Search Results: bloomberg (60)

Tom Tancredo doesn’t want to hit your doobie.

Recently Colorado Republican firebrand politician (and onetime presidential candidate) Tom Tancredo made headlines for agreeing to smoke marijuana on camera with a Florida-based filmmaker if Colorado’s Amendment 64 was passed. Well, the bill was approved but Tancredo apparently had no intention of following through with his agreement. He says his wife told him that it might be a bad influence on their grandchildren and he has since declined the filmmaker’s offer.

It’s too bad. Not only for Tancredo’s own well-being (the dude clearly needs a joint), but also for his place in history. He could have easily joined the ranks of the top ten politicians who’ve smoked pot, as compiled by our sister paper, the Denver Westword.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is notorious for his staunch anti-marijuana crackdown in the city. Under Bloomberg’s watch, more New Yorkers have been arrested for cannabis than under the previous three mayors combined. What’s the problem?

Well, according to Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the reason for arresting all those people for low-level marijuana offenses is to reduce violent crime in the city.
Wait, what? The idea that marijuana turns people violent is a relic of 1930s Reefer Madness, right? Well, yeah. But a brand new study — released Friday — provides yet more evidence that the marijuana-violence connection is, as James King of the Village Voice puts it, “a load of crap.”

The Daily Chronic

Massachusetts voters will get the chance Tuesday to make their state the 18th in the country to legalize cannabis for certain medicinal uses with a doctor’s authorization. Question 3 proposes the elimination of state penalties for the use of medical marijuana by patients with chronic or debilitating medical conditions.

The ballot issue calls for relatively tight regulation of medical marijuana, according to Steve Fox, director of government relations for the advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project, reports Stephanie Haven at The Tufts Daily.
“We’ve learned from [California’s law], and we now draft initiatives so only those who need [medical marijuana]can get it,” Fox said. (Of course, it isn’t up to Fox — or anyone except you and your doctor — to determine if you “need” medical marijuana.)
A poll was released and conducted by Public Policy Polling regarding the measure in late August. It revealed that 58 percent of those surveyed are in favor of medical marijuana.

Nick Miroff / The Washington Post
A sign greets visitors to Caye Caulker, Belize, with a warning: Though marijuana and cocaine are readily available to tourists, drugs are illegal in Belize

Belize Announcement on Heels of Uruguayan President’s Proposal to Legalize and Sell Marijuana
DPA Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann: Alternatives to Prohibition Growing Trend in Latin America and Caribbean 
The government of Belize released a press statement on Monday announcing the appointment of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalize marijuana possession. The committee – to be headed by a former police minister – was appointed by the Minister of National Security.
The proposal seeks to remove criminal penalties for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana and instead impose fines and mandatory drug education. Currently, possession of less than 60 grams of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to US $26,000 and/or up to three years in prison.

ShadyHousePub.com
Surprise, surprise! More gutless non-leadership from the Party of No

Senate Republicans and Conservative Party Break With Top Law Enforcement Officials to Kill Legislation Clarifying Marijuana Possession Laws; Measure Supported by Cuomo, Bloomberg, NYPD Commissioner, District Attorneys Throughout State
 
Over 50,000 Needless Arrests Cost Taxpayers $75 million a Year, Undermine Ability of Youth to Gain Employment; Majority Leader Skelos and Conservative Party Leader Mike Long Apparently Believe Wasteful, Unlawful, Racially Biased Arrests is “Right Message” for “Youngsters”
 
Operations Order by Commissioner Kelly Has Proven To Be Ineffective; Advocates, Community Groups and Elected Officials Vow to Continue Fight for Legislation That Ensures Equity, Fairness and Fiscal Responsibility
 
Monday night, lawmakers in Albany failed to reach agreement on legislation to reduce the staggering number of unlawful, biased arrests for marijuana possession in New York.
The proposal, unveiled by Governor Andrew Cuomo two weeks ago and introduced in the Assembly by Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries, was widely seen as a responsible measure to address the inconsistency and unfairness in the marijuana possession laws in New York. Yet Senate Republicans refused to take up the matter, appearing shaken, intimidated and frightened by threats from Conservative Party Leader Mike Long, who declared he would pull the Conservative Party line from anyone who supported the measure.
The Senate – in what can only be called a stunning failure of leadership – then refused to take up the legislation, undermining reform. Because of inaction in the Senate, tens of thousands of people, predominately young men of color, will continue to be needlessly funneled through the criminal justice system at an expense of tens of millions of dollars to state taxpayers and untold damage to the relationships between law enforcement and communities in New York.

A Brookland Girl

D.C. Councilman Claims Federal Prosecutor Won’t Let Them Decriminalize

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Tuesday said District officials should focus on implementing the new medical marijuana program, but should also “keep open their options” when dealing with recreational users. But at least one member of the D.C. Council claims that a federal prosecutor won’t let the council decriminalize cannabis.

Currently, D.C. has the toughest marijuana penalties in the region, reports Tim Craig of The Washington Post.
First-time offenders possessing any amount of cannabis can get up to six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine. In next door Virginia, first time offenders caught with up to a half ounce of pot top out at just a month in jail and a $500 fine.

Drug Policy Alliance
An online advocacy campaign features powerful video testimonials from people who have been illegally searched and falsely charged for marijuana possession in New York City

Major Online Advocacy Campaign Features Powerful Video Testimonials; Hundreds Traveling to Albany to Pressure State Leaders
 
Drive to Pass Bipartisan Legislation Comes on Heels of Cuomo, Bloomberg and Kelly Announcing Support for Closing Major Loophole in State’s Marijuana Decriminalization Law
 
On the heels of the announcement by New York Governor Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly of their support for ending the practice of arresting individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana in public view, a major coalition of local and national organizations is launching a massive effort in the final weeks of the legislative session to win reform.

Metro
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

NYC Mayor Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Kelly Follow Suit
 Advocates Applaud Governor’s Leadership
Coalition Planning Massive Push for Next Two Weeks to Pass Marijuana Reform Law; Includes Major Online Advocacy Campaign Featuring Powerful Video Testimonials, and Hundreds Traveling to Albany to Pressure State Leaders
On Monday,, New York Governor Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly all came out in support of ending the practice of arresting individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana in public view.

disinformation

​New Data Released: Illegal Searches and Manufactured Misdemeanors Continue Despite Order by Commissioner Kelly to Halt Unlawful Arrests
 
More Than 400,000 People Arrested on Low-Level Marijuana Charges in NYC in the Past Decade; Most Are Young Blacks and Latinos, Despite Whites Using Marijuana at Higher Rates
 
2011 Arrests Cost Taxpayers Over $75 Million; Bloomberg Spends More Than $600 Million on Bogus Marijuana Arrests In Last Decade
 
According to data just released by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the New York City Police Department continued their quixotic marijuana arrest crusade in 2011, surpassing 2010’s near-record amount of low-level marijuana arrests.
In 2011, the NYPD made more than 50,680 arrests for the lowest-level marijuana possession offense, making 2011 the second-highest period for marijuana arrests in New York City history.