This
Week
in
History
11/5/04
November 5, 1996: Prop. 215 (The Compassionate Use Act) in California legalizes medical use of marijuana, passes with 56% of the voting public in favor. Prop. 200 (The Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act) enacts sentencing reform and other measures, passing in Arizona with 65% of the vote. November 5, 2002: Reuters reports that researchers say alcohol and violence pose more of an immediate health hazard than drugs for young adults who enjoy clubbing. They said that drugs such as ecstasy, speed, cocaine and heroin are a serious problem in clubs, but assaults fueled by alcohol are the main reason clubbers seek hospital treatment. November 6, 1984: "Bust of the Century" in Mexico -- DEA and Mexican officials raid a cultivation and processing complex in the Chihuahua desert, owned by kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero and employing 7,000 campesinos. They find and destroy between 5,000-10,000 tons of high-grade marijuana, valued at $2.5 billion. November 6, 1985: Upping the ante in the battle against extradition, guerillas linked to the Medellin cartel attack the Colombian Palace of Justice. At least 95 people are killed when the Colombian military attacks the palace with tanks to end the 26-hour siege, including 11 Supreme Court justices. Many court documents, including all pending requests, are destroyed by fire. November 6, 1989: George P. Shultz, former secretary of state in the Reagan administration, is quoted by the Associated Press: "We need at least to consider and examine forms of controlled legalization of drugs." November 7, 2000: In California, citizens vote 61-39 to pass Prop. 36, diverting nonviolent drug offenders into treatment rather than prison for first and second offenses. In Mendocino County voters approve a measure decriminalizing personal use and growth of up to 25 marijuana plants. November 7, 2002: Ruling in favor of NORML Foundation and Media Access Project complaints, the Federal Communications Commission says public service announcements broadcast under the auspices of the White House drug office advertising program must identify themselves as being part of that program. As a result of ruling, broadcasters are forced to insert taglines proclaiming "sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy." November 8, 1984: DEA sets an international marijuana seizure record still holding today -- 4,260,000 lbs in Mexico. November 8, 1987: The New York Times reports that Al Gore said he last used marijuana when he was 24. November 9, 2001: The US Senate Judiciary Committee approves the nomination of John Walters as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. November 9, 2001: The FDA approves a study of the use of Ecstasy in for treating victims of post-traumatic stress disorder. November 11, 1988: The Anti-Drug Abuse Act establishes the creation of a drug-free America as a policy goal. A key provision of the act was the founding of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to set priorities, implement a national strategy, and certify federal drug-control budgets.
|
