LANSING -- The Board of State Canvassers gave approval Thursday to a new proposed ballot effort to amend the state constitution to fully legalize recreational use of marijuana without taxing the drug. The proposal from Abrogate Prohibition Michigan of Midland would nullify all laws prohibiting or regulating the use of marijuana and impose no fines, taxes or penalties on its use. "I call it the Second Amendment of cannabis," sponsor Timothy Locke told the Free Press, comparing it to the U.S. constitutional provision granting the right to bear arms. [continues 403 words]
LANSING -- Rebecca Brown says she tried every prescription drug she could find to control the frequent seizures her son suffered because of a severe form of epilepsy. When nothing worked consistently, and the drugs and special diet caused kidney stones and pancreas problems as side effects, the Oakland County woman turned to medical marijuana. Now, Cooper Brown, 14, is one of 44 Michigan residents younger than 18 with a medical marijuana card. His mom says his seizures have dropped off dramatically since he started using it early this year. [continues 1192 words]
WHITE PINE - In this hard-luck town in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, rumors persist of a company growing pot deep in the bowels of a former copper mine nearby. In 2010, the rumors got so bad, the State Police contacted the owners and asked to inspect the White Pine Mine sometime in the next couple of days. "No, right now, " SubTerra official Mark Pierpont said he told them, not wanting lingering suspicions that he had spent a day hiding a stash of marijuana. [continues 1582 words]
But Attempting To Get A Murder Conviction Would Be A Challenge, Says Drug Enforcement Agent. DETROIT -- The deadly combination of heroin and fentanyl that has killed more than 130 Metro Detroit drug users since September was probably mixed locally by dealers seeking to boost their profits, says the special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Detroit. "I strongly believe that it's getting mixed at the street level," Robert Corso said of the heroin-fentanyl combination in his first interview since the recent spike in overdose deaths was made public in May. [continues 289 words]
Trafficking Penalty Slammed As Too Lenient THE sale of cold remedies and other non-prescription medicines that can be used to make crystal meth should be moved behind store counters, Western Canadian cabinet ministers agreed at a meeting in Regina yesterday. Manitoba Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh and his colleagues also called on the federal government to increase to life in prison the maximum penalty for trafficking in the dangerous and increasingly popular drug. And the government should create a new crime -- possessing ingredients or equipment for the purpose of manufacturing crystal meth -- one of many street terms for the drug methamphetamine, Mackintosh said. [continues 280 words]
Minister To Urge Tougher Penalties Wants United Western Canadian Voice MANITOBA will today push for a united western Canadian voice on tougher penalties for possession and distribution of crystal meth, Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh said yesterday. The province will also present a meeting of western ministers in Regina with a proposal on how to better crack down on the home labs where the methamphetamine drug is manufactured, Mackintosh said at a news conference. Crystal meth, which has effects that can be deadly, is reportedly growing in popularity, not only as a recreational drug that creates a long-lasting high but as a means of staying awake for extended periods among long-haul truck drivers and others in the workforce. [continues 176 words]
Rockwood Institution Part Of Pilot Project MANITOBA'S Rockwood Institution is one of six prisons across the country that will open a tattoo parlour as part of a $700,000 federal pilot project, officials have confirmed. The tattoo parlour, to be run by inmates, is expected to open soon, Corrections Canada spokeswoman Cathy Stocki said. The program is funded by Health Canada and is aimed at slowing the spread of hepatitis C and HIV in prisons, Stocki said. Although non-sanctioned tattooing has been and remains prohibited in prisons, inmates have used a variety of instruments that are often not sterile to give tattoos to themselves and one another, she said. [continues 294 words]
Cost Of Stolen Electricity Much Lower Than Thought The electricity stolen from Manitoba Hydro by illegal marijuana grow operations may not be as substantial as some have thought, an internal review by the utility suggests. Marijuana grow operators may be breaking the law, but many of them do pay their electric bills, Manitoba Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider said. Using information on grow op busts in 2004 supplied by Winnipeg police and the RCMP, Hydro calculated that it lost electricity worth about $300,000 to 38 Manitoba grow ops last year. [continues 290 words]
Hydro Worries About Law Enforcement Role The Manitoba government wants to look at proposed Ontario legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal marijuana grow operations, a Manitoba Justice spokesman said yesterday. But Manitoba Hydro has concerns about legislation that would shift its inspectors or other employees into a law enforcement role, Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider said. Hydro utilities in Ontario may soon have the power to cut off electricity to suspected grow ops without any warning to the property's occupants. [continues 305 words]
13,000 More To Be Added As Subject To Random Checking As the state expands its random testing program today, a union leader is calling on members with drug problems to get help. "If you're using drugs, stop," said John Denniston of the Michigan State Employees Association. "If you can't stop, then call me, and I'll help you get help." Effective today, 13,000 more state employees are subject to random testing for marijuana and cocaine, bringing the total to 18,000, said Janine Winters, director of the Office of the State Employer. [continues 253 words]
