The Burlington City Council narrowly defeated a watered-down ballot question on decriminalization of marijuana that would have asked the governor and Legislature "to explore an alternative to the criminal system for dealing with small quantities of marijuana." The measure, sponsored by Ed Adrian, D-Ward 1, and Tim Ashe, P-Ward 3, failed 7-6 in a vote late Tuesday night. Those supporting the resolution were: Adrian; Ashe; Clarence Davis, P-Ward 3; Russ Ellis, D-Ward 4; Joan Shannon, D-Ward 5; and Andy Montroll, D-Ward 6. [continues 228 words]
Dismayed that the 2007 city budget proposed by Mayor Richard Daley has no increase in HIV-prevention funding , Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) is seeking an amendment to mandate a $1.7 million boost to fight the disease. The number of reported HIV/AIDS cases in Chicago has increased 20 percent since 2003--particularly among African-Americans and Latinos, according to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. But there has not been a city budget increase in HIV-prevention funding since then. "Early prevention could have saved so many lives in my community: the white gay male, North Side community," said Tunney. "We need these dollars for the ravaging effects of what's happening in the Latino and African-American communities." [continues 438 words]
Pilot Program Trains Judges Who Order Drug Treatment In its first report focused on improving treatment for drug addicts in the criminal justice system, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released 13 research-based guidelines Monday that the agency contends can reduce crime and save money and lives. The criminal justice community must understand that drug addiction is a brain disease that affects behavior, requiring personalized treatment (including medications such as methadone) and ongoing care after incarceration, according to the government agency's report, "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations." [continues 222 words]
Burlington voters gave an overwhelming endorsement Tuesday to 11 ballot items. The issues included a tax increase, changes in the city charter and a resolution supporting legalization of medical marijuana. They all won at least 60 percent of the vote. Results Tuesday night were unofficial. The city won permission for a 4-cent increase in the tax rate by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio, by a vote of 5,389 to 2,856. The increase will raise approximately $744,000 for a cash-strapped city, with $465,000 going to the police and fire departments and smaller amounts to Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Fletcher Free Library. [continues 316 words]
Court Says Failure To Obtain Warrant Doomed Drug Case; Marijuana In The Window Marijuana plants in the window of a Queen Anne's County house might have led police outside to suspect that the resident committed a crime, but they did not justify police entry without a warrant, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled yesterday. In a unanimous decision, the state's highest court reversed a Court of Special Appeals ruling that upheld the drug-manufacturing conviction of a 45-year-old Church Hill woman in Queen Anne's County Circuit Court. Marijuana plants seized from her home were used as evidence in her prosecution. [continues 482 words]
