Today we publish answers to our Question of the Week. We'll ask another question Sunday and await your answers. This week's question: "What should be the priority for Torrance's City Council -- upholding the federal ban on medical marijuana or allowing patients with doctors' recommendations to have a degree of access to the drug?" (The Torrance City Council this week voted to deny business licenses to medical marijuana dispensaries.) Congress members are not medical doctors or scientists. They should stop kidding us and themselves when they insist that they know more than these professionals. If a doctor feels something is beneficial for his patient or researchers need certain disposable cells to experiment with, Congress should not prevent it by inventing or using a ban to force their morals down everyone else's throats. [continues 291 words]
Torrance business licenses will no longer be granted to medical marijuana dispensaries -- or any establishments that breach federal law, a unanimous City Council ruled Tuesday night. In doing so, Torrance becomes the first South Bay city to declare co-ops, which provide medicinal pot for specific ailments, unwelcome within its boundaries. Though about 20 medical marijuana supporters spoke out against the ordinance and urged the council to simply regulate local dispensaries, council members said most residents did not want these facilities in their community. [continues 550 words]
It is unclear what Torrance would gain from an ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries ("Torrance city council fails to block marijuana," Thursday). Do the mayor and council members really believe that patients suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis or chronic pain are better off getting their medicine on the street? The courts have repeatedly made clear that state and local governments are not obligated to enforce federal laws -- and it's hard to imagine a federal law more wrongheaded than one that criminalizes patients fighting disabling, life-threatening illnesses for simply seeking relief. [continues 59 words]
Councilman Bernard Parks balks at the fact that six recent hires have used drugs in the past. He says he will push for zero tolerance. Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks said Monday that he will ask the council to reinstate a zero-tolerance drug policy for the Los Angeles Police Department after learning that six people have been hired since 2003 who admitted to using felony-level drugs. Parks, a former police chief, said the council approved the zero-tolerance policy in 1996. But last year LAPD and city personnel officials acknowledged they have been allowing some recruits into the police academy who admitted past use of some "heavy" drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamines or heroin. At the council's Public Safety Committee meeting Monday, officials said six such officers in all had been hired. [continues 453 words]
"The erosion of background standards comes back to haunt the city," Councilman Bernard Parks says. Two city councilmen said Monday they will ask the Los Angeles Police Department to freeze hiring policy changes allowing new recruits on the force who have used drugs in the past. Councilman Bernard Parks, a former LAPD chief, said he and Councilman Dennis Zine, a former police officer, will ask their colleagues later this week that the changes be reviewed by the City Council and the Police Commission before they are implemented. [continues 435 words]
Former Members Says His Controvesial Book Is Still Relevant 10 Years Later Author Luis J. Rodriguez is no stranger to conflict. He began his criminal life -- shoplifting -- at age 7. At 10 he saw his best friend killed. By 15 he was using heroin and living on the streets. At 17 he was arrested for attempted murder. More than 20 years later, he detailed his experiences in Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. The conflicts have continued. Rival gangsters sought revenge. The book is regularly banned at schools and censored at libraries around the country. Earlier this month, parents in Lawndale protested its use at Environmental Charter High School, calling it too vulgar for freshman readers. [continues 735 words]
The DEA Boss May Help Transform A Publicity Seeker Into A Canadian Martyr In their search for proof that Bigfoot exists, researchers ought to take hair samples from the Washington, D.C., offices of Drug Enforcement Administration boss Karen Tandy. Tandy has left giant footprints on the drug prosecution of Vancouver mail-order pot entrepreneur, and B.C. Marijuana Party founder, Marc Emery. With an ill-advised statement politicizing the case and even misspelling Emery's first name, the DEA boss may help transform a publicity seeker into a Canadian martyr. [continues 681 words]
Supervisors OK Measure Aimed At Halting Disease. South Bay's Don Knabe Opposes It. A divided Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved setting aside $500,000 for a needle exchange program that will make the controversial service available in local communities other than the city of Los Angeles for the first time. On a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Don Knabe and Mike Antonovich opposed, the board agreed that the county's public health services agency should fund local nonprofit groups to provide clean syringes to drug users in an effort to curtail the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other potentially fatal, infectious diseases. [continues 470 words]
Supreme Court ruling should satisfy critics -- the justices left it up to Congress to change the law. The Supreme Court did what conservative court-watchers should welcome. It looked the California situation in the face and said: If Congress doesn't like the law, let Congress change it, but don't look to the Supreme Court to improvise on the drug laws. There are now four collateral movements in the matter of the use of medical marijuana where individual states have authorized it: [continues 551 words]
Torrance's South High School principal points out that not finding illegal narcotics during the trial run was a good thing. The Torrance school district has unveiled a new weapon in its fight against drugs on campus. Here's a hint: The one used last week at South High School is black and brown, has four legs and answers to Hero. Marking a first for the Torrance Unified School District, educators teamed up with local police Wednesday to bring a drug-sniffing dog to South High. The visit, considered a successful trial run by school officials, offered a sneak preview of what's to come. [continues 863 words]
You may know me as a television talk-show host, but here in 40 states, I am also a criminal. My crime? Using the medicine that has allowed me to lead a normal life, despite having multiple sclerosis: medical marijuana. Being diagnosed with MS, in 1999, felt like a death sentence. I doubted my ability to function as a father, son, brother, friend, talk-show host and producer. I honestly couldn't see a future. I had always taken excellent care of my body; I'd worked out, followed a healthful diet and looked the picture of health. What no one could see was the mind-numbing pain that seared through my legs, as if I were being stabbed with hot pokers. [continues 564 words]
One of the Philippines' most enduring film and music icons, Nora Aunor, is booked on suspicion of felony methamphetamine possession. Los Angeles International Airport police arrested one of the Philippines' most enduring film and music icons, Nora Aunor, late Wednesday on suspicion of felony methamphetamine possession after security screeners allegedly found the substance in her carry-on bag, authorities said. Aunor, 51, was stopped at the Terminal 1 checkpoint about 8:30 p.m. when screeners found drugs and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt in her bag, said Jennifer Peppin, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, who identified Aunor only as a "female suspect" and not by name. [continues 529 words]
South Bay Medical Marijuana Users Await Supreme Court Ruling. Justices Hear Arguments Today. Before one 43-year-old Lomita resident summons the resolve to perform basic daily tasks like brushing her teeth, she must tackle the debilitating pain that is her constant companion. So, Shelly, who requested her last name be withheld, takes a muscle relaxant, gingerly stretches for 30 minutes -- and then takes what she calls her medication with names like Super Silver Haze or Morningstar. Shelly uses marijuana on a doctor's recommendation. [continues 1580 words]
When U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft asked the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court decision blocking federal agents from punishing - or even investigating - doctors who recommend marijuana to patients, he was not doing anything unique. For California Attorney General Bill Lockyer was already moving against the most prominent medipot doctor in the nation, helping the Medical Board of California in its attempt to get the doctor's medical license lifted. The question: Is Lockyer, who says he favors medical use of marijuana to help alleviate severe pain and other conditions including nausea caused by AIDS and cancer drugs, trying to clamp down on free speech or simply trying to restrict trade in an illegal drug? [continues 589 words]
The experience of Ed Rosenthal of Oakland accelerates the day when heavy dilemmas in our legal system might just force a fresh look at our marijuana laws. Presumably that will have to happen when state legislators, members of Congress and presidents are in recess, because the great enemy of sensible reform has been, of course, politicians high from righteousness. What happened to Rosenthal was that he was convicted of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy, and a conceivable sentence of l00 years in prison and a fine of $4.5 million. The defense attorney had been forbidden by presiding federal District Judge Charles Breyer to advise the jury of the perspectives of the defense. The city of Oakland, instructed by a statewide proposition in l996, had enacted an ordinance authorizing the growth of marijuana for medical use. The judge took the position that local laws do not override federal laws; therefore the verdict could not be influenced by the contradiction, and the jurors shouldn't be sidetracked by hearing about it. [continues 487 words]
Aheadcase.com bills itself as the "largest smoke shop in the world," offering assorted pipes, hookas, bongs, snuff tools, books, scales and other products. It is one of a plethora of so-called "head shops" selling drug-related merchandise over the Internet. The owners of Aheadcase.com, which boasts two Southern California retail locations in addition to its Web site, were busted by federal authorities. It was part of a nationwide sweep that resulted in indictments of 50 individuals on charges of trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia. [continues 327 words]
Her mornings are never that good anyhow, since she wakes up with a leg that is withered from polio. Still, this particular morning was truly bad. She opened her eyes and saw five federal agents pointing rifles at her head. "Get your hands up!" one of them yelled. "Get out of bed!" yelled another. She told them she was sorry, but she couldn't, she was crippled. They put her in handcuffs and again told her to "get up!" Again, she said she couldn't, because she used leg braces and crutches, and she needed her hands for those. [continues 523 words]
Mira Costa High School will crack down on students who skip classes or get caught with drugs by taking away some of their most cherished activities - sports teams, school clubs and prom nights - under new policies adopted this week. The guidelines, approved by the school board Wednesday night and effective immediately, are designed to be tough but flexible, providing students with options, appeals and opportunities to keep violations off their transcripts. "In essence, it gives them a second chance," board member Tracey Windes said, referring to the new drug policy. [continues 531 words]
After an unprecedented number of drug and alcohol offenses this year, Mira Costa High School plans to crack down on student violators by banning them from extracurricular activities, putting them in counseling and possibly subjecting them to random drug tests. The proposal - part of a comprehensive overhaul of the school's disciplinary system - is slated to come before the Manhattan Beach Board of Education for discussion on July 17. The proposed policies are undergoing legal review. Topping the list of recommendations is a two-pronged approach for dealing with first-time drug offenders, which has been a nagging problem at the Manhattan Beach high school. In the past year, there have been nearly 50 suspensions for drug and alcohol offenses, 17 in one month - a school record, officials say. [continues 328 words]
As federal officials and some California prosecutors repeatedly flout or ignore the state's 1996 law legalizing medical use of marijuana, dozens and perhaps hundreds who claim they depend on the weed for pain relief and even survival are taking flight. Like Vietnam-era draft dodgers, their usual destination is Canada. Medipot activists thought they had won the right to use their drug of choice without harassment when voters handily passed Proposition 215 six years ago, with its provisions for legal marijuana use upon the 'recommendation' of a doctor. [continues 140 words]
