| June 6, 2003 #303 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) OFFICERS: IT'S OK TO SNITCH ABOUT DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Children have often been told not to be a tattletale, but the director
of the Central Delta Drug Task Force told a group of kids that it is
just fine to snitch. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stan Bagley was the guest speaker on Thursday during a drug awareness
program at the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library in
Greenville. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The program was held to alert Delta children of the dangers of drugs
and how to avoid them. It was a joint effort between the Greenville
Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff's Department and the
task force. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said no matter where they are, if children see someone with drugs, they should report what they see. Bagley explained to the kids that if they get caught with drugs, they would get put in a "kids jail." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The children started raising their hands immediately. The questions
ranged from, "Do we have to do homework in jail?" to "Is it a prison
for kids?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bagley also told the children that officers are not bad people. But
before he could get those words out of his mouth, one little girl left
the room crying because she was scared. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We will probably never hear her name on the street," Bagley said with
a laugh. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) POLICE BACKING OFF ON POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Toronto First Major Force To Ignore Simple Possession. Ontario Now
"Safe Haven" For Marijuana Users, Says Fantino | ||||||||||||||||||||
Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino has told his officers to stop
laying charges for simple possession of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The decision, Fantino said in a statement yesterday, follows government
inaction and court decisions that leave police wondering "whether
simple possession of marijuana is an offence at all." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tom Kaye, president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police,
echoed Fantino's move and yesterday advised police leaders across the
province to "use discretion in situations that involve the simple
possession of marijuana." | ||||||||||||||||||||
It's the first time a major Canadian police force - and a provincial
organization of chiefs of police - have taken such a stand on cases
involving simple marijuana possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fantino said police will simply seize the drugs and record the circumstances, with a view to possibly laying a charge later "following clarification of the law by the court of appeal or Parliament." | ||||||||||||||||||||
But that, said Toronto criminal lawyer Paul Copeland, could leave
police officers open to lawsuits. "It's legal to smoke pot in this
province," he said yesterday. "My opinion is there is no law in Ontario
prohibiting possession of up to 30 grams, or a gram of hashish, for
that matter." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN FEDERAL PRISONS BACKED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commons Committee Wants To Curb High Rate Of HIV Infection In Addicts | ||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA-- The Commons Health Committee has come out in favour of
needle-exchange programs for drug users within federal prisons to curb
high rates of HIV infection among prisoners. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The controversial recommendation in a report tabled yesterday is
couched in technical language, but committee members confirmed the
intent. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It calls for "harm-reduction strategies for prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst intravenous drug users in correctional facilities based on eligibility criteria similar to those used in the outside community." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Addicts can get access to clean needles in most Canadian cities but not
in prisons, despite the extremely high number of drug users in prison,
and the high rates of HIV-AIDS and hepatitis C. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We've been asking how do drugs get into prisons and we can't get
answers," said Liberal committee member Hedy Fry in an interview.
"People say they've been doing all the things you should do to stop it
but it still manages to get in." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Given the fact that drugs are common in prisons, the problem of infectious disease becomes crucial for public health, she said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) 13 TO RECEIVE BOND ON JUNE 16 (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
TULIA - In a remarkable reversal of fortune, 13 people will walk out of
the Swisher County Courthouse on June 16 as free men and women, passing
through the same doors that saw them leave as prisoners in shackles
four years earlier. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The shedding of those shackles will not come through the completion of
a prison sentence or an order of parole but under the auspices of a
bill enacted by the Texas Legislature to help unite families that have
waited four years for their loved ones to go free. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 13 prisoners will receive bond at a hearing that will nearly clear Texas prisons of everyone convicted during the discredited 1999 Tulia drug sting. One prisoner - William Cash Love - will remain in prison because his case is on direct appeal and he is not eligible for bond. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The symbolic power of what we expect to happen at this hearing is vast," said Amarillo attorney Jeff Blackburn, who has fought to overturn the convictions for the past three years. "This will be more justice than the courthouse in Tulia has seen in a long, long time." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-10) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Czar John Walters went to Kentucky last week to unveil details
of a new federal drug treatment initiative proposed by the Bush
administration. Meanwhile, another Bush official, Surgeon General
Richard Carmona, suggested at congressional hearings that tobacco
should be illegal. Which raises a question: when tobacco is
outlawed, will tobacco addicts be eligible for the new federal
treatment program? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Another question: If tobacco became illegal, would the U.S. drop herbicides on renegade American tobacco farmers in order to destroy the crop? And would the Surgeon General approve? That practice continues in Colombia, even though the U.S. will do the bulk of the work even as the duty is supposed to be turned over to Colombians. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. may not be dumping poison on its own people yet, but the
U.S. Supreme Court decided it is OK for police to torment subjects
into giving them information, provided that information isn't used
in court. The LA Times rightly editorialized against the brutal
court decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A previous ruling by the Supremes forces states to offer public defenders to poor people even in misdemeanor cases like marijuana possession. No states appear to be living up to the ruling and some are worried that already beleaguered public defenders won't be able to keep up with the case load. And last, in New York, Hip-Hop stars are uniting to repeal the states tough Rockefeller drug laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) DRUG TREATMENT INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
LOUISVILLE - John P. Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy, came to Kentucky yesterday to discuss a new plan to expand and improve the nation's substance abuse treatment programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Walters gave details of President Bush's "Access to Recovery"
treatment initiative to create a voucher program to provide people
with drug or alcohol dependencies better treatment options and
treatment centers with more resources. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
With the Access to Recovery program, people suffering from substance
abuse will be given vouchers that will allow them to receive the
treatment they need at a center participating in the program. States
will be able to receive grant money and get their centers involved
by submitting proposals. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The $600 million for the program would be used to reimburse participating centers for treating patients with vouchers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
To ensure that only effective treatment centers are a part of the
program, Walters said the centers would be evaluated and those not
adequately helping patients would not be reimbursed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) BAN TOBACCO, SAYS SURGEON GENERAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Surgeon General Richard Carmona said Tuesday that he supports the banning of tobacco products - the first time the government's top doctor and public health advocate has made such a strong statement about the historically contentious subject. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Testifying at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on smokeless tobacco and ``reduced risk'' tobacco products, Carmona was asked if he would ``support the abolition of all tobacco products.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I would at this point, yes,'' he replied. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He declined to say whether he would support a specific law to ban tobacco - saying that ``legislation is not my field'' - but did say he "would support banning or abolishing tobacco products.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||
"If Congress chose to go that way, that would be up to them,'' he said. ``But I see no need for any tobacco products in society.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) GAO SAYS COLOMBIA WON'T MEET TARGET FOR DRUG-SPRAY PLAN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. may have to spend $230 million a year to
keep funding drug spraying programs that were supposed to be taken
over by the Colombian government, a congressional investigator told
a Senate panel Tuesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Colombia lacks the money and trained personnel to meet a 2006 target
for taking over responsibilities of flying and maintaining combat
helicopters, said Jess Ford, director of international affairs and
trade for the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of
Congress. He appeared before the Senate Caucus on International
Narcotics Control. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The helicopters are used on drug-fighting missions, such as
protecting spray planes that fumigate fields of coca and opium, the
raw material for cocaine and heroin. Those fields are often
protected by guerrillas, who partly fund their insurgency through
the drug trade. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. has given Colombia about $2.5 billion over four years,
mostly to buy, fly and maintain helicopters and spray planes. U.S.
and Colombian officials say the program has been successful,
accounting for a 15% drop in coca cultivation and 25% drop in opium
cultivation last year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) EDITORIAL: JUSTICE TAKES A BEATING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
While Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas labored to justify the
bullying interrogation of a farm worker whom an Oxnard police
officer had just gravely wounded, Justice John Paul Stevens,
dissenting, called the inquisition what it was: "the functional
equivalent" of torture. Thomas' 6-3 majority opinion Tuesday rolls
back decades of constitutional protections against | ||||||||||||||||||||
The farm worker, Oliverio Martinez, is blind and partly paralyzed
from the five bullets that police pumped into his body after they
stopped him in connection with an investigation of possible drug
sales in his Oxnard neighborhood. Although Martinez initially
complied with orders to dismount from his bicycle, a scuffle
resulted when the officers discovered he was carrying a knife and
Martinez was shot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Paramedics arrived and carted away Martinez, bleeding and screaming,
to a hospital. For nearly an hour, as Martinez waited for medical
treatment and then as doctors tended him, the officers pressured him
to confess to starting the fight. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I am dying!" Martinez cried. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"OK, yes, you are dying," the officer said. "But tell me why you are
fighting with the police." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) MISDEMEANOR WORK PUTS FURTHER STRAIN ON DEFENDERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could push caseloads over the
top for public defenders' offices across the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
People facing jail time or probation for misdemeanor crimes such as
driving under the influence or marijuana possession now are entitled
to public defenders. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The court's decision last year in the case of Alabama v. Shelton
requires states to provide representation for poor clients who face
any possibility of jail time, said Scott Wallace, director of
defender legal resources with the National Legal Aid and Defense
Council. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The basic rule is if you want to lock someone up, they've got to
get a lawyer," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Wallace said states appear to be taking different approaches to
complying with the decision, although he was quick to note that he
didn't know of a single state in full compliance. Some states have
gone so far as to consider decriminalizing minor offenses, and a few
legislative bodies are debating eliminating minimum sentencing
guidelines, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) P. DIDDY: DRUG LAW REFORM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs joined forces with Def Jam cofounder Russell Simmons and former U.S. Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo last week to call for the repeal of New York's strict Rockefeller drug laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Rockefeller laws, passed in the 1970's, can subject first-time
offenders to 15 years to life in prison if convicted of selling as
little as 2 ounces of possessing as little as 4 ounces of a
controlled substance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
There is a broad consensus that the laws are too harsh, but Gov.
George Pataki and the state legislature have been unable to agree on
how to reform or repeal them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (11-15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The growing state prison crisis provoked a lot of debate in state
legislatures recently, but little relief of any substance. Some
states, like Oklahoma, simply refused to let nonviolent offenders
(including drug offenders) out on probation. Some states, like
Arkansas, took half measures, but the problems continue and are
expected to snowball in coming years. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A sign that undercover police officer can be harmed by the drug war,
officials in New Zealand settled lawsuits with several drug officers
who said they suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome and
addiction problems as a result of their jobs. And in Florida, a
police chief doesn't like the wholesale offers he's getting on
jewels seized from an alleged drug dealer, so he wants to auction
confiscated goods over the internet. Watch out eBay. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) HOUSE REFUSES TO RELEASE NONVIOLENT STATE INMATES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Oklahoma House of Representatives declined to open the cell doors for nonviolent inmates Friday -- a proposal designed to ease state Corrections Department expenses. Members spent more than an hour asking questions about and then debating Senate Bill 803. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The bill by Sen. Ben Robinson, D-Muskogee, and Rep. Ron Kirby,
D-Lawton, was turned away 47-49. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kirby threw the bill on his desk in disgust after the vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||
SB 803 proposed to release up to 800 inmates into an electronic
monitoring program. The program would have used a satellite-based
global positioning system to monitor the whereabouts of inmates,
supporters said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Opponents said the bill would turn loose people Oklahomans don't
want in their neighborhoods. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) MORE INMATES THAN CELL SPACE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Legislature did several things to help ease prison overcrowding,
but prison director Larry Norris wishes lawmakers could have done
more. | ||||||||||||||||||||
By the time the Legislature adjourned its regular session in
mid-April and a weeklong special session that ended May 9, state
prisons had additional money for a new treatment program, authority
to open 872 new inmate beds and an early parole program - all
approved with the growing inmate population in mind. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Norris' wish list was longer. He lobbied hard for changes in mandatory sentencing guidelines, but lawmakers drew the line there. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Norris talked about the two sessions last week on a day when the
overall inmate population hovered around 13,000, well above
capacity, and the number of inmates backed up in county jails was
about 1,400. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) OPTIONS WITHER AS STATE PRISONS FILL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
State legislators are facing a no-win situation as they deal with a prison population that's spiraling upward in tough times. | ||||||||||||||||||||
They can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on prisons and face
criticism for letting other needs go unmet. Or they could reduce
sentences and be labeled soft on crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Both options are painful," said Susan Katzenelson, executive
director of the N.C. Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.
"Prison construction is incredibly expensive, and reducing sentences
is politically risky." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Until Thursday, it looked as if the cell builders would win. But
some House Finance Committee members, alarmed at a prison building
provision in the Senate budget bill that would put the state $391
million deeper in debt, pushed for a closer look at revising
sentencing laws to free up some beds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Projections show that the state will need to house more than 42,000
inmates by 2012. Three 1,000-bed prisons opening by the end of this
year will only make a dent in the demand. Another 7,700 beds will
still be needed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) $480,000 COMPO TO POLICE ADDICTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
New Zealand - Five former undercover police officers have been paid about
$480,000 to | ||||||||||||||||||||
Individual payments in the settlement, negotiated by the Police
Association, vary. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A further 19 former undercover police officers have cases
outstanding. | ||||||||||||||||||||
All the officers claimed they suffered post-traumatic stress
disorder and became addicted to cannabis and other drugs as a result
of working undercover. | ||||||||||||||||||||
They claimed it also affected their career prospects. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Their dispute began in the early 1990s but is yet to be aired in
open court. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) CHIEF WANTS TO SELL SEIZED GOODS ON INTERNET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BROOKSVILLE - The police department wants to sell thousands of
dollars worth of jewelry and other items seized from local drug
dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The items include two Rolex watches valued at more than $10,000 each
and two all-terrain vehicles. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brooksville Police Chief Ed Tincher said he wanted to offer the
jewelry, especially the more valuable items, for sale on the
Internet to get the best price. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said area jewelers would offer only wholesale prices. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (16-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In an incredibly significant symbolic victory for the future of
medicinal cannabis in the U.S., Ed Rosenthal was sentenced to serve
1 day in prison for his federal indictment on cultivation and
trafficking charges. The crowd cheered as U.S. District Judge Breyer
issued the sentence, which could be the death knell to the federal
prosecution of state licensed medicinal growers, users and
suppliers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Our second story this week might offer another solution to
California's continuing problems with federal drug enforcement.
Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich has announced that if he's
elected president, he would legalize the use of cannabis for medical
purposes. He is the first democratic nominee to openly support the
therapeutic use of cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a reversal of sorts, our third story is an enlightening
examination of San Francisco's loosened cannabis possession laws by
Canada's Globe and Mail. Our fourth story suggests that there is a
good chance that Canada's much-hyped Cannabis Reform Bill will die
or be killed before it is passed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And from last weekend's New York Times, author Eric Schlosser
examines the U.S.'s failed cannabis prohibition in contrast to the
harm reduction policy trend seen in much of the western world. I
have to admit that even your hyper-informed editor is a bit confused
at this point: should I be moving to Holland, Canada, or San
Francisco? | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) MARIJUANA GURU ED ROSENTHAL FREED AFTER ONE-DAY SENTENCE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ed Rosenthal, the self-proclaimed "Guru of Ganja," walked free
Wednesday after a federal judge sentenced him to one day in prison
for a marijuana conviction. He could have been sentenced to as much
as 60 years behind bars. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rosenthal, convicted in February of growing more than 100 marijuana
plants in an Oakland warehouse, has become the focus of a growing
national debate about medical marijuana and a battle between the
federal government and the nine states that have declared such use
legal. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rosenthal, 58, has argued his actions were legal under a 1996 law
passed by California voters that allows pot use for medical
purposes. He also said he was acting as an agent for the city of
Oakland's medical marijuana program. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I take responsibility for my actions that bring me here today. I
took these actions because my conscience led me to help people who
are suffering," Rosenthal said outside the courtroom. "These laws
are doomed." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE BACKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich said Thursday that if elected
president, he would issue an executive order legalizing the use of
medical marijuana "as an act of compassion and expression of
humanity." | ||||||||||||||||||||
"If a doctor makes that determination, or the patient asks for it, I
think it ought to be permitted," Kucinich, who is campaigning in
California, said in a telephone interview. "I've talked to too many
people who have had family members suffering from terminal illness
who feel it would provide them the most relief from pain and
suffering." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kucinich is the only Democratic candidate to state his support for
legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Such use is
legal in California and seven other states, but federal law
prohibits the use of marijuana for any purpose. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) SAN FRANCISCO WEEDS OUT PRISON TIME FOR POT ARRESTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nearly every day, Thom Bateman helps dole out San Francisco-style
justice to people caught with small amounts of marijuana. Each case
takes less time than it would to smoke a joint. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
People caught with less than 28.5 grams of marijuana in this California city renowned for its liberal views and activist citizenry are summoned, at a time that suits them, to community courts convened in church basements and community centres. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A panel of neighbourhood residents acts as judge and jury. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under California law, a marijuana-possession charge is a
misdemeanour, but in San Francisco, it won't land you in the
criminal-justice system. If you pay the fine, the conviction is
erased after a year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) LIBERAL MPS KEEP UP PRESSURE ON BILL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The government's push to decriminalize simple possession of
marijuana is running into opposition from Liberal backbenchers, with
some openly questioning Prime Minister Jean Chretien's wisdom in
putting the issue on the public agenda. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Others wonder whether the bill can be passed this year, given the
already heavy legislative agenda in the Commons and the Liberal
leadership campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The bill would make possession of up to 15 grams of pot a minor
offence, punishable by fines ranging between $100 and $250 for
youths and $150 to $400 for adults. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(20) UP IN SMOKE: THE U.S. BUCKS A TREND ON MARIJUANA LAWS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last week, Canada's governing Liberal Party introduced a bill that would decriminalize the possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. "Cannabis consumption is first and foremost a health matter," Justice Minister Martin Couchon declared. "It should not result in criminal penalties." Under the new plan, a minor pot offense would be punished with a citation and a fine, much like a speeding ticket. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The bill is strongly opposed by the Bush administration, which has
threatened to step up drug searches at the border, creating traffic
jams and delaying Canadian exports. "It is my job to protect
Americans from dangerous threats," John P. Walters, director of the
Office of National Drug Control Policy, warned last year, "and right
now, Canada is a dangerous staging area for some of the most
dangerous marijuana." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The conflict revolves around a question being addressed in other
Western nations: should marijuana be legal, illegal - or something
in between? | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (21-24) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
With the pending destruction of Christiania, another bright, shining
example of freedom will be wiped out by repression in the name of
the War on Drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It appears that Kenya has not found out the secret of obtaining support for the War. The government should contact the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy to find out how to conduct a payola campaign to simply pay the press to tell the story they wish. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Is North Korea next on the hit list? The campaign to label North
Korea as a drug pusher state is heating up. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finally, we find an essay worth reading from the United Kingdom.
Rachael Scott is the winner of this year's College of Law and
'Independent' essay competition for law students: 'Are you in favour
of or against the legalisation or decriminalisation of the use of
soft or hard drugs?' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(21) COPENHAGEN'S HIPPIES UNDER SIEGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less than a kilometre away from Copenhagen's austere parliamentary
complex, the 1,000 residents of Europe's last bastion of
flower-power idealism are living on borrowed time. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The self-styled "Free Town" of Christiania, a former military
barracks in the heart of the city, is a lively community hosting
eclectic individuals, wacky architecture and a libertarian ethos
reminiscent of the freewheeling days when "peace and love" was a
political slogan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But that is about to change, as Denmark's centre-right government plans to close it down because of concerns over drug pushing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It's a town within a town where lawlessness rules and hash is
freely traded," said Lene Espersen, the justice minister. Her
ministerial colleague from the department of defence said: "The
experiment has failed." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Its central thoroughfare - Pusher Street - contains more than a
dozen market stalls with everything from hash cookies to ready-made
marijuana cigarettes on open display and sale. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Christiania's residents are appalled. They fear that their unique
way of life is facing extinction and say the crackdown is not just
about cannabis. Christiania's 34-hectare site is one of Copenhagen's
most valuable open spaces. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
With Christiania's estimated 1m visitors a year, rivalling the Little Mermaid statue as Copenhagen's most popular tourist attraction, the residents may find they can muster a lot support. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And not just from tourists. One recent Gallup poll said 75 per cent
of Copenhageners did not want the place to close down. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(22) DRUGS WAR: 'MEDIA HAS FAILED' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nairobi -- The media in the country has not effectively used their
two major tools of investigation and campaigns in the fight against
drug-trafficking and abuse. | ||||||||||||||||||||
According to East African Standard Managing Editor, Kwendo Opanga,
investigations and campaigns by the media have effectively been used
to address pertinent issues previously and should be employed to
fight the drug menace in society. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Opanga was presenting a paper on positive and negative empowerment
of the public by the media on narcotics at a workshop of Training of
Trainers organised by the National Agency for the Campaign Against
Drug Abuse (Nacada) in Nairobi. Opanga pointed out the investigative
capacities of the Kenyan media houses have not been exploited to the
optimum because of lack of resources. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said Kenya's media houses have not set out a aggressive campaign agenda against drug-trafficking and abuse for a long time. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(23) N. KOREA LINKED TO DRUG SEIZURE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
NORTH Korea, accused of selling weapons and illegal drugs to prop up
its bankrupt regime, was linked today to a big drug seizure in South
Korea. | ||||||||||||||||||||
South Korea police seized 50kg of methamphetamine, a banned
stimulant drug, in a raid Tuesday in the southern city of Busan,
investigators said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ship reportedly came from China through North Korea before
docking at the southern port city of Busan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The United States says illegal drugs are one of North Korea's top
exports, along with missiles, bringing in hundreds of millions of
dollars into state coffers every year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nearly 50 per cent of illegal drug imports into Japan originate from
the Stalinist state, according to Japanese officials. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
In testimony to the U.S. Congress on May 20, two men identified as
high-ranking North Korean defectors said they had been intimately
involved in test-firing Pyongyang's missiles in Iran and a
state-sponsored drugs ring. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(24) THE DRUG LAWS DON'T WORK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The recent downgrading of cannabis from a class-B to a class-C drug
has given fuel to an already fiery debate over the merits of
legalising drugs. Several senior figures, from high-ranking police
officers to politicians, philosophers and judges, have spoken out in
favour of such a move, provoking the outrage of more conservative
commentators. | ||||||||||||||||||||
One striking feature of the arguments on both sides is their
permeating vagueness in terms of factual information - caused in no
small part by contradictory research. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It is crucial, then, to admit that most contributions to the debate
- this included - are based not necessarily on evidence but rather
on pre-existing moral, social and political views. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Perhaps one of the simplest arguments in favour of legalisation or decriminalisation is that the alternative has not worked. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Britain's "war on drugs" strategy, implementing policies based on
police clampdowns and criminal sanctions, is apparently of little
effect, as testified by the evidence that our drug problem is one of
the worst in Europe. Countries with more relaxed laws, such as the
Netherlands, have a far better record. Naturally, to divorce the
misuse of drugs from wider social problems such as unemployment,
poverty, class alienation and poor education is highly artificial,
and the success of Dutch policy is surely linked to high standards
of living and a more equal society than is evident in the UK.
Nevertheless, to impose strict sanctions on drug abusers merely
exacerbates the problem, for several practical reasons. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Congress Prohibits Drug Czar From Running Ads Against Ballot
Measures and Candidates | ||||||||||||||||||||
A press release from the Drug Policy Alliance - www.drugpolicy.org | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/pressroom/pressrelease/pr060503.cfm | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Unequal Injustice: Rosenthal Sentenced to One Day, As Others
Continue To Have Lives Ruined By Multi-Year Sentences. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Analysis by Richard Cowan | ||||||||||||||||||||
Posted June 4, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada's Cannabis Confusion | ||||||||||||||||||||
by Dana Larsen (05 Jun, 2003) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Proposed new law will decriminalize possession, but the courts
have aleady ruled that pot is legal. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
DEA Uses RAVE Act Threats to Block Montana NORML/SSDP Benefit | ||||||||||||||||||||
An agent of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used
threats of RAVE Act prosecutions to intimidate the owners of a
Billings, Montana, venue into a canceling a combined benefit for
the Montana chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws (http://www.norml.org) and Students for Sensible
Drug Policy (http://www.ssdp.org) last week. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Control: Management and Financial Challenges Continue to Complicate Efforts to Reduce Illicit Drug Activities in Colombia | ||||||||||||||||||||
by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before
the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. GAO-03-820T,
June 3. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
This War Is Wasteful And Doomed To Failure | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Mett Ausley Jr. M.D | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contrary to June Vetter's misrepresentation, "harm minimization"
isn't predicated upon permissiveness or "mantras" ("More Help Is
Needed in Moore County's War on Drugs," The Pilot, May 28), rather
the forthright recognition that humans will persist in using drugs
despite taboos and sanctions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
This compels efficient policy that strives to minimize human
suffering and costs. The realism of this approach compares favorably
with that of official doctrine, which holds that the nirvana of a
drug-free society can be attained through absolute prohibition,
zealous enforcement and merciless punishment. Drugs' stubborn
persistence after decades of escalating efforts offers compelling
evidence that this theory is unsound, and taxpayers footing the bill
for this expensive undertaking deserve accountability. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Also, one wonders if unswerving devotion to the status quo might be
influenced by the massive wealth and political power the drug war
has conferred upon the criminal justice sector, and if the prospect
of reduced funding and clout might explain resistance to change.
After holding sway for a half century, the entrenched interests may
have grown a bit possessive about their turf and smug in their sense
of entitlement. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vetter impeaches her own objectivity with gratuitous hints that
reformers are merely legalizers in disguise, and her summary
conclusion that the local dearth of addiction-treatment providers
necessitates more taxpayer funding, offered without considering the
obvious alternative of reallocating existing resources now skewed
toward enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While it may be premature to scrap the existing apparatus before
testing new approaches, a tough reassessment of current policy with
particular focus on the corrupting influence of vested interest is
long overdue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mett Ausley Jr., M.D. Lake Waccamaw Referenced: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - May (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lisbon, New York activist, newshawk and Letter to the Editor writer
Larry Seguin is recognized for his six letters published in May,
bringing his career total that we know of to 81. You can read all of
Larry's superb letters by clicking this link: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
ED ROSENTHAL DECISION: VICTORY OR SET BACK? | ||||||||||||||||||||
by Mikki Norris | ||||||||||||||||||||
I had the fortune to attend some of Ed Rosenthal's hearings, trial
and yesterday's sentencing hearing. For those of us who witnessed
the proceedings, we can say that we were extremely happy with the
results. I see Breyer's ruling as a real victory for our issue. "No
jail for pot" prevailed in this case. | ||||||||||||||||||||
First of all, I must give the Rosenthals a lot of credit for
displaying the courage and taking the gamble of really fighting for
justice in their case. Ed had no intention of becoming a "martyr"
and he did everything in his power not to become one. It proves that
giving your all to this fight can produce good results. It shows
that standing up for yourself can pay off. Many of us understand the
great pressure there is to take a deal, or play along with "their
rules," compromise, or "cooperate with the government." But, he
refused to relent and challenged the government every step of the
way, and pushed the envelope. | ||||||||||||||||||||
We must recognize that it takes a lot of money to launch this kind
of defense, and not everyone can do this. But, a vigorous effort was
made by the Rosenthals and the legal defense fund, Green Aid, to
raise needed cash. They have been tireless in the amount of personal
time they have devoted in public appearances, drumming up support,
and capturing the collective imagination. They made this clear that
this is about medical marijuana and not just themselves. Besides
money (and much more is still needed), a lot of time and energy have
been donated to this effort. Hopefully Green Aid will continue to
increase its fund and influence as there are still many cases to
fight. See http:www.green-aid.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Of course the Rosenthals could not have done it alone. A fantastic team was assembled for this fight. The legal team (Robert Eye, Bill Simpich, Joe Elford, Ephraim Margolin, Dennis Riordan, and their consultants including William Logan and others) did a wonderful job of challenging the government on the legal front. The attorneys had lots of issues to fight on, and brought all of them up. They are experienced and smart. Even though they lost the trial, they have a lot of appealable issues which they are pursuing, and can set precedents in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals if they win. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Much credit for this sentencing victory should also go to the media
team of Teresa Schilling and William Dolphin, who scored with the
Dateline special and such editorials as published by the New York
Times. The activist team of Steph Sherer, Hillary McQuie along with
Americans for Safe Access activists and Green Aid (the legal defense
fund with Virginia Resner as president of the board) also did a
great job of keeping this issue in the public eye. A lot of support
was also given by activists, drug policy reformers, and others --
too many to mention -- but who all deserve thank you's for working
to bring attention this case. We also could not have achieved this
victory without the jurors who stood up in Ed's behalf also, along
with a letter from California's attorney general somewhat defending
California's law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But it seems like we scored big in the court of public opinion which Judge Breyer could not ignore. The Bush Administration can not deny that medical marijuana is popular with the public. Most people and major media outlets in this country now believe that marijuana is medicine, and that people should not go to prison for this. | ||||||||||||||||||||
What happened yesterday in court should send a message to the
federal government. First, although Breyer let the government play
out their game of denying whole truth in trials, he also yielded to
public opinion. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Judge Breyer,
but he showed that he understood that the conflict between state law
and federal law should be resolved (he mentioned that Congress
should address this). He even mentioned how he could understand how
lay people (who are not in the legal field) are reasonable in
thinking they may be protected by law because of this conflict. At
the same time that he wanted to make it clear that this is a
"unique" case and so deserves a unique sentence, he warned that this
approach should not be tried by others (he ruled that future people
do not have immunity from their local governments to provide or do
anything with medical marijuana). But, winning in the court of
public opinion makes a difference. We need to pursue this in future
and past cases, by pointing out the injustices that have been and
are being committed by this conflict of law. This should give
politicians the courage to correct this by supporting HR 1717 and HR
2233. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While we were celebrating, many of us were wondering how Ashcroft
and Walters were dealing with this. Do the Feds believe that they
can not win future cases? I seriously doubt it. In fact, the DEA
spokesperson said that they still plan on pursuing dangerous drugs
and their efforts to keep them off the streets (including medical
marijuana). But, I am not sure what they hope to gain by going after
providers that are providing safe access. They sound increasingly
stupid, vindictive, and wasteful. We need an accounting on how much
these prosecutions cost, especially at a time of budget deficits.
Where are their priorities? It's time to reign them in. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While many cringed at Ed's lack of thankfulness to Judge Breyer
during his post-sentencing press conference, and his making it clear
that he has a broader agenda of legalizing marijuana, he may have
done the movement a favor. He not only pointed out that it is
serious to be labeled a "convicted felon" and that it is
unacceptable for marijuana offenses, but he has opened up the debate
on prohibition. Our local NBC affiliate did an analysis on what this
court case means. He actually drew a comparison to the days of
ending alcohol prohibition state by state. People are not only
questioning medical marijuana prohibition but marijuana prohibition,
too. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Of course the federal government gets this. That's why they are so hard on medical marijuana and the perceived "slippery slope" to ending marijuana prohibition and the Drug War in general. While medical marijuana has legitimacy in its own right, it is also time to bring up the broader issue of our marijuana policies that are still concentrating on arrests and incarcerations as a way of controlling access. This is a failed policy, and its time to reassess this and double our efforts to point this out. (I am personally advocating for taxing and regulating marijuana for adults to do a better job of regulation than the free-for-all market that we currently have. It is also a much-needed revenue generator). | ||||||||||||||||||||
We must not perceive this as a time to claim victory and stop
working. We are a recognized "movement," that has been validated. We
should take this as a momentum builder. We should be energized by
this, not depleted. We must take this day in court and use it to
show that humanitarianism (providing medicine to sick and dying
people), compassion, mercy, and truth have a role to play not only
in the courts but in society as well. We must reinforce this message
over and over in all arenas -- political, media, general public,
etc. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks Ed and everyone who contributed to this victory for pushing
the envelope. It's time to recognize and celebrate our victories.
Now, let's get to work and really manifest our vision of freedom,
justice, and equal rights for all! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"There are two good things in life - freedom of thought and freedom
of action." - W. Somerset Maugham | ||||||||||||||||||||
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