psmith

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Member for: 17 years 24 weeks
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Stories by psmith

Judge Rejects San Diego Challenge to Medical Marijuana Law

from Associated Press, November 17, 2006

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Heading to DC for SSDP!

by psmith, November 15, 2006, 08:14pm

After five longs days incommunicado in darkest Dakota, I am crawling out of my cave and heading for the East Coast to check out the Students for Sensible

I'm sick and tired of begging my fellow citizens to not throw me in jail...

by psmith, November 10, 2006, 01:22pm

...because I might smoke something of which they don't approve.

Election 2006: Arizona Voters Take a Step Backwards on Sentencing Reform

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 11:46pm, (Issue #461)

Arizona voters took a step backward by allowing first- and second-time methamphetamine offenders to be sentenced to jail or prison -- unlike any other Arizona drug possession offenders.

Election 2006: Drug Reformers in Third Party Statewide Bids Poll Single Digits, But One Wins a State House Seat in Washington

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 11:10pm, (Issue #461)

A drug reformer won a state house seat as a Democrat this week, but third-party reformers got largely ignored at the polls.

Election 2006: Massachusetts Voters in Four More Districts Continue the Clamor for Marijuana Law Reform

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 09:11pm, (Issue #461)

Four more Massachusetts representative districts have voted to ask their reps to support either marijuana decriminalization or medical marijuana bills in the state legislature.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 09:07pm, (Issue #461)

A Kentucky deputy gets caught stealing from the office stash, so does a Cleveland court employee, and a Cleveland cop's husband's activities is raising eyebrows.

Election 2006: Local Marijuana Initiatives Win Across the Board

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 05:20pm, (Issue #461)

Statewide marijuana initiatives may have had a tough time this year, but it was a clean sweep for local lowest priority initiatives, which went five for five, plus a local medical marijuana measure.

Election 2006: Initiatives Defeated in Colorado and Nevada, But Hundreds of Thousands Voted to Legalize Marijuana

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 03:59pm, (Issue #461)

Two marijuana legalization initiatives went down to defeat in Colorado and Nevada, but by relatively narrow margins. Organizers are vowing to try again.

Dwight Gooden is Released From Prison After Seven Months

from Bloomberg News, November 09, 2006

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Election 2006: South Dakota Medical Marijuana Initiative Backers Vow to Try Again After Narrow Defeat

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 01:10pm, (Issue #461)

In a close vote, South Dakota voters became the first in the nation to turn back a medical marijuana initiative, but organizers vow to try again.

[Mexican] Marijuana Harvest Yields Bumper Crop

from KVOA-TV Tucson, November 09, 2006

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Sentencing: US Supreme Court to Try to Clean Up Post-Booker Ruling Issues

by psmith, November 08, 2006, 01:26am, (Issue #461)

Last year's Supreme Court decision making federal sentencing guidelines only advisory has led to confusion in the federal courts. Now the high court has agreed to hear two cases that could help stop the head-scratching--and maybe get some drug offenders some shorter sentences.

Looking Bad for the Statewide Marijuana Initiatives

by psmith, November 08, 2006, 01:20am

It's just after 1AM Eastern time, and it looks like the Colorado, Nevada, and South Dakota marijuana initiatives are all headed for defeat.

Sentencing: Public Hearings on Illinois SMART Act Pack 'Em In

by psmith, November 07, 2006, 03:29pm, (Issue #461)

Public hearings on an Illinois bill that would divert first-time drug possession offenders into "drug schools" instead of prison are now underway across the state, and if the crowd in Chicago is any indication, public interest is high.

Medical Marijuana: First New Federal Prosecution in Three Years Underway in California

by psmith, November 07, 2006, 03:24pm, (Issue #461)

Federal authorities had not prosecuted a California medical marijuana patient or provider since the Ed Rosenthal trial blew up in their face three years ago, but that changed Wednesday.

Let's Not Forget Massachusetts

by psmith, November 06, 2006, 01:22pm

In our list of drug policy-related ballot issues last Friday, we neglected to mention Massachusetts.

More Take the Rehab Way Out; [Enron's] Fastow is the Latest Corporate Convict to Seek Counseling to Cut Time Off Sentence

from Houston Chronicle, November 06, 2006

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Tories Blocked Needle Sites Despite Internal Poll Results; 56% of Canadians in Favor of More Injection Facilities

from Ottawa Citizen, November 06, 2006

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Cloudy Future For Marijuana As Medicine

from Associated Press, November 06, 2006

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Kelo TV Poll: Medical Marijuana [South Dakota, Losing 35% to 60%]

from KELO TV Sioux Falls, November 05, 2006

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Gathering Will Mark 10 Years of Medical Marijuana Use

from Los Angeles Times, November 04, 2006

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Federal Official Criticizes Medical Marijuana Issue

from Associated Press, November 04, 2006

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Afghan Farmers Likely to Match Harvest [Record 2007 Crop Predicted]

from Associated Press, November 03, 2006

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Higher Education: Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to HEA Drug Provision

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 09:23pm, (Issue #460)

A South Dakota federal court judge has dismissed a challenge to the consitutionality of the Higher Education Act's drug provision.

Feature: Colorado and Nevada to Vote on Marijuana Legalization Measures Tuesday

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 06:17pm, (Issue #460)

Less than a week out, initiatives to legalize marijuana possession in Colorado and permit regulated sales and possession in Nevada face an uphill battle, but organizers remain hopeful.

Feature: Alabama Drug Reformer Loretta Nall Accidentally Becomes the "Cleavage" Candidate

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 04:32pm, (Issue #460)

Loretta Nall didn't set out to be the "cleavage" candidate when launching her campaign, but she recognized a good strategy when a newspaper columnist thrust it upon her.

Drug Reform and Drug Reformers in the 2006 Elections -- The List

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 02:52pm, (Issue #460)

With the 2006 elections just days away, here's a look at drug reform issues and drug reformers on the ballot.

93% of Canadians Okay With Medicinal Pot

from CanWest News Service, November 02, 2006

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Medical Marijuana: Patients Challenge DEA Head at San Diego Conference, Seven Arrested

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 01:38am, (Issue #460)

DEA head Karen Tandy refused to meet with medical marijuana patients in San Diego Wednesday, the patients refused to leave, seven were arrested, and Tandy got to feel the heat for the actions of her agency.

South Pacific: Sympathy for Marijuana Growers in Vanuatu

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 01:02am, (Issue #460)

The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is seeing increased marijuana use and cultivation. While the usual suspects raise concerns, at least one member of parliament is sticking up for growers.

Marijuana: Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidate Favors Legalization, Just Not During His Term

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 12:58am, (Issue #460)

In a debate last week, Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick said he could support marijuana legalization, and in the next breath, vowed to veto a marijuana decriminalization bill if it crossed his desk.

Middle East: After Lebanon War, Israeli Cannabis Prices Spike

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 12:52am, (Issue #460)

An unintended consequence of last summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is a steep spike in hashish prices paid by Israeli consumers due to increased border security.

Coming Down to the Wire in Nevada and Colorado

by psmith, November 01, 2006, 04:44pm

We're getting down to the final days of this election season, and we're waiting with bated breath for that first marijuana legalization victory in Colorado and/or Nevada.

Unproven Meth, Cocaine "Remedy" Hits Market; Reseachers Debate Quick Fix: Is It Good Medicine or Just Marketing?

from MSNBC, November 01, 2006

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[South Dakota] Bill Pits Attorney General Against Medical Marijuana Proponents

from Rapid City Journal, November 01, 2006

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Medical Marijuana Advocates Arrested

from Fox News 6 San Diego, November 01, 2006

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Africa: As Marijuana Growing Expands, Swaziland Begins to Ponder Hemp

by psmith, November 01, 2006, 02:34am, (Issue #460)

Faced with falling commodity prices, Swazi farmers are turning to marijuana as a cash crop. Now there's talk of growing hemp.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, November 01, 2006, 02:27am, (Issue #460)

A Virginia sheriff and most of his department goes down for reselling seized drug and guns, a Border Patrol guard gets caught turning a blind eye in exchange for sex and cash, dope is missing from the Boston Police evidence warehouse, a small town police chief pleads guilty to protecting crack dealers, and two cops are going to prison for dealing drugs.

Prescription Painkillers Becoming More Popular Than Marijuana, SAMHSA Says

from Join Together Online, October 31, 2006

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California Seizes Record Number of Pot Plants

from Associated Press, October 31, 2006

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Russia Raises Afghanistan Drugs Issue With EU

from Novosti News Agency, October 31, 2006

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The Cartels Are Coming, the Cartels Are Coming! (Or A New Meme Emerges)

by psmith, October 30, 2006, 01:44pm

No, not the Colombian cartels and not the Mexican cartels.

Pot Proponents Shout Down Governor

from ABC-TV7 Denver, October 29, 2006

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Bogota Targets Europe in Cocaine-Awareness Drive

from Financial Times, October 27, 2006

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Europe: Belgian MP Joins Growing Cannabis Social Club Movement

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 07:57pm, (Issue #459)

Europe's nascent Cannabis Social Club movement gained a prominent new face this week when a Belgian Member of Parliament signed on.

Canada: Supreme Court Overturns Conviction of Medical Marijuana Activist

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 07:52pm, (Issue #459)

Canada's Supreme Court on Thursday threw out the conviction of medical marijuana activist Grant Krieger because of a judge's overreaching jury instructions.

Feature: Nail-Biting Time for South Dakota's Medical Marijuana Initiative

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 06:33pm, (Issue #459)

With November 7 drawing near and drug warriors on the campaign trail, prospects for South Dakota's medical marijuana initiative are "iffy."

Feature: Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Marijuana Initiatives Face the Voters in Five Cities

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 04:51pm, (Issue #459)

Three California cities and one in Arkansas have lowest law enforcement priority marijuana initiatives on the ballot. We check in to see how they're doing as the final countdown begins.

Feature: The Next Prohibition? Poll Finds Nearly Half of Americans Favor Banning Cigarettes

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 02:20pm, (Issue #459)

A poll released Thursday finds that nearly half of Americans support making cigarettes illegal.

13,000 Joints

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 12:35pm

That's what a South Dakota sheriff just told me you could get from one marijuana plant.

With Beheadings and Attacks, Drug Gangs Terrorize Mexico

from New York Times, October 26, 2006

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Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:16am, (Issue #459)

More crooked cops trying to rip-off drug dealers, another one trying to rip-off his own department, and, of course, yet another prison guard trying to earn a few bucks on the side.

Law Enforcement: Lawsuit Shines Light on Florida Police Department's Shady Forfeiture Practice

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:13am, (Issue #459)

Florida has an asset forfeiture law that provides for legal recourse, but that's too much bother for one Sunshine State police department.

Middle East: In Battle Over Criminalizing Bongs, Israeli Justice Department Unit Calls for End to Persecuting Marijuana Users

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:07am, (Issue #459)

A battle over a bill to criminalize the possession of bongs, has led part of the Israeli Justice Department to call for an end to the persecution of marijuana and hashish users.

Europe: Spanish Medical Marijuana Group Goes Public with "Therapeutic Cannabis Bank"

by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:03am, (Issue #459)

A medical marijuana activist group in the Spanish Basque country has announced the first aboveground "Cannabis Pharmacy," and the Spanish health ministry is not happy.

Opium Plan Poppycock, Experts Say

from Ottawa Sun, October 25, 2006

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Bush Official Speaks Against Question 7--Pro-marijuana legalization protestors at panel discussion

from The Nevada Appeal, October 25, 2006

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Third-Party Candidacies vs. Voting for the Lesser Evil

by psmith, October 25, 2006, 12:29am

Last week's < a href="" target=_blank_>feature article on the Zeese and Thornton campaigns (Zeese is running for US Senate in a tight race in Maryland and Thornton is running for governor of Con

WOLA/USOC Press Release: Planning Murders While Negotiating Peace: Colombian Attorney General’s Office Releases Report on Evidence Found In Paramilitary Leader Rodrigo “Jorge 40” Tovar’s Laptop

by psmith, October 24, 2006, 07:08pm

From the Washington Office on Latin America and US Office on Colombia: Planning Mur

MP calls for licensing of opium--Afghanistan's huge opium trade should be licensed as a way to undermine the Taleban, a Tory MP has suggested.

from BBC News, October 24, 2006

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Rumsfeld Urged to Change Afghan Drug Trade Policy

from USA Today, October 24, 2006

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Alabama Candidate Campaigns on Cleavage (Loretta Nall)

from Associated Press, October 23, 2006

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Rise in Bribery Tests Integrity of US Border--From California to Texas, 200 Officials Indicted Since 2004

from Los Angeles Times, October 23, 2006

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Sheriff Cantu Couldn't Resist the Mordida--The Texas lawman, sent to prison for taking bribes, says: 'I should be punished for what I did wrong.'

from Los Angeles Times, October 23, 2006

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Cannabis Next Target of War on Drugs (Afghanistan)

from Institute for War and Peace Reporting, October 23, 2006

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Pot issue's fate at polls hazy--As officials debate the merits and dangers of marijuana, a poll shows a third voters undecided last month as undecided on Amendment 44

from Denver Post, October 23, 2006

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Cocaine Crisis Prompts Spain to Unleash Flood of Anti-Drug Ads

from Bloomberg News, October 23, 2006

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The Deputy Drug Czar Comes to South Dakota

by psmith, October 23, 2006, 12:00pm

Scott Burns, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, on Friday.

Looking at the UN, smelling a rat---A comment on ‘Sweden’s succesful drug policy: a review of the evidence’ UNODC september 2006

by psmith, October 22, 2006, 08:52pm

http://www.cedro-uva.org/lib/cohen.looking.html Peter Cohen (2006), Looking at th

Pot Proposals vs. Drug Warriors

from Washington Times, October 22, 2006

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Legalize Marijuana? Bookies Say It's Not a Safe Bet

from Aspen Times, October 22, 2006

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Law Enforcement Condemns Marijuana Measure (South Dakota)

from KELO TV Sioux Falls, October 21, 2006

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Stand Up to the DEA! (Americans for Safe Access San Diego Action, 10/31)

by psmith, October 20, 2006, 07:50pm

Please forward this message Patients to Protest DEA Raids at upcoming San Diego Conference Medical cannabis (marijuana) patients and advocates will protest outside a DEA conference in San Diego on

Divided [Oregon] Supreme Court Upholds Restrictions on Police Seizures

from Salem Statesman Journal, October 20, 2006

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Charities Slam George Michael Over Smoking Cannabis On TV

from National News (UK), October 20, 2006

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President Bush Keeps Up the Pressure On the Colombian Drug Trade

from All Headline News, October 20, 2006

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Medical Marijuana Policy Signed by CHP, Attorney General, Governor; ASA Lawsuit Settlement Yields Binding "Consent Decree" and $75,000 in

by psmith, October 20, 2006, 12:42pm

For Immediate Release-October 19, 2006 Contact: William Dolphin 510-919-1498 Medical Marijuana Policy Signed by CHP, Attorney General, Governor ASA Lawsuit Settlement Yields Binding "Cons

Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Legality of Property Protection Act of 2000

by psmith, October 20, 2006, 12:37pm

For Immediate Release: Contact: Tony Newman (646) 335-5384 October 19, 2006 Daniel Abrahamson (510) 295-5635<

Harm Reduction: New Jersey Needle Exchange, Needle Access Bills Advance

by psmith, October 19, 2006, 10:18pm, (Issue #458)

New Jersey is the last state in the nation without either needle exchange programs or access to syringes without a prescription, but with bills moving in committee, that could soon change.

Europe: Italian Government Gives Approval for Marijuana Derivatives for Pain Control

by psmith, October 19, 2006, 09:54pm, (Issue #458)

The Italian cabinet Thursday gave its approval for the use of marijuana derivatives in the relief of pain.

Feature: Prominent Drug Reformers Run for Statewide Office in Connecticut, Maryland

by psmith, October 19, 2006, 09:20pm, (Issue #458)

Prominent activists are carrying the drug reform message in the Connecticut governor's race and the Maryland US Senate race.

Feature: Afghanistan Throws Out Group Urging Legal Opium -- Not

by psmith, October 19, 2006, 07:32pm, (Issue #458)

Despite press reports to the contrary, a think tank advocating licensing of Afghanistan's opium crop for the licit medical market has not been banned from the country, the group says.

DRCNet Video Review: "Waiting to Inhale: Marijuana, Medicine, and the Law," Produced and Directed by Jed Riffe

by psmith, October 19, 2006, 06:19pm, (Issue #458)

Documentary filmmaker Jed Riffe's "Waiting to Inhale: Marijuana, Medicine, and the Law" very successfully pulls together all the threads of the medical marijuana story in this compelling video.

Drug Raids: Michigan Judge Rules Flint Rave Raid Arrests Unconstitutional

by psmith, October 18, 2006, 09:14pm, (Issue #458)

A Michigan circuit court judge has thrown out the arrests of 94 people charged with "frequenting a drug house" after Flint police raided a night club holding a rave.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, October 18, 2006, 08:01pm, (Issue #458)

Busy this week: judges on cocaine, cops dealing cocaine, cops selling ecstasy, Air Force pilots smuggling ecstasy, police chemists pilfering from the evidence pile -- and of course, jail guards smuggling dope into prisons.

Europe: Dutch Appeals Court Rules Medical Marijuana Patient Can Grow His Own

by psmith, October 18, 2006, 07:58pm, (Issue #458)

Despite Holland's famously tolerant marijuana policies, growing the stuff has remained a crime. Now, an appeals court decision relating to medical use has caused the first crack in the dike.

Canada: Supreme Court Rejects Random Drug Tests of Probationers

by psmith, October 18, 2006, 07:52pm, (Issue #458)

In a case from British Columbia, the Canada's Supreme Court has held that judges cannot impose drug testing as a probation requirement without authorization from Parliament, and an appeals court found they can't impose drug treatment either.

Sentencing: Louisiana Supreme Court Hears Case of Heroin Lifers

by psmith, October 18, 2006, 07:46pm, (Issue #458)

More than 90 people serving life sentences without parole for selling heroin under an old Louisiana law remain in prison despite reforms that should have freed them. The state Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a pair of cases that could accelerate their release.

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