| Sept. 13, 2002 #267 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Listen On-line at: http://www.drugsense.org/radio/ | ||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) THE CRACK-HOUSE RAVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Some 600 Ravers gathered on the lawn outside the Federal Building in
Westwood last Friday to protest proposed federal legislation that could
force raves underground. "It upsets me that this culture will die,"
said 18-year-old USC student Sydney Katz, as she passed out Arrowhead
water to the throng of mostly teenagers at "Freedom To Dance," the
five-hour DJ-driven demonstration. "The culture thrives on the ability
to be live. You have this DJ above you that creates an energy and vibe.
If promoters don't throw events, DJs won't be able to make the music
they want to." | ||||||||||||||||||
The RAVE (Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy) Act would modify a 16-year-old law that makes it a federal crime to knowingly house or rent residences to drug dealers. It would expand the definition of a crack house to include raves and other music events and make it easier to fine venue owners and promoters up to $250,000 or imprison them up to 20 years if they fail to stop the sales or use of drugs at events. In June, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill, introduced by Sen. Joseph R. Biden (D-Del.). A vote by the full Congress is expected in the next few weeks. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(2) OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA CITY TO PASS OUT MEDICINAL POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -(AP)- City officials plan to join medical marijuana
users at a pot giveaway at City Hall next week, hoping to send a
message to federal authorities that, in this city, medical marijuana is
welcome. | ||||||||||||||||||
The invitation comes a week after Drug Enforcement Administration
agents arrested the owners of a pot farm and confiscated 130 plants
that had been grown for medicinal use. | ||||||||||||||||||
"It's just absolutely loathsome to me that federal money, energy and
staff time would be used to harass people like this," said Vice Mayor
Emily Reilly. Along with several City Council colleagues, she plans to
distribute marijuana to people with prescriptions at the City Hall
courtyard Tuesday. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(3) AFGHAN FARMERS TO HARVEST MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
KHANA ABAD, Afghanistan - Obeying a Taliban edict, many marijuana
cultivators in Afghanistan stopped growing their crops when the
hardline Islamic militia was in power. Now some of those farmers are
back in business. | ||||||||||||||||||
They're so open about it that fields of sturdy marijuana plants, some nearly seven feet tall, line part of the main road leading west from Mazar-e-Sharif, the biggest city in northern Afghanistan. Resin from the plant, also known as cannabis, is concentrated to make hashish. | ||||||||||||||||||
With the main harvest expected in one to two months, growers in the roadside village of Khana Abad, 20 miles from Mazar-e-Sharif, say they'll ignore government warnings to tear up their crops. | ||||||||||||||||||
``Maybe it isn't good for our people, but we have to do it because of
our economic problems,'' said Rouzudin, a farmer who said he heard the
warnings broadcast on the radio only after investing a large sum in his
plot. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The United Nations has conducted surveys of poppy crops, but has not
done so for marijuana plants. The focus on poppies possibly reflects
the view of international donors that highly addictive heroin is the
more urgent problem. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(4) ADVOCATES FOR ADDICTS RECEIVE RIGHTS AWARD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
City Group Works To Combat HIV, Hepatitis C | ||||||||||||||||||
A Vancouver group that advocates for illegal-drug users has received a
national human-rights award. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch, which is
giving a Canadian award for the first time, said that the Vancouver
Area Network of Drug Users is receiving the award for its
"ground-breaking efforts to halt an explosion of HIV and hepatitis C"
and its "unparallelled success at introducing innovative harm reduction
measures." | ||||||||||||||||||
VANDU was founded in 1998 with the aim of improving the lives of drug addicts through peer support and education. It has broken new ground in the city and the country by allowing drug addicts to speak for themselves and advocate for better treatment. Typically, politicians, police, social workers or health workers speak for or about addicts. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Is mass-spraying herbicide over populated areas good or bad? It depends on which newspaper you read. The St. Petersburg Times and the New York Times both reported the story, but with markedly different emphasis. Florida readers saw the headline "Report Criticizes Drug Spray Mix," while the newspaper of record went with "Coca Spraying Poses No Risk To Colombians, U.S. Declares." | ||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. hasn't endorsed the use of aerial herbicide in Canada yet,
but unmanned spy planes will patrol the border. The planes are
supposed to increase security, but the test run succeeded only in
stopping a shipment of "B.C. bud." | ||||||||||||||||||
A reform initiative in Michigan appears to be off the ballot for now, due to a technicality. Finally, results from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse were released last week. The survey showed some significant increases in drug use in certain categories - maybe tying drugs with terrorism isn't working after all. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(5) REPORT CRITICIZES DRUG SPRAY MIX (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- A chemical mix supplied by the United States to wipe out drug crops in Colombia is potentially harmful to humans and the environment, according to a government report released Thursday. | ||||||||||||||||||
After previously defending its use of the chemicals, the State Department now says it plans to switch to a less toxic formulation. | ||||||||||||||||||
The report by the Environmental Protection Agency was requested by
Congress as part of an effort to determine the safety of the U.S.-
financed crop eradication program. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
In its report, the EPA warned that it was concerned about one of the
chemicals being used that carried the risk of causing "acute eye
toxicity." | ||||||||||||||||||
The EPA suggested that the State Department should "consider using
an alternate glyphosate product" with lower toxicity. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(6) COCA SPRAYING POSES NO RISK TO COLOMBIANS, U.S. DECLARES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON, - The American-financed aerial destruction of coca crops
in Colombia meets United States regulatory standards and does not
endanger people or the environment, the State Department said today
in a report to Congress. | ||||||||||||||||||
The department's antinarcotics bureau, which oversees the program,
concluded that the herbicides used and the manner in which they are
applied "do not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans
or the environment." | ||||||||||||||||||
That determination, which was immediately deplored by some
environmental groups, could free money from Congress for an
aggressive advance in the effort to eradicate coca at its source.
The department has set a goal of killing up to 300,000 acres of coca
this year, 30 percent more than last year. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
In a review forwarded by Stephen L. Johnson, the assistant
administrator, the agency said the main ingredient in the herbicide
used in Colombia, glyphosate, known by the trade name Roundup, is
widely used in the United States with "no unreasonable adverse
effects." | ||||||||||||||||||
But the E.P.A. noted that an additive in glyphosate could cause acute eye irritation. In the United States, the agency said, the herbicide is typically sprayed from low-flying helicopters, not planes, and steps should be taken to avoid having it drift away from the target areas. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(7) HI-TECH PLANE PATROLS BORDER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. is gearing up to launch hi-tech military reconnaissance
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, called drones, to patrol its northern
border at night. | ||||||||||||||||||
The unmanned UAVs, which contain sophisticated infrared photographic
equipment, are similar to those used by the U.S. Air Force to hunt
terrorists in Afghanistan. | ||||||||||||||||||
"It is quite probable a UAV will be used along the northern border,"
U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Mario Villarreal said yesterday from
Washington, D.C. "It could be used at some point." | ||||||||||||||||||
Villarreal said the RCMP was involved in a UAV test along the
Idaho-British Columbia border last month, when arrests were made and
50 kilos of B.C. bud marijuana intercepted while being smuggled into
the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(8) DRUG LAWS WON'T BE ON THE FALL BALLOT, BUT TOBACCO MONEY WILL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A carefully planned and well-financed campaign to overhaul
Michigan's drug laws crashed Tuesday, as the state Supreme Court
declined to place the issue before voters in November. | ||||||||||||||||||
Without comment, the court upheld decisions issued last week by the
Court of Appeals and a state elections panel to keep the drug
question off the ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The proposal would have softened Michigan's mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, and required that drug offenders receive treatment instead of jail for low-level offenses. It also would have allowed inmates in prison for drug crimes to seek new sentences. | ||||||||||||||||||
But a technical error in drafting the language for the proposal
proved fatal. The campaign's amendment called for the creation of a
new Section 24 to Article 1 of the state Constitution. The state
Constitution already has a Section 24, adopted by voters in 1988 to
protect crime victims' rights. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(9) STUDY FINDS 18.8% OF YOUNG ADULTS USE DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- America has almost 16 million illegal drug users,
including one in five young adults, according to a government survey
that suggests use of marijuana and cocaine may be on the rise after
leveling off in recent years. | ||||||||||||||||||
Among ages 12 to 17, the youngest people surveyed, 10.8 percent were
described as current drug users in 2001, up from about 9.7 percent
the year before, according to the National Household Survey on Drug
Abuse. | ||||||||||||||||||
Young adults ages 18 to 25 were more likely to be users, increasing
to 18.8 percent from 15.9 percent in 2000. The rate of drug use
among adults 26 and older stayed about the same, at 4.5 percent.
Current users are those who reported using a drug within the past
month. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
This week's prison news offered many reminders that there is no justice in the war on drugs. In Texas, a state inquiry into a drug sting in Tulia is finally getting underway. The sting left a high percentage of Tulia's black population in jail . But regardless of the results of the inquiry, it is unlikely to free those who have been imprisoned. Elsewhere in the Lone Star State, some innocent people who were framed with fake drugs in Dallas may still be in prison. The state has not sought out all prisoners who had been targeted by police who are now tainted by the fake drugs scandal. | ||||||||||||||||||
In California, the father of a boy slain in a drug raid pleaded
guilty to a marijuana charge, even though no drugs were recovered in
the bust. His lawyer said Moises Sepulveda probably wouldn't be
subject to prison time due to the plea agreement. The lawyer said he
could have won an acquittal, but the 10-year term if he lost was too
big of a risk. And in Delaware, "jump out raids" continue. Some
civil libertarians are questioning the practice of police
photographing bystanders and taking information from them without
arresting them. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(10) STATE INQUIRY MAY NOT HELP THOSE JAILED IN TULIA STING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
HARLINGEN, Texas - A state review of a controversial drug bust in
Tulia, Texas, will move as quickly as possible but may have limited
ability to help those imprisoned in the sting, a legislative panel
was told Friday. Three prosecutors and two investigators from the
attorney general's office are investigating the 1999 West Texas drug
cases, and they began meeting Thursday with local authorities, First
Assistant Attorney General Howard Baldwin told members of the House
Judicial Affairs Committee. | ||||||||||||||||||
But committee Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said the
attorney general's efforts may do little to help those convicted
because their cases are under the jurisdiction of the appellate
courts. | ||||||||||||||||||
Without the discovery of significant evidence never made available
to their attorneys, she added, it will be difficult to persuade
courts to grant new trials. | ||||||||||||||||||
"It's not going to make a lot of difference what anyone goes out and
investigates at all," she said. "If the courts don't do anything to
turn it around, then we're just whistling in the wind. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(11) FALSE DRUG CONVICTIONS MAY LINGER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Wayne Williams was sitting in prison for the rest of his life
early in 2000, alone in his belief that two Dallas police officers
had framed him on drug charges because he couldn't pay them $5,000
in a street shakedown. | ||||||||||||||||||
Then, in April of that year, the same Dallas County district attorney's office that put him in prison won convictions for the two police officers - Quentis Roper and Daniel Maples - on charges that they ripped off more than $125,000 from drug dealers and undocumented immigrants, often falsifying reports in the process. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Williams and at least two others imprisoned on long sentences on
the strength of the officers' testimony later won commutations from
the governor. Another 20 people had cases dismissed, many because
their testimony against the two officers was needed. | ||||||||||||||||||
The district attorney's office didn't seek out all who had been
convicted, citing a lack of staff and saying it was up to the
prisoners to act on their own cases. | ||||||||||||||||||
Two former prosecutors, Clark Birdsall and Heath Harris, said other
prisoners might still be in jail because the district attorney's
office didn't investigate whether other cases made by the officers
should have been thrown out. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(12) SEPULVEDA OKS PLEA AGREEMENT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
FRESNO -- The father of a boy killed by police nearly two years ago
in a drug raid at his Modesto home pleaded guilty Tuesday to a
felony marijuana charge. | ||||||||||||||||||
The plea means that Moises Sepulveda Sr. will not stand trial as
scheduled Sept. 17 in U.S. District Court in Fresno and is likely to
avoid a prison sentence. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sepulveda, whose wife and two children accompanied him to the federal courthouse, declined to com-ment after the proceeding. | ||||||||||||||||||
Attorney Arturo Gonzalez, who also represented the family in two
civil lawsuits, said he advised Moises Sepulveda to accept the plea
offer. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I could have gone to trial, put on a show and won an acquittal,"
Gonzalez said. "But if something went wrong, he's looking at 10
years. I advised him to take the deal." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(13) CRITICS PROTEST ANTI-DRUG TACTICS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
In drug-plagued neighborhoods of Wilmington, Del., it's become a nighttime routine: Police "jump out" squads descend on a street corner, round up a few suspected dealers and cart them off to jail. | ||||||||||||||||||
But then the cops go a step further: They detain others in the area
for up to two hours, take digital photographs of them, get their
names and other details, and then put the information in a database
to use in future investigations. | ||||||||||||||||||
The new database is part of an increasingly aggressive anti-crime
effort in Wilmington that has drawn criticism from civil liberties
groups. It also has thrust the city of 73,000 to the forefront of a
national debate over whether law enforcement's use of such
technology violates citizens' privacy. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Critics say spying on residents and keeping a database of "potential
criminals" invades privacy and tramples the presumption of
innocence. | ||||||||||||||||||
"The 'jump out' squads are the tactic of rounding up the usual
suspects," says Barry Steinhardt, director of the technology and
liberty program for the national American Civil Liberties Union in
New York City. "They are stopping, searching and putting into a
database photographs of people whose only crime is being in the
wrong place at the wrong time. It's bad law enforcement, and it's
bad for civil liberties." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
In this first anniversary of the despicable events of 9/11 and the
drawn out military action that followed, two major events have
affected cannabis prohibition in North America. Last week, the
Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs recommended the
legalization and licensed distribution of cannabis. On the same day
that the 650-page report was released, the DEA raided the Wo/Men's
Alliance for Medical Marijuana, one of the U.S.'s most respected
medicinal cannabis dispensaries. | ||||||||||||||||||
Our first story looks at the raid on WAMM and many other DEA actions against legal Californian users. There is little doubt that the federal government has targeted Californian clubs; the question is, what can be done to stop the prosecution of California's sickest citizens and those who try to help them? According to our next story, a new study by California NORML shows that there are approximately 30,000 Californians currently using cannabis with legal permission from their doctors. The study, which shows that California has the highest rate of medicinal cannabis use in the U.S., is to be published by the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. | ||||||||||||||||||
On the heels of the remarkable Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs
report, Canadian Justice Minister Cauchon has expressed his
tentative support for decriminalization of cannabis, stating that
Canada's membership in international treaties would prohibit the
federal government from actually legalizing it. The report has, of
course, stirred much heated debate over the issues surrounding
cannabis prohibition. Our next article examines the discussion
surrounding the report and examines upcoming legal challenges that
could radically alter Canada's current drug policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
And lastly, a detailed account of the shameful and callous raid on
WAMM written by Dan Forbes. This is a sad story about the brave
members of WAMM, many of whom risked their health and freedom to try
to prevent the DEA from taking the medicine from their mouths. A
must read for those who need further convincing of this incredibly
unjust use of government time and resources. | ||||||||||||||||||
Finally, let us hope that the wisdom that comes forth from the
mouths of Canadian Senators, or from the lips of California's sick
and dying, does not fall on deaf political ears. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(14) POT CLUB RAID SIGNALS NEW PUSH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
By raiding a nationally known medicinal marijuana farm in Santa Cruz
this week, federal law enforcement officials served notice that they
are escalating their legal assault in the Bay Area, the cradle of
California's medical pot movement. | ||||||||||||||||||
While the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has launched similar
raids throughout the state during the past year, including one in
San Francisco in February, the Santa Cruz operation marked the most
aggressive crackdown on a major Bay Area medical marijuana outfit to
date. The raid appeared to cement a policy change for the region's
federal law enforcement officials, who for the most part have relied
on civil court orders to weed out medical pot distributors since
California enacted Proposition 215 six years ago. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(15) 30,000 CALIFORNIANS USING MEDICINAL MARIJUANA LEGALLY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
An estimated 30,000 California patients possess physician's recommendations to use pot medicinally, according to the results of a study to be published in The Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
According to the survey's findings, California has the highest
concentration of medical pot patients in the country at 89 patients
per 100,000. In other states, medical marijuana users comprise much
smaller percentages of the population, ranging from 79 patients per
100,000 in Oregon to a low of three patients per 100,000 in
Colorado. | ||||||||||||||||||
A total of 5,000 medical pot patients are estimated to be using
medicinal marijuana legally outside of California. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(16) LIBERALIZE LAWS ON POT: CAUCHON (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA -- Canada's pot laws make no sense and should be liberalized,
says Justice Minister Martin Cauchon. | ||||||||||||||||||
And Cauchon suggested yesterday he wants to decriminalize marijuana
use next year, although he dismissed a Senate committee | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Cauchon told reporters that first he wants to see the November
report of a special Commons committee on the non-medical use of
drugs. After that, he will move ahead quickly with a new policy,
probably at the beginning of next year. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(17) CALL TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA STIRS DEBATE IN CANADA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
TORONTO - For the first time since the early 20th century, a panel
of Canadian senators has recommended legalizing possession and use
of marijuana for anyone over age 16. | ||||||||||||||||||
The report, officially issued last week by the Senate Special
Committee on Illegal Drugs, estimated that 1.5 million Canadians
routinely smoke marijuana and 600,000 have criminal records because
of it. The Senate has also recommended the federal government pardon
those currently jailed on possession charges. | ||||||||||||||||||
Canada's judges, including its Supreme Court, will start to shape
the future of marijuana as they take up contradictions in the
country's approach to the substance. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(18) THE DEA IN CHAINS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
BOUND BY A PATIENT IN A CHAIR, THE FEDS CALL LOCAL COPS FOR HELP | ||||||||||||||||||
The Drug Enforcement Administration believes in starting at the top.
By shutting down two of the most aboveboard and righteous of
California's medical marijuana operations, the feds can perhaps
instill such fear that they free themselves from chasing the shaky
and the small-fry. Last October they shuttered the Los Angeles
Cannabis Resource Center, so respected that the city of West
Hollywood co-signed its mortgage and so open that it allowed
Congress's General Accounting Office in for a look. | ||||||||||||||||||
And yesterday, some two dozen DEA agents descended, chainsaws in
hand, upon the medical marijuana cooperative, the Wo/Men's Alliance
for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), located near Davenport, some sixty
miles south of San Francisco. California NORML director Dale
Gieringer said, "The DEA is making a statement by going after the
gold standard of dispensaries." | ||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (19-25) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A batch of exceptionally strong heroin is killing users in Kingston,
Ontario. Police disclosed that the "highly lethal" opiate was believed
to be responsible for two deaths in the past 10 days. In Vancouver,
police are warning users to beware of "trail mix," which police claim
is a salad of amphetamines, MDMA, ketamine, and Viagra. Drug users and
landlords alike in BC should look out for house-wrecking vigilantes.
Last week, vigilantes wrecked an alleged "drug house" there even after
tenants had been evicted and removed. | ||||||||||||||||||
Carlos Castano, the head of the largest of Colombia's right-wing
paramilitary groups last week announced he would surrender to the U.S.
to prove he's innocent of drug running. The group, the United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), had split over drug trafficking
charges earlier this year. In a communique, the paramilitaries vowed
to "abolish the practice of drug trafficking which served as a source
of finance for our organisation." Meanwhile, the Bush administration
cheerfully threw another $42 million at the Colombian military this
week after claiming to see "improvement" in the Colombian regime's
human-rights record. | ||||||||||||||||||
Israel and Palestine may not agree on much, but they sing in harmony
when it comes to punishing "drug" (marijuana) offenses. Last week,
Palestinian police vowed to "join hands" with Israeli police to hunt
down a "drug trafficker" (a man who grew marijuana plants) who had
escaped to Israel. | ||||||||||||||||||
And finally this week, reports from Mexico indicate that women are
running the largest Mexican drug cartels. The Tijuana and Colima
cartels reportedly run by the Arellano Felix and Contreras families,
have been turned over to female family members after the male bosses
were jailed or killed, according to police. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(19) TWO DEAD AS 'HIGHLY LETHAL' HEROIN HITS STREETS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Local News - Kingston Police say there is some "highly lethal"
heroin being sold on city streets that is suspected to have caused
two deaths in the past 10 days. | ||||||||||||||||||
Members of Project Round Up - a joint-forces drug enforcement squad
- and the Kingston Police are investigating the deaths and trying to
locate the source and distributor of what they say is "pure grade"
heroin. | ||||||||||||||||||
"Ideally, we'd like to get the supplier, but right now we just want
to get it off the streets so we don't have any more deaths," said
Staff Sgt. Chris Scott. | ||||||||||||||||||
Though police are still waiting for toxicology reports, the heroin
is thought to have nearly twice the potency of what drug users are
accustomed to, Scott said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(20) RAVERS BEWARE: TRAIL MIX COULD KILL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Police are warning ravers and nightclubbers about a potentially
deadly chemical cocktail called trail mix. | ||||||||||||||||||
The pills, according to RCMP Cpl. Scott Rintoul, are a blend of ingredients including methamphetamine, ecstacy or MDMA, ketamine -- also known as special K -- and the male sex-aid drug Viagra. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(21) NEIGHBOURS TRASH KNOWN DRUG HOUSE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The interior of a Whalley drug house was smashed up Sunday night by
residents fed up with the trouble it has brought to their
neighbourhood for the past year. | ||||||||||||||||||
A soggy mound of belongings covered the front lawn of the rental house at 9892-130th St. yesterday morning, two days after police removed the last of a group of squatters from the place. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
"Later that night, sometime after 11 p.m., a group of male neighbours broke in and trashed the interior of the house." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(22) COLOMBIAN OUT TO PROVE INNOCENCE TO U.S. (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Chief Of Group Called Terrorist By Washington Says He'd Surrender To
Address Drug Charges | ||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia - The chief of Colombia's brutal paramilitary
groups, Carlos Castano, said that if the United States seeks his
extradition for drug trafficking, he will surrender to prove his
innocence, according to an interview published Sunday. | ||||||||||||||||||
The right-wing militias have agreed to re-create their national
umbrella organization, with Mr. Castano leading it again, during a
clandestine meeting in the mountains of northern Colombia, according
to a letter posted on the group's Web site. | ||||||||||||||||||
The organization, known as the United Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia, or AUC, splintered in July after Mr. Castano said some of
the militias were engaged in drug trafficking and kidnapping,
instead of focusing on their primary task of fighting leftist
rebels. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(23) COLOMBIAN PARAMILITARY GROUPS VOW TO REFORM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Colombia's Right-Wing Paramilitaries Are To Give Up Drug Trafficking
And Massacring Opponents, They Claimed Yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||
Carlos Castano, the warlord who founded the United Self Defence
Forces of Colombia ( AUC ), dissolved the group a month ago after
widespread abuses by its members. | ||||||||||||||||||
Since then paramilitary organisations have operated independently, but have taken a battering from Marxist guerrillas and the state. | ||||||||||||||||||
Leaders of 18 paramilitary groups met last week at a ranch in Uraba in north Colombia and voted to reform and re-invent themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have decided to abolish the practice of drug trafficking which
served as a source of finance for our organisation - and we have
made a commitment to comply with and respect human rights," said a
letter signed by the leaders of the group. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(24) U.S. RELEASES $42 MILLION FOR COLOMBIAN MILITARY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Bush administration released about $42 million in aid to the Colombian military Monday after determining that there was enough improvement in its human-rights record to meet congressional requirements for such aid. Release of the funds was contingent upon a finding that the Colombian military had suspended personnel guilty of grave human-rights violations, cooperated with prosecutors in rights cases and was severing ties with paramilitary groups. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(25) TULKARM MULLS JOINT POLICE WORK WITH ISRAELIS | ||||||||||||||||||
Palestinian Authority police in Tulkarm took advantage of a curfew
break to announce the impounding of a large number of marijuana
plants. | ||||||||||||||||||
Many residents saw the statement Thursday as a sign the civil police are trying to resume normal operations, despite the destruction of their offices and the arrest of many of their men by the IDF. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tulkarm police chief Col. Bilal Abu Zeid's men discovered more than
a thousand plants in the home of a local drug trafficker. The
suspect escaped to Israel. | ||||||||||||||||||
Abu Zeid said he has informed Israeli authorities that the suspect
is hiding in Israel. "Israeli and Palestinian criminals are
cooperating in distributing the drugs, and we must join hands in the
battle against them," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||
The statement is the first time since Operation Defensive Shield
that the Palestinians have talked about resuming cooperation with
the Israeli police in combating crime. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Confiscation of the marijuana plants has revived hopes that police
are finally resuming their work. Residents have been forced to ask
militiamen to resolve disputes and punish criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(26) WOMEN TAKE OVER MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
MEXICO CITY -- Women are now in charge of two of Mexico's
biggest drug cartels, a high-ranking police commander was quoted
Wednesday as saying. | ||||||||||||||||||
In an interview published in La Jornada daily, the head of the
attorney general's organized crime unit (UEDO), Joe Luis Santiago
Vasconcelos, said control of the Tijuana and Colima cartels, run by
the Arellano Felix and Amezcua Contreras families, respectively, has
been turned over to the sisters of the former leaders who have
either been imprisoned or killed. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The Arellano Felix organization had been led by brothers Ramon and
Benjamin until Ramon was shot to death by police in February and his
brother was arrested a month later. Their sister Enedina has since
taken over. | ||||||||||||||||||
The sisters of Colima cartel leaders Luis Ignacio, Jesus and Adan
Amezcua Contreras have taken over for their brothers, who are in
prison, Vasconcelos explained. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Genesis Compassion Club Raided! | ||||||||||||||||||
Americans for Safe Access is calling for a series of protests on Monday. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Genesis medical cannabis dispensary in Petaluma was raided, and
Robert Schmidt, the owner, was arrested by the DEA today. They also
raided a garden in Sebastopol in connection with Genesis. We will
post the details as we get them, but it's time to kick our response
into gear. Please, call your lists, your friends, local, state, and
FEDERAL officials...and come out in force on Monday! | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cultural Baggage Features Talk On Canadian Report | ||||||||||||||||||
Canadians Senator Claude Nolin and Eugene Oscapella will guest this Friday at midnight till 1 AM CDT Saturday on the Cultural Baggage radio show on Pacifica, Houston, 90.1 FM and live, online at: | ||||||||||||||||||
This show will be stored permanently at | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement Launch TV Ads | ||||||||||||||||||
This morning, we took our opponents by surprise by launching the first
wave of TV ads in Nevada. Please see http://www.NRLE.org to view the
two ads and to make a donation so that we can afford to continue
running them. | ||||||||||||||||||
The first ad features the state government's official explanation of
what our initiative would do. It then concludes with the tag line: "In
the privacy of a home, or under the care of a doctor, vote YES on
Question 9." | ||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Making Friends Into Felons | ||||||||||||||||||
From the New Jersey Law Journal | ||||||||||||||||||
Close associates of drug-death victims are the most frequent targets
of a 1987 law that was aimed at punishing dealers | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Letters to Canadian Editors Needed Now! | ||||||||||||||||||
A DrugSense Focus Alert | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
MDMA LITERATURE UPDATE SITE NOW ON-LINE | ||||||||||||||||||
We are happy to announce the completion of the MDMA Literature
Update web site, a new feature of the MAPS website containing
overviews and summaries of most of the latest papers on MDMA or
ecstasy published in English-language peer-reviewed journals. The
site is now on-line at this | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
No More Drug Nonsense | ||||||||||||||||||
By Jo-D Harrison | ||||||||||||||||||
The article Oral Drugs and SLO County Kids (New Times, 08/22/02)
"reported" a discrepancy between the reality of SLO County's teen
drug use and our perception of it. The "reality" this article talks
about is from surveys. So-called anonymous surveys that rely on the
self-reporting of drug use are virtually worthless in this age of
zero tolerance. | ||||||||||||||||||
The kicker, though, was the closing quote alleging that marijuana
today is 10 times stronger than marijuana in the 60's and 70's. This
new myth is intended to scare adults who understand that reefer
madness claims are untrue. Anyone who uses a bit of logic knows that
cannabis is an ancient plant which has not suddenly developed into
turbo psycho weed. | ||||||||||||||||||
Government potency testing of cannabis did not begin until the early
1970's and no private testing is currently allowed. Strike the 60's
comparison. | ||||||||||||||||||
In 1972, the first year of official government testing for the THC
level, a small sample of marijuana of unknown origin, but probably
Mexican, averaged only 0.18% THC. This is below the level of
industrial hemp, but this number is often used as the base for
comparison to justify the high multiples. | ||||||||||||||||||
Jo-D Harrison, | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - August (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
During August Stan White of Dillon, Colorado had six Letters to the
Editor published, bringing his total so far to 62 that are archived
and may be reviewed at: | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A Medical Cannabis Club Called CHAMP | ||||||||||||||||||
By Derek Rea | ||||||||||||||||||
My journey began at the NORML 2002 conference in San Francisco during
April. How or why I found myself there is not really important. But my
life changed after I met a "Harm Reduction Specialist" who worked at a
medical cannabis club called CHAMP. (Californians Helping Alleviate
Medical Problems) | ||||||||||||||||||
Mike Barbitta was his name and he was a walking, talking encyclopedia. | ||||||||||||||||||
When he asked me if I'd be interested in a tour of CHAMP, I knew this would be a once in a lifetime chance and I quickly took him up on it. | ||||||||||||||||||
After a trip on BART we suddenly emerge in front of a building with CHAMP, Service, Hope and Compassion spray painted on the wall. | ||||||||||||||||||
As we walk through the wrought iron front door Mike is into a amazing
nonstop dialog about the requirements of membership to CHAMP, valid CA
State ID Card or CA Drivers license, valid Medical Cannabis User ID
Card with the physician's statement presented to receive the cannabis
card. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mike's on a roll as we climb the stairs, "Champ is member funded,
member run, not for profit community wellness center we are dedicated
to the physical and mental medical cannabis user, we believe medical
necessity dictates that patients have safe access to mold and mildew
free and pesticide free cannabis if it alleviates symptoms and improves
their quality of life". | ||||||||||||||||||
We reach the top landing, and like he's recited it a million times Mike
points out the bulletin board and starts explaining "Medicine provided
by CHAMP is for medical use only and NOT for re-sale". | ||||||||||||||||||
A few introductions to the staff and we walk to the end of the counter.
I try not to stare and be too obvious or maybe it was just me, but I
felt the most peaceful feelings I've ever experienced. | ||||||||||||||||||
Comfortable chairs and couches, coffee tables with bowls filled with pretzels and popcorn. There are people of all color, age and backgrounds sitting around enjoying one another's company. | ||||||||||||||||||
Then I remembered that this is a medical club, what are they talking
about? Chemo therapy, the death of a friend. A moment of sadness sets
in and up pops Mike again, "want a drink" he asks? I looked at the can
of Ensure in his hand and politely turn it down, he toss's it to a guy
sitting on the couch and he's teaching me again. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mike describes to me the different types of medicine offered and
explains that some people have never used cannabis before, so
explaining to them all their options is vital. | ||||||||||||||||||
I ask about the rules for purchase? One ounce per person per day. Some come and make their purchase and leave, some stay because of the safe surroundings. How long can they hang out? One hour per day. | ||||||||||||||||||
I ask Mike what if someone is all alone, broke and bedridden with no one to help them. Mike looks dead in my eyes and says, "we have them, I get on my bike and deliver it to them free of charge". The words spray- painted out front - Service, Hope and Compassion come to mind. | ||||||||||||||||||
As we start walking out Mike starts explaining all the other services
CHAMP provides, "Wellness Groups", "Women's Groups", "One on One
Consultation", "HIV Support Groups", "Harm Reduction Groups", "Phoenix
Group" (over 45), "Movies" and other assorted social dinners and
gatherings. | ||||||||||||||||||
I take one last look around, thank the staff for their hospitality and
down the stairs we go, back out on the street, spell broken, reality.
Damn, all the questions I wanted to make sure to ask start coming back.
How long was I there? I look at my watch and figure right about an hour
(rules are rules). | ||||||||||||||||||
I fly home and have a hard time describing my visit to CHAMP's. I can't
describe the care and compassion enough. Yeah, people were sitting
around smoking pot and yeah you could buy it right there, but that's
not what it was really all about. | ||||||||||||||||||
I guess it doesn't really make a difference anyway. CHAMP was forced to
close it doors by Federal Government pressure, the month after I
visited. | ||||||||||||||||||
Derek Rea is a longtime editor with MAPNews and the voluntary archivist
of MAP's Published Letter collection. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"What a bunch of babies these DEA guys are. They're up there with all
these agents, but they see a bunch of pot-smoking sick people on the
road, and they have to call us for help." | ||||||||||||||||||
- Unidentified, disgusted Santa Cruz police officer after local
police were asked to assist DEA agents as they raided the Wo/Men's
Alliance for Medical Marijuana. For more details, see | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
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Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by Stephen Young (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection and analysis by Philippe Lucas (), International content selection and analysis by Doug Snead (), Layout by Matt Elrod () | ||||||||||||||||||
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