a reputation for dishonesty, for disobeying the law, and
for abdicating his duties and responsibilities as a peace officer in
multiple communities." | ||||||||||||||||||
* The state "did not disclose to defense counsel that Coleman
committed crimes of dishonesty in Cochran County, namely theft and
abuse of official capacity." | ||||||||||||||||||
* McEachern in several trials made statements about Coleman's record
to the jury that would tend to bolster the agent's credibility when
McEachern knew Coleman had been indicted on charges from Cochran
County. | ||||||||||||||||||
* At the trial of William Cash Love, McEachern said he was willing to
sign an affidavit that he did not know about Coleman's charges prior
to that trial. McEachern then said in an affidavit preceding the
findings of fact he knew about Coleman's arrest before any of the
arrests happened in 1999. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(4) MISSISSIPPI SHERIFF ACCUSED OF EXTORTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
JACKSON, Miss. - A northern Mississippi sheriff was arrested Wednesday
on federal charges of using his office to secure kickbacks from stolen
drug money and from a bail bond business wanting to operate in his
county. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tunica County Sheriff Jerry Ellington was taken into custody by federal agents on extortion and bribery charges, said U.S. Attorney Jim Greenlee and FBI Special Agent in Charge Edwin Worthington. | ||||||||||||||||||
A four-count indictment was returned Monday. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have been investigating this for a long time," Greenlee said. | ||||||||||||||||||
According to the indictment, from June 2002 to January Ellington took
kickbacks of more than $5,000 after promoting a Tunica County deputy
to a narcotics position, where the deputy could steal money from drug
dealers and split it with Ellington. | ||||||||||||||||||
Ellington, 45, also allegedly took payoffs of more than $5,000 from a
bail bondsman from May to July. Ellington would take cash payments
plus 30 percent of the premium on every bond written in exchange for
allowing the bondsman to operate in the county, the indictment
charges. Ellington would also allegedly refer people arrested by the
sheriff's office to the bondsman. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Ellington, who is in his first term, took office after his elected predecessor in the largely rural county pleaded guilty to extortion. He faces four opponents in the Aug. 5 Democratic Party primary. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution applies to Weedstock,
according to an appeals court in Wisconsin. The ruling means local
officials were wrong to craft an ordinance that essentially
criminalized activist Ben Masel's gathering, and that Masel should
be able to avoid criminal charges and forfeiture proceedings that
had been started against him. | ||||||||||||||||||
The First Amendment may also apply to a video about marijuana that
activists would like to broadcast on a local Massachusetts cable
access channel. The issue is still being debated by officials in the
town of Gardner. | ||||||||||||||||||
Will residents of Jackson County, Missouri vote to extend a special tax used to support the county's drug war? The answer will come next week, but while there's been little debate, the tax has both supporters and critics. Critics say the tax supports a lot more law enforcement than treatment. In Boston, as drug treatment budgets are cut deeper, the number of drug-related deaths seems to be rising. | ||||||||||||||||||
And the State of Illinois makes a move to stop the spread of disease by drug injection by allowing the over the counter sale of syringes. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(5) COURT THROWS OUT LAW USED TO BAN WEEDSTOCK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
4th District Court Of Appeals Decides Sauk County's Open Air
Assembly Law Violates The First Amendment. | ||||||||||||||||||
A state appeals court Thursday struck down Sauk County's open air assembly ordinance because it violates free speech by allowing the county an unreasonably long time to process permit applications. | ||||||||||||||||||
The decision by the 4th District Court of Appeals found the
ordinance violated the First Amendment rights of the organizers of
Weedstock, a pro-marijuana festival that was held in Sauk County in
1995, 1998 and 1999. In 2000, the event was broken up by police
after its organizer, Ben Masel of Madison, failed to get a permit
for Weedstock under the ordinance. | ||||||||||||||||||
The ordinance was adapted in 1999 from an existing county ordinance in response to local concerns about Weedstock. In 2000, after learning Masel would hold Weedstock without a permit, Sauk County obtained a court order blocking Weedstock, and Masel filed a counterclaim alleging that the ordinance was unconstitutional. | ||||||||||||||||||
Under the ruling, said Masel's attorney, Jeff Scott Olson, Masel is
entitled to damages and attorney fees from Sauk County. It also
frees him from forfeitures being sought by the county and could end
criminal charges against Masel that resulted from the 2000
Weedstock. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(6) GARDNER COMMISSION WEIGHS TELEVISING MARIJUANA PROGRAMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
GARDNER- A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union, a
photographer from the Boston Phoenix newspaper, a local | ||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana brought them all together in the mayor's office. | ||||||||||||||||||
A controversy is brewing at the Cable Commission over whether to
televise four tapes, part of a series of shows by Jim Pillsbury of
Framingham. | ||||||||||||||||||
The tapes concern state budget savings from decriminalizing marijuana, medicinal marijuana, the first live hemp-clothing pageant ever on television, and the politics of pot, according to a flier. | ||||||||||||||||||
Steve Drury, an activist from Templeton, asked the city a couple of
months ago to televise the tapes, sparking an ongoing discussion.
The ACLU has joined supporters of the tapes to pressure the
commission into agreeing to let them be televised. | ||||||||||||||||||
City Solicitor Scott Graves has written that the commission cannot
deny access to this producer and program unless a court determines
the program is obscene or defamatory or violates a law, such as
copyright infringement or hate crime laws. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(7) AS ANTI-DRUG TAX VOTE NEARS, OFFICIALS DEBATE EFFECTIVENESS, (Top)SPENDING | ||||||||||||||||||
The debate over renewing Jackson County's anti-drug tax has focused
on whether the effort has gotten drugs off the streets and how the
tax money is spent. | ||||||||||||||||||
Voters will decide Aug. 5 whether to renew the quarter-cent sales
tax for seven more years. The Community-Backed Anti-Drug Tax, first
approved in 1989, expires in March 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||
The tax is expected to generate about $19.8 million this year for law enforcement, drug prevention and drug treatment agencies. | ||||||||||||||||||
Supporters credit COMBAT with closing drug houses, reforming drug
addicts and reducing teen narcotics use. | ||||||||||||||||||
But critics say the continuing prevalence of drugs demonstrates the
program's failure. They also question the allocation of money,
saying COMBAT spends too much on law enforcement and too little on
treatment and prevention. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(8) BOSTON HEALTH AGENCY SAYS DRUG DEATHS RISE 76 PERCENT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Deaths from heroin and other narcotics in Boston rose by 76 percent
from 1998 to 2001 because of an influx of cheaper and deadlier
heroin, according to the city's annual health report, which is being
released today. | ||||||||||||||||||
Public health officials say the disturbing trend is continuing, as budget cuts eliminate substance-abuse treatment options. | ||||||||||||||||||
''We fear but expect that drug-related deaths will dramatically
increase in 2003, and we're already seeing some indication of
that,'' said John M. Auerbach, executive director of the Boston
Public Health Commission. | ||||||||||||||||||
The commission reported that 88 people, a large majority of them
white men, died from drug overdoses or drug-related suicides in
2001, compared to 50 in 1998. Also, more women died in 2001, with 21
deaths that year, compared to 15 in 1998. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(9) NEEDLE PURCHASES LEGAL IN ILLINOIS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Springfield -- Illinois addicts needing clean needles need go no
farther than their corner pharmacy, thanks to a bill signed Friday
by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. | ||||||||||||||||||
Patients previously needed a prescription from a doctor to buy a
hypodermic needle. Now pharmacists can sell needles to anyone older
than 18 who wants them. | ||||||||||||||||||
Opponents fear the new law will increase the numbers of improperly
discarded needles on the street. | ||||||||||||||||||
Supporters contend that it will make needle sharing less likely.
Needle sharing contributes to the spread of AIDS and other
blood-borne diseases. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite projections to the contrary, the U.S. Prison population
continues to rise. The increase in federal inmates can be directly
attributed to drug cases, but local increases have more to do with
violence. However, the report does not indicate how many violent
episodes are related to drug prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||
The report explaining the increase in the prison population offers
insights about state and local prison populations. The numbers are
increasing significantly in Colorado, where the portion of the state
budget related to prison has risen from 2.5 percent in the early 80s
to nearly nine percent today. The report also indicates one Oklahoma
County has a very high number new inmates testing for marijuana.
That's strange, since the state is also aggressively spraying the
state for marijuana plants. Well, it's actually not that strange,
since most of the sprayed plants are really wild hemp that won't get
anyone high anyway. The herbicide contains poison that could sicken
users who try to smoke the weeds. | ||||||||||||||||||
And in Texas, another deadly police shooting of a drug suspect. Police say the suspect carried a gun; witnesses report otherwise. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(10) STUDY FINDS 2.6% INCREASE IN U.S. PRISON POPULATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The nation's prison population grew 2.6 percent last year, the
largest increase since 1999, according to a study by the Justice
Department. | ||||||||||||||||||
The jump came despite a small decline in serious crime in 2002. It
also came when a growing number of states facing large budget
deficits have begun trying to reduce prison costs by easing tough
sentencing laws passed in the 1990's, thereby decreasing the number
of inmates. | ||||||||||||||||||
"The key finding in the report is this growth, which is somewhat
surprising in its size after several years of relative stability in
the prison population," said Allen J. Beck, an author of the report.
Mr. Beck is the chief prison demographer for the Bureau of Justice
Statistics, the statistical arm of the Justice Department, which
releases an annual study of the number of people incarcerated in the
United States. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Although many advocates of prison change have blamed drug arrests
for the significant growth in the prison population, the report
found violent crimes responsible for 64 percent of the increase in
the number of men in state prisons from 1995 to 2001. Violent crimes
also accounted for 49 percent of the increase in the number of women
in state prisons in those years. Professor Blumstein said that
figure was unusual because women have generally been convicted of
drug and property crimes. | ||||||||||||||||||
In total, 49 percent of inmates in state prisons last year were
serving time for violent crimes, the report said. Twenty percent
were serving time for drug offenses, 19 percent for property crimes,
and 11 percent for public-order offenses, like drunken driving,
parole violations and contempt of court. | ||||||||||||||||||
But in the federal prison system, which with 163,528 inmates is now
larger than any state system, 48 percent of the growth in the number
of prisoners from 1995 to 2001 was accounted for by drug crimes and
only 9 percent by violent crimes. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(11) COLO. PRISON POPULATION AMONG FASTEST-GROWING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Colorado's prison population is one of the fastest-growing in the
United States at a time when critics say the state cannot afford the
expansion. | ||||||||||||||||||
A report due today from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics
shows that Colorado ranks behind only Maine and Rhode Island and is
tied with Connecticut and Minnesota for rate of incarceration
growth, said Stephen Raher, co-director of the Colorado Criminal
Justice Reform Coalition. | ||||||||||||||||||
Maine's prison population grew at 11.5 percent in 2002 while Rhode
Island's grew at 8.6 percent. Prison populations in Colorado,
Connecticut and Minnesota expanded at a rate of 7.9 percent, Raher
said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Democratic state Sen. Ken Gordon, who has fought for sentencing
reforms to slow the rate of prison growth, said he was dismayed, but
not surprised, by the numbers. | ||||||||||||||||||
"Everyone agrees that violent criminals need to be locked up," said
Gordon of Denver. "The hard question is, 'Are you helping the state
if you use education dollars to lock up thieves and people who
possess small amounts of drugs?"' | ||||||||||||||||||
Gordon said spending on prisons was 2.5 percent of the total budget
in the early 1980s. Today, it is close to 9 percent. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(12) OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL RATES HIGHEST FOR DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A U.S. Justice Department study shows the Oklahoma County jail has the nation's highest percentage of new inmates testing positive for marijuana. High rankings also were noted in positive tests of methamphetamine and phencyclidine, or PCP, according to the study. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Justice Department-funded study shows about 60 percent of male inmates and 53 percent of female inmates who are tested during the booking process for this year's first quarter show marijuana in their system, while the national average is less than 43 percent. | ||||||||||||||||||
In 2000, the most recent period nationwide numbers are available,
the jail ranked No. 1 with 57 percent of inmates testing positive
for marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma and Tulsa county inmates also ranked higher than the national average for testing positive for at least one drug. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(13) AGENTS WARN OF POT SPRAYED WITH WEED KILLER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma narcotics agents are spreading the word:
Don't smoke red dope. | ||||||||||||||||||
Since the end of June, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Drugs Control agents have been spraying fields of wild-growing
marijuana with weed killer laced with red dye. | ||||||||||||||||||
Spraying is a much faster technique to permanently kill the marijuana. The red dye is to warn the public the plants have been sprayed with weed killer, said Mark Woodward, OBN spokesman. | ||||||||||||||||||
The northwest part of the state has an abundance of wild-growing
marijuana because farmers in the area used to grow marijuana for the
production of hemp. | ||||||||||||||||||
''Because the plant reproduces itself, there are fields and fields
of the stuff and it's just a nuisance,'' Woodward said. | ||||||||||||||||||
During two weeks in June, an estimated 9.5 million plants were destroyed in Blaine, Custer, Ellis, Grant and Woodward counties. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(14) DALLAS COPS KILLED A DRUG SUSPECT AT HIS CLOTHING STORE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Witnesses Say Tony Vernon Had No Gun. The Cops Say He Had A Gun. | ||||||||||||||||||
Dallas officers working an undercover narcotics case fatally shot a
clothing store owner, although it's unclear whether the man fired
first at officers before he was killed Thursday afternoon in
southeast Dallas. Tony Vernon, 38, of Rowlett died at 12:28 p.m. at
Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was shot in the
parking lot of his business, Designer's Hip Hop Clothing, 7728 S.
Loop 12. | ||||||||||||||||||
Police said the shooting occurred after officers in two undercover
cars drove in behind Mr. Vernon's pickup, intending to arrest him as
part of a narcotics investigation. But when Mr. Vernon got out of
his truck, police officials said he began shooting at the
plainclothes police officers. | ||||||||||||||||||
"They returned fire, fearing for their lives," said Sgt. Hollis
Edwards, police spokesman. | ||||||||||||||||||
John Perkins, who was at a gas station next door, said that Mr.
Vernon displayed no gun. | ||||||||||||||||||
"When he got out of his truck, officers shot him," said Mr. Perkins,
who added that he heard about 20 shots. "He was gunned down for no
apparent reason." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15-19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Still far from becoming Amsterdam North, Canada is currently trying
to find its way through the legal smoke and mirrors of the federal
government's confusing cannabis prohibition policy. This week Ontario
courts will hear federal appeals of the Rogin and Hitzig decisions;
both of which found the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations
unconstitutional and therefore illegal. Our first story looks at
these ground-breaking cases and their possible impact on the future
of recreational and therapeutic cannabis prohibition in Canada. Next
we go to New Zealand, where a Parliamentary Health Committee that has
been examining cannabis policy is expected to follow Holland and
Canada in recommending the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic
use. | ||||||||||||||||||
Our third story takes us to Hawaii, where a 57 year-old glaucoma
patient and state registered medicinal cannabis user named Tammy
VanBuskirk has just received a $2000 payment from her insurance
company for the loss of marijuana plants which were stolen from her
backyard. Our fourth story takes us to the U.K., where the Western
General Hospital in Edinburgh has just started a clinical trial for a
cannabis-derivative drug called Dexanabinol in the treatment of
severe head injury. | ||||||||||||||||||
And lastly, back to Canada where we catch up with uber-activist Marc
Emery in St. John's, Newfoundland, where he has just been arrested
for the fourth time of his Summer Legalization Tour. Marc has been
bravely challenging the current status of cannabis prohibition in
light of the recent Rogin decision by smoking up in front of police
stations in major Metropolitan areas. So far he has been arrested in
Moncton, Winnipeg, and Regina as well. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(15) CANADIAN POT LAWS MAY GO UP IN SMOKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Pot smokers are in legal limbo and for the moment it doesn't matter
if the joint they're lighting up is for medical or purely
recreational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||
Two cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal and a trio of challenges in the Supreme Court of Canada, however, could clear up confusion about whether it's illegal to possess a little marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(16) MEDICINAL CANNABIS A STEP CLOSER IN NEW ZEALAND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Parliament's health committee is expected to recommend the medicinal
use of cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||
However, the select committee is expected to dodge the question of
whether cannabis should be decriminalised but to keep the issue
alive by recommending that another committee inquire into that
issue. | ||||||||||||||||||
It appears likely the health committee will note that the evidence
presented to it suggests moderate use of cannabis is not
particularly dangerous to people's health and to recommend medicinal
use of the drug be legal, if it is prescribed. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(17) INSURANCE COVERS POT THEFT IN HAWAII (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A medical marijuana cardholder received a $2,000 check from her
insurance company this month, after making a claim for her stolen
marijuana plants. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tammy VanBuskirk, 57, holds a state Department of Public Safety -
issued card to grow up to seven marijuana plants and possess three
ounces of dried marijuana buds to treat her glaucoma. | ||||||||||||||||||
On two occasions in May, VanBuskirk's "queen" strain plants were
stolen from the backyard of her Hilo home, which is in the same
subdivision as the mayor's home. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(18) UK HEAD INJURY TRIAL FOR CANNABIS-TYPE DRUG (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
PATIENTS with major head injuries are being given a cannabis-type
drug to discover if it can limit brain damage. | ||||||||||||||||||
Doctors at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh are taking part
in international tests of new drug dexanabinol. | ||||||||||||||||||
Based on chemicals found in cannabis, it is hoped it can improve the
outcome for victims of road accidents and assaults. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(19) MARC EMERY BUSTED AGAIN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Marc Emery added another arrest for smoking marijuana to his growing
list when he lit up outside a police headquarters in Newfoundland on
Saturday. | ||||||||||||||||||
The pot activist was read his rights just seconds after he sparked
up a large water pipe. | ||||||||||||||||||
The stop in St. John's was the latest for Emery, a Vancouver resident, on his cross-country tour to protest Canada's pot laws. | ||||||||||||||||||
He has also been arrested in Moncton, Winnipeg and Regina. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (20-23) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The leader of a Colombia right-wing paramilitary army last week admitted that his group committed (among other crimes) "massacres" as well as "resorted to the finances of drug trafficking." US-backed Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, elected in 2002, rode into office on a wave of support from Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups. | ||||||||||||||||||
A Canadian methadone clinic was lauded for slowing needle use in central Alberta. Before the Central Alberta Methadone Program started operations, some 8,000 needles were distributed monthly on average. After the methadone clinic was opened, only some 5,000 needles were handed out monthly, according to Phil Rauch, executive director of the Central Alberta AIDS Network. While such numbers appear encouraging, experts see a substitution effect: "both the methadone clinic and ADDAC officials say more people are turning to them for help for cocaine addiction," reported an Alberta paper. | ||||||||||||||||||
The "center-right" government of Denmark has decided that tossing Christiania on the bonfire would make a splendid show of righteous resolve. Christiania, a Copenhagen suburb and an enclave of freedom from cannabis laws in Denmark, is about to be invaded by military-style "police" at the behest of a government bent on grabbing attention by sacrificing the hated hash-smoking Christiania hippies. "Christiania's days as a hotbed for hashish are numbered," boasted party "law and order" mouthpiece Helge Adam Moeller. | ||||||||||||||||||
An Australian pharmacists' association last week proposed patients
get cannabis medications on prescription. The Pharmacy Guild of
Australia told Federal Health Minister Kay Patterson the guild was
interested to determine "if cannabis treated effectively symptoms of
MS, cancer, AIDS, pain and chemotherapy side-effects," the West
Australian reported last week. The announcement follows the
Australian state of New South Wales' consideration of a proposal to
move forward with limited trials of medical cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(20) COLOMBIA PARAMILITARY CHIEF ADMITS CRIMES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Says Group Killed Civilians, Dealt Drugs | ||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia -(AP)- Carlos Castano, chief of the paramilitaries that battled Colombia's rebel armies, has acknowledged his forces massacred civilians, extorted money and dealt drugs, but he claimed those acts were "inevitable excesses" in a war to save the nation. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Castano said that during the AUC's campaign, "massacres were
committed, we resorted to the finances of drug trafficking, we
resorted to extortion, we practiced some acts of pillage and
corruption." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Newspaper
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(21) NEEDLE USE DOWN; METHADONE CLINIC PRAISED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Demand for needle exchange has been cut in half. | ||||||||||||||||||
The local program director attributes the change in drug habits to
the opening of a methadone clinic in Red Deer. | ||||||||||||||||||
Phil Rauch, executive director of the Central Alberta AIDS Network,
said the number of free needles distributed to drug users to reduce
the spread of diseases reached a peak of 10,000 a month last year
and averaged 8,000 a month. | ||||||||||||||||||
But in November when Central Alberta Methadone Program opened its doors, the number of needles handed out dropped to 5,000 a month. | ||||||||||||||||||
In the last three months, it has averaged 4,000 a | ||||||||||||||||||
"I didn't expect quite the results we got," Rauch said. "It's been
an upward curve for over three years." Rauch said the only possible
explanation is a reduction in morphine use, which has been the drug
of choice on Red Deer streets. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Craig Staniforth, area supervisor at the Red Deer | ||||||||||||||||||
"The methadone clinic has had a significant impact on opiate addiction in Red Deer. We're very encouraged," Staniforth said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Some morphine users may not be ready for treatment or life without a
drug high and could be turning to non-injection drugs like crack
cocaine or crystal meth, Rauch said. | ||||||||||||||||||
Unfortunately both the methadone clinic and ADDAC officials say more people are turning to them for help for cocaine addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(22) PUSHER STREET DEALERS FACE UP TO THE SHOVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Denmark's new centre-right government has decided to clean up
Christiania, for 30 years a hippy haven | ||||||||||||||||||
Walking through the totem pole-style gateway into Christiania, a
familiar smell hangs in the air. The pungent, earthy, unmistakable
scent of marijuana thickens along the leafy path to Pusher Street,
where everyone, including the local dog flat out in the middle of
the road, seems to be affected by the fumes. | ||||||||||||||||||
Pusher Street, in the heart of this Copenhagen suburb, is
Scandinavia's largest open soft-drug market, a cobbled lane lined
with about 15 stands where dealers display lumps of top quality
Moroccan hashish, bags of skunk and masterfully rolled "super
joints", all neatly labelled with handwritten price tags like cakes
at a summer fair. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have some of the best stuff you can get in Europe here. People
come from all over to buy here," said one. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
But all is not quite as chilled out as it seems. By a fence near the
entrance a young Christianite stands guard, walkie-talkie in one
hand, spliff in the other, watching for approaching police. The sale
of drugs, however soft, is illegal in Denmark and the new
centre-right government has a mission to shut down the hash market
and clean up the area. | ||||||||||||||||||
Narcotics police, backed by riot forces, have raided Pusher Street
several times in recent months, arresting any of the dealers who do
not pack up and run fast enough when the walkie-talkie alert goes
out. They say they are afraid there would be riots if they tried to
close down the whole street. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Each resident contributes to the communal running costs of
Christiania's own postal service, rubbish collection and children's
nurseries. The community has its own newspaper and radio station,
cinema, rock bands, cafes and bars. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Copenhagen police are not welcome, and in their absence, criminals are tried by the community and punished by eviction. | ||||||||||||||||||
But the new government says Christiania is an eyesore, a security hazard and an unruly community which must be made to step into line with the rest of the country. That has become one of its priorities. | ||||||||||||||||||
It plans to close down the hash market, destroy 98 illegal buildings and build or upgrade hundreds of others, to "give the area a lift". | ||||||||||||||||||
"Christiania's days as a hotbed for hashish are numbered," the
Conservative party law and order spokesman, Helge Adam Moeller,
said. | ||||||||||||||||||
Ulrik Kragh, a deputy in the centre-right party Venstre, said:
"Graffiti is destroying everything there. We cannot turn a blind eye
any more to this dirty and dangerous area. It's like hanging out
your dirty laundry for all to see." | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(23) CHEMISTS URGE CANNABIS TRIAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
PATIENTS would get medicinal cannabis on prescription from chemists
under a Pharmacy Guild of Australia proposal. | ||||||||||||||||||
NSW wants to trial medicinal cannabis, probably in tablet or spray form, and the Federal Government is considering the idea. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The guild told Federal Health Minister Kay Patterson it welcomed new
moves to improve life for patients. It was interested to see if
cannabis treated effectively symptoms of MS, cancer, AIDS, pain and
chemotherapy side-effects. | ||||||||||||||||||
It said its members could dispense the drug for the trial in the
same way it dispensed other restricted drugs, such as morphine and
methadone. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
EDUCATE USA TODAY ABOUT METH EPIDEMIC | ||||||||||||||||||
A MAP Focus Alert. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
MITCH EARLEYWINE CANNABIS SURVEY | ||||||||||||||||||
I was complaining about how all the studies of marijuana involve people in substance abuse treatment, so I thought I'd do something about it. | ||||||||||||||||||
Here's a survey I'm conducting to combat some of the stereotypes,
misconceptions, and outright lies about cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||
If we could get a whole range of people to fill this out, from folks
who have never used cannabis to daily users, it could really help this
literature and may change policy and lives. | ||||||||||||||||||
If you'd click on this link and spend 10-15 minutes answering
questions, it would be a huge help. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thanks, | ||||||||||||||||||
Mitch Earleywine | ||||||||||||||||||
Here is a link to the survey: | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
As head of America's preeminent drug reform organization, Ethan
brings us a complete picture of the harms of this drug war and
what solutions lie in store. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Next Up, Tuesday Aug 5, 6:30 PM, CDT | ||||||||||||||||||
Cliff Schaffer - The creator of druglibrary.org | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
MAP DRUGNEWS ARCHIVE ENHANCEMENTS | ||||||||||||||||||
The MAP Drugnews advanced search engine can now find clippings that do NOT contain certain keywords. For example, you can now search for articles about chronic pain that do not mention cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||
Readers may also rate the overall quality and ideological orientation of editorials, opeds, columns and letters. This will enable MAP to rate authors, papers and areas and track changes over time. Just click the "Rate" link at the bottom of any opinion piece. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
CHAT WITH DR. ETHAN RUSSO | ||||||||||||||||||
Please join Dr. Russo at Ohio Patient Network's Patient Monthly Forum.
This is an internet audio conference open to all interested persons
(even if they do not live in Ohio). OPN holds monthly patient forum on
the 1st thursday of each month. | ||||||||||||||||||
Who: Dr. Ethan Russo, MD, neurologist
for information on how to set up Paltalk on your computer.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Ohio Patient Network is a non-profit coalition of patients,
caregivers, medical professionals, concerned citizens, and
organizations who support the compassionate use of cannabis for various
medicinal purposes. Information about OPN can be found at
http://www.ohiopatient.net/ | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
I'm The Proof | ||||||||||||||||||
By Alison Myrden | ||||||||||||||||||
RE: 'A Case Against Smoking Marijuana' (July 25). | ||||||||||||||||||
I have just finished a second perusal of Dr. Andrea Barthwell's
synopsis of the medicinal utility of cannabis. As a young woman
living with chronic progressive MS, and as a legal medical marijuana
patient in Canada, I am truly thankful that Barthwell -- deputy
director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
and a past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine
-- is not in my country. | ||||||||||||||||||
As far as I am concerned, Barthwell is in the same category as Health Minister Anne McLellan -- misinformed. Barthwell doesn't frighten me. It will just take a little longer to educate her. | ||||||||||||||||||
She argues that the proof of medicine is in the patient's getting
better, not just feeling better. Well, I am her proof. | ||||||||||||||||||
Ten years ago, I couldn't get out of a wheelchair and could not stop
shaking violently when I tried to cross a room. I was taking more
than 32 pills plus 600 to 2,000 mg of morphine a day. I lost full
control of my bladder and bowel. Next came the worst pain known to
medicine that was also incurable -- Tic Douloureux. | ||||||||||||||||||
Before too long and many, many doctors later, I was introduced to
marijuana. The results were instantaneous. | ||||||||||||||||||
Over the last four years, I have halved my prescription medications that were my life for more than 10 years. I am also out of a wheelchair more often and not using my walker at all. Would Barthwell believe I could do this if I weren't improving? | ||||||||||||||||||
I am one of hundred of thousands of Canadians who have shown the Canadian government just how much our quality of life has improved. My health is better now than it ever has been. I am walking every day of my life now with a cane, I have everything under control when I have the proper strain of cannabis and things could not be better. | ||||||||||||||||||
I feel sorry, not only for Barthwell because one day she may need
this incredible plant, but for her patients who will obviously be
denied an indisputable service while she cages the suffering
innocents of her country. Shame on her. | ||||||||||||||||||
Alison Myrden, | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A New Way to Help Promote Sensible Drug Policies | ||||||||||||||||||
By DrugSense and MAP | ||||||||||||||||||
With the debate on drug policy reform heating up at all levels,
DrugSense is happy to announce a new way for YOU to promote an end
to the costly and failed "war on drugs". | ||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense is pleased to present the new MAP/DrugSense Online Store! | ||||||||||||||||||
Every time you shop at the MAP/DrugSense store, you are making a
contribution to one of the Internet's leading non-profit drug policy
reform organizations, as well as showing your support for ending the
federal war on our rights and personal freedoms. | ||||||||||||||||||
For a list of more than 125 reform organizations ranging from
leading to promising that DrugSense and MAP help to support please
see: http://www.drugsense.org/sitemap.htm | ||||||||||||||||||
So take a minute, browse our shop, and take a step positive towards
a rational, science-based drug policy by buying something for
yourself (or pick out a gift for a friend!). | ||||||||||||||||||
Now you can help end the war on drugs and get something cool back as
well! | ||||||||||||||||||
Keep fighting the good fight, and shop MAP/DrugSense now! | ||||||||||||||||||
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Thank you for making a difference, | ||||||||||||||||||
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main
sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom, in
the pursuit of truth as in the endeavor after a worthy manner of
life." - Bertrand Russell | ||||||||||||||||||
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Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by Stephen Young (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection and analysis by Philippe Lucas (), International content selection and analysis by Doug Snead (), Layout by Matt Elrod () | ||||||||||||||||||
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