WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Wednesday rejected a Democratic effort to add $600 million to a bipartisan bill targeting heroin and opioid abuse. Supporters of the immediate funding won a majority of the Senate votes. But the 48-to-47 tally fell short of the 60 votes required for an attempt by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, to add the money. Shaheen praised the underlying bill, which has sweeping bipartisan backing, but said "the reality is unless we provide the resources to make these programs work it's like giving a drowning person a life preserver that has no air in it." [continues 188 words]
Now in her late 20s, Jessica has smoked cannabis since she was 19, describing it as a "creative drug" and a mind-opening experience. She strongly favours legalisation of the drug but rarely consumes it these days. "I only smoke a little now because I discovered I have a heart condition and I tend to get heart pains when I smoke too much," she says. Jessica, who asks that her last name not be disclosed, is one of 16 long-term cannabis users whose portraits feature in an exhibition at a Sydney gallery next month. [continues 552 words]
WASHINGTON (AP) - Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined forces with Democrats in a Friday morning House vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that permit the use of medical marijuana. The 219-189 vote came as the Republican-controlled House debated a bill funding the Justice Department's budget. Forty-nine Republicans joined all but 17 Democrats in approving a provision to block the Justice Department from interfering with state laws permitting the "use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana." [continues 497 words]
WASHINGTON (AP) - Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined forces early Friday morning with Democrats in an early morning House vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that permit the use of medical marijuana. The unusual coalition produced a surprising 219- 189 vote in the GOP- controlled House that reflects more permissive public attitudes toward medical pot use. It ran counter to the drug's official classification as holding "no currently accepted medical use" and a "high potential for abuse." [continues 567 words]
WASHINGTON (AP) - Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined forces with Democrats in a Friday morning House vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that permit the use of medical marijuana. The 219-189 vote came as the Republican-controlled House debated a bill funding the Justice Department's budget. Forty-nine Republicans joined all but 17 Democrats in approving a provision to block the Justice Department from interfering with state laws permitting the "use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana." [continues 456 words]
WASHINGTON (AP) - Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined forces early Friday morning with Democrats in an early morning House vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that permit the use of medical marijuana. The unusual coalition produced a surprising 219-189 vote in the GOP-controlled House that reflects more permissive public attitudes toward medical pot use. It ran counter to the drug's official classification as holding "no currently accepted medical use" and a "high potential for abuse." [continues 563 words]
Budget concerns mean crazy things for Texas. One of these crazy plans deals with releasing people from prison in order to save the state some money. "Texas lawmakers have been discussing the possibility of releasing more nonviolent prisoners early to help the state deal with a projected $15 billion budget shortfall," according to the Houston Chronicle. The implication of releasing non-violent prisoners is something that should be given a lot of thought. Depending upon how long of a sentence they have already served, some of these people may get parole and then immediately return to their criminal ways. Others whom have served sentences of various lengths may be unfit for society after their prison experience. [continues 349 words]
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Wednesday voted to continue to allow federal prosecution of those who smoke marijuana for medical purposes in states with laws that permit it. A year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can prosecute medical marijuana users, even when state laws allow doctor-prescribed use of the drug. By a 259-163 vote, the House again turned down an amendment that would have blocked the Justice Department from prosecuting people in the 11 states with such medical marijuana laws. [continues 191 words]
Norm Stamper suggests that we "police the industry much as alcohol-beverage-control agencies keep a watch on bars and liquor stores at the state level." Having been chief of police in Seattle, Stamper could well have been thinking of the Washington State Liquor Control Board, which is charged with both regulating and promoting liquor and tobacco (and the tax revenues we get from them). This joint mission, of both promoting and regulating potentially dangerous substances, is in obvious conflict with our country's general governmental philosophy of checks and balances, and is a fundamentally flawed mechanism to regulate such enterprises. [continues 70 words]
WASHINGTON -- Yes, the government can make a federal case out of medical marijuana use, the House said Wednesday. Less than a week ago, the Supreme Court ruled that the government can medical marijuana users, even when state laws permit doctor-prescribed use of the drug. In response, the House rejected a bid by advocates to undercut the decision. By a 264-161 vote, the House turned down an amendment that would have blocked the Justice Department from prosecuting people in the 10 states where the practice is legal. [continues 268 words]
