In response to Betty Dodt's letter concerning Amendment 2 (medical marijuana), I believe her condemnation of marijuana to be extreme and unreasoned. We've seen a change in attitude towards pot in the past 10 years, as reflected in the culture; America's more progressive states have decided on legalization, both medicinally and recreationally. Visit The Netherlands and one will see a culture that doesn't have a drug problem even though soft drugs are legal there. It would seem to me that pot is as popular as ever due to these changing attitudes and information. Gone are the days of "Reefer Madness" hysteria and the misguided "Say No to Drugs" era. [continues 257 words]
Holy smoke! Denver residents voted this week to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in their newly re-defined "Mile High City." National marijuana-rights activists said don't hold your breath when it comes to expecting any initiatives in Western Pennsylvania anytime soon. The first clue might be that the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has chapters in such far-flung places as Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Casper, Wyo., and Hermosa, S.D., but nary a one in Pittsburgh. [continues 482 words]
Where are we exactly with this cannabis thing? The drug will be downgraded from Class B to a Class C by July 2003. The police are to expand Brixton's controversial "seize and warn" policy across London by the autumn. Does that mean I can sit on the steps of Brixton police station and skin up? No. It will still be illegal to possess cannabis and users can still be arrested for "aggravating factors" such as the involvement of children or "flagrant disregard" of the law. For simple possession the police are more likely to seize the drug and issue a warning. [continues 203 words]
Nine o'clock on Friday night and Brixton high street is buzzing. Everyone is on their way home or on their way out for the night. But just a minute's walk away, in Coldharbour Lane, there is another group of people who are not going anywhere: the dealers. Hoods up against the cold, they lean against shuttered shop fronts and railings, checking out the passers-by. Coldharbour Lane has always been the place to go in Brixton if you want to buy drugs. Since last summer, the drug trade has become a lot more visible. In a 100-yard stretch, there are at least 20 people carrying out "business". [continues 257 words]
