Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2009
Source: Courier, The (Russellville, AR)
Copyright:  Russellville Newspapers, Inc
Contact:  http://www.couriernews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3265
Author: Cindi Nobles
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

LEGAL MARIJUANA GETS LITTLE LOCAL BUZZ

Locals Weigh The Green Option

Arkansas Sen. Randy Laverty, a Democrat from Jasper,  may plant a 
legislative seed in 2011.

In an effort to aid the state's overburdened prisons,  Laverty may 
bring a budding discussion to the state  Senate floor on the topic of 
legalizing medicinal  marijuana in Arkansas.

Laverty told The Associated Press legalizing or  lessening criminal 
penalties for marijuana may be one  way to "curb overcrowding in 
Arkansas' prisons."

But District 4 State Sen. Michael Lamoureux said he  would be 
surprised if the issue was turned into a law  anytime soon.

"Personally, I am not in favor of legalizing marijuana  in any way," 
Lamoureux, who was elected in a special  election earlier this month, 
said. "I think an approach  that may even see more attention is a 
re-evaluation of  length of jail sentences for that particular crime. 
I  think as we struggle with budget cuts and prison  overcrowding it 
will probably be brought up in the 2011  session. I think our 
priority should be dangerous  criminals."

In 2009, Pope County law enforcement agents seized  7,288 pounds of 
marijuana and 52 cultivated plants, 5th  Judicial District 
Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons  said.

"My role is to enforce the law, and marijuana is  against the law, so 
no, I do not think it should be  legalized," Gibbons said when asked 
about his stance on  the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana.

Area residents offered differing views on the matter.

Kristie Rhodes of Russellville said Wednesday she  doesn't think 
marijuana should be legal except for  certain circumstances.

"I say no to legalizing unless it is for medical  reasons like 
chronic diseases," Rhodes said.

Tony Thompson of Pottsville said he is for the  legalization of marijuana.

"I mean look at the benefits," Thompson said Wednesday.  "We've got a 
prime growing area here in Arkansas. It  would help farmers and the 
state financially. We could  eliminate debt by taxing the product, 
and wouldn't have  so many in jail that we the taxpayers have to 
fund. Plus, I think cigarettes are a worse evil and they are  legal."

Local law enforcement officials had different views on  the matter, 
but agreed the drug should not be  legalized.

"Right now, I wouldn't be in favor of legalizing  marijuana," 5th 
Judicial District Drug Task Force  director Larry Johnson said. 
"People say they use it  for medical purposes and I feel like it is 
something  people use just to get high more than just for general 
aches and pains."

Johnson said local jails are populated with more  inmates who have 
been arrested on methamphetamine  charges, not marijuana.

"Honestly, I think we have more of a problem with  methamphetamine in 
our area," Johnson said. "Usually  people will have a small amount of 
marijuana. If they  get caught, the first offense for those is just a 
misdemeanor."

Pope County Sheriff Aaron DuVall said he feels  marijuana is a 
problem because of the quantity being  seized on Interstate 40.

"Locally, we see quite a few people arrested with large  quantities 
on I-40," DuVall said.

 From a drug rehabilitation standpoint, Gary Rhodes --  the director 
of Russellville Freedom House who is not  related to Kristie Rhodes 
- -- said marijuana is one of  the most frequently used illegal drug 
with more than  120,000 people entering treatment annually in 
the  United states for marijuana addiction.

"The effects of marijuana can be harmful in a number of  ways, 
through both immediate effects and damage to  health over time," 
Rhodes said. "A study by the  National Institute on Drug Abuse in 
2006 indicated that  42 percent of high school seniors had used 
marijuana at  least once in their lifetime.

"We can only imagine what that percentage would be if  marijuana were 
legalized. Remember, it interferes with  the ability to learn and 
retain information. By  legalizing marijuana, we could be setting up 
future  generations for failure as well as increase the abuse  by 
current adult users."

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has  not approved 
smoking marijuana for any condition or  disease in the United States. 
Regardless, 14 states  have legalized cannabis for medical use.

"The only time marijuana should be allowed is with the  approval of a 
medical professional that has prescribed  it for a patient just as 
they would prescribe other  medications for a specific illness," Gary 
Rhodes said.  "Otherwise, marijuana should remain an illegal  substance."

Laverty -- who was unavailable for comment Tuesday and  Wednesday -- 
said he wants to wait for legislative  research and data from the 
Department of Correction  before he decides whether to sponsor 
legislation to  lessen or eliminate criminal penalties for the drug.

In a recent legislative hearing, Laverty called for a  debate about 
legalization after asking prison officials  how many inmates are in 
jail on marijuana offenses.  Laverty suggested those who use the drug 
for medical  purposes shouldn't be punished.

Area detention center officials said last week they  face the 
difficult task of balancing limited capacity  at jails with a steady 
flow of offenders while  operating within an annual budget.

"You've got some on the low end of the spectrum as far  as marijuana 
laws (that) probably need to be released,"  Yell County Bill Gilkey 
said last week. "At the same  time, you've got people dealing that 
stuff to kids and  transporting large quantities.

"I think there's some rehab programs that are good, but  I see more 
results from incarceration."

Nationwide, dozens of states are considering bills  ranging from the 
legalization of medical marijuana to  decriminalizing possession of 
small amounts of  marijuana, measures similar to those found in 
Eureka Springs and Fayetteville.

Information gathered by the National Organization for  the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws at the University of  Arkansas in Fayetteville 
indicates an initiative to  make cannabis "a low police priority" 
passed in  November 2006 in Eureka Springs

The ordinance directs local law enforcement to issue a  summons in 
lieu of a criminal arrest for adults 18 and  over found in possession 
of up to one ounce of cannabis  or cannabis paraphernalia. Cannabis 
offenses are  punished by a fine, community service or drug 
counseling and education, but do not result in an  arrest.

In November 2008, the city of Fayetteville made  possession of less 
than one ounce the lowest priority  for local law enforcement 
agencies. Police officials,  however, indicated they would continue 
to enforce  marijuana-related laws.

On Wednesday, a Colorado judge ruled residents of the  state have a 
constitutional right to purchase medical  marijuana, The Associated 
Press reported. Colorado  approved a constitutional amendment in 2000 
allowing  medical marijuana.

The Associated Press, Michael Ford and Adam Franks  contributed 
information to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom