Colombia is no longer the world's biggest producer of cocaine. White House drug czar R. Gil Kerlikowske announced on Monday that Colombia - the origin of much of the cocaine trafficked into the United States - fell behind Peru and Bolivia in production of cocaine in 2011. The latest estimate puts Colombia's production at 195 metric tons, a 25% reduction from the previous year and down from 700 metric tons in 2001. Peru accounted for 325 tons and Bolivia for 265 metric tons, according to the latest White House estimates. [continues 236 words]
Pacifiers, glow sticks and similar accessories favored by electronic music fans are drug paraphernalia, said Elgin officials, who are taking the first step toward an unusual law that would ban such items from nightclubs catering to the under-21 crowd. On Wednesday, the Elgin City Council backed an ordinance for underage events at nightclubs such as The Mission, a downtown club that most nights draws an adult crowd. The regulations, which would be required of any establishment intending to hold an event for people younger than 21, would ban several club toys. [continues 751 words]
The highly unusual drug case involving marijuana-legalization advocate Edward Forchion came to a conclusion yesterday as he was sentenced to prison for his part in brokering a drug deal for his brother. With Forchion's wife, Janice, and two of his young children in the courtroom, Camden County Superior Court Judge Stephen W. Thompson sentenced Forchion to a 10-year prison term. Forchion will be eligible for parole in slightly less than two years, and he could apply for intensive supervisory parole in six months. [continues 604 words]
Voters in Burlington County and the First Congressional District will have the opportunity to vote for Legalize Marijuana candidate Edward Forchion even though he may be headed to jail. Forchion pleaded guilty last month to arranging a deal for 40 pounds of cannabis. Two days after his guilty plea he was arrested in Strawberry Mansion after buying three ounces of marijuana. He said the Philadelphia arrest was "a sign from God" that he should not have pleaded guilty, and he asked the Public Defender's Office in Trenton to enter a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Forchion, who acknowledges he does not have a chance of getting elected, wanted to remain on the ballot to draw attention to his issue but feared the guilty plea would prevent him. But the State Attorney General's Election Division ruled Forchion is eligible to stay on the ballot until he is sentenced. That isn't scheduled until December. [end]
After refusing several plea offers that he said would compromise his principles, a South Jersey advocate for legalizing marijuana agreed yesterday to a lesser charge. In exchange for a light sentence and one more chance to address the jurors, he admitted to introducing two parties to a $20,000 cannabis deal. Yesterday would have been the second day of his trial. "I did it for my kids," Edward Forchion said of the plea agreement as he left Camden County Superior Court yesterday. "But I still believe what I believe." [continues 771 words]
Edward Forchion, accused in a 40-pound drug deal, said he was like Rosa Parks. He refused a plea offer. With an opening statement in which he compared himself to Rosa Parks and discounted the merits of marijuana laws, Edward Forchion - a self-described eccentric advocate of legalizing cannabis - began his defense yesterday against charges that he conspired to distribute 40 pounds of marijuana. The first day of Forchion's trial in Camden County Superior Court started with a juror's being excused after a teary episode. She told the judge that she could not be part of a decision in the case, according to Forchion. [continues 496 words]
Despite a judge's order, Edward Forchion plans to bring up jury nullification. Jury selection is to begin today. Barred from trying to convince a jury that the government's marijuana laws are unconstitutional, Edward Forchion - an advocate for the legalization of marijuana who is to go on trial this week on a charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 pounds of cannabis - has vowed to press on anyway. Yesterday, Judge Stephen Thompson of Camden County Superior Court reaffirmed another judge's ruling to bar Forchion from introducing the concept of jury nullification to his jury. [continues 425 words]
An underlying theme characterized the testimony of all those who spoke Thursday at the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse hearing on treatment: There are many programs to help addicts, but for several reasons--ranging from economics to stigma--too few people who need the help are getting it. The panel of experts on substance abuse issues listened to physicians, substance abusers and social service workers. The hearing was one in a series being held around the country. The organization, which came into existence by federal mandate in 1992, hopes to use the information gathered to better inform lawmakers on substance abuse treatment policy. [continues 344 words]
