A new BC Hydro smart metering program is proving a boon for Prince George as contractor Corix Utilities sets up shop in the city to switch more than 100,000 northern B.C. metering devices. The initiative also promises to be a source of great savings for the province and a headache for marijuana grow operators, said B.C. Hydro smart meter project manager Gary Murphy. Prince George is the new northern base of operations for the new smart metering program recently initiated for the entire province. [continues 512 words]
CHICO - A letter from the Department of Justice stating its concern for Chico's medical marijuana plan did not stop the City Council from passing the ordinance Tuesday. Council members voted 4-3 to adopt the ordinance that would allow two dispensaries of 10,000 square feet or fewer each to open in the city. The dispensaries would have to go through a public hearing process and get approval from council. Mayor Ann Schwab and Councilmen Bob Evans and Mark Sorensen dissented. [continues 575 words]
Our 40 year war on drugs is proof of failure. Portugal is an example of an alternative. It is time for an exit strategy from our longest, costliest war! Everyone knows that the war on drugs is a failure. Despite more than $40 billion spent every year on the U.S. drug war and 500,000 people behind bars on drug related offenses, drugs are as available as ever. But what is the alternative? What would happen if a society decided to treat drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue? What if we stopped the futile effort of using force to decrease drug consumption? What if we decriminalized drugs, not just marijuana, but all drugs like heroin, cocaine and meth? [continues 476 words]
By Keeping Marijuana Illegal We Are Actually Giving Our Children Easier Access To It. Last year I had the honor of being one of the many former police officers who served as a spokesperson for the Yes on 19 marijuana legalization campaign in California. During that effort I learned a lot about politics, and one of the biggest lessons was that many of the proponents of marijuana legalization need to learn how to talk more effectively with social conservatives. I am not just talking about Republicans. Many of the older Democratic Latinos and African Americans that voted against Prop. 19 would be considered "social conservatives." Remember, this is the same group of voters that helped pass Prop. 8, the initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California in 2008. [continues 651 words]
I justt don't understand the logic of the pothead legalization crowd. They use the same old worn out line "if the government would just legalize pot, they'd be swimming in new revenues and end deficits." The opposite is true - the more revenue that comes in the more governments spend (and then some). Plus, the pot growers don't want it made legal - they don't want Uncle Jerry regulating their fertilizers, water and the huge amount of electric power they waste. The solution is for governments to keep pot illegal and balance their budgets - not to create new revenues by creating new potheads. M. James Currier Nevada City [end]
RED BLUFF - After more than a year of discussion and deliberation, the Tehama County Board of Supervisors last week decided to ban zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries. Planning commissioners recommended the ban June 9, rather than an alternative ordinance that would heavily regulate dispensaries. Several people spoke about the issue, mostly in support of a ban. The one exception was resident Richard Clapp who argued that the only thing a pot overdose does is cause sleep, while other drugs can kill. [continues 136 words]
Kent Police served search warrants at four medical marijuana businesses Wednesday afternoon, according to a city of Kent media release. The businesses, all located in the Kent Valley, have been the subject of an ongoing investigation for selling medicinal marijuana in violation of state law. The search warrants are the city's latest step in a process that began with notice to marijuana dispensary owners they must close or face the loss of their business licenses and potential criminal charges. The Kent City Council passed a six-month emergency moratorium Tuesday on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collective gardens and dispensaries within the city limits on a 5-2 vote. [continues 210 words]
MARYSVILLE -- With a number of statewide ballot measures seeking to put the issue of marijuana legalization up to a vote in Washington, the city of Marysville is weighing whether it should take action of its own. On June 22, the "New Approach Washington" group filed for an initiative to legalize the growth, processing and sale of marijuana, in regulated stores to adults 21 years or older, which would allow the state Legislature to enact it themselves or put it on next year's ballot. [continues 133 words]
It was interesting to learn in last week's Castlegar News that the RCMP will be expanding their role by providing educational services in the public schools with their new initiative, the "Charter of Commitments and Principles." Their effort to connect with the universities and become a more visible entity in our school system appears to be a benefit to communities. This format has been endorsed by school boards, business, and social organizations that would like to see some positive outcomes for integrating young people into our society. Considering the amount of "dysfunction" manifesting as violence, which the RCMP must deal with, it is not surprising that they would like to participate in the area of social development. [continues 551 words]
To the Castlegar News editor, Re: 'Police strike new charter with schools and community groups' (June 30). Again with the D.A.R.E. nonsense? How many times does a program have to fail before it is abandoned? The problem with most drug "education" aimed at young people is that it mostly consists of fear-mongering: "Don't! Or you will get in medical, social, or legal trouble!" Indoctrinations, certificates, slogans, promises and vows -- all of it has proven to be of little help and at least some harm. Don't believe me? Since D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) first started in the mid-1980s, drug use among Canadian teens has quadrupled! [continues 338 words]
The head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told congressional investigators he wasn't to blame for a troubled gun-tracking operation, saying he wasn't aware of its details until after public questions had been raised. Kenneth Melson, the acting ATF director, in his first detailed comments on the gun program, contradicted testimony and documents previously released by lawmakers suggesting he was more familiar with the initiative known as Fast and Furious. Sen. Charles Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa, both Republicans, released details Wednesday of the Melson interview, which took place Monday, in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. [continues 329 words]
