MMJ Theft Growing Problem in Oregon
November 11th, 2008 by Perry
Marking the 10th anniversary of MMJ in Oregon, growing problems with residents being held at gunpoint and people having their medical marijuana stolen is raising law enforcement awareness of the situation in Oregon. Unfortunately, the local Oregon station makes it sound as though legalization is responsible for the increase in crime.
But there’s another criminal side to the medical marijuana story, what happens when someone who legally grows the drug decides to sell it or share it with a friend.
But solving the problem is easy. It’s all about creating a centralized location where people can get access to medication if safety seems to be a big issue (which it is.) The state has a responsibility to step up and provide safe access for its citizens so they can get the medicine they need.
Why I Won’t Miss John Walters
November 11th, 2008 by Perry
Only weeks left in office, and John Walters, Bush’s Director of National Drug Policy, is working harder than ever on the propaganda machine.
Days after a former pothead was elected president, Walters began a campaign with a new slogan about how there’s not that many jobs out there for potheads. Nevermind that the premise is so dumb it actually seems like its satire.
Washington Coed Booked for Bong Smashing
November 10th, 2008 by Perry
Over the weekend, a Bellingham, WA resident who tried to help a friend that was getting arrested, intervened and got involved in all the wrong ways. Her friend was pulled over and arrested with more than 30 bags of weed packaged for sale, a scale and a couple bongs. Sensing imminent danger, like Wonder Woman, she sprung into action.
While officers were preparing to cite the driver with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, the woman grabbed the bongs and started running.
Later after being detained, she told the officer she was trying to help her friend avoid a paraphernalia charge. It sounds to me like the classic “bong grab-n-dash” but the next time you smash someone’s bongs to try and help them, please don’t.
The friend, as it turns out, wasn’t getting charged with paraphernalia possesion. Even if he was, it wouldn’t have mattered that she smashed the bong to pieces. Additionally, if you’re over 18, which it turns out her friend was not, you can submit a request to get evidence back after a trial. Yet, since he was a minor, she just saved the officer some time by breaking the paraphernalia and got herself booked too.
Spain, U.K. Lead Euro Drug Consumers
November 10th, 2008 by Perry
A report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction showed recently the United Kingdom earned the crown as biggest European drug market for the fifth year in a row.
The annual figures show that 7.7 percent of Britons aged 15-64 have taken cocaine – rising to 11.2 percent for the 15-24 age group and 12.7 percent for the those aged between 15 and 34.
The study also showed the U.K. to have the highest proportionate use of amphetamine usage among adults in the world. Cannabis use is still much more prevalent than any other “narcotic,” 71 million Europeans say they have tried it – about one in four citizens. In the UK, 30.1 percent of the 15-64 age group say they have used cannabis, exceeded only by France (30.6 percent) and Denmark (36.5 percent).
The problem with comparable U.S. figures is that most of the time I don’t believe them, but you can find them here anyways.
Medical Marijuana’s 12th Anniversary
November 10th, 2008 by Perry
In all of our overzealous post-Obamamania recovery, we lost sight of a very important anniversary. On Tuesday, November 5,1996 the first medical marijuana law was passed in California.
The Marijuana Policy Project said in the years since 56% of California voters decided to stop criminalizing the ill, and public support for legal access to medical marijuana has grown to nearly 80%. Not to mention 12 other states are now on board, most recently Michigan and Massachusetts, which leaves the movement halfway to the 26 needed to draft a national resolution.
Progressive Moves Planned For Drug Policy
November 7th, 2008 by Perry
With the recent power shift in the White House, pundits are expecting a departure from the last eight years of drug policy, which has seen an aggressive revival of Reagan’s War on Drugs through Bush and his cabinet’s abuse of executive authority.
Obama is already committed to abstain from using federal resources to raid state-legal marijuana dispensaries. Furthermore, for the drug czar position, there has been mention of Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton.
While all of us over at theFreshScent would have preferred maybe someone a little more liberal, like Cheech Marin, I think it’s time to save our “boos” for the time being. Bratton has shown support for medical marijuana before, not only in interviews, but also by respecting Jerry Brown’s wishes in reducing the crackdown on dispensaries.
With several elections still undecided or still re-counting, the Democrats are likely to pick up 22 new seats in Congress, 17 of which belonged to medical marijuana opponents in the last Congress. And every single Democratic incumbent who lost Tuesday was a medical marijuana opponent.
Craigslist the New Weed Black Market
November 7th, 2008 by Alex
In cities across the country big and small, Craigslist, the classifieds website that bans “illegal activity,” is becoming a breeding ground for illegal marijuana sales.
What’s more interesting is that local and federal law enforcement are aware of the activity, but the amounts sold are generally so small they’re not very concerned.
In this Seattle Times article, Eric, who spoke on the condition that his last name not be used, says he doesn’t make much of a profit, (if any,) but sells enough marijuana so he can smoke for free. He sells small amounts — usually an eighth of an ounce, which brings in $30 to $40. Most clients are friends or friends of friends.
He usually finds customers by using code names like “Mary Jane,” “MJ,” “the sticky icky,” “the chronic” and “420.” Wow, how will law enforcement ever figure out what he really means?
Recently, Eric posted an ad on Craigslist indicating he was willing to trade marijuana for sexual favors from women or money from men. Men who offered up a woman for sex would get a discount.
It’s not prostitution. It’s like a date, just weed instead of dinner.
Craigslist is awesome, but with the good comes the moronic. Since the guys who run CL know what will keep them above water, they’ve made a response, and in a big way.
Sweeping new measures are taking effect immediately. CL is will now requires telephone verifications for “erotic services” and will soon start charging a small fee for each of those ads. On top of their built-in flag system, CL is also working with 40 state attorney generals and the NCMEC.
Jim Buckmaster, the no-nonsense CEO of Craigslist said:
Preventing site misuse and improving public safety are our highest priorities.
It’s safe to say that Craigslist is taking its oversight duties seriously. When you consider the millions of legitimate ads and transactions that cross through their site each and every day, the percentage of shady activities is lower than most would believe. Still, it’s nice to see action being taken.
So No More Marijuana Laws, Now What?
November 6th, 2008 by Perry
Massachusetts law enforcement are now pondering what to do with weed in light of the state’s recent passing of marijuana decriminalization.
C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney, said:
I think it makes it more difficult to convince young people that marijuana is really dangerous.
The new law calls for $100 fines for possession, not arrest. Any juveniles caught with possession of marijuana will have their parents or legal guardians notified and be required to complete 10 hours of community service.
But the law also creates practical problems, such as loopholes for both criminals and police officers, as one legal expert ponders.
Mitch Librett, a criminal justice professor at Bridgewater State College, said:
Case law will have to develop in reaction to the new legislation.
Because marijuana remains illegal, Mr. Librett believes police officers would still be in their rights to stop a vehicle. Although this presents unique problems for both sides of the spectrum - smokers & law enforcement - Massachusetts has taken a step in the right direction.
Now the people are paid to protect and defend us need to adjust accordingly…
