While it remains true that there are concerns over long-term risks, and that an unlucky few will always die as a result of taking the drug, clubbers planning to take ecstasy at the weekend now have one less thing to worry about. This week scientists were forced to admit that an alarming study suggesting that a single tablet could cause irreversible brain damage (and trigger the onset of Parkinson's disease) was nonsense. The results of the experiments provoked dire warnings of the dangers of the drug last year, but it has now emerged that a labelling error meant the scientists were not testing ecstasy, but a different substance entirely - one that was already known to cause brain damage. [continues 407 words]
Though in Seattle to promote a federal program to fight drug abuse, the nation's drug czar yesterday took time to criticize Initiative 75, which would have the city's police turn a blind eye to marijuana use. "It is a symptom of living in the past and in ignorance," said John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. "If you understand substance abuse is a disease, why would you want to foster that disease?" State Sen. Jeanne Kohl Welles, a Seattle Democrat who supports I-75, said the initiative is about adjusting resources, not fostering drug use. [continues 302 words]
White House drug czar John Walters yesterday condemned a Seattle ballot initiative aimed at making marijuana possession the lowest law-enforcement priority, calling it a "con" and a "silly and irresponsible game." In Seattle yesterday and today to meet with local officials involved with drug treatment, law enforcement and homeland security, Walters talked of the dangers of marijuana, of increased pot use among teenagers and what he views as society's too-frequent attempts to forgive and condone. The initiative on Tuesday's ballot, he said, is "designed to send a message that marijuana is a trivial matter." [continues 290 words]
If you were living in Holland, as of last week Monday, your medical doctor could legally write you a prescription for ganja (marijuana) if you were suffering from the severe nausea or pain associated with diseases such as cancer, Tourette's syndrome, AIDS or multiple sclerosis. The Cannabis, with the active chemical, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), would be measured out by your pharmacist into nicely-labelled containers and your health insurance would cover the cost. Australia, Canada, Germany and several states in the United States also allow the restricted use of medicinal marijuana or its active chemical. [continues 521 words]
Cops hit marijuana plantations. Raids across province net 29,000 plants nearly ready to be marketed on the street A bumper crop was harvested across Quebec yesterday but the product will never find its way to market. Throughout the day, police officers turned into field workers as they tore up more than 29,000 marijuana plants in 71 locations across the province. By last night, at least six people had been arrested in what was dubbed Operation Shears. Police said most of those arrested were guarding pot fields with firearms. In one case, officers found three guard dogs protecting a small plantation. [continues 276 words]
A 43-year-old arthritis sufferer who told the police he used cannabis and methamphetamine to relieve pain was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment yesterday. Michael John Carman appeared in the Auckland District Court with his neck in a brace and using a walking frame. The court heard that should he fall he could die. Carman, a self-employed technician, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, supplying methamphetamine, possession of cannabis for supply and possession of precursor substances and equipment for the manufacture of methamphetamine. [continues 466 words]
The budget priorities of the Florida Department of Corrections can't get much more shortsighted or skewed. Just weeks after a special session of the Legislature approved an emergency authorization of $66-million to add 4,000 new prison beds, the department has announced deep cuts in court-ordered drug treatment programs statewide. A more backward approach to criminal justice could hardly be fashioned. Nonprofit drug treatment providers around the state were notified late last week of $7-million in budget cuts they would collectively have to bear. For Operation PAR, the largest drug treatment provider in Pinellas and Pasco counties, that means a cut of 60 beds from its 195-bed inpatient facility and the elimination of most of its outpatient services. Similar cuts are being made by service providers around the state. [continues 395 words]
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Tommy Chong, who played one half of the dope-smoking duo in the Cheech and Chong movies, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison and fined $20,000 Thursday for selling bongs and other drug paraphernalia over the Internet. The 65-year-old was allowed to remain free until federal prison officials tell him in a few weeks where he must report to prison. Chong also forfeited about $100,000 for his arrest on federal drug paraphernalia charges. He'll spend a year on probation after he's released from prison. [continues 212 words]
GULFPORT, MS-Narcotics officers thought they had made a big bust when they seized 500 suspicious plants from Marion Waltman. Authorities say the plants looked like marijuana, but they turned out to be protein plants used to bulk up deer. Waltman says the kenaf plant does look like marijuana. "But it has seven leaves at the top and okra-looking leaves at the bottom," he said. "Marijuana only has five leaves. Any drug officer should have been able to figure it out." [continues 190 words]
