To the Editor: As a stay-at-home father of two children, I read Mark Wolfe's Sept. 8 Op-Ed article, "Pot for Parents," with horror. One of my goals as a parent is to model for my children what it means to be an adult. Sometimes that means being silly. Sometimes that means feeling stressed. Always it means showing them that life is complicated but that there are healthy, nonaddictive ways to manage it. Children are far more perceptive than we know. Perhaps those cautionary "voices" Mr. Wolfe writes about are his conscience telling him that his children know something is off about his behavior. Perhaps they are picking up on their dad's approval of drug use to handle problems. That is irresponsible at best, negligent at worst. Rather than medicating away his anxiety, Mr. Wolfe might consider dropping the drug use, exercising more often, going to therapy and finding other healthy ways to help himself. It's what mature adults do. Evanston, Ill., Sept. 8, 2012 [end]
Wakefield - An article asking the town of Wakefield to allow a medical marijuana center to open there - if the statewide ballot question passes - is slated to appear on the warrant during this November's Town Meeting, according to town counsel. Carl Swanson, who heads the National Organization for Positive Medicine, gathered the necessary 10 signatures from Wakefield voters for the article to appear on the Town Meeting warrant. "Under Massachusetts law, any 10 voters can sign a petition to put an article on the next Town Meeting warrant," said Town Counsel Town Mullen. "Mr. Swanson got more than 10 voters to sign it, and the selectmen can't exercise any right to exclude it." [continues 496 words]
If You Voted Again, Would the Results Be Any Different? Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) is thinking the answer is a resounding yes and if he is right, you can say adios to Michigan's Medical Marijuana law approved by over 60 percent of the voters when it was on the ballot. Since that overwhelming yes vote, the law has been battered and bruised. First the local prosecutors had a field day, replicating the good ole days of Elliot Ness when he swash-buckled his way into every illegal speak-easy in the Midwest. [continues 283 words]
I went into criminal justice because I wanted to serve the public. As a corrections official, I thought that by working with inmates I'd be able to help them reintegrate into society, making their lives better and our community safer. I quickly became disillusioned with that noble idea, however, as I saw that rehabilitation, once the overarching goal of the penal system, was increasingly impeded as Oregon's prisons were overrun with people whose only crimes were drug-related. Prison used to be reserved for those who committed what we think of when we hear the word "crime" -- murderers, rapists, thieves. But increasingly during the past 40 years, drug users and low-level dealers who've committed no offense other than succumbing to the medical problem of substance abuse have been joining those ranks. In order to prosecute those committing these consensual crimes, we're using resources -- police time, court time, jail beds -- that could be better spent going after those whose victims are all too real. [continues 484 words]
Other Agenda Topics Include Red Hill Highway Crossing, Oktoberfest Liquor Permit CARBONDALE, Colorado -- A medical marijuana center on the north side of town wants its formal approvals to operate as a dispensary and cultivation facility and is applying for the necessary permits from the Board of Trustees. The CMED MMJ Center, at 615 Buggy Circle, has been operating since the end of June 2010 and has a 22-year lease on the premises, according to a document submitted to the town by John and Karen Salamida, owners of the building. [continues 252 words]
If Oregonians pass Measure 80 in the November election, the state would legalize marijuana for adults, but more importantly to Todd Dalotto, it would open the doors for medical research on the plant. "If it's free from legal roadblocks, then patients can benefit greatly from the research that takes place in horticulture, in medicine," Dalotto said Monday in front of the City Club of Corvallis. "Unfortunately, clinical research is hindered to a prohibitive degree, mainly because of federal prohibition." Dalotto, a longtime cannabis horticultural researcher and president of CAN! Research, Education and Consulting in Corvallis, offered his take on Measure 80 to the group on Monday. Sandee Burbank, executive director of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse, also spoke in favor of the measure at the club's monthly meeting. [continues 391 words]
Badal (Muktsar), Sept 11 - Alarmed over massive inflow of narcotic drugs into Punjab in recent years, police officers from three states today decided to share information every fortnight and cut supply and escape routes of narcotic smugglers on the run. Inspector General Nirmal Singh Dhillon said the police officers have identified 48 sensitive points used by criminals on Punjab's border with Haryana and Rajasthan. He said the drug route stretched from Rajasthan to Punjab and Haryana via Kandu Khera village in Muktsar district. [continues 345 words]
BOSTON -- The chairman of insurance giant Progressive Corp. this year provided another $465,000 for a ballot question to legalize medical marijuana in Massachusetts. Peter B. Lewis, who supports medical marijuana, has now contributed $990,000, including $525,000 last year, to the Committee for Compassionate Medicine, the organization leading the effort to legalize medical marijuana in Massachusetts. Lewis is nonexecutive chairman of Progressive, which is based in Mayfield Village, Ohio. This Associated Press file photo shows marijuana plants in Seattle at a medical marijuana growing operation. Tax enforcers have started auditing medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington, escalating a dispute over whether the outlets should be collecting money for state government. [continues 392 words]
WASHINGTON - The Caravan for Peace arrived in Washington, the last stop on its tour of the United States, during which families of the victims of violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have marked "an end and a beginning" with their condemnation of the war on drugs. After traveling more than 10,000 kilometers (6,000 miles) and stopping in 26 cities, the 110 participants in the caravan led by Mexican poet Javier Sicilia arrived in the United States capital. [continues 434 words]
Amendment 64 Would Let Adults Possess an Ounce of Marijuana Gov. John Hickenlooper said Wednesday he opposes Amendment 64, a November ballot measure that would legalize limited possession of marijuana for adults in Colorado. "Colorado is known for many great things-marijuana should not be one of them," Hickenlooper said in a statement. "Amendment 64 has the potential to increase the number of children using drugs and would detract from efforts to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. It sends the wrong message to kids that drugs are OK." [continues 271 words]
The confusing contradictions regarding medical marijuana regulations may see a little more clarity if new regulations proposed today take effect. An intergovernmental team consisting of City staff and representatives from the Mayor's office, City Councilmembers and the City Attorney are begining discussions on potential legislation establishing zoning regulations for growing, processing, and dispensing of medical marijuana in Seattle. In a press release announcing the new direction for the City they said: "Medical marijuana providers operate in a grey area between city, state and federal law," said Mayor McGinn. "This proposal is an attempt to better define appropriate operations for dispensaries. We look forward to hearing from the public on this approach." [continues 364 words]
Ordinance Would Shut Down Shops That Don't Pay All City Taxes SAN JOSE - In an effort to crack down on San Jose businesses - particularly medical marijuana shops - that skirt city tax laws, three City Council members are proposing an ordinance that would shut them down for not paying local taxes. Council members Sam Liccardo, Rose Herrera and Pierluigi Oliverio cited "millions" in business taxes not being paid in the past year alone by marijuana clubs as required under Measure U. [continues 574 words]