Subscribe in a ReaderAnd Now a Word From Armentano
July 29th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
The Killing of Rachel Hoffman and the Tragedy That Is Pot Prohibition.
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The Pendulum Swings
July 25th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
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Update: Case Closed
July 18th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
Although it is not clear why the case is closed. You can read the full article from the PI here. Exerpt from Moises Mendoza’s article:
Police officers returned a laptop and patient records they seized from a University District medical marijuana cooperative, but for now they’re holding on to 12 ounces of marijuana and several bongs confiscated during their Tuesday evening search. Martin Martinez, who heads the Life Vine cooperative at 1406 N.E. 50th St. near University Way Northeast, said he and his lawyer, Douglas Hiatt, picked up the roughly 500 records from the Police Department Thursday. But it’s not clear if they will get the marijuana back, which advocates say is for use by seriously ill patients.
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Smell (Two Steps Back, One Step Forward)
July 17th, 2008 Filed Under Legal News, Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
It was reported this morning that Seattle Police seized a number of medical marijuana plants and medical records. The Seattle Times reports:
“The search occurred Tuesday after a nearby police bicycle officer reported the smell of marijuana…no one was arrested but officers seized about 12 ounces of marijuana in addition to the patient files and a computer…The police “have a heck of a lot of patient records I don’t think they should have,” said Douglas Hiatt, a Seattle attorney who specialized in medical marijuana cases. “For one thing, those records are protected under federal privacy laws. If you’re a medical marijuana patient, you don’t want the police to know who you are or where you live, and this is why - because you don’t get treated very well.”
Also today, State v Gande. A decision that was based on Constitutional grounds.
“We hold that the smell of marijuana in the general area where an individual is located is insufficient, without more, to support probable cause for arrest. Where no other evidence exists linking the passenger to any criminal activity, an arrest of the passenger on the suspicion of possession of illegal substances, and any subsequent searches, is invalid and an unconstitutional invasion of that individual’s right to privacy.”
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Another View on Medical Marijuana
June 11th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform, Video
I had not heard of reason.tv before today. However, this morning I received a link for a video on the website. It was hosted by Drew Carey and looks at the issue of medical marijuana and the use by minors. The program goes beyond its anecdotal subject and challenges the Federal and police agencies position on enforcement in the face of the hundreds of organizations that recognize the medicinal values of marijuana. Definitely worth a look. You can see the video here.
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Senator…
May 12th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws
Georgia retailers soon will be banned from selling candy flavored to taste like marijuana to children. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed a measure into law Wednesday that bans the sale of “marijuana flavored products” to minors — anyone under 18 — and calls for a fine of up to $500 for each offense. The measure takes effect July 1st. It targets businesses that sell the candies with drug-inspired names such as “Kronic Kandy” and “Pot Suckers.” None of the candy contains any THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.The law says the candies promote drug use. Senator Doug Stoner pushed the bill in the senate. “I don’t think that folks are aware this is going on,” Stoner told Channel 2 in April. “It’s mainly, from what I can tell, particularly targeted to minority communities.”
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Injustice in Ohio
March 29th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws
I know it happens but this was one of the worst examples I have read in a while.
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Encouraging Conversation
March 18th, 2008 Filed Under Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
Kathleen Taylor has written the following article that we have reproduced a portion of. If you wish to read the full article (highly encouraged), go here.
A College student loses his financial aid because of a youthful indiscretion. A woman coping with the ravages of ovarian cancer lives in fear of being arrested for using what best eases her suffering. Across town, a front door bursts open and police rush in to handcuff a man relaxing in his living room.
These events have one thing in common: marijuana. Whether it is being kicked out of college for a youthful mistake, being denied relief from pain as a cancer patient, or getting arrested for personal use in one’s home, marijuana laws have far-reaching consequences.
And these consequences are often totally disproportionate to whatever societal risk or danger marijuana use may pose.
So, can we talk?I think we should. As a nation, we spend at least $7.5 billion annually enforcing our marijuana laws. In 2006, the latest year for which we have numbers, a record 830,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana — 89 percent of them simply for possessing it.
Our criminal-justice system wastes time and resources with these low-level marijuana-possession cases while half our violent crimes go unsolved. And those facing the judge are disproportionately African American and Latino…
As parents, we want to shield our children from harm and reserve certain choices for when they are old enough to understand the risks and repercussions. Certainly, this is as true of marijuana as it is of alcohol and tobacco. But just as certainly, and as most teenagers will tell you, it is easier for them to buy marijuana than beer or cigarettes. Our marijuana laws don’t work. I know it. You know it. Scores of our neighbors know it.
But no one is talking. Most of us have our own ideas about what should be done, but this has to be a decision that we make as a community. Too much is riding on this issue not to have an honest, candid discussion. Please join us in the conversation.
Learn more about the ACLU campaign, “Marijuana: It’s Time for a Conversation,” hosted by travel writer Rick Steves, airs this month on local stations and is available free to Comcast On Demand subscribers in Western Washington. For more information: www.marijuanaconversation.org
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A Hard Look at What We Are Doing
March 16th, 2008 Filed Under Legal News, Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Reform
Take some time out and check out, Marijuana: It’s Time for a Conversation. They have a program sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and featuring noted travel writer and television host Rick Steves, “Marijuana: It’s Time for a Conversation” begins a long-overdue public discussion about marijuana and marijuana prohibition. If you have Comcast you can go to Channel 888, then go to “Community” and choose “Marijuana: Let’s Talk”(available free to subscribers 24/7). They have a program on KONG TV- Channels 6 and 16 (Seattle/Puget Sound Region) at 1:00 am on the following days: March 19, 2008, March 20, 2008, March 26, 2008, March 27, 2008.
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