Now that the state's medical marijuana program has been revived, officials say it will take about 15 months for the first patients to buy the drug legally in Maryland. Shannon Moore hopes her twin sons survive. Her 3-year-olds, Nicolas and Byron, already have lived longer than expected while battling as many as 30 seizures a day from Miller-Dieker syndrome, a disease that causes brain deformities. Moore hopes a marijuana extract will reduce their seizures. "The hardest part is feeling hopeless," the Frederick resident said. "If you've done everything you could, it might not be enough." [continues 1657 words]
Trace Amounts Now Bring Misdemeanors People busted with drug residue in pipes and syringes in Cleveland are no longer automatically charged as felons, bringing the city's policies in line with other urban areas throughout the state. Until two weeks ago, drug abusers faced felony possession charges if caught with trace amounts of drugs in a crack pipe or heroin syringe. They now face misdemeanor charges, which allows them to seek treatment through the Greater Cleveland Drug Court. City officials announced the policy change in November, but it took about four months to implement it because the courts and prosecutor's office had to prepare for the change. [continues 272 words]
No Felony In Paraphernalia Cases People caught in Cleveland with drug residue in pipes and syringes will no longer be charged with a felony beginning early next year, Mayor Frank Jackson said Monday. The goal is to get addicts treatment without saddling them with a felony that could hamper them in turning their lives around, Jackson said. He warned that the new protocol will not provide a free pass to criminals and that police will still aggressively pursue drug arrests. But the new policy gives offenders a chance to treat their addiction, Jackson said. [continues 497 words]
"We're going after whoever is likely to carry a gun. Their skin color does not matter to me. If you got a gun, we're coming to get you." Mayor admits violence will get worse before it gets better; critics worry racial strife could flare up if black youths are targeted by sweeps Mayor Frank Jackson doesn't want to see more deadly car chases and shootouts between cops and suspects, but under his new police plan, he expects them. [continues 839 words]
Cleveland Recorded Most Homicides in 13 Years Fueled by gangs, drugs and guns, Cleveland recorded more homicides in 2007 than it has in any year in more than a decade. The city reported 134 slayings. It was the most since 1994, when 141 people were killed. Cleveland's overall crime numbers dropped about 15 percent, police said. Robberies, rapes, felonious assaults and burglaries all decreased. But rising gun violence led to the increase in murders, Mayor Frank Jackson said. City officials said they will aggressively target organized crime, drugs and guns in 2008. The mayor is troubled by the murders. [continues 490 words]
