News

11 Tons Of Marijuana Found In Railroad Cars

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 16, 2010 News

Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office

State and federal investigators seized these sacks of marijuana in a Chicago Heights warehouse

Seven people were arrested after almost 11 tons of marijuana was found packed into six railroad boxcars from Mexico in what is being called possibly the largest pot bust in Chicago-area history.

The cannabis was found at a south suburban warehouse this month, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which claimed the pot was worth $22 million, reports Chicago Breaking News Center.

The warehouse raid came after Customs agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, came across a Union Pacific train headed for Chicago Heights carrying about 21,800 pounds of suspected marijuana, the office said.

Entire Family Arrested In Illinois Marijuana Bust

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 16, 2010 Growing, News

Photo: Cook County Sheriff’s Office

A “dummy wall” concealed several rooms where family members divided up different stages of the cultivation process. Some plants were six feet tall.

An Illinois family is accused of running a million-dollar “designer marijuana” grow operation from their home.

John Gecan, 52; his wife Darlene, 52; their son Christopher, 27; and another relative, James Osmolski, 22, were charged after police busted the grow op in the 7,000-square-foot home in an unincorporated area near Tinley Park, according to Cook County Sheriff’s officials, reports Chicago Breaking News Center.

Sheriff’s detectives said they began investigating the family earlier this month after intercepting a package of marijuana buds addressed to the home.

All Drugs Should Be Legalized, Says Former U.K. Drug Czar

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 16, 2010 Global, News

Photo: Guardian.co.uk

Former defense secretary Bob Ainsworth described the War On Drugs as “nothing short of a disaster” and called on the British government to look at other options

All illicit substances, including heroin and cocaine, should be legalized, according to a former United Kingdom drugs minister who on Thursday became the most senior politician to push for a dramatic change in the strategy for dealing with drug enforcement in Britain.

Former Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth said that it is better for addicts to receive their fixes on prescription rather than allowing international criminal gangs to make billions in profits for supplying them, reports Nigel Morris at The Independent.

EU Rules Dutch Can Bar Foreigners From Buying Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 16, 2010 Dispensaries, Global, News

Photo: The World In Photos

What do you do if you have a thriving cannabis tourism industry pumping lots of money into the economy? Shut it down, if you’re the Dutch.

The Netherlands is poised to shut down its thriving cannabis tourism industry which has been an economic boon to the country for 34 years. European Union judges have ruled that Dutch authorities are not violating European single market laws by barring foreigners from buying the cannabis and hashish that are sold in the country’s famous marijuana “coffee shops.”

The restrictions, aimed at discouraging “drug tourism” from Belgium, Germany, and other places, have so far been implemented only in border towns but will soon be extended across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, popular with British pot tourists, reports Bruno Waterfield at The Telegraph.

The EU ruling was requested by the Dutch supreme court, the Council oif State, after Marc Josemans, who owns Easy Going Coffee Shop in Maastricht, sued after being forced to close for breaking the “no foreigners” rule.

Where Next For Marijuana Reform? Berkeley Conference Jan. 29

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 15, 2010 Legislation, News

Graphic: California NORML

In the aftermath of Proposition 19, California NORML will host a statewide conference to discuss the future of marijuana reform efforts in California on January 29 in Berkeley.

The conference, at the David Brower Center, will feature a public discussion with drug reform leaders, legislators, attorneys, physicians, medical marijuana groups and the press.

The first part of the conference will cover lessons from the Prop 19 campaign; where to go from here, and what changes in wording and tactics should be adopted in future legalization efforts.

Marijuana Case Dismissed Against Four Men After $40K Trial

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 15, 2010 Global, News

Photo: Akl Seshnz

The victorious ‘Waiheke Four’ after all charges were dismissed for possession of cannabis and a bong

After a trial lasting nearly a year and which cost taxpayers about $40,000, marijuana charges against four New Zealand men were dismissed last week in Auckland District Court.

The case took a total of 11 months, required five court appearances, three legal aid lawyers, one interpreter, and two police witnesses traveling to and from Waiheke Island, according to NORML New Zealand.

The four men, dubbed the “Waiheke Four” by supporters, were arrested on New Year’s Eve last year sitting at a public picnic table on a beach on Waiheke Island. On the table and nearby, police found a bong and nine grams of cannabis.

“There was no evidence linking any of the men to the cannabis and bong, yet all four were arrested, charged and prosecuted in court,” said Stephen McIntyre, president of NORML New Zealand.

69-Year-Old Man Gets 2 Years In Federal Prison For Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 15, 2010 News

Graphic: KMVT

A California man was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in federal prison for trying to drive 730 pounds of marijuana through Kansas.

John McCollum of San Francisco pleaded guilty to transporting marijuana across state lines, according to prosecutors, reports The Topeka Capital-Journal.

McCollum was stopped by a Kansas Highway Patrol officer on November 19, 2009 on Interstate 70 in Wabaunsee County. He was driving a Budget rental truck and pulling a trailer containing a Ford F-150 pickup.

McCollum told the patrolman he was on the way from San Francisco to South Carolina, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom’s office.

Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards This Weekend

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 15, 2010 Culture, Medical, News

Graphic: Oregon NORML

The Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards, in which premier marijuana strains will compete for the highest honor, will be held this weekend in Portland. The day-long event encompasses much more than just the awards ceremony, with a unique green shopping bazaar and plenty of educational programs also on the agenda.

The day event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, at the World Famous Cannabis Cafe, 322 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97216.

The Cannabis Cafe is a private club that serves Oregon Medical Marijuana Program registrants, and is not usually open to the public, reports Anna Diaz at Hemp News. The OMCA provides a special opportunity for the curious to get a peek inside, as well as the chance to shop for a wide variety of hemp and cannabis friendly products in one place.

Cannabis Trade Group To Launch At KushCon II

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 15, 2010 Culture, News, Products

Graphic: NCIA

The National Cannabis Industry Association, the first national trade organization dedicated to advancing the interests of cannabis-related businesses, will formally launch its operations this week in Denver, Colorado. The leaders of the association, hailing from across the country, will gather for NCIA’s first board meeting and will set the organizations agenda for the coming year on Thursday, December 16.

“This is an historic time for the cannabis industry and we are excited to have the opportunity to help so many small businesses advance their interests,” said Aaron Smith, NCIA’s executive director. “NCIA’s board is comprised of some of the true leaders in the industry and they are dedicated to seeing the industry flourish in a manner than benefits all cannabis consumers.”

“We are past the point of debating whether cannabis should be a legal product in this country,” Smith said. “The truth is that it is a legal product in many states and it is time to treat individuals involved in the industry the same as all other business people.”

Advocates Want New Trial In San Diego Pot Dispensary Case

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on December 14, 2010 Dispensaries, News

Photo: K.C. Alfred/Sign On San Diego

The court deprived Jovan Jackson of the medical marijuana defense that was used to gain an acquittal in his first trial

Medical marijuana patient advocates on Wednesday will argue for a new trial in the case of dispensary owner Jovan Jackson, who was convicted on September 28 after he was tried for the second time in less than a year on the same charges of marijuana possession and sales.

After District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis failed to convict Jackson the first time, she was able to block his use of a medical marijuana defense at the second trial, virtually guaranteeing his conviction, according to patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA).

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