Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Daily Southtown (IL)
Copyright: 2002 Daily Southtown
Contact:  http://www.dailysouthtown.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/810
Note: Compiled from wire reports
Editor's Note: First and last piece pertinent to drug policy

POT'S DANGER TO KIDS

WASHINGTON - The nation's drug policy director warned parents Tuesday 
against trivializing the dangers of marijuana to their kids, warning them 
that more teens are addicted to pot than to alcohol or to all other illegal 
drugs combined.

Many parents and children have outdated perceptions about marijuana, said 
John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. They 
believe marijuana is not addictive, that it's less dangerous than 
cigarettes or that it has few long-term health consequences.

Suit Against Winfrey Dropped

HOUSTON - A federal judge has dismissed a lingering lawsuit that accused 
Oprah Winfrey of violating Texas' "veggie libel" law by maligning the beef 
industry.

U.S. District Judge Mary Robinson threw out "all claims and causes of 
action asserted or that could have been asserted" by Cactus Feeding Club 
Inc. against Winfrey, her production company and vegetarian activist Howard 
Lyman.

Hershey Trust Won't Sell

PHILADELPHIA - Board members of the charitable trust that controls Hershey 
Foods Corp. said late Tuesday they would not sell the nation's largest 
candy maker after rejecting all offers.

"The trust board has rejected all the bids that it received. It is asking 
the company to end the process of exploring the sale," Hershey Trust Co. 
spokesman Rick Kelly said, reading a statement from the trustees.

Norton May Appeal

WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she may appeal a judge's 
decision holding her in contempt of court for failing to fix her 
department's mismanagement of hundreds of millions of dollars of royalties 
from Indian land.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Tuesday that Norton not only 
failed to comply with his order to account for the money in the Indian 
accounts but committed fraud by misrepresenting the department's efforts to 
repair the trust and protect Indian money.

City Leaders Pass Out Pot

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Calling Santa Cruz a sanctuary from federal 
authorities, medical marijuana advocates - joined by city leaders - passed 
out pot to about a dozen sick people at City Hall.

"Santa Cruz is a special place, and today we're letting the world know how 
compassionate we can be," Mayor Christopher Krohn said. "We're taking a stand."

More than 1,000 community members jammed into the garden-like courtyard for 
a supportive demonstration during the giveaway. Some held signs reading, 
"DEA Go Away" and "U.S. Out Of Santa Cruz."

Compiled from wire reports.
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MAP posted-by: Beth