Author Steve Elliott ~alapoet~

IL Law Enforcement On Medical Marijuana: ‘Like Taking Meth’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 10, 2010 Legislation, Medical

Rep. Lou Lang: “Ultimately, this is a health care bill. It’s not a bill about drugs. I’m here for people’s health and pain.”

Illinois residents with chronic health conditions which can be alleviated by marijuana are urging state lawmakers to let their state join 14 others, including Michigan and New Jersey, that have legalized cannabis use for medicinal purposes.

The Illinois House adjourned Friday before acting on legislation legalizing medical marijuana which has already passed the state Senate, reports Dean Olsen at The State Journal-Register. But advocates say they will continue to push for Senate Bill 1381, which they say safeguards against abuse of medical marijuana and criminal involvement in growing and distributing the herb.

The usual opponents, including, of course, law enforcement organizations, have lined up in opposition to the bill, citing the same, tired old arguments against medical marijuana.

“There’s a lot of stuff in marijuana that’s not good for you,” claimed Limey Nargelenas, a lobbyist for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

“It’s like people taking meth,” Nargelenas said in one of the most ridiculous statements ever made about medical pot. “People feel a lot better after ingesting methamphetamine.”

Canada: U.S. Agents Built Charges Against Prince Of Pot

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 10, 2010 Global, News

Photo: Friends of Cannabis

Prince of Pot Marc Emery could be extradited to the United States at any time with four hours’ notice

A U.S. undercover agent posing as a marijuana seed buyer worked in Canada to get American criminal charges against Marc Emery, Vancouver’s self-anointed “Prince of Pot.”

The information was revealed Monday, the same day Emery’s bail expires, and when he is supposed to either turn himself in to authorities or face extradition to the United States — or to be released, if the justice minister refuses the extradition, reports The Canadian Press.

The undercover operation by U.S. agents is outlined in a briefing memo to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson dated February 10, 2010, and describes the case against Emery.

Numerous mail order purchases were made by U.S. undercover agents between March 2004 and March 2005, and then Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent Tracy Mendez was sent to Vancouver, according to the memo.

Pot Dispensary Owner Dispute Leads To Criminal Charge

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 10, 2010 Dispensaries, News

Graphic: KDVR

Two Aspen, Colorado men who founded a Main Street marijuana dispensary have broken ties after one of them is alleged to have ransacked the business and took some of the cannabis.

Joshua Aaron Griggs, 32, faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief after an April incident in which he allegedly vandalized Ute City Medicinals by damaging furniture, carpet, blinds, a printer and two tables. Griggs is scheduled to appear in court May 25, reports Rick Carroll at The Aspen Times.

L.A. Dispensaries Seek Help Fighting New Ordinance

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 10, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation

Photo: LA Kush

Dozens of dispensary owners across Los Angeles are seeking legal help to keep their shops open despite being threatened with six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Collectives which stay open after June 7 could face a daily fine of $2,500.

Letters have already been sent to property owners and dispensaries as a result of the ordinance approved by the City Council earlier this year that sharply restricts the locations where the businesses are allowed to open, reports C.J. Lin at the L.A. Daily News.

Kentucky Pothead Runs For Sheriff; Calls On Others To Do So

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 7, 2010 Culture, News

Graphic: Ronnie Smith For Sheriff, Gallatin County

Ronnie Lee Smith: “The laws against marijuana violate the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions on numerous levels”

Ronnie Lee Smith wants to be sheriff of Gallatin County, Kentucky. Which is not that unusual, until you realize that Smith is better known as pot comedian and social media personality Roland A. Duby.

“All activist potheads should run for sheriff like I am,” Smith said Friday.

“I remember having my marijuana taken and thrown in the creek by a friendly policeman who shall remain nameless,” Smith said. “I wasn’t arrested and turned into a criminal for it.”

Oakland City Officials Come Out For Legalizing Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 7, 2010 Legislation, News

Photo: The Fresh Scent

Could it be all that medical marijuana tax money starting to flow into city coffers?

Oakland City Attorney John Russo last week endorsed the California ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, and the City Council seems ready to join him, reports Kelly Rayburn at The Oakland Tribune.

Russo called the legalization initiative, Tax Cannabis 2010, an overdue change in California’s marijuana policy.

“What we’ve been trying to do is fight a raging fire with a watering can,” Russo said. “The better way is to cut off the oxygen.”

Maine Medical Marijuana Registry Raises Privacy Questions

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 7, 2010 Dispensaries, Medical

Graphic: Maine Medical Marijuana

Maine’s new medical marijuana dispensary law, passed by voters last November, is chiefly known for its creation of dispensaries where cannabis patients can safely buy their medicine. But a lesser known part of the law, which requires patients and growers to register with the state, is being called an invasion of privacy by some advocates.

State officials say the registry will keep patients who enroll from being charged with marijuana offenses. But some patients said they are going to boycott the registry when it opens in July, reports Josie Huang of The Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

CO Dispensary Bill Now Keeps Pot Growing Locations Secret

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 7, 2010 Dispensaries, Growing, News

Photo: A Greener Country

A bill regulating Colorado’s medical marijuana dispensaries is almost ready for the governor’s desk after legislators Thursday decided to keep the location of licensed cannabis-growing operations confidential.

The change would require the addresses of growing facilities to be blacked out on copies of their licensing documents requested by the public, reports John Ingold of The Denver Post.

It would mean that Colorado residents couldn’t learn from public records if there are legal marijuana-growing operations in their neighborhoods.

California Cops Ready To Waste More Money ‘Eradicating’ Pot

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 7, 2010 News

It would be comical, if these morons weren’t wasting millions of dollars of your tax money as they hump each others’ legs.

Local, state and federal law enforcement officers will gather May 10-13 at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego to begin “organizing” this year’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), which has failed annually since 1983 to achieve its stated goal: reducing cannabis use and availability by “eradicating” illegal grow sites.

Yes, every single year — all 27 of them, so far — CAMP has failed miserably in its quixotic quest as marijuana became more and more available.

The waste, arrogance and abuse associated with the program — which has unfortunately become the largest law enforcement task force in the United States, with more than 110 agencies taking part — have become legendary.

Ordinary families have been terrorized by paramilitary units, peaceful homeowners have been repeatedly buzzed by low-flying helicopters, and community relations between citizens and law enforcement have suffered almost everywhere CAMP has laid its heavy hand.

Good thing all of this foolishness is done at taxpayer expense, to the tune of millions and millions of dollars. Good thing California’s treasury is in healthy shape, flush with all that extra cash. Oh, wait…

Colorado Man Facing 10 Years To Life In Pot Case

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on May 6, 2010 Growing, News

Photo: 9News

Chris Bartkowicz’s TV appearance led to the loss of his freedom and all his plants

Chris Bartkowicz is facing 10 years to life in federal prison — and up to a $4 million fine — for growing more than 100 medical marijuana plants in his Highlands Ranch, Colorado basement.

Bartkowicz was indicted Tuesday by a U.S. District Court grand jury on three felony counts, and he appeared in court Wednesday, waiving a reading of the charges against him, reports Felisa Cardona at The Denver Post.

According to the federal indictment, Bartkowicz grew more than 100 plants with the intent to distribute marijuana, maintained a “drug-involved premise” and conducted that business near a school — all, mind you, for growing medical cannabis legal under Colorado law.

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