WASHINGTON - Many teen drivers believe it's less dangerous to drive after smoking marijuana than after drinking alcohol, a perception the government wants to change. "Driving sober means no alcohol, no marijuana, no drugs," John Walters, the Bush administration's drug policy director, said Thursday as he showed a new television ad aimed at stopping teens from driving after smoking pot. Walters' office is spending $10 million on the ad and other efforts to teach teens and their parents about the danger of drugged driving. [continues 254 words]
WASHINGTON - Many teen drivers say it's less dangerous to drive after smoking marijuana than after drinking alcohol, a perception the government wants to change. "Driving sober means no alcohol, no marijuana, no drugs," John Walters, the Bush administration's drug policy director, said yesterday as he showed a new television ad aimed at stopping teens from driving after smoking pot. Walters' office is spending $10 million on the ad and other efforts to teach teens and their parents about the danger of drugged driving. There also are brochures that are being distributed in high schools and state motor vehicle offices. [continues 207 words]
An estimated 11 million Americans, including nearly one in five 21-year-olds, have driven while under the influence of illegal drugs, the government says. WASHINGTON - An estimated 11 million Americans, including nearly one in five 21-year-olds, have driven while under the influence of illegal drugs, the government says. The numbers announced Tuesday were especially high for college students. Eighteen percent of students surveyed said they drove while on drugs last year, compared with 14 percent of their peers who weren't in college. [continues 232 words]
An estimated 11 million Americans, including nearly one in five 21-year-olds, have driven while under the influence of illegal drugs, the government says. The numbers announced Tuesday were especially high for college students. Eighteen percent of students surveyed said they drove while on drugs last year, compared with 14 percent of their peers who weren't in college. John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the statistics show a failure to convince drivers that drugs impair driving as much as alcohol does. His office is kicking off an ad campaign to warn teens about driving while smoking marijuana. [continues 159 words]
Governor Lauds Court Ruling, But Appeal Likely LANSING -- A federal Court of Appeals on Friday cleared the way for Michigan to test welfare recipients for drugs, saying such programs are constitutional. The decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could have a significant impact nationally. Michigan was the first state to put such a drug-testing program in place, and many other states have been watching this case, the American Civil Liberties Union said Friday. Gov. John Engler praised the decision and said Michigan is reviewing the steps it needs to take to reinstate the program. [continues 789 words]
The U.S. Justice Department Will Investigate The Shootings Of Two Men Killed By Authorities During A Standoff At A Campground An FBI agent shot Rainbow Farm owner Tom Crosslin and his partner on Monday after Crosslin authorities say he pointed a gun at the agent, one of several law-enforcement officers surrounding the Cass County campground. Federal and state police were searching a campground for marijuana advocates late into Tuesday night. Police said both men were shot after pointing weapons at law enforcement officers. But many of those who live near Rainbow Farm, a 15-year-old campground that promoted medical and recreational marijuana use, lashed out at police for failing to end the standoff peacefully. [continues 828 words]
VANDALIA, Mich. (AP) -- Neighbors of the two men killed in a standoff with police at a campground where marijiuana use was condoned recalled the pair Tuesday as peaceful and generous and were stunned by their violent deaths. Grover "Tom" Crosslin, 47, owner of Rainbow Farm, was fatally shot by an FBI agent Monday night after a standoff that began Friday. Rolland Rohm, 28, who lived with Crosslin, was shot by police Tuesday morning on the campground property. Police said both were shot after pointing weapons at law enforcement officers. [continues 822 words]
Last year, supporters of legalizing marijuana didn't collect enough signatures to get a measure on the 2000 ballot. This year, armed with a larger and wiser group of volunteers, they're trying again. Saginaw attorney Gregory Schmid, the leader of the Personal Responsibility Amendment effort, began collecting signatures last weekend for a 2002 ballot measure. If the proposal gets on the ballot and voters approve it, anyone over 21 could buy the drug without penalty, and adults could grow small quantities of marijuana in their homes. Michigan residents also could use marijuana for medical purposes. [continues 498 words]
