SF to Go Dutch on Prostitution Policy, Maybe
October 23rd, 2008 by Perry
The American city that continues to embody and pioneer radical left-wing politics, is at it again. On the November ballot, its citizens could be the first in the country to have legalized prostitution.
If Proposition K passed, the measure would prohibit local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone for selling sex. Advocates say it would free up roughly $11 million the police spend each year arresting prostitutes, and allow them to form collectives.
And let’s not forget about the working girl’s perspective. “It will allow workers to organize for our rights and for our safety,” said Patricia West, 22, who said she has been selling sex for about a year by placing ads on the internet. She moved to San Francisco in May from Texas to work on Proposition K.
Genius Calls 911 After DEA Confiscates Stash
November 21st, 2006 by Alex
It’s a well known fact that marijuana use is the most freely tolerated in San Francisco and its surrounding areas. They have a liberal mayor and supportive government. Well, those things can only take you so far when the big, bad federal watchdogs are around.
This one is almost too funny to be true, but some unlucky son of a bitch in San Francisco got a seriously raw deal. Walking near the Philip Burton Federal Building around 1PM, a 20 year old, un-identified man was carrying his baby - a box filled with 1.5 pounds of herb and 12 ounces of hash - to the local marijuana co-op. His plan was to sell the greenage for $4,000 a pound and use it to fund a snowboarding trip to Tahoe. Unfortunately, he never got that far.
DEA agents, also near the federal building, were going to lunch when they smelled the un-mistakable stank of buddha. Seeing this man carrying a box with a well known hydroponics logo on it, they asked him to show its contents. Figuring this was San Francisco, and everyone smoked, he showed them the greenery. Big mistake. The DEA agents flashed their badges and confiscated his crop. It wasn’t enough marijuana to prosecute under federal law, but the government still considers it contraband, so it was taken anyway.
Most people would curse their luck and go home, but not this dude. He followed the DEA agents back to the federal building and tried to go in through the employee entrance. When he finally got the picture that he wasn’t getting his herb back, he called 911 and tried to convince the police to come out and get it back for him. Which, of course, they didn’t do.
Sucks to be that guy. But, maybe this has taught him to be a little more low-profile with his crop in the future.
[via ContraCostaTimes]
San Fran Decriminalizes It
November 15th, 2006 by Tim
De-prioritization makes its way to San Francisco as the Board of Supervisors pass more lenient guidelines to restructure marijuana policy. This would probably be bigger news if drug usage wasn’t such a serious part of San Fran culture already, taking into account that people there smoke crack so casually. Nevertheless, these are positive signs towards imminent legalization and I think that’s progressive.
Slow down buddy, it’s not all roses and fairytales. There are still laws that remain in place to punish obvious criminal acts: driving under the influence, possession or use by minors, and if marijuana is the source of a public safety threat. Public safety threat? On pot? Well, anything is possible I suppose.
This change in policy has some critics believing the law has become too tolerant and almost allows a free-for-all. Kim Stryker, Fair Oaks Community Coalition said:
There’s no reason to get a permit for a medical facility, there’s no reason to get a medical card - you just go to your neighbor and buy what you want in unlimited amounts according to this legislation.
Reminiscent of the newly approved laws in Santa Cruz, there is always going to be some backlash while people adjust. Still, this is damn good news.
[via ABC 7]
