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Drug Policy Alliance’s Nadelmann To Appear With Bill Maher

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

Ethan Nadelmann, DPA: “The War On Drugs is a cancer in our society”

Ethan Nadelmann, the articulate and engaging executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, will be a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, July 8 at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

Nadelmann will be interviewed one-on-one by Maher at the top of the show, and will discuss the War On Drugs and the movement to end marijuana prohibition, according to the DPA.

The topic is quite timely, as there was an avalanche of media coverage in June about the failed War On Drugs:

• The Global Commission on Drug Policy (Kofi Annan, the former presidents of Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, Richard Branson of Virgin, etc.) made worldwide news by calling for an end to the War on Drugs.

Oh No! California Drug Task Forces May Get The Ax. LOL

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 7, 2011 Growing, News

Photo: Stop The Drug War

The Humboldt County Drug Task Force, straight from the pot-cultivation center of California’s famed Emerald Triangle, may fall prey to the state budget ax, resulting from cuts enacted by the Legislature late last month to balance the state’s 2011-2012 budget.

Oh, whatever shall we do without them? It’d be a shame for all those cops to have to get real jobs which don’t involve stealing people’s pot crops.

One of those cuts slashed $36 million from the budget of the California Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement, and will likely lead to the elimination of 55 state-led task forces, reports Thadeus Greenson at the Eureka Times-Standard. The list includes the Humboldt County Drug Task Force.

Under the budget deal, the cut almost doubles to $71 million in the next fiscal year, which could trigger the loss of $40 million in matching federal funds — at least we can hope.

Police Confiscate HIV Sufferer’s Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 7, 2011 Global, Medical, News

Photo: The Telegram

Richard Oakley of St. John’s, Newfoundland, holds some of the medications he uses to treat HIV. A package of marijuana sent to him from British Columbia was confiscated by the RCMP.

A Canadian man had $1,500 worth of medical marijuana confiscated when he went to pick up a package at Purolator and was instead met by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Richard Oakley, who tested positive for HIV 25 years ago, moved back to St. John’s, Newfoundland, from British Columbia three months ago to be near his family, reports Barb Sweet at The Telegram.

Oakley said since moving, he already got the first package of marijuana from his designated grower in B.C., with no problem.

But last week, when he kept trying to claim his second delivery of cannabis and medicated chocolate edibles, Purolator told him to come back on Monday. That’s when he was met by at RCMP officer.

Poll: Washington Voters Support Marijuana Legalization

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 6, 2011 Culture, News

Photo: Reason

According to a new Elway Poll, 54 percent of Washingtonians support legalizing cannabis.

A majority of voters in Washington state support the legalization of marijuana, but many say they “need to know more,” according to a newly released Elway Poll.

“There were equivalent numbers of ‘definite supporters’ and ‘definite opponents’ among the 408 voters interviewed by The Elway Poll last week,” the poll reported, according to Joel Connelly at the Seattle P.I. “However, there were twice as many who were ‘inclined to support’ legalization as ‘inclined to oppose,’ ” the poll reported.

Of those surveyed, 54 percent overall definitely support marijuana legalization or are “inclined to support it but I need to know more,” while 43 percent are definitely opposed or inclined to oppose. Only 3 percent of Evergreen State voters are undecided on the issue.

Indiana Lawmakers Studying Marijuana Legalization

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 5, 2011 Legislation, News

Graphic: Medical Marijuana States

The idea of legalizing marijuana is going to be studied by lawmakers in Indiana.

The General Assembly’s criminal law and sentencing policy study committee plans to examine all the different angles of the marijuana issue, including legalization, reports WHAS 11.

The Hoosier legislators will also take a look at decriminalizing pot, or creating a medical marijuana program in the state.

Among the lawmakers who support the study is Republican Rep. Tom Knollman, who is battling multiple sclerosis. Knollman told lawmakers during this legislatige session that he wished he could legally try cannabis to help relieve his pain.

Knollman said at the time that although he’s among the most conservative of state legislators, he hopes he can be a law-abiding citizen and “use one of God’s plants.”

Texas Judge Wants Harsher Pot Punishment For Willie Nelson

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 5, 2011 Culture, News

Photo: Hudspeth County, Texas

Vengeful Judge Becky Dean-Walker, who evidently gets her hair done at Trailer Park Skanks R Us: “If Willie Nelson gets off with nothing, I’m not going to be part of it.”

A proposed plea deal in music legend Willie Nelson’s marijuana possession case has been rejected by a vengeful Texas judge who said she wants harsher punishment for the 77-year-old singer.

Nelson was arrested last November by the U.S. Border Patrol when they found several ounces of weed on his tour bus, reports Justin Harp at Digital Spy.

The bust went down at the Sierra Blanca, Texas checkpoint after Nelson’s tour bus pulled in and a Border Patrol officer smelled marijuana through the vehicle’s open door.

Willie had reportedly agreed to plead “no contest” to a charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as pay a $500 fine and $280 in court costs, with the presiding Hudspeth County Judge Becky Dean-Walker initially indicating her agreement.

Arizona Medical Marijuana Club Gives Away Free Samples

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 5, 2011 Dispensaries, News

Graphic: The 2811 Club

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona have been blocked from opening, but that didn’t stop a new “club” from opening in Phoenix on Monday, giving local patients another option for getting their cannabis. The 2811 Club is giving the stuff away.

Patient Vickie Smith said she is learning everything about using medical marijuana, and she’s getting quick answers because she’s now a member of The 2811 Club, reports Ryan O’Donnell at azfamily.com.

“I get to spend time with other people with conditions like mine or something similar, going through the same thing, the same learning process that I’m going through and we can share ideas,” Smith said.

Soft music and soft lighting create a comfortable atmosphere at the club, where medical marijuana is actually being handed out for free.

Sensible Portland Aims To End Marijuana Arrests In Maine City

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 5, 2011 Legislation, News

Graphic: Sensible Portland

A group of concerned citizens in Portland, Maine is trying to pass an ordinance making marijuana possession the lowest enforcement priority for police, with no arrest required.

Sensible Portland turned in petitions with more than 2,000 signatures to the city clerk on Tuesday morning, reports WGME. In order to put the question before voters on the November ballot, 1,500 valid signatures are needed.

The proposed ordinance also requires Portland’s mayor to report to the City Council on marijuana arrests by the police, reports Caroline Cornish at WCSH 6.

The ordinance is limited. Officers wouldn’t face any penalty if they violated the ordinance, and the language specifically states that it’s not intended to prohibit police from working with federal drug enforcement agents.

But Sensible Portland said it’s important for voters to go on the record about this issue, since the federal government said it plants to crack down on even medical marijuana users.

Dr. Reefer Accepts Plea Bargain; Quits Marijuana Business

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 1, 2011 Dispensaries, Medical, News

Photo: Benjamin Rasmussen/The New York Times

In happier times: Pierre Werner, owner of Dr. Reefer, takes a toke in his dispensary in Boulder, Colorado, June 13, 2010.

Dr. Reefer’s days as a marijuana activist are over.

“Someone else has got to carry on the fight now that me and my whole family are convicted felons,” Dr. Reefer — also known as entrepreneur Pierre Werner — said on Thursday, reports Carri Geer Thevenot at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Werner and other members of his family on Thursday resolved their federal marijuana case by pleading guilty to felonies.

Dr. Reefer was one of 14 people, including his mother and brother, arrested on January 6 in connection with marijuana sales at Las Vegas dispensaries.

CT: No Jail For Less Than Half An Ounce Of Pot, Starting Today

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 1, 2011 Legislation, News

Graphic: Newser

As of today, July 1 in Connecticut, getting caught with less than half an ounce of marijuana no longer gets you a ride in the back seat of a police car.

Instead, people older than 21 who are caught with up to 14 grams will be given the equivalent of a traffic ticket carrying a $150 fine, reports David Owens at The Hartford Courant. If you’re 18 to 21, you’ll get the same ticket, but with a 60-day suspension of your driver’s license. Those under 1`8 will be referred to juvenile authorities if caught with pot.

Fines for subsequent offenses by adults range from $200 to $500. If you get three or more marijuana offenses, you’ll be required to take some of those bullshit “drug counseling” sessions are your own expense.

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