The effect of new medical-marijuana regulations that go into effect today depends on whether local governments even intend to use them. That's because the first thing the new law requires is for localities to decide whether they even want medical marijuana dispensaries in their jurisdictions. Under the new law, local governments have the option of banning the dispensaries outright or placing measures on their next ballots asking voters to do that. In jurisdictions that approve such bans, however, it won't mean the complete elimination of places to go to get the herbal weed. [continues 332 words]
To the Editor: We don't wait for the times to change, but rather we can change this very moment in time. There are some who drift and never do anything to bring about change. Others feel they must stand up for what they believe to be just and right no matter the cost. The winds of change concerning the legalization of medical marijuana here in Illinois have come. It is the humane thing to do for the patients of Illinois. Please give the citizens of our state the option to choose between the many dangerous and addictive drugs such as morphine, oxycontin, dilaudid, etc., or medical marijuana. Please call your state representative and ask them to vote "yes" on Senate Bill 1381. Robert Day Huntley [end]
After almost two months of public hearings on amendments to Berkeley's medical marijuana laws, city council members, "cannabusiness" representatives and the Medical Cannabis Commission remained in a deadlock over several key issues at Tuesday's city council meeting. The Medical Marijuana Subcommittee proposed a set of amendments to current medical marijuana laws Tuesday. Due to the late hour -- the session concluded after midnight - and the controversy surrounding the issues under discussion, the council decided to postpone a decision until July 6. [continues 465 words]
Handgun And Coke Found But Rights Disregarded A B.C. Supreme Court justice has tossed out drug and weapons charges against a North Vancouver man, saying police violated his rights to obtain the evidence against him. Madam Justice Catherine Bruce ruled an illegal handgun and an ounce of cocaine found in Kenneth Gaba's apartment could not be admitted as evidence in his trial because North Vancouver RCMP violated his rights both before and after searching his home. "Along the spectrum of seriousness, I find the conduct of the police in this case was very serious . . I find that their conduct bordered on recklessness or willful blindness in regard to Mr. Gaba's charter rights," wrote the judge. [continues 455 words]
It cannot be seen as a surprise that Border Patrol agents uncovered a drug tunnel cut under the Rio Grande from Juarez into El Paso. It's logical to wonder if there are more. The lone tunnel found last week comes after U.S. border security personnel had already located more than 100 other tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border in California and Arizona. Some are crude passages, as is the one located here in the vicinity of the Bridge of the Americas. Some are quite elaborate, as found between Tijuana and the U.S. border near San Diego. [continues 241 words]
EL PASO -- The gunfire from Juarez that struck El Paso City Hall on Tuesday was unusual. But it is not uncommon for U.S. Border Patrol agents to hear the sound of gunshots from Mexico. Border Patrol agents posted along the Rio Grande have reported hearing shots as the violence has boiled in Juarez, though officials said it is uncommon for bullets to cross the border and strike in the U.S. "Typically, agents hear gunshots south of the border but as far as an incident like this (City Hall shooting) -- no," said Agent Ramiro Cordero, a spokesman for the Border Patrol. [continues 327 words]
EL PASO -- Several gunshots apparently fired from Juarez hit El Paso City Hall on Tuesday afternoon. No one was hurt, but nerves were rattled at City Hall in what is thought to be the first cross-border gunfire during a drug war that has engulfed Juarez since 2008. El Paso police spokesman Darrel Petry said investigators do not think City Hall was intentionally targeted but rather was struck by stray shots. "It does appear the rounds may have come from an incident in Juarez," Petry said. [continues 516 words]
EL PASO - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today demanded that President Obama send more troops to the Texas-Mexico border and used the shots that hit El Paso City Hall as an example of increased violence on the border. Abbott said in a letter that the seven shots that hit City Hall in El Paso were an example of the violence that is plaguing the border area and that sending 1,200 National Guard soldiers to the entire U.S.-Mexico border is not enough. [continues 333 words]
Though drug trafficking in Merritt is nothing new, RCMP say they are concerned with new trends in the way business is being done here. There has been a recent increase in violence related to the drug trade, said Const. Tracy Dunsmore in a press release. "Being located along the Coquihalla Highway and 97C has its advantages for those doing business that relies on customers stopping in Merritt to have a break, gas up, eat or even wander around downtown," she said. "Unfortunately, it also attracts those who come to town for other business purposes." [continues 191 words]
An article in the newspaper last week revealed that one of our local law enforcement officers has been arrested and charged with fraud in not only lying to the GBI but actually falsifying documents in regard to the qualifications of the narcotics agent that, in my opinion, murdered Pastor Ayers last year in Toccoa. DA Rickman was the leading defender of the rogue cop, declaring that his actions were appropriate. He now seems to allude to this latest arrest as being an example of how the idea of "cops protecting cops" does not apply in his jurisdiction. After our "grand jury debacle", I feel led to address my neighbors in the most basic way. [continues 134 words]
Prescriptions Required To Fight Meth Use Starting today, sinus and allergy sufferer Joan Blanks of Pearl won't be able to buy her favorite antidotes without a doctor's blessing. "But, praise the Lord, I've been able to get prescriptions written, and they're good for a year," said Blanks, 79. This day marks the arrival of new restrictions on buying drugs containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, an essential ingredient for making crystal methamphetamine, an illegal, addictive drug experts say destroys families. [continues 763 words]
