Cannabis activist Dan Linn hit the bull's-eye ["Legalize cannabis so it can be taxed and regulated," Daily Gazette, Jan. 14] calling to re-legalize cannabis; but one important reason doesn't get mentioned. Re-legalizing the relatively safe, socially acceptable, God-given plant would lower deadly, hard-drug addiction rates by eliminating lies, half-truths and propaganda in drug awareness education. How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful as taught in Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) type government environments? Then they think other substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted to deadly drugs. [continues 116 words]
Those of us who grew up in the 1970s will fondly remember that Brady Bunch episode when Jan and Marcia see Greg smoking a cigarette and then Marcia goes and tattles to their insufferable parents. Wise to their son's evildoings, Mike and Carol then confront the wayward boy, and goody-goody Greg admits to his crime. And within 30 minutes, everyone is wiser, and ready for another wacky adventure. It took the rest of us a little more than half an hour to work through the trials of adolescence, but we made it. Not so for American culture, which seems mired in eternal adolescence, trapped in an endless play where the captured evildoer feigns contrition, America feigns outrage, and then all is forgiven. [continues 303 words]
It didn't take long for the usual suspects to blame police for the death of a 17-year-old girl from a drug overdose at the Big Day Out in Perth last weekend. Friends of Gemma Thoms have claimed she swallowed three ecstasy tablets to avoid police sniffer dogs, and the Greens MLC Sylvia Hale told reporters police should not be "prompting [young people] into activities that you know are going to be dangerous and pose a real risk to their health". [continues 888 words]
ANNAPOLIS -- State lawmakers reviewed a bill that would outlaw salvia divinorum, a powerful hallucinogenic herb that hit new heights of popularity last summer at Ocean City's Boardwalk shops. State legislators held hearings last week to review the bill, which was sponsored by Delegate Adelaide C. Eckardt, R-37B-Wicomico, Delegate Jeannie Haddaway, R-37B-Wicomico, and Sen. Richard Colbourn, R-37-Wicomico. The draft legislation would place salvia on Maryland's list of Schedule I drugs, making it illegal to possess or sell, as well as eliminating possible medical research. [continues 613 words]
Since medical marijuana's legalization in the state in 1998, the number of registered cardholders has ballooned to more than 20,842 participants, most of whom use it to relieve extreme physical pain. But some say the rampant growth of Oregonians eligible to possess medical marijuana has led to an unintended rise in ethical dilemmas, including the ability of businesses to choose whether or not they want to fire employees based on their status as cardholders. Now, two opposing bills that could expand or limit the rights of cardholders in the workplace. [continues 573 words]
Canada is not going to descend into a lawless and reckless state if sick people are given adequate access to medical marijuana. It is now without question that pot is beneficial for a host of illnesses, from glaucoma to multiple sclerosis, as well as relieving the effects of chemotherapy. The government may acknowledge this, but their actions to see that those in need can get access to pot are dismal. Government-approved pot is so low in potency it is pretty much useless for someone using it for relief from pain or other symptoms. [continues 565 words]
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says he will charge Michael Phelps with a crime if he determines the Olympics hero smoked marijuana in Richland County.Phelps, who set a record with eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics, was photographed smoking a marijuana pipe at a November party in Columbia.The picture was published in the British newspaper News of the World. Phelps apologized Sunday, calling his behavior "inappropriate." "This case is no different than any other case," Lott said Monday. "This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession. It's a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred." Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 fine, plus court costs. [continues 485 words]
Strict limits on the production and distribution of medical marijuana are unconstitutional, B.C. court determines Another court decision, ruling that restrictions on the sale and production of medicinal marijuana in Canada are unconstitutional, is seen as "one more small step forward" by those who provide marijuana to sick people in Nanaimo. Richard Payne, a member of the Mid-Island Compassion Society that set up in Nanaimo last year to provide medicinal marijuana, applauds the decision of B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marvyn Koenigsberg. On Monday she gave Ottawa one year to fix the medical-marijuana access regulations so compassion clubs or producers can get together and run a common marijuana-growing operation. [continues 454 words]
How the war on drugs will be handled under the new presidential administration remains hazy, especially with regard to marijuana as state laws slowly continue to adapt lower penalties for those using it to get high. Most recently, a Massachusetts voter-approved law to decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana went into effect Jan. 2. Violators will be issued a citation and must either pay a maximum $100 civil penalty or request a civil hearing before a clerk or judge. [continues 623 words]
About Michael Phelps' Bong Hit: Isn't smoking pot illegal? Should Michael be arrested and incarcerated? I mean, there's absolute proof he broke the law -- a picture is a very good eyewitness to the crime. Just one hit is a crime -- just thinking about it is a sin. Actually, I hear the Richland County sheriff is thinking about charging him as I write. But then, if you think about it, should there even be a crime in smoking or having marijuana? What would be the effect if it were decriminalized and regulated? "Deja-vu all over again" on this subject. [continues 151 words]
