News

California Men Get Marijuana Back From The Police

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 28, 2010 Culture, Medical, News

Photo: Courtesy Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

From left, Jason Ramey, 30, Travis Stock, 31, and Garrett Houchins, 30, picked up their medical marijuana from the Red Bluff Police Department on Wednesday.

Three California men Wednesday picked up their medical marijuana from the Red Bluff Police Department, where it had been since being seized in an October raid.

Garret Houchins and Jason Ramey, both 30, and Travis Stock, 31, along with another man, Corey Perkiss, were growing 11 plants at Stock’s home, reports The Redding Record Searchlight.

They were arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, processing marijuana and conspiracy.

Police: Marijuana Dispensary Robbery Rate Lower Than Banks’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 27, 2010 Dispensaries, News

Photo: chattahbox.com

Crime rates at Denver dispensaries are only half that at banks, lower than at liquor stores, and equal to that at pharmacies, according to a police study

A Denver Police Department analysis says that medical marijuana dispensaries in the city were robbed or burglarized at a lower rate last year than either banks or liquor stores, reports John Ingold at The Denver Post.

According to the analysis, in a memo authored by Division Chief Tracie Keesee for Denver City Council members, the robbery and burglary rate for dispensaries in 2009 was equivalent to that of pharmacies.

This is the first time Denver police have compared crime at dispensaries with crime at other businesses. Police spokesman John White declined to speculate on the bigger meaning of the numbers until the department can do a more thorough analysis.

NYPD Accused Of ‘Anally Assaulting’ Man For Marijuana Use

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 27, 2010 News

Graphic: strk3.com

Monday in New York State Supreme Court, Michael Mineo took the stand to describe his nightmarish experience in a Brooklyn subway station in 2008: Being held down by three New York City police officers and sodomized with a police baton.

Mineo’s crime? Smoking marijuana.

The Brooklyn cops chased Mineo into the station after they saw him smoking pot, reports Tony Newman at AlterNet.

Mineo says the cops tackled him and that one of them sodomized him with a police baton. The cops then gave him a summons, and threatened he’d be served with a felony charge if he went to the hospital for treatment or to the police station to report what had happened.

The story is corroborated by eyewitnesses, including a transit police officer. The three officers accused in the brutal attack are now on trial.

WA: ‘Old Generation’ Kills Pot Legalization Bills; Measure May Let Voters Decide

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 27, 2010 Legislation, News

Graphic: KOMO 4

HB 2401 would have legalized and taxed marijuana in Washington; the herb would be sold in state liquor stores. Since the Legislature dropped the ball, now it’s up to the voters.

For the first time ever, the Washington Legislature looked at not one, but two bills to reform marijuana laws in the state. And although both were voted down in committee, advocates say marijuana legalization is still alive, with an initiative campaign trying to get a measure on the ballot in November, reports Matt Phelps of the Kirkland Reporter.

“My motivation was to get the criminals out of the business and stop the harm that the current prohibition is doing,” said Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), who cosponsored House Bill 2401 with Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle).

“Many polls in Washington and nationwide show a favorability toward decriminalization,” Goodman said.

‘How To Smoke Pot’ Videos Get Nebraska Man Busted

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 27, 2010 Culture, News

Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department

David Johnson was arrested after sheriff’s investigators watched him smoking marijuana with his sons on YouTube.

A 44-year-old Nebraska man was arrested after sheriff’s investigators watched about 90 “how to smoke marijuana” videos on YouTube that also feature his sons.

The videos, filmed over a 16-month period that ended about two months ago — show David K. Johnson, 44, rolling joints and smoking marijuana from pipes and bongs with his two sons, 20 and 17.

Lt. Steve Grabowski of the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department said an anonymous tip started their investigation of Johnson, formerly of Gretna, Neb.

A search warrant was issued Jan. 12 for Johnson’s then-home in Gretna. He has since moved out, reports Leia Mendoza of the Omaha World-Herald.

Medical Marijuana Supporters ‘Outraged’ By Obama’s DEA Chief

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 26, 2010 News

Graphic: salem-news.com

Medical marijuana supporters say they are “outraged” over President Obama’s re-appointment of Bush Administration holdover Michele Leonhart as chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“The retention of this Bush-era holdover is a profound disappointment to all of us who hoped that Obama would bring meaningful change to Washington,” lamented Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).

California Man Demands Police Pay For His Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 26, 2010 Growing, Medical, News

Photo: Emeraldeye

Eight grand a pound adds up.

A California man is asking the city of Costa Mesa to pay for 12 medical marijuana plants seized by the police in 2007.

An attached appraisal form with the claim says that “Kush” strain plants like those seized are worth about $8,000 a pound.

Gregory Barnett, 55, said in his claim against the city that police officers destroyed his crop, which was ordered returned by the court, reports Ellyn Pak at The Orange County Register.

‘Bittersweet Victory’ In L.A.: Council Passes Flawed Marijuana Dispensary Rules

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 26, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Photo: longbeachmedicalmarijuana.org

The Los Angeles City Council voted 9-3 today to pass an ordinance regulating the sale of medical marijuana by dispensaries. The measure, which the council first began debating more than four years ago, passed quickly, without debate.

Although medical marijuana advocates were able to improve parts of the ordinance, they say certain provisions in the final version will effectively shut down nearly all of the existing facilities and will make it almost impossible for dispensaries to locate anywhere in the city.

Dude Arrested For Trying To Break Into Jail

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 25, 2010 Culture, News

Photo: bebo.com

It’s easier to get in than to get out… usually.

A man climbed over a fence and tried to break into an Oregon jail after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, according to police.

Medford, Oregon Police Lt. Bob Hansen said that about 4:10 a.m. Monday, jail officials saw a man scaling the fence around an area where officers unload incoming prisoners and take them inside, reports Anita Burke at the Southern Oregon Mail Tribune.

The jail officials confronted the man on the grounds and called police, who cited the intruder, James Merrill DeVore, for disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Nevada: New TV Ad Criticizes Anti-Marijuana D.A.

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 25, 2010 Culture, News

Graphic: NORML.org

A new television advertisement criticizing a Nevada district attorney’s anti-marijuana position will air for the first time on Wednesday, according to Nevadans for Sensible Marijuana Laws.

The ad, which asks Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick why he opposes ending Nevada’s prohibition of marijuana, will air Wednesday, January 27, on KRNV-TV in Reno, Nevada.

“The ad we are unveiling Tuesday addresses a serious subject — public safety,” said Dave Schwartz, campaign manager for Nevadans for Sensible Marijuana Laws.

“It does so by contrasting the fact that 25 to 30 percent of all violent crimes in the U.S. are alcohol related with District Attorney Gammick’s desire to focus law enforcement resources on adults who use marijuana, which is less harmful than alcohol and less likely to lead to acts of violence,” Schwartz said.

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