Responding to Art Rigsby's letter of June 12 in which he criticized mine of May 20, where I stated marijuana shouldn't be called recreational nor legalized, he states there's been no definitive study proving marijuana is a gateway drug to others. Which also means you can't prove it isn't. If marijuana has any medical benefits, synthetic cannabinoids as a prescription should be sufficient, even though they may take longer to be effective. Smoking anything is bad for our health. [continues 220 words]
In remote mountains at about 7,000 feet, above the small southeast Idaho farm town of Grace, developed one of the largest and more sophisticated criminal enterprises Idaho has recently seen. There must have been some crooked smiles among purveyors of the illicit as they passed through. A mass coalition of law enforcement agencies, including even the state National Guard, swept into the Caribou County backcountry last week and found an estimated 40,000 marijuana plants. Street value estimates in such cases often are inflated, but it had to have been large. There was law enforcement talk of possible connections to a Mexican cartel; the size of the operation would argue in favor of that theory. [continues 435 words]
BOISE -- The Global Marijuana March is slated to rally in Boise today. Supporters will begin gathering at the entrance to Julia Davis Park from 2 to 4 p.m. for the ninth year of the march. They will go to the Statehouse for a rally about 4 p.m. Speakers are scheduled for around 4:20 p.m. "We just try to get people's attention to raise their awareness of whatever they want to know about, whether it's medical, or industrial or even responsible adult use," Rev. Tom Hayes, the march coordinator for Cures Not Wars and a Boise representative for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, said. " We don't condone drug use of any kind, but we do allow people in a free country to be free to express their own opinions." [continues 127 words]
Public Safety: Well-Known Montana-Based Program Features Hard-Hitting Spots In Television And Print IDAHO FALLS -- Gov. Butch Otter plans to meet with the billionaire founder of the Montana Meth Project about launching an in-your-face advertising campaign depicting the perils of methamphetamine in Idaho. Tom Siebel, a part-time Montana resident who founded a software company he later sold to Oracle Corp. for $5.8 billion, created the Montana Meth Project two years ago after meeting with the state's attorney general, Mike McGrath. [continues 412 words]
Canyon County Schools Hope Tulip Bulbs Will Serve Of Reminder Of Red Ribbon Week Goals CANYON COUNTY -- Area schools are putting a new twist on Red Ribbon Week this year. In addition to tying red ribbons in honor of the annual anti-drug campaign, Nampa, Caldwell and Vallivue students are planting hundreds of red tulips on campuses this week. The tulip bulbs are symbolic of their commitment to staying drug- and alcohol-free. Mary Ensley, the Nampa School District's director of student advocacy services, said flower bulbs hold the promise of life when cared for properly. [continues 225 words]
NAMPA -- The tragic death of his son has prompted a nationally known precision aerobatics pilot to dedicate his life's calling to the fight against drugs. Greg Poe, whose Edge 540 is a familiar sight at air shows locally and across the country, kicked off his new program to reduce teen drug abuse Thursday at the Nampa Airport. Poe performed a private air show for a group of students and then shared his anti-drug presentation. "When you pair my travel schedule with the aerial acrobatics, you have a natural attention grabber for young people," he said. "I want to use this incredible opportunity to share personal stories -- and hopefully have a meaningful impact on the lives of kids." [continues 389 words]
SUMMARY: Nevada voters would do well to vote down a Nov. 5 ballot measure that would legalize marijuana possession by adults. First came legalized gambling and prostitution. Next, Nevada may become the nation's first state to allow adults to possess and use marijuana if voters approve an initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot. Under the measure, people over 21 would be allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana - enough for about 100 cigarettes, or "joints." They could smoke it in their homes, but not in cars or public places. The drug would be sold in state-licensed smoke shops and taxed like cigarettes. [continues 282 words]
CALDWELL -- Canyon County Sheriff George Nourse and county attorneys say it's legal to conduct random drug dog searches of vehicles in public and business parking lots, but opponents argue that the plan violates constitutional and privacy rights. Stop illegal drugs, but do it legally, they say. This proposal is appalling and illegal, said Boise attorney Tony Park, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho board president. Nourse "has completely forgotten that he must have probable cause that a crime has been committed before he can effect an arrest," Park said. "The first judge to review the case will throw it out." [continues 546 words]
Sheriff Say Initiative Is 'Heavy Handed' But Necessary CALDWELL -- Canyon County is losing the war against drugs, Sheriff George Nourse said, preparing to launch a heavy handed assault on drug users and dealers. Ten drug dogs, partnered with City-County Narcotics Unit officers, will search for illegal drugs in public parking lots. That could include local shopping centers and event centers. Community reaction is mixed. The county prosecutor praises the plan, but the public defender blasts it. And some local business managers are not convinced the idea is a good one. [continues 654 words]
