Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jun 2009
Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
Copyright: 2009 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Russell Lissaum, Daily Herald Staff
Cited: U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk http://www.house.gov/kirk/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Kush

REP. KIRK WANTS TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR SUPER POT

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk and police on Monday warned about a highly potent 
form of marijuana they say is showing up more in the suburbs.

Kirk also unveiled proposed legislation that would create tougher 
criminal penalties for anyone convicted of selling highly potent marijuana.

The drug variety in question, known on the street as Kush, is far 
more intoxicating than what was typically in circulation a decade 
ago, according to a news release from Kirk's office.

Named after a region in the Middle East, Kush has been around for 
years. Officials said it's become more plentiful here recently 
because local drug dealers have discovered it can be more profitable 
than other types of marijuana.

Criminal penalties for dealing the drug also are lighter than those 
for cocaine, said Kirk, a Highland Park Republican.

"Dealers told (police) they were going into Kush because of the light 
sentences," Kirk said.

Kirk talked about the drug and his legislative remedy at a news 
conference in Chicago and in an interview afterward. He was 
accompanied by Waukegan police Chief Artis Yancey and representatives 
from the Lake County sheriff's office and Lake County Metropolitan 
Enforcement Group.

Kush has an unusually high percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol, or 
THC, the main psychoactive substance in marijuana, Kirk said.

Drug producers have been able to make marijuana stronger through 
growing techniques that allow them to control light, temperature and 
other factors, according to the news release.

Kirk backs legislation that would enhance federal drug-trafficking 
penalties to deal with this variety.

Kirk's plan would target people distributing marijuana with a THC 
content of 15 percent or more. The Kush variety, authorities said, 
has a THC content of at least 20 percent.

The law, if passed, would not apply to people convicted merely of possession.

The proposed legislation would increase maximum fines to $1 million 
for an individual or $5 million for a group and would boost maximum 
prison sentences to 25 years.

Penalties would increase for second offenses. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake