| Oct. 6, 2006 #469 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) AGENTS RAID MARIJUANA CO-OP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal Officials Claim Operation Was Not Medicinal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agents raided several Bay Area sites and arrested 15 people
Tuesday morning to shut down what supporters called a medicinal
marijuana cooperative, but what federal officials called a drug-dealing
operation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided sites, including the
administrative office of New Remedies Cooperative -- formerly known as
Compassionate Caregivers -- at [address redacted] in downtown Oakland;
its dispensary at [address redacted] in San Francisco; and what
apparently was its marijuana-growing operation in a warehouse at
[address redacted]., on the edge of San Francisco's Potrero Hill
district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Seized were about 12,743 marijuana plants; computers; four vehicles including a Porsche Carrera convertible; $125,000 and three bank accounts belonging to New Remedies, Potent Employment Solutions LLC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A California law approved by voters a decade ago permits medicinal use
of marijuana, but federal law bans the drug entirely. Federal officials
implied Tuesday this operation wasn't just medicinal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Federal drug laws prohibit the cultivation and sale of marijuana.
Anyone who breaks these laws to run a lucrative drug trade, buy fancy
cars, boost their bank accounts and exploit vulnerable citizens is not
compassionate, they're criminal," Javier Pena, the DEA special agent in
charge, said in a news release. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) POTHEADS SEND ALZHEIMER'S UP IN SMOKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It seems illogical, but the same compound that addles the brains of
marijuana users may help treat the symptoms and slow the onset of
Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia among elderly
people. In laboratory experiments, the compound, delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), preserved levels of a brain chemical that
declines in Alzheimer's, permitting the build-up of brain-gumming
"amyloid plaques". | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The plaques are the hallmark of Alzheimer's and its dementia-inducing
damage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Our results provide a mechanism whereby the THC molecule can directly
impact Alzheimer's disease pathology," researchers reported in the US
journal Molecular Pharmaceutics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The team - led by organic chemist Kim Janda of the Scripps Research
Institute in La Jolla, California - claimed that THC holds real promise
as a "drug lead", a model for developing new and more effective
treatments for Alzheimer's. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Existing drugs such as donepezil, sold as Aricept in Australia,
inhibited an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase which broke down
acetylcholine, the brain chemical that prevents formation of amyloid
plaques. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But THC not only acted against the enzyme, it also targeted plaque
formation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) JUSTICES WEIGH DEPORTATION FOR POSSESSING ILLEGAL DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court debated Tuesday whether thousands of
longtime legal immigrants in the United States, including business
owners and military veterans, must be deported if they have been
convicted of drug possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At issue is how to interpret a stiff 10-year federal law which demands
deportation for legal immigrants who commit "aggravated felonies."
Despite the law's focus on expelling felons and drug traffickers, the
government in recent years has insisted on deporting some immigrants
who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs, sometimes just small amounts of
marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Although those crimes are considered minor matters under federal law,
in some states they are classified as felonies. Government attorneys in
those states contend that the federal deportation law can be used in
those cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Several justices voiced doubt about this approach during the oral
argument Tuesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Isn't that very strange that Congress would have wanted a reading of
the statute that would turn its definition of a misdemeanor crime into
an aggravated felony for purposes of the immigration laws?" asked
Justice David Souter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Defending the government's approach, Deputy Solicitor General Edwin
Kneedler said the law as Congress wrote it "looks to state law." If a
drug crime is a felony under state law, it is a felony that leads to
deportation under federal law, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) MOM MADE SON PLANT DRUGS ON ENEMY'S SON (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
She Could Get 15 Years In Prison After Guilty Plea | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Trying to get even with an enemy, a Downers Grove woman decided to plant drugs on her rival's son -- and she enlisted her own 14-year-old boy to do the dirty work, DuPage County prosecutors said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Christine J. Marmolejo, 39, pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge
Wednesday in the bizarre revenge plot that could send her to prison for
15 years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
'It was payback time' She faces the hefty sentence -- triple the normal
maximum for such a charge -- because she used her son to slip marijuana
and prescription drugs into the other boy's backpack at Westmont High
School. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The scheme that unfolded March 22 was prompted by a long-simmering but
vaguely defined dispute between Marmolejo and a Westmont woman,
prosecutors said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Later that day, Marmolejo called the school and reported that her son
had seen drugs in the other boy's bag. Police searched the teen's
backpack and found the drugs, but later questioned Marmolejo's son, who
implicated himself and his mother, Knight said, adding that the boy
told police "his family had been arguing with the other family for
years." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marmolejo also acknowledged while being questioned that she provided the drugs and concocted the plan. "She indicated she did this because she hated the mother of the other student," Knight said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal drug war legislation that would grant police powers to teachers and other school officials passed the House last month, and now at least one media outlet is taking the story seriously, with all its grim implications. It's a quick fix that poses more problems than it solves, but that tends to be the standard in prohibition. In another example of this kind of thinking, the Chicago Tribune touts new research on drugs that can help to make you drug-free. But, little thought is given to messing with all those complex receptor systems in the body, and what the side effects may arise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In other news, even USA Today has noticed that New Jersey is the
last state in the union that doesn't allow needle exchanges; and New
York City lawmakers have apparently solved all the other drug
problems, so now they are lashing out at soft drinks with
provocative names. I'm sure this new crusade will be just as
successful as the previous efforts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) SUSPICION IN THE CLASSROOM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Critics Say School-Search Bill May Violate Students' Constitutional
Rights And Force Teachers To Act As Cops | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adopt a policy for searching students or lose federal funding. That's the ultimatum associated with the Student and Teacher Safety Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The legislation would require school boards to establish a policy
allowing full-time teachers and school officials, acting on
reasonable suspicion, to search any student they wish in order to
ensure that the school remains free from weapons, drugs or other
dangerous materials. Districts that fail to enact the guidelines
would become ineligible for federal funds through the Safe and Drug
Free School program, from which New York state received more than $7
million in the 2006-07 academic year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Supporters of the Student and Teacher Safety Act argue that the
measure would increase safety in schools while alleviating
apprehension about liability for teachers and other school
officials. Opponents, although they echo the need to improve safety,
question the bill's potential to violate students' constitutional
rights as well as the appropriateness of expanding the role of
educators. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In defining student searches, the Student and Teacher Act fails to describe the scope of permissible searches, said Jesselyn McCurdy, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the legislation because of its broad language. This ambiguity leaves wiggle room for school officials to construe the bill as allowing for random, wide-scale searches of all students, even those for whom there is no suspicion of wrongdoing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) CAN VACCINES CURE OUR BAD HABITS? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Researchers Aim Syringes At Smoking, Obesity, Drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vaccines, the most potent medical weapon ever devised to vanquish
deadly germs, are now being called on to do something totally
different and culturally revolutionary--inoculate people against bad
habits like overeating, cigarette smoking and drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Whether this new era of vaccine research can actually subdue many of
the poor lifestyle choices that are today's biggest threats to
health--causing obesity, cancer, heart disease and other
problems--has yet to be proved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But the evidence is promising enough to persuade the federal
government to put millions of dollars toward finding out if two of
the vaccines can end nicotine and cocaine addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, which has spent $15 million on
clinical trials for the vaccines and plans to spend more, predicts
that one of the nicotine vaccines may be available for marketing in
three years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) N.J. MOVES TO END BAN ON OVER-THE-COUNTER SYRINGES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All Other States Make Needles Available Without Prescription; Health
Officials Say That Lowers Drug-Related HIV Cases | ||||||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey, the last state with restrictions on access to syringes
without a prescription, may be ready to end its ban in the name of
AIDS prevention. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All other states allow over-the-counter sales of syringes in pharmacies or let drug users exchange used needles for sterile ones. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) LAWMAKERS SCOLD MAKER OF 'COCAINE' DRINK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outraged New York City lawmakers denounced the manufacturer of a
new, highly caffeinated soft drink called Cocaine yesterday and
called for a boycott of the beverage, saying it glamorized an
illegal and deadly stimulant that has ravaged families and
neighborhoods since the epidemic of the 1980's. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There are only two reasons that you would seek to use this infamous
and insidious name to market your so-called energy drink," said
Councilman James Sanders Jr. of Queens, who organized a news
conference at City Hall. "Either you are woefully ignorant of the
horrors of cocaine addiction, or your god is the dollar bill, and
not even human life is more sacred." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The beverage has attracted considerable publicity, most of it
negative, since it was introduced last month by its manufacturer,
Redux Beverages L.L.C., in southern California. The company's Web
site lists five retailers that sell the beverage -- all of them in
or around New York City. It is also available in Los Angeles and San
Diego. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The drug war is predicated on the idea that if we scare people with prison, or failing that, straighten them out with prison, drugs won't be a problem. The fallacy of that position was proved again last week in New York, where drugs in prisons have become an issue in the Lt. Governor's race. Of course, the only way to really reduce the level of drugs in prison would be to end prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Elsewhere, the prohibition-based corruption of both police and
politicians continues; while police and a judge insist on punishment
regardless of the evidence when it comes to drug crimes. At least
the police are getting sued over their reprehensible behavior in
North Carolina. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) DRUGS IN PRISON NOW AN ISSUE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gubernatorial Candidates Address How To Stem Flow Of Drugs To
Incarcerated Addicts | ||||||||||||||||||||||
New York should do more to stop the flow of deadly drugs into state
prisons, said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot L. Spitzer,
who outlined a four-point approach he says ultimately will reduce
crime on the streets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The state prison system, Spitzer said, needs to beef up officer
training and use more drug-detection technology to identify inmates
smuggling drugs into its 69 prisons. Internal affairs - the main
investigatory arm inside the prison - should be strengthened and
vigorously prosecute anyone caught with drugs, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
More emphasis should be placed on treatment of drug-addicted
inmates, while in prison and after their release. And a | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Drug use is an overwhelming problem among criminal offenders,"
Spitzer said. "We know that in-prison treatment followed up by
continued treatment in the community, and after-care upon release,
keeps people off drugs and reduces re-arrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) STATE TO DROP CASES TIED TO SUSPECT COPS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
110 Arrests Linked to 9 City Officers in Robbery Probe | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Top Cook County prosecutors have ordered their staff to drop any
case that nine special operations officers had a significant role in
handling, which could nullify the arrests of 110 people charged in
gun, drug, burglary and violence cases, according to a memo
circulated in the Cook County state's attorney's office earlier this
month. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In addition to cases handled by four Chicago police officers charged
with robberies and kidnappings, the memo also directs prosecutors to
drop cases handled by five other officers in the special operations
unit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Those officers have been stripped of their police powers in the
investigation but are not charged with a crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
State's Atty. Richard Devine had earlier said his office planned to
review whether cases needed to be dropped, and the Sept. 12 memo
gives clear instructions to drop any case in which the nine officers
made the arrest, recovered physical evidence, signed a search
warrant or provided information from an informant that led to the
arrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) AREA MAYOR FACES DRUG CHARGES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WILTON -- The arrest of Wilton Mayor Dick Summy on Thursday was the culmination of a year-long investigation, authorities said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sean McCullough, supervisor for the Iowa Department of Public
Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Division, said Summy, 56, was
arrested Thursday morning at the Iowa League of Cities meeting in
Coralville on charges of conspiracy to deliver a controlled
substance, marijuana and violation of the state's drug tax stamp
law. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Summy is being held in the Polk County Jail on $19,500 bond. His initial appearance is scheduled for this morning. McCullough said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Search warrants were served Monday by the Muscatine County Drug Task
Force to three area banks and at Summy's home in Wilton. According
to documents filed at the Muscatine County Courthouse, several items
were confiscated, including a handheld police radio with charger, a
computer and cash totaling approximately $24,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The warrant also indicates trafficking marijuana in amounts of
pounds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In March 14, at a Des Moines bar, Joeseppe's, Summy allegedly
accepted $800 in marked currency toward an informant's previous drug
debt to Summy for a half-pound of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) OFFICER FACES LAWSUIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A Jacksonville attorney charged almost two years ago with selling
counterfeit drugs is suing the Jacksonville police officer that
arrested him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
While the District Attorney's office in June dropped the charges
filed against attorney David Best, 57, of New Bridge Street in
October 2004, Best claims in his lawsuit that Jacksonville police
officer Jason Holland's actions damaged his business. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best "suffered monetary loss in terms of lost income from his
business, severe damage to his reputation, expenses incurred as a
direct result of the charges, suffered extreme embarrassment and was
publicly humiliated and embarrassed," according to the lawsuit filed
Sept. 15 by attorney Ralph T. Bryant of Havelock. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best is seeking a jury trial, court costs and damages incurred in
excess of $10,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
While Holland is the only one named in the lawsuit, the city of
Jacksonville will provide his defense, said Paul Spring, deputy
chief of the Jacksonville Police Department. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"But we feel this lawsuit is without merit," Spring said. "But
that's all I can say about it because it's under litigation at this
time." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a drug bust that Jacksonville police said targeted mid-to
upper-level narcotics distributors, Best was charged with conspiracy
to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance Oct. 20,
2004. He was placed in Onslow County jail under $5,000 bond. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At the time, law enforcement officials said that Best conspired with
Melissa Marie Biegel, who was homeless, to sell counterfeit pain
killers. Biegel was accused of selling prescription pain medication
to an informant working for the police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In order to prove that Best was guilty of conspiring with Biegel,
the state would have to prove that Best knew the purpose of the
transaction between Biegel and the informant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assistant District Attorney Jamie Askins dropped the charges against
Best in June. He said that while Jacksonville police believed they
possessed the information needed to prove its case against Best,
Askins determined otherwise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In the lawsuit, it is claimed that Holland knew from the beginning that he didn't have the evidence needed to make an arrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"But despite extensive surveillance, the defendant was not able to
gather any evidence to charge Mr. Best with selling or delivering or
conspiring to sell or deliver any controlled substance," the lawsuit
states. "Despite this lack of any evidence to support any
drug-related charges, the defendant falsely and maliciously created
charges totally lacking in any merit and lacking in any probable
cause." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) JUDGE REMOVED FROM TRIAL OF TEENAGER IN DRUG CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Attorney Says Policy Of Requiring Jail Time Is Unjust | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A Harris County judge's policy of requiring jail time for everyone
convicted of drug possession has gotten him removed from the case of
a 17-year-old high school student. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The recusal was the second time this year that state District Judge Brian Rains has been disqualified from presiding over a trial. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Supporters of cannabis reform are coming out of the woodwork in two
states where election initiative opportunities are rapidly
approaching. In Nevada, several prominent religious leaders from the
state have take a public stand in favor of a ballot question that
would allow possession of marijuana by adults. In Colorado, at least
one county board is supporting another initiative which would also
allow limited possession and use of cannabis by adults. And the good
sense is filtering down to other places, like the University of
North Carolina, where the student newspaper also editorialized in
favor of rolling back bad marijuana laws last week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In much less encouraging news, California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger vetoed a common sense hemp bill approved by the
state's legislator. Supporters of the legislation in the state house
vow to keep fighting for the bill. And, an international
"anti-doping" agency for athletics uses twisted logic to support its
current ban on cannabis use by athletes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) RELIGIOUS LEADERS UNITE ON MARIJUANA INITIATIVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A dozen Northern Nevada religious leaders plan to announce today
they support the initiative to legalize marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I know of no place else in the country where a group of religious
leaders is coming together to speak with a unified voice with
regulating marijuana," said Troy Dayton, associate director of the
Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative addresses drug policies issues
nationwide and is working with the Committee to Regulate and Control
Marijuana. Dayton said he called many religious leaders to get their
support on the initiative. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The list of 32 churches, mostly in Las Vegas and Reno, includes
Christians and Jews, mainline denominations and several black
churches. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Question 7 on the November ballot would allow those 21 and older to
legally possess, use and transfer 1 ounce or less of marijuana. It
also would regulate the sale of marijuana and increase criminal
penalties for causing death or substantial bodily harm when driving
under the influence of drugs or alcohol. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) PITCO HIGH ON POT INITIATIVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The hot-button issues of legalizing marijuana and recognizing the
rights of same-sex partners drew the unanimous support of Pitkin
County commissioners on Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
With virtually no comments during its regular meeting, the
commissioners unanimously passed resolutions on six state ballot
issues coming before voters Nov. 7, including Amendment 44, which
legalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. The
commissioners had debated the question at length at a work session
earlier this month, said chair Mick Ireland. At that time there was
some hesitation about what kind of message the board's endorsement
would send to kids. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"But we're not convinced that legalizing something for adults necessarily means that children will follow," said Ireland. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The commissioners' resolution supporting Amendment 44 says "it strikes an appropriate balance between public safety and individual choice that persons 21 years of age or older who can legally possess and consume alcohol should be able to choose to legally possess and consume small quantities of marijuana in non-public places." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) EDITORIAL: LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IS SMART PUBLIC POLICY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Last year, the UNC Honor Court charged 18 people with Honor Code
violations for possession of marijuana. According to the FBI, 37,000
people are in jail for the same thing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Is it worth it? We doubt it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Even from a strictly economic point of view, keeping a relatively
innocuous drug like marijuana illegal is a dumb move. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
While we recognize the government's desire to protect people from
themselves, the risks of marijuana are not worth the costs of
prevention. In 2000, marijuana prohibition cost N.C. taxpayers
nearly 96 million dollars. The federal government spent 2.6 billion
in 2002 alone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana prohibition does not have to be a pit that we throw money
into. If a typical "sin tax" was applied to marijuana usage,
estimates show the federal government would make 1.6 billion, and
North Carolina would bring in 22.9 million each year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Legalizing marijuana will also open up a new cash crop for N.C.
farmers. The state economy would benefit greatly if farmers could
use hemp and marijuana crops to supplement the struggling tobacco
industry. Snack food producers also would be thankful. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) GOVERNOR VETOES THE LEGALIZATION OF HEMP OVER THE WEEKEND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekend decision to veto a bill that
legalized growing hemp in California was greeted with disdain by the
state assemblyman who supported it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau also was frustrated with the veto,
saying growers are always looking for viable crop alternatives, and
that hemp could have been one given demand. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But Schwarzenegger, in a statement Saturday, said while he supports
the development of new crops in the state, he felt he could not
approve the legalization of hemp, a type of cannabis related to
marijuana but without the euphoric effects: "Unfortunately, I am
very concerned that this bill would give legitimate growers a false
sense of security and a belief that production of 'industrial hemp'
is somehow a legal activity under federal law." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
State Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, introduced AB 1147
this year to reduce the reliance of U.S. manufacturers on imported
hemp from Canada and China. Monday, Leno called the veto just "short
of absurd." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's just another example of myth and politics trumping science and
sound public policy," Leno said. "But we're not through yet. We're
not going to give up. I'll probably try to introduce it again ... in
January." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) ANTI-DOPING AGENCY DEFENDS STANCE ON CANNABIS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - The World Anti Doping Agency ( WADA ) has
defended the continued inclusion of cannabis on its prohibited list
of substances following criticism that the ban is placing
unnecessary strain on sporting federations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
IAAF council member and Spanish athletics federation president Jose
Maria Odriozola raised concern about the cannabis ban on Sunday
during a round table discussion on "borderline issues" at an
international anti-doping symposium organised by the world athletics
governing body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
According to Odriozola, federations are "wasting considerable time
and money, dealing with what is essentially a recreational
non-performance-enhancing drug." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Odriozola's comments were firmly rejected by WADA's director of
science, Olivier Rabin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We have three criteria for including something on our list of prohibited substances and methods, at least two of which have to be met -- performance enhancement, possible health dangers and a contravention of the spirit of sport," Rabin told Reuters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We know full well that cannabis can alleviate feelings of fear
which can help performance in some sports. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It is also risky for athletes and others around them as it can
cause a distortion of perception and we also believe it violates the
spirit of sport even though we understand it is mainly a social
drug." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a high-profile case concerning cannabis, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati was temporarily deprived of his 1998 Olympic giant slalom gold medal after traces of marijuana were found in his body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (19-22) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Britain in 2001, when 21-year-old Rachel Whitear was found dead, with a heroin needle stuck in her arm, prohibitionists assumed they had struck some real pay-dirt, using a horrific photo of Rachel's body (with needle and all) in anti-drugs ad campaigns. Her parents, however, had always suspected some foul play, begging authorities to properly investigate Rachel's death. Now, years later, officials are reluctantly agreeing to a proper inquest into how Rachel really died. Rachel's mother, "Even from the very day Rachel's body was discovered, we were never entirely happy that everything possible was being done to try and discover exactly why and how she died." More than one set of fingerprints were found on the syringe, indicating that she someone else was present when she died. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The latest shots fired in the row between Bolivia and Washington
D.C. were fired by Washington last week in the wake of an earlier
visit by the popular Bolivian president Evo Morales to U.N.
headquarters in New York. This week, the U.S. prohibitionist regime
has threatened an economic blockade of little (landlocked) Bolivia,
beginning with decertification, and leading to a halt of
international economic assistance to Bolivia, primarily via
international loans. Bolivia countered that the U.S. has the "wrong
idea" abut Bolivian eradication, since Bolivia had overseen
"voluntarily proceeded with the eradication, [yet] without violating
human rights." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prohibitionist central planners in Washington D.C. revealed their thinking and plans for Colombia this week, also. Still reeling in the aftermath of the massacre of an elite military narcotics police unit by another military unit (allegedly in the pay of cocaine merchants), and faced with the abject failure to actually prohibit cocaine from getting to U.S. consumers at ever lower prices, U.S. prohibitionists like Jim McGovern (D., Mass.) see the solution in more "outrage," and tinkering with the system. "We are sending billions of dollars to bankroll the Colombian military and are being told everything is terrific. And then bang, this [the massacre of narcs] happens. Where is the outrage?" Until the "outrage" is directed as prohibition itself, expect more of the same. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile in Australia this week, a classic tale of drug laws making
thing worse, where The Mercury newspaper reveals that "miners
working in the Bowen Basin are trying to beat workplace drug tests
by using methamphetamines (speed) instead of cannabis". Why? Meth
leaves "a user's system in a matter of days while traces of cannabis
could stay in your system up to a month." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) PARENTS WIN COURT BATTLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Years After The Body Of Drug Addict Rachel Whiter Shocked Britain A Judge Orders A Second Inquest To Find Out How She Died | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SIX years on from her death, the family of tragic heroin victim
Rachel Whitear yesterday came a step closer to finding out how she
died. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
When the 21-year-old's body was discovered in her bedsit in May
2000, she was written off as just another appalling overdose
statistic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But mum Pauline Holcroft and stepdad Mick have always claimed there
are a lot of unanswered questions about the case. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Yesterday, they hailed a decision to hold a new inquest into the
death of Rachel - whose image was used in a graphic anti-drugs
campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mum Pauline said outside the High Court: "Even from the very day
Rachel's body was discovered, we were never entirely happy that
everything possible was being done to try and discover exactly why
and how she died. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There was always a nagging suspicion her death had been regarded as
just one more inconsequential drugs statistic and that she was a bit
of a nuisance." Police now say "significant new evidence" may
provide the answers she and Mick have been seeking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And the whole country was shocked by the photo of her blackened
corpse slumped on the floor of her dingy digs in Exmouth, Devon, a
discarded syringe nearby. Two sets of finger-prints were found on
the syringe, suggesting she did not die alone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Suspicion fell on junkie ex-boyfriend [Name redacted] , 31, who lied
to police about when last he saw her. But he maintained his
innocence and the CPS ruled there was insufficient evidence to press
charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(20) MORALES, WASHINGTON FACE OFF OVER COCA-LEAF FIELDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
LA PAZ - When Evo Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president, arrived in New York on his first visit to the United States, he received an unmistakably chilly welcome based partly on his push to expand the legal coca crop in his South American country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
He didn't exactly mend fences during his visit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Now, Pres. Morales faces the unpleasant likelihood that his flexible
coca-crop policy will be rejected, dealing a blow to his efforts to
eliminate the illegal plantations that produce cocaine for the U.S.
market. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The statement, signed by White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, stated that, "Despite increased drug interdiction, Bolivia has undertaken policies that have allowed the expansion of coca cultivation and have significantly curtailed eradication." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A diplomatic source told IPS that the document strongly warns Pres.
Morales that he must drastically reduce coca leaf crops by at least
5,000 hectares by March and revoke government resolutions that
permit open commercialization of the plant that--in addition to
providing the basic ingredient for cocaine--has legal uses in
traditional medicine and rituals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
After reading the White House report, presidential spokesman Alex
Contreras stated that the United States had "the wrong idea" about
what is going on with Bolivia's anti-drug policy since, during the
eight months of Pres. Morales' mandate, the government has
voluntarily proceeded with the eradication, without violating human
rights. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"This means that the goal of eradicating 5,000 hectares by the end
of the year will be easily surpassed, not because of U.S. pressure,
but through our own will and without using a single drop of tear
gas--much less repression or confrontations," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If Washington "decertifies" Bolivia in retaliation over the coca crop issue, it would cut off the $150 million the United States grants the Andean country each year. It would also mean a vote against Bolivia on the boards of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), institutions that the country relies on heavily for foreign aid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Each year, the country receives from these institutions an estimated
$400 million in loans and donations to finance social programs and
build roads, schools and hospitals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bolivia's gross domestic product, according to IMF statistics,
stands at approximately $9.5 billion, while its foreign debt has
climbed to almost $4.5 billion. [snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(21) RETHINKING PLAN COLOMBIA: SOME WAYS TO FIX IT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - The Colombian soldiers look young. A little
disinterested, perhaps. Or maybe just scared. One by one, they
politely stand in the spare courtroom and state their names and
ranks. They are charged with planning and carrying out the murder of
10 US-trained counternarcotic policemen and a civilian - at the
behest of narcotraffickers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But in Washington, Jamundi continues to resonate, giving ammunition to those who say that Plan Colombia, the US' six-year $4.7 billion program to fight the drug trade, needs a serious overhaul. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The U.S. has to stop being a cheap date ... doing everything and
expecting nothing in return," fumes Rep. Jim McGovern (D) of
Massachusetts. "We are sending billions of dollars to bankroll the
Colombian military and are being told everything is terrific. And
then bang, this happens. Where is the outrage?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Congressman McGovern sees Jamundi as indicative of a much larger, institutional problem. "Just how far have the drug mafias penetrated the military? Just how cowered are the courts?" he asks. "All the money we have sent down there has basically not worked." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The White House insists it is winning the war against drugs. Those
boasts fly in the face of the facts, but the White House would
rather stick to a flawed plan than to admit that their approach
isn't working and to fix it," says committee member Sen. Patrick
Leahy (D) of Vermont. "Congressional oversight ... has been sorely
lacking," he says. "It is past time for an honest reassessment of
Plan Colombia." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(22) MINERS TURN TO SPEED TO BEAT TESTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SOME miners working in the Bowen Basin are trying to beat workplace
drug tests by using methamphetamines (speed) instead of cannabis
when they party. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Tropical Investigations and Security Service general manager Gary
Sorensen said miners had told him they have been "forced" to use
speed to beat the test. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This was because speed left a user's system in a matter of days
while traces of cannabis could stay in your system up to a month, Mr
Sorensen said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) industrial safety and health representative Tim White said he was aware of some miners using methamphetamines in a bid to cheat drug tests. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr White said he was concerned about the danger this behaviour posed
to miners themselves and their colleagues. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's a pretty dangerous job," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE ANTI-SMOKING VACCINE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Jeffrey Helm, The Tyee. Posted September 30, 2006. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Scientists are getting close to creating a controversial vaccine
against nicotine addiction. Someday, along with jabs against mumps
and measles, kids could get vaccinated against nicotine, cocaine and
heroin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW REPORT ON CANNABIS USE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By the Centre for Addictions Research of BC | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The report highlights recent findings that suggest cannabis use in
BC is higher than the rest of Canada, and its illegal production
contributes significantly to the local economy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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LEGAL EASE WITH KIRK TOUSAW | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This time Kirk talks about the BC3 extradition, the NDP convention,
tells us where to write to Carol Gwilt and lots more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Listen Live Fridays 8:00 PM, ET, 7:00 CT, 6:00 MT & 5:00 PT at
www.KPFT.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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DEA LAUNCHES "STUMBLEWEED" ONLINE MAGAZINE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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- It's just a plant. How could it be bad for me? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
TELL DEA TO STOP ATTACKS ON MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A DrugSense Focus Alert. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
JOIN A MEDIA ACTIVISM ROUNDTABLE ONLINE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gather with leading hearts and minds from the drug policy reform movement as we discuss ways to write Letters to the Editor that get printed. We'll also discuss ways to get notable OPEDS printed in your local and in-state newspapers. We'll also educate on how to increase drug policy coverage in your local radio markets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The conferences will be held every Tuesday evening starting at 9
p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain and 6 p.m. Pacific in
the DrugSense Virtual Conference Room. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SEE: http://mapinc.org/resource/paltalk.htm for details on how you
can participate. Discussion is conducted by voice (microphone and
speakers all that is needed - however, you may listen if you don't
have a microphone) and also by text messaging. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
ILLEGAL, BUT EASY TO GET | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Stephen Heath | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stan White ["Maligned Marijuana," letters, Sept. 20] asked how long
the Drug Enforcement Administration can keep marijuana away from
Americans. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I dispute the notion that the agency is keeping marijuana from many
citizens. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Save for the persistent efforts to place obstacles between patients
and their medical marijuana, the millions of Americans who want
marijuana don't have much trouble getting it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nor do users of other illicit drugs, despite decades of | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This leads to a corollary to the question regarding medical
marijuana that Mr. White posed: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
How long are we as taxpayers going to fund a federal agency that has
proven itself incapable of fulfilling its primary mission -- that of
significantly reducing either the demand for or supply of illegal
drugs? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Heath | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Federal Government's Lack Of Credibility On Medical Marijuana
Raids | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Pete Guither | ||||||||||||||||||||||
There have been a rash of medical marijuana dispensary raids by the
feds in California recently. And each time, the government comes out
with statements about how much they've seized in cash and other
points to improve their public relations by making the public feel
that all these dispensaries are nothing but fronts for criminal
activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Drug Czar's "blog" in its post: "So Who Profits from so-called
'Medical' Marijuana ?" ( see | ||||||||||||||||||||||
What are you driving, Mr. Walters? (That is, when you're not being
chauffeured in a taxpayer-provided limo?) And what of leaders of
pharmaceutical companies? Don't they have a few bucks to spend on
cars? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If Mr. Rose provides medical marijuana to patients at a price they
can afford and is able to make a good living at it, I am much more
sympathetic to the deservedness of his earnings than I am to the
Czar, who makes money from lying to and harming people. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sparky Rose may be a scumbag who is manipulating the medical
marijuana situation for his own profit. I don't know. What I do know
is that I won't take the Federal government's word for it, because
they have proven time and time again (particularly in regards to
medical marijuana) that their word is worthless. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As long as the Federal government continues its unreasonable war on
medical marijuana patients (as part of a larger strategy to protect
its drug war budget and pharmaceutical company patronage), every
action they take is suspect, and the most base criminal's word
seems... cleaner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unfortunately, the mixed legality of medical marijuana has the potential of attracting criminal activity. But the only way to solve that is through clarity. Give the state of California the power to manage their medical marijuana programs without interference and they'll have a better chance of doing it well. Better yet -- legalize and regulate and take all the value away from criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony Gregory has a great OpEd on this subject yesterday at Lew
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"However, none of this should have to be argued. The fact is people have a human and Constitutional right to control their bodies: self-medication is a Ninth Amendment right 'retained by the people.' And since there is no enumerated power of the federal government to regulate drugs and medicine, the federal government certainly has no right overthrowing local medical marijuana laws and imposing its centralized authoritarianism in their place. With the latest disgrace of the Bay Area pot club raids, individual rights and federalism have once again been demolished by the DEA. If ever we are to restore anything resembling a working Bill of Rights, of which the Ninth and Tenth Amendments are perhaps the crowning jewels, the DEA should be one of the first agencies to go." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
While you're in the Anthony Gregory mood, he's got another major
OpEd today on libertarianism and the drug war: The Drug War's
Immorality and Abject Failure" ( see | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Although it is a politically incorrect point, we must recognize
that people have a right to put what they want into their bodies,
and no one has a right to forcibly stop them. Not only does this
truth flow axiomatically from any proper understanding of the human
rights to life, liberty, and property; it offers the best
explanation of why the drug war has been such an abject failure.
Something as abjectly immoral, as contrary to human nature as the
drug war cannot bring about happiness or order or civilization or
progress. It can, however, effectively destroy lives and turn the
country into a much worse place to live. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Americans may not think they're ready to end the drug war, but the
immoral crusade is doomed to fail. The sooner we recognize this, the
sooner we can begin the process of restoring the precious American
freedoms that have been eroded in this very evil war." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pete Guither is the author of Drug War Rant - www.drugwarrant.com -
a weblog at the front lines of the drug war, where this piece first
appeared. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I never took hallucinogenic drugs because I never wanted my consciousness expanded one unnecessary iota." - Fran Lebowitz | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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