MEXICO CITY-The arrangement at first seemed simple: Harvard University would give Mexico's departing leader a one-year fellowship to do some research there. But ex-President Felipe Calderon's position has sparked controversy over whether the prestigious institution should open its doors to a man whose war against drug traffickers led to tens of thousands of deaths during his six-year term, which ended Dec. 1. The debate isn't taking place at the hallowed halls of Cambridge, Mass., but here in Mexico, where the lectureship Mr. Calderon started Monday has vaulted him back to the front pages of newspapers, to the top of radio hours, and to talk among ordinary Mexicans. [continues 848 words]
Since he can remember, Geoff has made a conscious decision to search out clean needles as he continues to fight his heroin addiction. Now that the 39-year-old homeless man with Hepatitis C uses a one-stop service where he can exchange his used needles for new ones, his health concerns are lessened. Geoff, who didn't want his surname published to protect his privacy, found a needle exchange in the neighbourhood in which he panhandles and sleeps on the streets. "I was one of the original people to start using it," he said by telephone Tuesday as he walked down a noisy alley. [continues 508 words]
Plans To Change The Federal Medical Marijuana System Will Hurt Most Licensed Users. On my way to Erin's place, to chat with her and her friends Stu and Jim, I noticed a young man on the subway wearing boxing shoes and a red baseball cap with this legend above the bill: I Am The Greatest Erin, great herself, is fond of the Louisville Lip; she even has an Ali figurine, battery operated, which shuffles and repeats that refrain about being great. But things are not great for Erin right now, nor for her friends. [continues 550 words]
Potent Product Hits Area Stores A potent new "synthetic marijuana" has made its way to Windsor with claims it is far more powerful than the real thing - and you can buy it at the corner store. Distributors of the product, called The IZMS, claim it is "legal weed." Police and Health Canada aren't so sure. They also warn it's extremely dangerous. But that hasn't stopped The IZMS, sold in candy-like packages, from flying off the shelves of local convenience stores and smoke shops. One local user said he stopped using the product because of repeated bad experiences, including elevated heartbeat and sore kidneys. [continues 740 words]
PoCo Property Has Federal Licence To Grow Medical Marijuana Fears of a botched robbery, coupled with accusations of secrecy, were top of mind for about 20 Citadel Heights residents as they convened on PoCo council chambers Monday amid fears over a federally licensed marijuana grow operation in their neighbourhood. The contingent was led by Governor Court residents Keith Harrison and Doug McRae, who argued the city is not taking enough action against the property, leaving many in the neighbourhood living in fear. [continues 413 words]
Residents, Mayor Agree But The Feds Make Weed Rules A group of Citadel Heights residents want the city of Port Coquitlam to intervene and stop a licensed marijuana grow operation in a home in their neighbourhood. Doug McRae, who lives in the area, said residents surrounding the house are scared that the neighbourhood could be a target for criminal activity, putting other homeowners in danger. "Think about a house or grow op being raided by gun-carrying criminals," he told council during Monday night's meeting. "That is what the people in Governor Court and Royal Court are living with everyday." [continues 328 words]
The Editor, Re. "PoCo pans grow ops" (The Tri-City News, Jan. 30). Mayor Greg Moore of Port Coquitlam says his hands are tied and there is nothing the city can do to prevent federally licensed pot growers from setting up shop in family neighbourhoods. I disagree, it is a business so they need a city-issued business licence to operate. The homeowners of this property are the real risk takers as they may find when they are ready to sell that potential buyers will be scared off when it is disclosed that the house was used as a legal grow op. To the neighbours who have brought this issue up, stay with it as your concerns are valid. Al Williams, Port Coquitlam [end]
Re: "Reefer madness?" letter to the editor, Wednesday, Jan. 23. After spending last evening at another meeting of Narcotics Anonymous, I find it laughable to read this statement: ". most people who use these drugs have positive experiences, gain inspiration and insight and would mostly use them again given the chance to do so." And so the drug's lure has begun to lead you into addiction. The truth is, recovering addicts gain insights, positive experiences and inspiration after they stop doping and live a clean life. [continues 116 words]
Missoula MT. - A last-minute flurry of activity surrounding the case of convicted medical marijuana grower Chris Williams did not halt Williams' scheduled sentencing in U.S. District Court in Missoula on Friday. On Thursday afternoon, federal Judge Dana Christensen ordered that a sentencing memorandum, dated Monday, from an Ohio State University law professor would not be given the weight of an official memorandum. Christensen said the memorandum from Douglas Berman, who has raised questions about a plea agreement in the case, was untimely and didn't comply with local rules. [continues 468 words]
Dana Larsen Brought His Sensible BC Marijuana Decriminalization Campaign To Roberts Creek Last Week, Drawing About 30 People. Larsen - a former NDP candidate in the federal riding as well as provincial party leadership candidate - has been touring the province since last October to drum up support for a referendum campaign aimed at changing the provincial Policing Act. The challenge is daunting, he said at Roberts Creek Hall on Jan. 25, as only one question - the HST - has ever made it to a referendum in B.C. [continues 429 words]
