OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - It's known as Mary Jane, ganja, Chronic and even the sticky icky and has been featured in countless movies. Now, marijuana is the subject of a contemporary history and science exhibit. "Altered State: Marijuana in California," a one-of-its-kind museum exhibition focusing on the topic, is open through the summer at the Oakland Museum of California. Set against the backdrop of a California ballot measure this year asking voters to legalize marijuana's recreational use, the exhibition features artwork, political documents and posters, scientific displays, and interactive and multimedia exhibits all meant to spark questions and conversations about the provocative plant. [continues 58 words]
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - It's known as Mary Jane, ganja, Chronic and even the sticky icky and has been featured in countless movies, including one that warned of its dangers, "Reefer Madness." Now, marijuana is the subject of a contemporary history and science exhibit. "Altered State: Marijuana in California," a one-of-its-kind museum exhibition focusing on the topic, is open through the summer at the Oakland Museum of California. Set against the backdrop of a California ballot measure this year asking voters to legalize marijuana for recreational use, the exhibition features artwork, political documents and posters, scientific displays, and interactive and multimedia exhibits all meant to provoke questions and conversations about the provocative plant. [continues 164 words]
City Council Will Consider Commission Suggestions For Troubled Department's Handling Of Seized Substances, Money BERKELEY -- Two years after police discovered the biggest drug scandal in the Police Department's history, the City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting more than a dozen recommendations for storing, handling and auditing seized drugs and money. Last October, the city's Police Review Commission found that systems for tracking drug evidence were inadequate to prevent or catch the theft of narcotics from the police department's evidence locker, according to a detailed and lengthy report. [continues 492 words]
Evidence Of Theft By Cop Prompts Commission Suggestions For Handling Substances BERKELEY -- Two years after police discovered the biggest drug scandal in the department's history, the City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting more than a dozen recommendations for storing, handling and auditing seized drugs and money. Last October, the city's Police Review Commission found that systems for tracking drug evidence were inadequate to prevent or catch the theft of narcotics from the police department's evidence locker, according to a detailed and lengthy report. [continues 523 words]
Changes Are Planned In The Way Police Store, Handle And Audit Narcotics After Internal Thefts BERKELEY -- Two years after police discovered the biggest drug scandal in the police department's history, the City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting more than a dozen recommendations for storing, handling and auditing seized drugs and money. In October, the city's Police Review Commission found that systems for tracking drug evidence were inadequate to prevent the theft of narcotics from the department's evidence locker, according to a detailed and lengthy report. [continues 645 words]
BERKELEY -- The city's police watchdog group has found that systems for tracking drug evidence were inadequate to prevent or catch the theft of narcotics from the police department's evidence locker and the department's probe into a former sergeant's drug thefts was insufficient. In a lengthy report compiled following an 18-month investigation, the Berkeley Police Review Commission subcommittee slammed the department, some officers and Police Chief Doug Hambleton for failing to notice, report and act in a timely matter when then-Sgt. Cary Kent tampered with and stole from 286 drug evidence envelopes. [continues 730 words]
Gallery to Display 'Marijuana Project' Through Nov. 16 SAN FRANCISCO -- The first reaction to the thriving marijuana plant encased in Plexiglas in a San Francisco art gallery is to its pungent odor. Then come the questions. "They say, 'Is it real and is it for sale?' The plant is not for sale, but the photos are," replies Wendi Norris, an owner of Frey Norris Gallery on Geary Street where the "Marijuana Project" is on display through Nov. 16. The pot plant, accompanying photos of another plant, and buds encased in resin and mounted in petri dishes, as well as Pred's grower's permit and medical marijuana identification card, are part of the "Who's Afraid of San Francisco" exhibit, which includes installations on gay marriage, immigrants, anti-war movements and racial justice by artists from Oakland and elsewhere. [continues 590 words]
Controversial Display Includes Encased Plant, Pictures SAN FRANCISCO -- The first reaction to the thriving marijuana plant encased in Plexiglas in a San Francisco art gallery is to its pungent odor. Then come the questions. "They say, 'Is it real and is it for sale?' The plant is not for sale, but the photos are," replies Wendi Norris, an owner of Frey Norris Gallery on Geary Street where the "Marijuana Project" is on display through Nov. 16. The pot plant, accompanying photos of another plant, and buds encased in resin and mounted in petri dishes, as well as Pred's grower's permit and medical marijuana identification card, are part of the "Who's Afraid of San Francisco" exhibit, which includes installations on gay marriage, immigrants, anti-war movements and racial justice by artists from Oakland and elsewhere. [continues 590 words]
SAN FRANCISCO -- The first reaction to the thriving marijuana plant encased in Plexiglas in a San Francisco art gallery is to its pungent odor. Then come the questions. "They say, 'Is it real and is it for sale?' The plant is not for sale, but the photos are," replies Wendi Norris, an owner of Frey Norris Gallery on Geary Street where the "Marijuana Project" is on display through Nov. 16. The pot plant, accompanying photos of another plant, and buds encased in resin and mounted in petri dishes, as well as Pred's grower's permit and medical marijuana identification card, are part of the "Who's Afraid of San Francisco" exhibit, which includes installations on gay marriage, immigrants, anti-war movements and racial justice by artists from Oakland and elsewhere. [continues 592 words]
Former Berkeley Police Sergeant's Case At Issue BERKELEY -- The Berkeley Police Review Commission is investigating whether the department properly handled the internal affairs probe of a former police sergeant who admitted to stealing heroin and methamphetamine from the department's evidence locker. A police review commission subcommittee met for a third Monday to discuss the timeline for the investigation, which should be completed by December, said police commission officer Victoria Urbi. In January, the police department's internal affairs unit began investigating Sgt. Cary Kent, who was in charge of the drug evidence locker, when an audit turned up "procedural irregularities" among the evidence. [continues 413 words]
BERKELEY -- The city's Copwatch group is calling on the Berkeley Police Department to tighten its drug-handling procedures and release findings of its probe into a former narcotics sergeant suspected of stealing and using heroin from an evidence locker. In January, the sergeant -- who this newspaper is not naming because he has not been arrested or charged with a crime -- was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs probe and a tandem investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. [continues 346 words]
Building Manager Attacked While Trying To Protect Fourplex OAKLAND -- A 41-year-old Hayward software engineer who has worked to improve West Oakland rentals to earn extra income for his family was beaten last week by a gang of local drug dealers who refuse to stay off his property, police said Friday. Convicted drug dealer Marcus Smith, 23, the accused ringleader in the attack, was charged Friday with violating probation and making terrorist threats, police said. Investigators said Smith threatened the owner with a gun and forced him to the pavement at the Mead Avenue fourplex where he and at least three other drug dealers beat and kicked him. More arrests are expected. [continues 513 words]
Proposal Would Keep Medical Marijuana Clinics Away From Schools BERKELEY -- City officials want to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries to three, hoping to avoid a mecca of Berkeley pot clubs similar to Oakland's once-thriving "Oaksterdam" area. The plan, by Councilmembers Linda Maio and Margaret Breland, would keep medical marijuana dispensaries away from schools and prohibit them from clustering in one area of the city. With Oakland now limiting its medical marijuana clubs to four, Berkeley city leaders, who will tonight consider limiting the number of dispensaries, aren't the only ones scrambling to keep pot clubs out of their city. [continues 563 words]
Proposal's Critics Call Fear of Oaksterdam-Type Proliferation Unwarranted BERKELEY -- City officials want to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries to three, hoping to avoid a mecca of Berkeley pot clubs similar to Oakland's once-thriving "Oaksterdam" area. The plan, by Councilmembers Linda Maio and Margaret Breland, would keep medical marijuana dispensaries away from schools and prohibit them from clustering in one area of the city. With Oakland now limiting its medical marijuana clubs to four, Berkeley city leaders -- who will tonight consider limiting the number of dispensaries -- aren't the only ones scrambling to keep pot clubs out of their city. [continues 563 words]
Medical marijuana patients, supporters want city to match 72-plant rule in effect in Oakland BERKELEY -- Medical cannabis users and advocates are lobbying city leaders to increase Berkeley's indoor marijuana plant limit from 10 to 72, which is the amount allowed in Oakland. Advocates say residents with cancer, AIDS, chronic pain, anorexia, glaucoma, migraine headaches and other severe illnesses need more than 10 indoor plants to cultivate marijuana for medical treatment. Berkeley allows 10 indoor and outdoor plants under a March 2001 ordinance that was brokered under political compromise. The Berkeley City Council will consider an increase proposal Tuesday. [continues 719 words]
