Mosley High School Assistant Principal Brian Barnes was arrested April 1 for allegedly purchasing more than 20 grams of marijuana. Police said he told investigators he wanted the illegal herb for stress relief and recreational use. Though the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance, a characterization that denotes addictiveness and denies any currently accepted medical use, 13 states' Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Oregon' have altered laws regarding the substance, pursuing decriminalization or a medicinal path. The result has been a patchwork of laws that treat identical acts starkly differently, depending on locale. [continues 1591 words]
AUBURN - While Steve Kubby's marijuana trial - still in the prosecutory stages - has so far focused on proving criminal activity, the defense promises to shift legal gears and test the legitimacy of a 4-year-old law allowing California residents with a doctor's prescription to possess and grow marijuana for medical use. "Our case is no more about marijuana than the Boston Tea Party was about tea," said Kubby. "It's not about the guilt or innocence of any one person, it's about playing by the rules." [continues 399 words]
TRUCKEE - After hearing from students, educators and a doctor during its Sept. 21 meeting, the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Board of Trustees began to back away from a proposal calling for mandatory random drug testing of student athletes. "What I'm hearing is that this isn't going to work very well," said board member Suzanne Prouty after nearly two hours of public discussion. The board initially delayed discussion of the subject because Jim Abbott, assistant superintendent, had invited late-arriving guests who were to give some insight into the issue. Once Abbott's panel - which included principals, coaches, a medical professional and a county education employee - - had arrived, their presentations portrayed the proposed drug testing as financially taxing, socially questionable and "barely legal." [continues 660 words]
AUBURN - Former Libertarian candidate for governor Steve Kubby's marijuana trial has been continued until Aug. 15 and reassigned to Judge John L. Cosgrove at the Placer County Court House in Auburn. Kubby had requested the continuance earlier this month, said Deputy District Attorney Christopher Cattran. Kubby and his wife, Michele, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana for sale, cultivation of marijuana and conspiracy after members of the North Tahoe Task Force seized 265 plants from the couple's Olympic Valley home in January 1999. [continues 87 words]
