Yearly Archives: 2011

Mexico’s Ex-President: Drug Prohibition Doesn’t Work

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 8, 2011 Global, News

Former Mexico President Vicente Fox: “We’re talking about the last frontier of prohibition”

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox, a onetime ally of the United States in the War On Drugs who now advocates legalization, said at Thursday news conference in San Diego that prohibiting drugs doesn’t work.

Fox, a member of the conservative National Action Party, or PAN, compared drug use to sexual orientation and a woman’s right to an abortion, reports Richard Marosi at the Los Angeles Times.

“We’re talking about the last frontier of prohibition,” Fox said. “Tell me something else that is prohibited today? Abortion is permitted. Marriage between same-sex [people]now is permitted … Smoking cigarettes is permitted; alcohol is permitted.”

Fox, who was in San Diego on a fund-raising trip for his presidential library, has become an outspoken proponent of drug legalization, joining other prominent Latin American leaders who agree that law enforcement efforts to stop drug consumption and distribution are futile.

Fox’s views on drug legalization caused Point Loma Nazarene University to cancel its invitation to have him speak at their San Diego campus earlier this year.

Medical Marijuana Defense Bill Advances In Maryland House

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 8, 2011 Legislation, Medical

Photo: Small Business Support

The Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee approved a bill, SB 308, on Thursday which would allow patients who use marijuana to treat medical conditions to use a medical necessity defense in court.

The bill would also create a panel to advise the Legislature on the best practices for creating a medical marijuana program for Maryland in 2012.

The Senate passed the bill by an overwhelming 41-6 vote on March 24, and will need to approve the bill again because of amendments made by the Judiciary Committee. Thursday’s committee vote was the biggest obstacle advocates faced in their effort to remove criminal penalties for medical marijuana users.

Sponsors of the measure had originally hoped to pass a comprehensive medical marijuana law that would have established dispensaries throughout the state and protected patients from arrest, but that plan was derailed when the Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene voiced concerns over the cost of implementing it.

Vermont’s Marijuana Dispensary Bill Survives Close Call

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 7, 2011 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Graphic: Potspot 411

Vermont’s medical marijuana dispensary bill survived a close call in the Senate Rules Committee on Thursday.

The bill, S. 17, which would allow up to four medicinal cannabis dispensaries in Vermont, was expected to be debated on the Senate floor this week, reports Terri Hallenbeck at the Burlington Free Press. But first, it had to make it through the Senate Rules Committee, because it didn’t meet the deadline for bills coming out of Senate committees.

“The Senate is being a little stricter with that rule this year,” Hallenbeck reports.

“It looked this morning like the bill might be killed by the rules committee,” Hallenback writes. Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle/Crittenden), a member of the committee, is among those who don’t like the idea of legalizing marijuana dispensaries.

Natalie Portman: I’m Too Old To Smoke Weed Anymore

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 7, 2011 Culture, News

Photo: Weed Quotes

Natalie Portman: “I love stoner comedies. I smoked weed in college, but I haven’t smoked in years. I’m too old.”

Oscar winner Natalie Portman, set to star in not one but two upcoming stoner comedies, said in a new interview that while she used marijuana in her younger days, she’s now “too old” for cannabis.

“I love stoner comedies,” Portman, 29, told Entertainment Weekly. “I smoked weed in college, but I haven’t smoked in years.

“I’m too old,” Portman said. “I wish I was that cool, but I’m like an old lady now. I’m in bed by 10 p.m. I can’t do that anymore.”

Her comments were made before she recently announced her pregnancy.

Details Emerge In Border Patrol Agent’s Marijuana Arrest

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 7, 2011 News

Photo: Yuma Sun

Border Patrol agent Michael Atondo was arrested after the discovery of more than 745 pounds of marijuana in his patrol vehicle.

Details are coming to light in the case of Michael Atondo, the Border Patrol agent arrested in Arizona this week with marijuana in his patrol vehicle.

Two agents responding to an activated sensor found Atondo at the border fence, according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, reports Sarah Womer at the Yuma Sun. Because of his “unusual actions” — Atondo was understandably freaking out — the agents asked to search Atondo’s vehicle, where they discovered multiple bundles of marijuana.

Nevada Looks At Establishing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 7, 2011 Dispensaries, Legislation

Graphic: Potspot 411

A bill currently before the Nevada Legislature would create a system to provide safe access to cannabis for qualified patients under the state’s medical marijuana law.

Sen. Mike Schneider (D-Las Vegas) on Wednesday asked the Commerce and Labor Committee, which he chairs, to support the dispensary bill, reports Geoff Dornan at the Nevada Appeal. The current system allows those with a legitimate medical need to get a card permitting them to use marijuana, but provides no mechanism for safe access.

Nevada needs to allow the creation of a system that fixes that problem, according to Schneider.

Rapper Webbie Arrested For Marijuana In Tennessee

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 7, 2011 Culture, News

Photo: Kush And Orange Juice

Rapper Webbie, 25, faces marijuana charges after being stopped in Tennessee.

Down South, they call it the “rap tax.” Rapper “Webbie,” 25, faces marijuana charges after authorities arrested him Monday in Marshall County, Tennessee.

Law enforcement pulled over a car with four people inside which was speeding on Interstate 65, according to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. As the vehicle pulled over, an officer saw a passenger in the front seat throw what looked like marijuana out the window, reports WBIR.

Upon further investigation, cops found Webster Gradney (“Webbie”) in the front seat with a cardboard box containing $13,240 inside, and two ounces of marijuana.

They also found a loaded .357 revolver and $916 when they searched 22-year-old Michael Abbott. The driver, Derric Watson, 34, was driving with a suspended license. Tyrone Terrio, 34, was also in the car.

The four said they were on their way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana after Webbie’s performance in Louisville, Kentucky the day before, according to police.

All four men were taken to the Marshall County Jail. Webbie faces charges of possession “with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver” and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $21,000.

U.S. Atty. Threatens ‘Quick, Direct Action’ Against Dispensaries

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 6, 2011 Dispensaries, News

Photo: TPM

Obama appointee U.S. Attorney Michael Ormsby threatened both Washington dispensary owners and the landlords who rent to them on Wednesday.

“We are preparing for quick and direct action against the operators of the stores. We intend to use the full extent of our legal remedies to enforce the law.”

~ U.S. Attorney Michael C. Ormsby

A U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington decided to throw his weight around Wednesday, announcing that he’s notified landlords that “marijuana stores” are illegal, and warning them of the penalties they may face.

The strong-arm tactics by U.S. Attorney Michael C. Ormsby, an Obama appointee, seemed designed to intimidate landlords into evicting medical marijuana dispensaries who are tenants. The dispensaries have become increasingly common in Washington state, with one count placing their number above 120 and rapidly rising.

Marijuana continues to be prohibited for any purpose by federal law, and according to Ormsby, dispensaries are “specifically” subject to “enforcement action and stringent federal penalties.”

Mayor Approves Final Medical Marijuana Rules For D.C.

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 6, 2011 Legislation, Medical

Photo: The Georgetowner

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray on Wednesday approved final regulations for medical marijuana in the District of Columbia.

More than 12 years after D.C. voters overwhelmingly passed a medical marijuana ballot initiative, seriously ill residents of the District of Columbia will finally be able to begin using cannabis to treat certain medical conditions.

On Wednesday, Mayor Vincent Gray approved the final regulations on the licensing, distribution, and use of medical marijuana in the District. The full regulations will be published officially on April 15. The City Council has 30 days to review the regulations, but they will go into effect immediately on that date.

Michigan Judge Says Medical Marijuana Is Illegal

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 6, 2011 Medical, News

Photo: Townhall.com

Judge Mark Somers claims that Michigan’s medical marijuana law is illegal, since federal law bans the weed.

A suburban Detroit area judge claims that Michigan’s medical marijuana law is illegal, and is trumped by federal drug laws which classify cannabis as a Schedule I substance.

Dearborn District Judge Mark Somers ruled in March in a case involving a man who was caught with pot before he received a medical marijuana card, reports The Associated Press. The patient, Robert Brandon, unsuccessfully tried to have his case dismissed.

Previous 1 … 85 86 87 88 89 … 121 Next