Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Dianne Feinstein are united in their opposition to ceding the war on drugs. Last week, they sent a joint letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and one to Attorney General Eric Holder expressing their concerns that the legalization of marijuana in some states is in direct conflict with international conventions. Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, completely agrees. But how to remedy that contention? That's where their agreement ends. Sen. Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Feinstein of California, in their letters to Kerry and Holder, argue that the Obama administration's decision not to interfere with states legalizing recreational marijuana makes it difficult for the United States to then defend "compliance" with the United Nations conventions on narcotics, which say marijuana should be limited to scientific and medical use. [continues 862 words]
A senior-level diplomat was grateful there was no mention of his time as U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. It's a post he'd just as soon forget. William Brownfield, assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs, began his remarks at a congressional hearing on U.S.Mexico relations on Tuesday thanking the panel for not bringing up that time in his life. "May I open by thanking you for not drawing attention during your introduction to my three years as U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, a period and a performance which richly merits not being remembered for centuries and centuries to come," he said to laughter. [continues 844 words]
The federal government is going to grow a whole lot more weed. Call it supply and demand. The Drug Enforcement Administration has approved an increase in the government's research marijuana quota from 21 kilograms to 650 kilograms this year. With 21 states and the District having legalized the drug for medicinal needs, and two states allowing it for recreational use, the demand for research has mushroomed. "The aggregate production quota for marijuana should be increased in order to provide a continuous and uninterrupted supply of marijuana in support of DEA-registered researchers who are approved by the Federal Government to utilize marijuana in their research protocols," according to a Federal Register report published Monday. [continues 816 words]
The flag flying over the Capitol on the Fourth of July might look like your typical Old Glory. But you probably won't notice the fibers that make it special. It's believed to be the first hemp flag to flutter over the dome since the government began outlawing marijuana's less-recreational cousin back in the 1930s. Colorado hemp advocate Michael Bowman is the man responsible for getting the flag, made from Colorado-raised hemp and screen-printed with the Stars and Stripes, up there. [continues 650 words]
It was rematch time for the White House softball team, which, as you might recall, got smoked last summer by a squad fielded by a coalition of pro-marijuana groups. The two teams squared off again Wednesday night at the field on the Ellipse, just off the White House's front lawn, and again the One Hitters - you guessed it, that's the pot lobby's team - beat STOTUS, which is shorthand for "softball team of the U.S." This time, however, the margin was a respectable 5-2 - a vast improvement over last year's 25-3 drubbing. [continues 817 words]
Former associate attorney general and convicted felon Webb Hubbell, now working for an insurance agency, has an important message for marijuana smokers: You don't have to quit to get life insurance. "If you've been declined for life insurance or are paying above-market premiums or simply want to know" about life insurance for "responsible" marijuana smokers, then give him a call, he says on an "audio message" he made for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws' Web site to explain its new life insurance program. [continues 493 words]
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service folks can forget about online gambling or learning about cultivating weed or watching porn at work. There's a new computer filter that will "block inappropriate use of the Internet," acting deputy director Kenneth B. Stansell writes in a recent memo. Yes, indeed, it's time to focus on fish and furry creatures. "What types of websites will be blocked?" the memo asks. Plenty of your favorites, is the answer. Sites with "nude or semi-nude human forms" or ones "that describe sexual acts or activity," as well as those focused on "sex-oriented businesses such as clubs, nightclubs and escort services." [continues 136 words]
Seems James L. Stone, deputy administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, has been working hard to rein in one of his program chiefs, Beverly Watts Davis, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Stone, a New York mental health official, and Davis, who headed a San Antonio anti-drug effort, were appointed to their jobs in May 2003. Davis, Stone explained in two e-mail memos to SAMHSA chief Charles Curie, tended to "go off the reservation" and show up late for meetings. [continues 440 words]
Many observers are saying Tuesday's results show a sweeping endorsement of traditional values and a rejection of wishy-washy liberalism. On the other hand, folks at the Marijuana Policy Project are high-fiving big-time with wins in at least 17 of 20 contests in places such as Montana and Columbia, Mo. Montana approved a medical marijuana measure by 62 to 38 percent, the MPP pointed out, and folks in Columbia (Colombia?) passed a medical marijuana proposal and backed another measure that replaces jail time with a maximum $250 fine for marijuana possession. [end]
The Medical Marijuana PAC made its first contributions last week, saying it would back medical marijuana supporters in close races. The first batch of $1,000 contributions went to a bipartisan group of six candidates in close races. It's "the next step in the evolution of medical marijuana as a political issue," the Marijuana Policy Project's Steve Fox said in announcement, adding that public support for medical marijuana is in the 75 to 80 percent range. Even so, three of the six -- Reps. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.), Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) -- just said no . . . thanks. [end]
Congress has been working overtime and, doggone it, deserves a spring break. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) has what looks to be a very fine suggestion. "HAVE YOU EVER SPENT A NIGHT IN THE JUNGLE OR SEEN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS?" Weldon asks in a "Dear Colleague" letter he sent around last week. Well, now's your chance to do both. "From the oil spill in the Galapagos Islands to the drug war in Colombia and Ecuador, U.S. involvement in Latin America has been growing," Weldon writes. Why be left out? [continues 274 words]
Still no word on a Bush drug czar (officially director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy), but the White House is working hard on it. For example, Maricopa County (Ariz.) Attorney Rick Romley is said to have met the week before last with White House officials for about 90 minutes. Though not a household name, Romley is known in drug control circles for aggressively prosecuting methamphetamine lab operators and for pushing first-time, nonviolent drug users away from criminal trials and into court-supervised treatment programs. [continues 55 words]
Nick Thimmesch, the conservative political operative and communications consultant who worked in the Reagan White House and for Rep. Steve Largent (R-Okla.), among others, has closed up his consulting shop and become communications director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. (Read that sentence again.) Been smoking something? No, says Thimmesch: "I still believe in GOP causes, but I have always been personally opposed to the so-called 'War on Drugs.' " It's a libertarian-type thing. But NORML? Thimmesch says he's already feeling comfortable in his new job. Said Thimmesch: "Well, at least I knew I would pass their drug testing policy." [end]
"Barry," President Clinton said, turning to White House drug control policy director Barry R. McCaffrey at last week's Cabinet meeting, "did you and Donna have a good time at the Olympics?" McCaffrey, who accompanied Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala on the delegation to Australia, launched into a lengthy review of his schedule there, including meetings with anti-drug officials, with WADA--the World Anti-Doping Agency--a news conference with Olympic marathoner Frank Shorter on drugs and sports, and on and on and on. [continues 163 words]
"Barry," President Clinton said, turning to White House drug control policy director Barry R. McCaffrey at last week's Cabinet meeting, "did you and Donna have a good time at the Olympics?" McCaffrey, who accompanied Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala on the delegation to Australia, launched into a lengthy review of his schedule there, including meetings with anti-drug officials, with WADA--the World Anti-Doping Agency--a news conference with Olympic marathoner Frank Shorter on drugs and sports, and on and on and on. [continues 164 words]
Shocking news from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: "Marijuana & Alcohol Combined Increase Impairment." The stunning revelation--finally dispelling the collegiate myth that a beer and a joint cancel each other out--comes from an NHTSA-backed study conducted by the Institute for Human Psychopharmacology at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The study is "the second of a series of studies . . . to assess the separate and combined effects of marijuana and alcohol on driving," a June NHTSA newsletter says. The three studies will cost a total $620,000, and that's "money well spent," NHTSA spokesman Timothy Hurd said yesterday. [continues 746 words]
Even for veteran observers, Washington is a city of surprises. Just when you think you've seen the most absurd, something new appears. For example, Dan Buck has witnessed his share of foolishness after more than 20 years watching the House in action under both Republicans and Democrats. Buck was a top aide to former representative Pat Schroeder (D-Colo.). He's also an avid hiker, with an affinity for Latin America. Seems hikers and climbers in Bolivia have long been able to buy very accurate, detailed topographical maps from the Instituto Geo-grafico Militar in La Paz. But these very maps are secret and off-limits to the American public. [continues 770 words]
Washington may be focused on the House Judiciary Committee these days, but other issues still stay on the front burner for many Americans. One of those issues, of course, is drug use, especially among teenagers. And there's a handy, 66-page pamphlet to be had on this matter called "How Parents Can Help Children Live Marijuana Free." The primer was published last year by Gerald Smith, director of the criminology program at the University of Utah, and others. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), in a prefatory "Letter to Parents," says "a morally deprived society . . . has chosen to embrace, rather than attack, this plague" of marijuana abuse. [continues 141 words]
