Advocates say yes, release field report A local medical marijuana advocate says the area's agriculture industry could receive a boost if farmers were allowed to grow cannabis. Last summer, Montezuma County commissioners voted to prohibit licensed commercial grow operations, but one man is hopeful local officials will reconsider. Representing the Colorado Plateau Growers Association, Lu Nettleton recently released the group's first field and seed trials report for commercial marijuana, which reveals that cannabis could be an economic boon. Contained in the report, conservative estimates reveal that farmers could potentially generate $500,000 in sales per acre if allowed to grow and harvest medical marijuana. Broader estimates show total sells could near $2.5 million per acre. [continues 275 words]
Opiate addiction is a public health crisis, and Governor Charlie Baker is right to target it as a priority for his administration. But coming up with the right prescriptive for combating it means getting the facts straight from the start. The new governor quickly acknowledged he misstated one part of a tragic story that he relayed during his inaugural address about 19-year-old Evan Greene, who died last January after a fatal overdose of heroin. In his speech, Baker said the young man was prescribed opiates for pain after a routine medical procedure. "Slowly and unknowingly, he became addicted to them," Baker said. "When the prescription ended, he turned to heroin." [continues 516 words]
THE past two weeks have been a very busy period for police officers in the North as they netted thousands of dried leaves believed to be marijuana following a series of raids through their Operation Sasamaki. Even though they have pulled back from the operation as of last Friday, divisional police commander Northern SSP Shiri Singh yesterday said there was a special team still in operation. "We have pulled back from the operation but our strategic team is still on the move monitoring the situation on the ground," SSP Singh said. [continues 198 words]
Conviction rate dismal, most accused acquitted due to insufficient evidence There has been a significant increase in drug smuggling in Udhampur district, but the conviction rate has been a dismal 4.6 per cent over the years. According to official data, 110 cases have been registered in Udhampur in the past five years but the accused in a majority of these cases managed to go scot-free. As 74 km of the 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway passes through Udhampur district, adjoining areas of Udhampur become temporary haven for smugglers. [continues 399 words]
It's time for Wyoming lawmakers to have a serious conversation about enacting sensible reforms when it comes to our state's marijuana policies. A great place to start is House Bill 0029, which would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This proposal would impose a civil, not criminal, penalty with a fine of up to $100 for a first or second offense. Reducing penalties for low-level marijuana possession would prevent thousands of people from becoming ensnared in the criminal justice system. Convictions for possessing even small amounts of marijuana can follow people throughout their lives. [continues 230 words]
HELENA - Marijuana once again will be an issue at the Legislature, with a number of bills anticipated, from possibly decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of pot to banning medical marijuana. "I wanted to do a legalization of marijuana bill, but I don't have the energy," Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, said. Caferro said she's more likely to sponsor legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Asked why she supports these approaches, Caferro said: "Because our prisons are full of people that don't belong there." [continues 906 words]
Editor: I am a 50-year-old woman who has alcohol and drug addiction issues, ADD, personality disorder, and degenerative arthritis that is extremely painful. My diagnosis came while living in Washington state, thank goodness. Medical marijuana had just become legal and my doctor prescribed it in smoke and oil, CBD, to help. It had me to one pain pill a day, no booze, no drugs, And I now own a home and pay taxes where before, I couldn't stay sober and pain free enough to hold a job, or a relationship. I came back to Wyoming for my aging parents thinking at least medically, I would be good. Not so, if am now up to three pills a day and having side-effect health issues. I would like my natural medicine to be legal for me and all others wanting it. Nadine Girouard, Rock Springs [end]
A couple of major developments have taken place against the backdrop of the battle against drugs. The two cases seem to illustrate the two extremes of this long fight. In Thailand, suit-clad officials from four countries agreed politely to set up an information-sharing headquarters. No one is in charge. The specific goals are not just unstated, but appear not to exist. In Indonesia, at the other end of the pendulum, prison authorities yesterday brought six convicted drug dealers - five of them foreigners - to the killing stakes for execution by firing squad. [continues 487 words]
Law allows anti-opioid medication More Pennsylvanians die from drug overdoses than from any other type of injury, including car accidents. The Keystone State also ranks 14th highest in drug overdose mortality rates, according to information from the Pennsylvania Medical Society. So when former Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law late last year a bill that allows first responders and loved ones to provide a lifesaving opioid antagonist drug to those experiencing an overdose, the medical community and others applauded. "We definitely support this, and we believe we can prevent someone from an overdose," said Richard Mroczka, the administrator and executive director of the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Alcohol and Drug Commission, whose mission is to provide prevention services, early intervention and comprehensive drug treatment services to those in need throughout the region. [continues 946 words]
Editor: I absolutely support marijuana legalization. The first thing is to legalize medicinal use, which would allow doctors to be able to prescribe as needed, and for patients to be able to have this option. Decriminalization should be the next step. We should take a look at what other states are doing and see what will work best for Wyoming. We need to quit throwing people in prison for using marijuana. Abuses of this drug should be done through drug court and treatment options. Michelle Irwin, Green River [end]
