The U.S. Supreme Court last week dealt a blow to the medical-marijuana movement, ruling that people who smoke pot on a doctor's advice to ease symptoms can be prosecuted for violating federal drug laws--even if they live in the 10 states where it's legal. The court, in its 6-to-3 decision, expressed sympathy for two seriously ill Californians who filed suit but agreed with the feds that they can arrest people who use and grow marijuana for medical purposes. "Justice [John Paul] Stevens went out of his way to note . . . that 'marijuana does have valid therapeutic purposes,' " said Steve Fox of the Marijuana Policy Project, "and gave a strong suggestion that Congress should act." Reps. Maurice Hinchey and Dana Rohrabacher this week are set to offer a measure to bar federal agents from arresting patients and growers in states where medical marijuana is legal. [end]
Cash Crunch Puts Nonprofit At Risk YouthTruth of Slidell seeks the truth from troubled teens through therapy and education so the teens can be empowered and overcome adversity. But the truth is, the free services the organization offers will soon end if financing is not replenished. YouthTruth is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that serves the needs of at-risk youths ages 11 to 17 in the Slidell area. Licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and certified recreation therapists provide individual, group and family therapy, including outpatient substance abuse treatment, to youths who desire the services and to those mandated by the courts. A certified teacher is available for tutoring. [continues 581 words]
North Star show set for March 10 The North Star Theatre in Mandeville is partnering with the Mandeville Police Department to provide family entertainment while raising money to educate youths about drug abuse. North Star will present the play "Life with Father" on March 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and proceeds will benefit the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in Mandeville. Every year the theater does a benefit," said Mandeville police officer Charlene Frosch. "They set aside a special night for us." [continues 257 words]
A San Francisco jury last week convicted self-described "Guru of Ganja"' Ed Rosenthal, 58, on federal charges of cultivating marijuana. But no sooner had they convicted him than half of the jurors complained the verdict was unfair. The reason: The judge barred defense lawyers from telling them Rosenthal had grown the pot to provide medical marijuana--legal in California--to patients with AIDS and cancer. "As jurors, we followed the law exactly as it was explained to us by Judge Charles Breyer . . . . But the verdict we reached--the only verdict those instructions allowed us to reach--was wrong," juror Marney Craig wrote in an opinion piece published in the San Jose Mercury. "It was cruel, inhumane, and unjust." California is one of eight states that allow marijuana to be grown and distributed for medical use; Rosenthal worked with Oakland officials to provide pot to patients with prescriptions. But the feds--who don't recognize the state laws--busted him after raiding his operation. Rosenthal will be sentenced June 4; he faces up to 85 years in prison. Interesting that the feds have time for this when the nation's on high alert for terrorist hits. [end]
Party a lot? You could pay later. Three new studies found that teens who smoke marijuana "frequently" (read: weekly or more) may have a greater chance of becoming depressed or schizophrenic; the risk apparently increases with frequency and age--the younger a kid starts, the higher the risk. Had the odd joint? Relax: The studies, in the current British Medical Journal, say occasional use doesn't seem to be harmful. Lisa Stein [end]
