Yearly Archives: 2011

Seattle Committee Passes Bill To License Cannabis Dispensaries

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 14, 2011 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Photo: Steve Elliott ~alapoet~

A Seattle City Council panel on Wednesday unanimously passed a measure licensing and regulating medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

The ordinance now moves to the full City Council for consideration on Monday, July 18, reports Chris Grygiel at the Seattle P.I. But prior to the vote by the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee, one attorney told the council members that the ordinance won’t stand up in court.

“I want to applaud the City Council for taking a look at this matter … unfortunately I must urge you to reconsider your proposal,” said activist/attorney Douglas Hiatt, who said he represents medical marijuana patients. “Go back to the drawing board. I do not believe there is any way you can pass your ordinance will stand under the law. The state’s controlled substances act pre-empts the field … Marijuana is still illegal … It’s illegal for all purposes, you cannot regulate an illegal business without a specific authority.”

Is It Really A Surprise For The Feds To Say No To Marijuana?

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 13, 2011 Culture, Medical, News

Graphic: Salem News

The Anatomy of a Memo

By Jack Rikess

Toke of the Town

Northern California Correspondent

In a incredibly chicken-shit way, the Department of Justice did a news dump last Friday night after all the big news services had gone to bed, releasing a memo meant to “clarify” its position whether marijuana should remained classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that it has no medicinal benefit.

Big surprise! The DOJ said the scheduling remains the same. “Not so fast, partner, nothing changing as far as we’re concerned.” Marijuana is to remain classified as a Schedule I drug because of its “lack of medicinal benefits.”

My first question is could there be a conflict of interest with a agency like the Department of Justice that is home to the DEA, Bureau of Prisons, National Drug Intelligence Center, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Marshals Service, Interpol, FBI, and the ATF?

Are these really the guys we want deciding whether marijuana’s good for you or not?

Is it really a surprise then when they said, “No?”

Man Grew Marijuana For Wife With Cancer; Could Get 8 Years

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 13, 2011 Growing, Medical, News

Photo: Real Missions, Real Life

A legal, card-carrying medical marijuana caregiver who was growing cannabis in his backyard to treat his wife’s Stage 3 breast cancer will be sentenced on Thursday for “manufacturing marijuana.”

Gary Alan Katz, 59, pleaded guilty last month to the charge after officers with the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET) raided his home on August 10, 2010, reports Lisa Roose-Church at the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.

Both the defendant and his wife, Jeanne Katz — who wasn’t charged in the case — declined to comment.

“The fact you’re doing a good thing on the side doesn’t justify” illegal behavior, Prosecutor David Morse said when asked why Gary Katz was charged.

“We cut the guy some slack,” Morse claimed. “There were guns recovered. He could have been charged as a felon in possession of a firearm … I recognize he may have been doing some good things here, but there are other ways to help.” Yeah, like throwing the caregiver in prison?

San Diego’s Marijuana Dispensary Ban Blocked; Signatures OK’d

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 13, 2011 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Graphic: San Diego ASA

Good news! San Diego’s land use ordinance that activists say amounted to a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries has been effectively blocked, according to the group Citizens for Patients’ Rights (CPR).

The city of San Diego has verified the 31,029 signatures on the petition referendum from the CPR. The City Council now has 10 days to either rescind the ordinance or schedule an election.

In order to avoid the prohibitive costs of an election, the CPR, along with the Patient Care Association (PCA) of California and the California Cannabis Coalition, are urging the City Council to rescind the March 2011 land use ordinance.

If rescinded, the City Council has a second chance to not only create a new land use ordinance that respects the rights of patients to safe access, but also to work with the city’s medical cannabis collectives to provide clear guidance, 15 years after voters passed the Compassionate Use Act.

‘No Toking’ Signs To Be Banned In Amsterdam

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 13, 2011 Culture, Global, Legislation

Photo: The Washington Examiner

These buzzkill “No Toking” signs have been banned in Amsterdam.

Only in the Netherlands! The city of Amsterdam said it will likely have to ban the “No Toking” signs it introduced in an attempt to discourage youths from using marijuana.

The Dutch government’s top legal adviser ruled that the city had no right to establish official zones where smoking cannabis isn’t allowed, since marijuana is already technically illegal in the Netherlands, reports The Associated Press.

In practice, possession of small amounts of weed is allowed, and both cannabis and its concentrated form, hashish, are sold openly in designated “coffee shops.”

When the “No Toking” signs first went up in 2007, they were stolen so often that the city started selling them as souvenirs.

City spokeswoman Iris Reshef admitted that Wednesday’s ruling likely means the buzzkill signs have to go, but the city can still fine young pot smokers who “cause problems.”

Marijuana Decrim Headed To The Ballot In Miami Beach

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 12, 2011 Legislation, News

Graphic: CSMP

Miami Beach, Florida voters may get a chance to vote on decriminalizing marijuana this fall, making it the first city in South Florida to reduce the penalty for pot to a $100 fine instead of criminal charges.

Sensible Florida (Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy), a group which works to legalize cannabis, said it has collected more than double the number of signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot, reports Tim Elfrink at Miami New Times; normally, doubling the required number all-but-ensures that enough valid names are present to qualify.

The group said it will present 9,000 signatures at Miami Beach City Hall on Wednesday, July 13.

Indiana State Senator Gets Support For Marijuana Legalization

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 12, 2011 Legislation, News

Photo: IN.gov

Cannabis grows beautifully in Indiana — witness the above, from Greens Fork last August (unfortunately busted after a tipster called it in).

When Indiana state Senator Karen Tallian first floated the idea of introducing a bill to legalize marijuana, her Statehouse colleagues warned her it could kill her chances of being reelected. After all, conventional wisdom holds that pot legalization is a political third rail.

But Tallian (D-Portage), 60, a mother of three, thought there might be some public support for taking the crime out of cannabis, so she sent out an informal email survey to her constituents in northeast Indiana, reports Maureen Hayden at the CNHI Statehouse Bureau.

Within 72 hours of sending the email, she got more than 2,000 responses. Almost all of them were supportive, and most of those said Indiana should treat marijuana like alcohol: Control its sale and tax it as a revenue source.

“I was floored by the response,” Tallian said. Encouraged by the support, she filed a bill last January to begin a serious conversation about the issue.

Sources: Prosecutor Wants Mercy For Willie Nelson In Pot Case

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 12, 2011 Culture, News

Photo: I Love Weed

Willie has never been shy about his continuing love for and frequent use of marijuana.

Willie Nelson’s prosecutor in a Texas marijuana possession case may not be going along with the judge who rejected a plea deal struck with the country legend and sought harsher punishment.

Becky Dean-Walker, the judge in Willie’s pot case said the plea deal struck between Nelson and District Attorney C.R. Bramblett — in which the singer would have paid a $500 fine and the case would have gone away — smacked of leniency because of Nelson’s star status.

Judge Dean-Walker, sporting a garish vintage 1980s trailer-park hairdo, told the prosecutor to come up with a harsher punishment, with a maximum of one year in jail.

“There’s a strong possibility that the prosecutor will not recommend a stronger punishment, but instead just sit on the case until it’s dismissed for lack of prosecution,” reports TMZ.

“Call it defiant, but the prosecutor is riding a wave in Texas to treat marijuana possession for what it is… and not fill the overcrowded jails with recreational potheads,” TMZ wrote.

Mounties Let ‘Honest’ Pot-Smoking Driver Through Checkpoint

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 12, 2011 Global, News

Photo: The Wyckoff Journal

A Canadian man who smoked a joint while an RCMP officer chatted with drivers a few cars ahead of him at a roadside checkpoint last week was allowed to continue on his way after he gave up his small stash of marijuana.

The man, from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, was upfront when asked if he had “smoked any dope recently,” reports Brian Medel at the Halifax Chronicle-Herald. Yes, he said — about 30 seconds ago.

But at least his seat belt was fastened, and he was courteous and cooperative. Even though the aroma of freshly smoked cannabis wafted up through the air as the officers waved him up, “he seemed fine,” so after he put his small weed stash into the outstretched hand of a Mountie, he was on his way.

Previous 1 … 52 53 54 55 56 … 121 Next