| July 28, 2006 #459 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) WANTED: POT GROWERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Apply to Health Canada
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WINNIPEG -- People who want to grow pot for the federal government may
soon get the chance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Health Canada's five-year, $5.75-million contract with its current
supplier of medicinal marijuana, Prairie Plant Systems, appears to be
winding down and the department is preparing to seek proposals from all
potential suppliers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Public Works and Government Services Canada continues to negotiate
with Prairie Plant Systems to ensure an uninterrupted supply of
marijuana for research and for authorized users while a (request for
proposal) process is carried out to identify a long-term supplier,"
said Health Canada spokeswoman Carole Saindon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As it does for a wide range of contracts -- from building maintenance to military supplies -- the government will invite interested companies and individuals to submit bids for a pot-growing contract. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It will then try to choose the one offering top quality and value for
taxpayers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The process could result in Prairie Plant Systems being selected again,
or some other supplier could get the nod. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Some who use the current pot supply are urging the government to shop
around. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"What we need to move beyond is the idea of a single monopoly producer
of medical cannabis," Philippe Lucas, a medicinal pot user and
spokesman for the group Canadians for Safe Access, said from Victoria,
B.C. "The end users of this product -- Canada's critically and chronically
ill -- would benefit from having options."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) CANNABIS THERAPY 'MAY BE HARMFUL' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis extracts used in medicines may worsen symptoms rather than have the beneficial effects that are intended, it has been reported. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis extracts can be harmful because of the unpredictable way the
body reacts, New Scientist said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Research detailed to the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
found boosting levels of some cannabinoids worsened epilepsy and
Alzheimer's. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Experts said it was hard to target the drug at specific parts of the
body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Some compounds in cannabis interfere with a natural signalling system
in the brain, nerves and immune system. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The signalling system, which produces its own cannabinoids, plays a
role in conditions such as MS, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease,
schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Extra cannabinoids, from smoking cannabis or from medications, can therefore have a significant effect, researchers suggest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vincenzo Di Marzo, of Italy's National Research Council, told the
conference that he had found boosting the level of one natural
cannabinoid, andandamide, in rats initially appeared to protect the
animals from memory loss and nerve degeneration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But if the rise was prolonged, the cannabinoid could be ineffective, or
even damaging. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) SESSIONS SEEKS TO ADJUST SENTENCES FOR CRACK, POWDER COCAINE OFFENSES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Sen. Jeff Sessions, a one-time federal prosecutor,
introduced a bill Tuesday that would reduce the "unconscionable"
disparity in federal prison terms for crack and powder cocaine
offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The 100-to-1 disparity in sentencing between crack cocaine and powder
cocaine is not justifiable ... these changes will make the criminal
justice system more effective and fair," said the Republican senator
and former Alabama attorney general. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
His bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., John Cornyn, R- Texas, and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., all former attorney generals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This is not Sessions' first attempt to bring such a bill to the Senate
floor. He introduced similar legislation in 2002 with the co-
sponsorship of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sessions, a former U.S. attorney in Mobile, said during a news
conference Tuesday that crack is considered a more dangerous, addictive
drug than powder cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We need to convince people that we're not going soft on crime," he
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) FORMER ROBESON DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WILMINGTON - A former Robeson County deputy pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing about $160,000 during six traffic stops along Interstate 95. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
James Owen Hunt spent about $8,000 of that money to pave his driveway
and about $16,000 on a pontoon boat, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erick
Evenson said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hunt, who is 39, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to
commit money laundering. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As part of his plea agreement, he will pay $150,000 in restitution and
testify against other former deputies of the Robeson County Drug
Enforcement Division. Hunt, who faces between 10 years and life in
prison, will be sentenced later. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Since June, federal investigators have charged five former deputies
with stealing money from drug dealers along I-95. One of those former
deputies is Steven Lovin, Hunt's ex-partner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In court Wednesday, Evenson said Hunt and Lovin stole roughly $160,000
between 2001 and 2004 during drug interdiction stops. They turned in
nearly $1.7 million as evidence in those cases. Evenson said Hunt and
Lovin used racial profiling to stop people they thought might be
carrying illegal drugs and money. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"They were looking for clean-cut Hispanic individuals traveling down the interstate," Evenson told U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Week after week, year after year, our news sources continue to cover
our War on Drugs in an egregiously one-sided manner. In the spirit
of optimism with a sprinkle of retaliation, I have selected several
pro-reform op-eds for our policy section this week. Another reason
behind this decision is to show that there is still an outlet for
our cherished "freedom of speech." I hope it will encourage others
to exercise this right. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(5) OPED: LEGALIZE DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
An open letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch: stop reefer madness here, as
well as in Dubai. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Hatch, you have demonstrated willingness to act beyond ideology,
when a practical approach makes more sense than "conservative" or
"liberal" purity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You did so recently, for an American victim of draconian drug penalties of the United Arab Emirates. This is an appeal for your leadership to stop t he equally devastating American "War on Drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Many officials admit behind closed doors that our drug policy needs radical revision. Few will say so publicly. This "third rail" of politics is exacerbated by the collusion of mainstream media, suspending usual rules of journalistic practice, publishing government propaganda without quoting critics of drug-war policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our policies result in tremendous harm creation, about which much
has bee n written, but I'll summarize here:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator, it will take courage to lead in the battle to stop this war
on America and its founding principles. But you have shown the
wisdom to change your mind before. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Several decades ago, my Baby Boom generation laughed at "Reefer
Madness."= Then we made it public policy. It's time to stop the
madness. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(6) OPED: A CEASEFIRE FOR THE "WAR ON DRUGS" (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WE WERE somewhere around the 1970s on the edge of the Acid Wave when
the drug war began to take hold. The politically typical thing to
say today is that the so-styled "War on Drugs" is without
foreseeable victory -- and how unfortunate, really. Almost without
exception, however, America regards its beloved war as one worth
fighting. And it is, to an extent. But the tactics need some
adjustment to accomplish anything beyond the current, hopeless
stalemate. The most crucial step to changing America's atrociously
flawed drug policy is to reevaluate our rules of engagement, so to
speak. If we don't, we continue along a path to nowhere, entrenched
in a war with endless enemies and no peace in sight. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If you reread my first paragraph, you will hopefully notice the absurd way martial analogies pervade even casual discourse. We are fighting a war. Drugs are the enemy. Enemies must be killed, etc. The militant analogies swell further when politicians rant about "an all-out offensive" against "public enemy number one," as Nixon did during the dope-sodden 1970s. Such unthinking saber rattling strangulates thoughtful debate, it removes the tactics from rational discussion (we are at war, mind you), and it brands anyone with a different opinion a dissenter and, therefore, a traitor. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As my horrific first paragraph no doubt suggests, the limited
lexicon from which we draw our descriptions of American's drug
problem cripples our ability to deal with it. The height of
ignorance and inarticulacy, of course, being American policy
regarding marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
During war, as President Bush parrots frequently, one is either
"with us" or "against us." Obviously, anyone who challenges
American lawmakers or their war making knows precisely to which side
he or she belongs. Hence, war analogies. It makes disagreement
treasonous and skepticism seditious. An effective strategy, you
must admit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It seems a bit curious that while marijuana is outright banned,
alcohol and tobacco dwell comfortably on nearly every college
campus. Which is okay, even great. But our standards for regulation
ought to have some ringing of justice and fairness. Other states
will be well served to move, however gradually, toward the
progressive example of decriminalizing legislation set by Denver. By
finally matching punishment with the gravity of the crime, we might
finally be able to declare victory in a war against a more fearsome
foe, stupid wars. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) OPED: THE STATE SHOULD TARGET THE REAL DRUG KINGPINS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ashley O'Donoghue is a low-level, nonviolent offender currently
serving a 7-to-21-year sentence for the sale of 2 1/2 ounces of
cocaine. In September 2003, the Oneida County district attorney
claimed that the 20-year-old was a major drug kingpin and needed to
face a life sentence under the Rockefeller Drug Laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reacting to a commonly used scare tactic, O'Donoghue agreed to a
plea bargain. His A-1 felony, the highest possible felony, was
reduced to a B felony. Like magic, O'Donoghue was no longer a
kingpin - that is, a drug dealer distributing extraordinarily large
quantities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
There are thousands of defendants just like O'Donoghue, whom
prosecutors claim are kingpins one day and then, through plea
negotiations, kingpins no more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recently, a report released by Bridget Brennan, New York City's
special narcotics prosecutor, proclaimed that kingpins and people
convicted of high-level drug offenses are being released under the
new Rockefeller Drug Law revisions. The report, titled "The Law of
Unintended Consequences," is a lopsided review of the Drug Law
Reform Act of 2004. The modest changes to the Rockefeller Drug Laws
have allowed approximately 1,000 people convicted of A-1 and A-2
drug felonies to apply for resentencing. The controversial findings
in the report bolster Brennan's final conclusions: a clarion call
for a kingpin statute and opposition to any additional reforms to
the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Critics quickly questioned the validity
of the report, claiming that it contained skewed data and its
creation was politically motivated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Brennan needs to be reminded that the governor, State Senate and
Assembly leaders agreed reforms were necessary to equally balance
the scales of justice in applying the law with the needs of
protecting our communities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
To cause a panic by releasing a questionable report is nothing more
than additional punishment for those incarcerated and an underhanded
political tactic to stop further needed reform. If Brennan wants a
kingpin statute, let's fashion one for real kingpins, not for the
low-level offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) OPED: GATEWAY TO NOWHERE? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Evidence That Pot Doesn't Lead to Heroin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Earlier this month, professor Yasmin Hurd of the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine released a study showing that rats exposed to the main
ingredient in marijuana during their adolescence showed a greater
sensitivity to heroin as adults. The wire lit up with articles
announcing confirmation for the "gateway theory" -- the claim that
marijuana use leads to harder drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's a theory that has long seemed to make intuitive sense, but
remained unproven. The federal government's last National Survey on
Drug Use and Health, conducted in 2004, counted about 97 million
Americans who have tried marijuana, compared to 3 million who have
tried heroin (166,000 had used it in the previous month ). That's
not much of a rush through the gateway. And a number of studies have
demonstrated that your chances of becoming an addict are higher if
addiction runs in your family, or if heroin is readily available in
your community, or if you're a risk-taker. These factors can account
for the total number of heroin addicts, which could make the gateway
theory superfluous. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On close inspection, Hurd's research, published in the journal
Neuropsychopharmacology, doesn't show otherwise. For the most part,
it's a blow to the gateway theory. To be sure, Hurd found that rats
who got high on pot as adolescents used more heroin once they were
addicted. But she found no evidence that they were more likely to
become addicted than the rats in the control group who'd never been
exposed to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, marijuana's main
ingredient. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hurd says that because the marijuana-exposed rats demonstrated this
heightened sensitivity, she expected them to be more motivated in
pursuing the drug. But they weren't. The control rats paced their
cages and repeatedly pressed the active bars even when the light
indicating availability wasn't on. The pot rats, on the other hand,
figured out that the heroin was available only at certain times,
and that pacing and tapping the bar incessantly wasn't worth the
trouble. When heroin was available, the marijuana rats took more of
it. But when it wasn't, they chilled in the corner.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Extrapolate the study to human behavior, Hurd says, and it suggests that teenagers who smoke pot are no more likely than other kids to become addicted to heroin. ( Her study doesn't speak to whether they'd be more likely to try the drug. ) If teens do get hooked on the hard drug, though, they may develop a stronger addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
After decades of locking citizens up for violating drug laws, a
government agency has finally published a report on how to issue
effective treatment within the system. The National Institute on
Drug Abuse's Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice
Populations - A Research-Based Guide is available at
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, a California resident raises the point that "More prisoners are locked away for drug violations than all violent crimes combined." The writer does an excellent job of explaining why these people should not be behind bars in the first place. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A remedy for the practice of "bad" cops moving from state to state
is in the works. Even though only 20 states are currently reporting
decertified officers to a national database - it is a step in the
right direction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
An anonymous group of Wisconsin citizens is ensuring that voters
know that a sheriff candidate's daughter "was charged with
delivering marijuana to a police informant". The justice system
worked in the daughter's favor as she recently reached a plea
agreement with the local DA but apparently won't be timely enough to
undue any damage done by the informational fliers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(9) INMATE DRUG REHAB KEY TO LESS CRIME (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal drug officials published a report yesterday showing that
treatment for drug addiction in the criminal justice system is key
to reducing the prison population and keeping the nation's streets
safer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
said that many people in the system are there because of drugs -
either using, selling or committing crimes to get money to buy
drugs. Experts used to think that treatment worked only if a person
was ready to accept help, but new treatment studies on prisoners
suggest this captive population can benefit from treatment - even if
they don't want it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Treatment works," said Volkow, whose agency just published the
first guidelines on treating drug abuse in the criminal justice
system. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to help these people
and to decrease crime. They need access to treatment. This is a
no-brainer."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Volkow said that about 70 percent of those in the criminal justice
system qualify for treatment for drug abuse, yet only 20 percent
actually receive it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The report calls for proper assessment of drug problems, tailored
services, treatments that last long enough to produce behavioral
changes, ongoing care when re-entering the community, and
medications. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) OPED: THE REAL REASON BEHIND OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a typical example of the failure of big government, we see that no matter how many prisons are built, no matter how much money the politicians throw at the problem, there is overcrowding. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conditions for prisoners deteriorate. Rape and brutality have become
the norm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The most obvious reform is almost never mentioned: Stop locking up
so many people and start letting a lot of people out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
People have a right to liberty, property, and the pursuit of
happiness. It is an affront to the founding principles of America
to lock peaceful people into cages just because they consume or
sell drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It is also ineffective in reducing drug abuse. And it leads to more violent crime, gang warfare, judicial and police corruption, and all the other problems that accompanied alcohol prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(11) NEW REGISTRY WILL IDENTIFY DECERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- A national registry of more than 7,000 police officers
who have been stripped of their law enforcement licenses is being
readied for use by police agencies throughout the USA to identify
officers with troubled histories. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The registry, which for the first time would give police agencies
direct access to a list of decertified officers, is designed to help
avoid hiring officers ousted from jobs elsewhere. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
So far, 20 states are contributing to a computer database being
assembled by the International Association of Directors of Law
Enforcement Standards and Training ( IADLEST ). The database could
be ready this fall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Although there have been no national studies on how often
disciplined or decertified officers have found work at other
departments, the database reflects rising concerns about the quality
of police recruits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police officers typically are licensed by state agencies when the officers graduate from law enforcement academies. Officers remain accredited as long as they meet job standards. When they violate such standards, the loss of their law enforcement accreditation is supposed to prevent them from working as officers elsewhere. However, police departments -- particularly those in different states -- historically have not shared such information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In the past three decades, more than 19,000 officers have been
stripped of licenses for misconduct, according to a 2005 IADLEST
survey. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Some people view this as kind of like a blacklist," Franklin says.
"It's really not. It's more like a pointer system, a reference for
public safety agencies."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) FLIERS HEAT UP SHERIFF'S RACE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As a heated campaign for Columbia County sheriff approaches its
final month, the campaign of Dennis Richards is questioning some
campaign tactics targeting his candidacy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But the campaign doesn't know who it is carrying them out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And beyond the fliers of an anonymous group calling itself Concerned
Citizens of Columbia County, Richards campaign manager Steve
Sarbacker said the campaign is also skeptical about the structure
in place for them to seek any remedy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The fliers began appearing throughout the county after a June 20
Daily Register story outlining a plea agreement between the Columbia
County District Attorney's Office and Richards' daughter, who was
charged with delivering marijuana to a police informant in April
2005. The fliers, which Richards claims has appeared in three
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp-
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We start this week with a fantastic op-ed by Kevin Keenan (Director of the ACLU for San Diego and Imperial County), Steph Sherer (Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access), and Donald Abrahamson (Director of Legal Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance). The article, which ran in the San Diego Union Tribune, condemns the San Diego County Board of Supervisors baseless and ill-considered decision to sue the state over the implementation of prop. 215. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Next, the Anniston Star takes a look at Loretta Nall's campaign for
Governor of Alabama. The founder of the U.S. Marijuana Party sounds
like she's having much fun and adventure keeping the other
candidates honest (keep it up, girl!). Our third article this week
is a fascinating story about Joseph White, a Massachusetts cannabis
activist (he founded "Change the Climate") who has turned his love
of the cannabis plant into a lucrative home business ... without
breaking any laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And lastly this week, a story about Marc Emery's new legal troubles:
he's gotten married again | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(13) MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS HERE TO STAY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
San Diego County has adopted an official head-in-the-sand policy on medic al marijuana: Sit back and hope the courts outlaw it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But an ostrich strategy won't work. Doctors will continue to
recommend it , patients will continue to use it, and the law is
clear: the judiciary will not overturn California's medical
marijuana in favor of federal prohibition. To do so would violate
centuries of legal precedent firmly establishing the boundaries
between state and federal power. Instead of pursuing baseless
litigation, San Diego County should implement the law and work with
the rest of the state to find practical ways for law enforcement
and others to distinguish between legitimate patients and those who
would abuse the system. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our nation is built on the principle that states do not have to
march in lock-step with all federal policy decisions. It is true
that Congress could have chosen to make the federal government
solely responsible for making and enforcing criminal drug laws. But
it has not. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
It is time for San Diego County's supervisors and local officials to
find compassion, pull their heads out of the sand, and start making
sensible, responsible policy decisions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(14) NALL LOOKS TO RIDE COLORFUL CAMPAIGN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loretta Nall speaks frankly. She is an atheist, a marijuana smoker
and, recently, an escort for women attempting to get abortions.
She's also a candidate for governor on the Libertarian Party ticket,
and her positions don't seem to jibe with mainstream Alabama
thinking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
So when Nall says getting 250,000 votes - equivalent to about 18
percent of the vote in the 2002 gubernatorial election - would be a
good result, it sounds ambitious. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It is," she said over lunch at Davis Cafe, a soul food restaurant
in Montgomery. "I'm an ambitious girl."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nall was convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2004, a conviction she is appealing. A mother of a 14-year-old and 9-year-old, Nall said she smokes marijuana but claimed she does not smoke in front of her children and discourages them from doing it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(15) GREENFIELD MAN ROLLS PRO-POT IDEAS, SKILLS INTO MOCK POT PLANTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph White's home office is like a modern-day hippie hangout. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Books on Buddhism and yoga mingle with business planners and a
laptop computer. An acoustic guitar rests next to a shuffle of sheet
music for "Mr. Tambourine Man," just across the room from a fax
machine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And then there are the marijuana stalks. Towering six-footers. Pint-sized plants for personal medical use. He even has a few ripe buds kicking around on a desk, not far from his cell phone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
His stash is for sale, but it won't get you stoned. These lifelike
botanicals are made of silk and wood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Behold, counterfeit cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
During the past two years, White -- a trim 51-year-old with thinning
hair and a small stud in his left earlobe -- has rolled his pro-pot
activism and business savvy into New Image Plants, a startup
company that sells the make-believe marijuana online. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(16) PRINCE OF POT WEDS AS EXTRADITION HEARING LOOMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Guests, Happy Couple Celebrate With Joints
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marc Emery, Canada's so-called Prince of Pot, got married Sunday to
a woman who apparently doesn't mind the idea that her new husband
could spend large parts of their marriage in court or in jail as
part of his mission to legalize marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I will support him no matter what happens in any situation," Jodie
Emery , 21, said shortly after the wedding. "I'm just so happy right
now to be married to him."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
She said she married Emery, who has been arrested 21 times, knowing
full well he may spend many years in a U.S. jail.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Emery, 48, heads the B.C. Marijuana Party and publishes Cannabis
Culture magazine. He is currently charged with selling marijuana
seeds to America ns through the mail, conspiracy to manufacture pot
and conspiracy to engage in money laundering. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
He was arrested last July along with Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek and
Greg Williams after police raided Emery's pot paraphernalia store in
Vancouver following an 18-month investigation by the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The activist said he'll continue to challenge the Americans and
their war on drugs. Emery claims to be the first marijuana seed
vendor to sell seeds directly over the Internet. His website, Marc
Emery Direct, sold seeds to anyone in the world. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Over 10 years, Emery claims to have sold about $15 million worth of
seeds . He has said his lawyers told him he has a 98 per cent chance
of being extradited. A date for the extradition hearing will be set
Aug. 21 in B.C. Supreme Court.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
International News
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a surprise move in the UK, senior Conservative members of
parliament came out publicly this week in support of legalizing the
opium grown by farmers in Afghanistan. "The poppy crops are the
elephant in the room of the Afghan problem. We're in complete denial
of the power that the crops have on the nation as a whole, and the
tactics of eradication are simply not working," admitted
Conservative Opposition whip Tobias Ellwood. "Last year we spent 600
[million pounds] on eradication and all that resulted was the
biggest-ever export of opium from the country."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prohibitionists are loudly taking credit for Australian government
statistics claiming heroin deaths have fallen there. In one
Australian state, Victoria, deaths fell from a reported 359 in 1999
to just nine heroin-related deaths reported so far this year. Yet
while heroin use is claimed to be declining, amphetamine use is
increasing. "We have a culture at this moment more attracted to
stimulants," notes Australian National Drug Research Institute
director Professor Steve Allsop. "If heroin became more available
tomorrow, we would see an increase in use, but we would no t see a
dramatic reduction in the use of amphetamines."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Canada, funding for Insite, the supervised injection center in downtown Vancouver is due to run out in September. The ruling conservative government of Stephen Harper is widely expected to stop Insite, as a bone tossed to Harper's political base. The injection-center is credited with saving many lives: while more than 300 drug overdoses have occurred there over the past 18 months, intervention by medical staff has prevented any fatalities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A supervised injection facility in Sydney, Australia stirred
controversy this past week. A conservative newspaper, the Australian
Daily Telegraph, published photographs of needle exchange bins
which were overflowing with (what the Telegraph claimed were) used
drug-needles. Conservative politicians (at prepared press
conferences) thundered against the King's Cross injection center,
which has been open since 2001 and is funded with "money seized from
criminals". Controversy exploded when Dr Ingrid van Beek, who runs
the King's Cross injecting center announced the photos were faked,
and that photos of syringes shown overflowing from needle-return
bins, "would appear likely to be a stunt... None of the many
syringes had actually been used... There were no traces of blood or
drugs in any of the syringes. They were most certainly not syringes
used by drug users. They were also not the brand of syringes
distributed in this area."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) BACK AFGHAN OPIUM LEGALISATION, TORIES URGE CAMERON (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Conservative MPs are urging David Cameron to push for the licensing of legal opium farming in Afghanistan as he pays a surprise visit to the country today, Guardian Unlimited has learned. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Opposition whip Tobias Ellwood said that the lives of British troops
in t he south of the country were being endangered because of the
coalition's insistence on eradicating opium crops, which are often
the sole means of livelihood for impoverished families in the
region. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The poppy crops are the elephant in the room of the Afghan problem.
We're in complete denial of the power that the crops have on the
nation as a whole, and the tactics of eradication are simply not
working," Mr Ellwood told Guardian Unlimited. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Last year we spent 600m on eradication and all that resulted was
the biggest-ever export of opium from the country."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
He said that opium farming should be licensed so that the harvest
could b e sold legally on the open market, bringing in income for
Afghan farmers an d helping to plug a global shortage of
opiate-based medicines. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The plan would also limit the supply of opium to the black market, where it finds its way into Britain as heroin, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Ellwood said the plan had the support of several Conservative MPs
and senior military figures in Afghanistan. He will meet
international development secretary Hilary Benn to discuss the issue
later this week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(18) HEROIN DEATHS TUMBLE, BUT STIMULANTS A PROBLEM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
VICTORIA leads the world in the fight against heroin, but is
following international trends with an escalation in mental health
problems caused by amphetamines. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A heroin shortage coupled with innovative drug treatment programs
has resulted in Victoria's heroin death toll falling from a peak of
359 in 19 99 to nine deaths so far this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But drug researchers and police warn against complacency.
International and Australian drug syndicates are diversifying from
heroin production and trafficking into amphetamines. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"This is no time for complacency," said Professor Steve Allsop,
director of the National Drug Research Institute. "We have to be
vigilant about heroin. It is likely to re-emerge at some point and
services and governments have to be prepared for that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"If heroin became more available tomorrow, we would see an increase
in us e, but we would not see a dramatic reduction in the use of
amphetamines. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We have a culture at this moment more attracted to stimulants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Behavioural and mental health problems are on the rise from
amphetamine use, creating a lot of problems for emergency service
workers and police and families."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less heroin on the streets and increased preference for amphetamines
is also believed to be behind overdose rates falling in Britain and
Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) SAFE INJECTION SITE'S FATE DEBATED ANEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Despite An MP's Comments Last Week, Ottawa Says It Has Not Made Any
Decisions
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER -- The fate of Vancouver's safe injection site has not
been decided, despite contrary comments made last week, the federal
government said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Concerns arose after Manitoba Conservative MP Steven Fletcher said
the federal government would let the trial project come to an end
before deciding whether to renew its legal exemption, which allows
heroin users to inject without penalty. The contract expires Sept.
12. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But a spokesman for federal Health Minister Tony Clement said the
statement was not accurate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The assurance from Health Canada that such a plan had not been made,
and a recent statement of support from federal cabinet minister
David Emerson, the MP for Vancouver Kingsway, are hopeful signs, Ms.
Maxwell said, "so m y nerves calmed."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Still, "we can't celebrate until we see the signature on the
exemption an d it's not there yet," she added. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We're just assessing the research that's been done to date," Mr.
Waddell said of the federal government's position. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recently, a study into the site's work found that not a single death resulted from 336 drug overdoses during an 18-month period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(20) NEEDLES DUMPED IN STREET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THESE are the photographs that shame the so-called "safe" injecting
room in Kings Cross dozens of syringes spilling from a bin in a
public street. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At best, the photographs prove critics' claims that the
taxpayer-funded centre is a honeypot that attracts and keeps drug
addicts in the area. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At worst, they show that centre staff are exposing the public to
potentially deadly blood-tainted needles by showing no care in their
disp osal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The bins overflowing with syringes have stood for three days on a
footpath at the rear of the Kings Cross Medically Supervised
Injecting Centre in Kellett St in the path of pedestrians and school
children. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(21) INJECTING ROOM SYRINGE 'STUNT' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A bin full of exposed syringes was planted near a Kings Cross injecting clinic to discredit the centre, its medical director says. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
But Dr Ingrid van Beek, who heads the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, said the syringes did not belong to the centre. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It would appear likely to be a stunt," Dr van Beek said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"None of the many syringes had actually been used. They had been
taken ou t of their packets, the caps were removed, and they were
strewn on top of a garbage bin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There were no traces of blood or drugs in any of the syringes. They
were most certainly not syringes used by drug users. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"They were also not the brand of syringes distributed in this area." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The injecting room opened in 2001 and is funded by the State
Government with money seized from criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The program has also attracted criticism from some local
businesspeople, who claim it attracts drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
However, a recent survey showed about three-quarters of Kings Cross
residents supported the centre, and police say there is no evidence
it contributes to crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There is nothing to indicate that the centre is anything but good
for the area," Kings Cross Local Area Commander Mark Murdoch said
this month. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOW LEGALIZING DRUGS WILL END THE VIOLENCE
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Norm Stamper, AlterNet. Posted July 28, 2006.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
If Steven Soderbergh's gritty 2000 film "Traffic" caused you to squirm
in your seat, the real-life story of Mexican drug dealing is even more
disquieting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
DPA FILES BRIEF IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA JOB DISCRIMINATION CASE
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
On Monday July 24, the Drug Policy Alliance filed an amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief in the California Supreme Court on behalf of leading public health organizations in the case of Ross v. Ragingwire Telecommunications, Inc. The brief supports the appeal of Gary Ross, a medical marijuana patient under California's Compassionate Use Act, who was fired by his employer after testing positive for medical marijuana he used during off-hours in accordance with his doctor's recommendation for the treatment of severe pain. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
IT'S TIME TO GET REAL ABOUT OPIUM IN AFGHANISTAN
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By David Borden
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/446/get_real_about_afghan_opium.shtml | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
STOP THE REEFER MADNESS, SENATOR HATCH!
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Please consider writing a succinct Letter to the Editor and sending it
to the Washington Times with your own personal appeal to federal
lawmakers to call an end to The War on Drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits Of Research Outlasted Drug War
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Mary Jane Borden
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
In his June 30 Forum column, "Former drug czars believe their war
has bee n won," John Burnham asserted that, when the first drug czar
was appointed in 1971, the serious effects of pot smoking were
largely unknown. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
True, but among these serious effects, scientists have since found an anti-emetic for chemotherapy, an anti-spasmodic for multiple sclerosis, a neuroprotectant for head injury, and even a potential anti-cancer agent, all with few side effects compared to the myriad other pharmaceutical dru gs developed and marketed since then. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Back then, we didn't know that our own brains contain cannabinoid
recepto rs and actually produce natural marijuana-like compounds
called endocannabinoids. These findings have been hailed as among
the most exciting developments in brain chemistry of our time and
are leading to t he discovery of a host of new drugs, unfortunately
outside of the United Sta tes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In the United States, we still fight a "war" on this beneficial substance. Instead of vigorously researching it and providing it to patients, we're left with backslapping drug czars who advance stifling bureaucratic control. As if they haven't left the 1970s, Burnham and the czars continue to hype the falsehood that "brains got fried" when we now know the opposite is true. In declaring victory, are patients and medici ne their collateral damage? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
MARY JANE BORDEN
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Westerville
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Review: Overkill
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Jo-D Harrison
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
On a beautiful California May morning in 1998 I was working on drug
law reform material while my parrot chased the cursor from atop my
computer monitor. Suddenly, she let out a squawk as we both noticed
an odd movement to our left. I looked out my office window and saw
a group of military-clad men sprinting down the alley. My first
thought, even though I had read thousands of drug raid horror
stories, was, "Wow, wonder where they're going?!" Then, it sunk in.
They were coming to raid my boyfriend's medical marijuana garden.
For the next few minutes I could only utter, "Shit, Holy Shit!" as
I ran to place my pet in the safety of her cage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I have never fully recovered from what occurred during the following 12 hours but I knew that the experience could have been much worse. The Cato Institute's recently published study, Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America, verifies this many times over. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
After a year of research, the author, Radley Balko, found the rising
use of and number of mistakes by SWAT teams troubling and full of
heartbreak. I found myself in tears as I forced my way through the
numerous examples contained in the appendix. I also experienced
several flashbacks to that day in May 1998 as I read through the
superbly organized and detailed orientated report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The study begins with a history of how and why it has become seemingly acceptable to use military tactics to execute search warrants on American citizens. This is followed by a discussion about the legal issues of such tactics. The necessity and problematic dependence on informants appears next. Mr. Balko concludes with suggestions on how to correct the reported problems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
An interactive map, Botched Paramilitary Police Raids: An Epidemic
of "Isolated Incidents", accompanies the study and is available at
http://www.cato.org/raidmap/. This fantastic utility categorizes
botched SWAT raids, allows users to isolate the incidents by type
and provides a search function which produces printable descriptions
of the raids plotted on the map. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Please show your support by purchasing the very reasonably-priced
hard copy from the Cato Bookstore. A free PDF version is also
available online. Both options are available at
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The author, Radley Balko is a Cato policy analyst specializing in
civil liberties issues and is the author of the Cato study, "Back
Door to Prohibition: The New War on Social Drinking." Additional
information about Mr. Balko and the Cato Institute is available at
http://www.cato.org/
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biti ng strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation." - Marian Wright Edelman | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS Weekly is one of the many free educational services DrugSense
offers o ur members. Watch this feature to learn more about what
DrugSense can do for you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Please utilize the following URLs
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by
Jo-D Harrison (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection and
analysis by Philippe Lucas (), International
content selection and analysis by Dou g Snead (),
Layout by Matt Elrod ( )
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, NewsHawks and letter writing activists. Please help us help reform. Become a NewsHawk See http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm for info on contributing clippings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest i n receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO DRUGSENSE ON-LINE
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
-OR-
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. send your
contribution to:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Inc. |
. Your faithful editor had the pleasure
to attend the ceremony, which took place in a rose garden in
Vancouver last weekend, and this article from Metro Magazine will
fill you in on the details of the nuptials.
 | current issue | this issue |