cannabisnews.com: Committee Combats Drug Efforts Committee Combats Drug Efforts Posted by FoM on June 14, 2001 at 08:18:46 PT By Lucinda Tyler Source: Idaho Statesman Boise Mayor Brent Coles and a committee made up mostly of law enforcement officials challenged Idaho city leaders Wednesday to work to stop efforts to legalize marijuana before they become legislative or election issues. The committee, which Coles said has no official name, has been preparing to launch the "Don't Sign On" anti-marijuana law reform for about 18 months, Coles said. Coles and law enforcement officials made their pitch at a seminar during the annual Association of Idaho Cities conference now under way at the Nampa Civic Center. "We know we are the next target," Idaho State Police Deputy Director Glenn Ford told about 60 assembled city officials. He pointed to recent successful campaigns in other western states -- Oregon, California, Colorado and Nevada among them -- to legalize at least some element of marijuana consumption or cultivation. "We want to fire the first shot," Ford said. It will be difficult for some to resist putting legalization of recreational, industrial or medical uses of cannabis sativa -- including the far-less-potent variety know as hemp -- up for a vote of the people, because having such a vote would seem to be the American way, said Suzanne Burton, Coles' administrative assistant. "Be politically incorrect," Burton said. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency representative Larry Hedberg presented video and statistical evidence of how marijuana law reform organizers and financiers have come out on the winning side of popular votes in Arizona and California. Their tactics have included what he called "very expensive, prime-time media blitzes" that bowl over ill-prepared opposition with "half-truths." "You're it, ladies and gentlemen," Coles told seminar participants. "You have to get this started in your community." An anti-drug legalization video and a book of related data to refute legalization arguments were handed out to seminar participants. "You'll notice this material is not copyrighted," ISP Maj. Dan Charboneau said. "Copy it, distribute it, talk about it in your home town." Middleton City Councilman Clair Tepfer said he intends to do just that. "I worked hard on the 'Enough is Enough' (anti-drug) campaign," Tepfer said. "It seems this is at least as important." The Idaho Statesman For more information: Additional information about the "Don't Sign On" anti-marijuana campaign is available through Boise Mayor Brent Coles' office, 150 N. Capitol Blvd., or by calling 384-4422; and from the Association of Idaho Cities, 3314 Grace St., Boise, or by calling 344-8594. Note: Boise's Coles, others don't want reform of marijuana laws.Source: Idaho Statesman, The (ID)Published: Lucinda TylerPublished: Thursday, June 14, 2001 Copyright: 2001 The Idaho StatesmanContact: editorial boise.gannett.comWebsite: http://www.idahostatesman.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by sm247 on June 14, 2001 at 23:58:17 PT Idaho is mars for "hemp" lol j/k Just say NO to Idaho !!! Since hearing about Vancouver B.C.and pot-tv.net I sure am lookin for Canadian products to buy... Do they grow tators too or just good ol hemp???? [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by DdC on June 14, 2001 at 22:28:12 PT Just Do Nothing RAC...KET...EER's Club! Free the POW's http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/36/36684.gifI LOST MY FREEDOM Linxhttp://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionlinx.showMessage?topicID=22.topicBad Rulinghttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/36/36627.gifRAC...KET...EERINGhttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/36/36123.gifhttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/message.shtml?1x36121Just do Nothing DM'shttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/36/36079.gifhttp://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionstuff.showMessage?topicID=117.topicNo Knockhttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35749.gifW's Position on MMJhttp://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35139.gifWhen in W, Esklate!http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/34/34886.gifAtlas Shruggedhttp://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27571.gifOur Duty Jdg Harlan http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27185.gif [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Rambler on June 14, 2001 at 20:03:14 PT Any Ideas " The committee, which Coles said has no official name, has been preparing to launch the "Don't Sign On" anti-marijuana law reform for about 18 months, Coles said." I can think of some names for this "commitee". [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Dan Hillman on June 14, 2001 at 19:16:57 PT Why cops wanna make law: the "dark side". Ex-rookie Cop tells of Police Abuse, Attacks and Filing of false reportsHenry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer. Friday, June 8, 2001 Oakland -- The former rookie Oaklandpolice officer whose accusations set off acriminal probe of four officers known as "theRiders," described in court yesterday how aman screamed in pain as officerspepper-sprayed, punched and kicked him afterplanting drugs on him. In his first court appearance, Keith Batt, 24,who quit the Oakland force and is now aPleasanton police officer, wore his uniformas he testified how officers forced him to lieon police reports, told him to ignore what hehad learned in the police academy and openlyjoked about the man's beating. Clad in suits, former officers Matt Hornung,29, Clarence "Chuck" Mabanag, 35, and JudeSiapno, 32, watched impassively and tooknotes as Batt stole glances at them inAlameda County Superior Court in Oakland. Batt said Siapno repeatedly asked whether hewas ready for the "dark side." "The dark side was illegal activitiescommitted by police officers, excessive useof force, lying in police reports, things of thatnature," said Batt, who notified the departmentabout what he saw. Batt's testimony against former colleagues --highly unusual in that he broke the code ofsilence -- came on the fifth day of apreliminary hearing into charges that theRiders assaulted, lied in reports or planteddrugs on West Oakland residents lastsummer. A fourth defendant, Francisco Vazquez, 44,the alleged leader of the Riders, is a fugitive. When the hearing ends nextweek, Judge Leo Dorado must decide whetherthere is enough evidence to try the threeformer officers. Batt testified how his nine-week introductionto street patrol was rife with misconduct byother officers, with the most serious caseinvolving the alleged police beating ofDelphine Allen, 21, on June 27. Batt said he was instructed by Vazquez to "gethim" by handcuffing Allen near his home onthe 800 block of 32nd Street. Vazquezslapped Allen on the back of his head andcalled him a "m-- f--," prompting Allen torespond, "It ain't gonna be like that, Vazquez.I'm gonna catch you slipping." That angered Vazquez, who then droppeddrugs on the ground for Batt to find and thentold Allen in the back of a patrol car that hewas going to be arrested on drug charges, Batttestified. Allen became irate, kicking at thewindows of the car, Batt said. Vazquez and Siapno then pulled a handcuffedAllen halfway out of the car before Vazquezpepper-sprayed, punched and kicked him asSiapno struck Allen with a metal club on hisbare feet, according to Batt. "He wasscreaming in pain," Batt said. During a meal break on patrol, Vazquez drew acartoon face, depicting Allen's face as a circle"with one side elongated" and one eye largerthan the other to indicate swelling, and afrown. Batt also revealed how the group came to beknown as the Riders, saying a man who hadbeen stopped by police during the daycommented on how the officers were "socool to me" and that "after midnight, theRiders come" and mistreat people. Batt said he lied on police reports, copyingstatements by Mabanag, his field trainingofficer, and Siapno "word for word" -- downto the exact spacing -- because he feared hewould be fired if he did not. In one case, Batt was told to indicate thatKenneth Soriano, 20, had elbowed him whenhe had not. In other cases, Batt falselyreported that people were seen droppingdrugs on the ground when they had not. Battsaid he was told the reports "had to be writtenthis way" to ensure prosecution. Vazquez allegedly told Batt to "f-- all that s--you learned at the police academy. F--probable cause. We're just going to go out andgrab these m-- f--. " Batt said Vazquez also said, "if you're acoward, I'll terminate you. If you're a snitch,I'll beat you myself, and if you're a criminal,I'll put you in handcuffs and take you to jailmyself. Snitches will lie in ditches." Deputy District Attorney David Hollisterdescribed Batt's testimony as "verycompelling," but Mabanag's attorney, MichaelRains, noted "there is a second half," withcross-examination of Batt set for today. E-mail Henry K. Lee athlee sfchronicle.com. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on June 14, 2001 at 15:55:52 PT Vitamin C Just found the following story which links Vitamin C to damaged DNA. As Richard Cowen says, imagine the difference in spin if this story was about marijuana... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010614/aponline140111_000.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by mayan on June 14, 2001 at 15:41:39 PT Nameless Committee? Are they afraid to be accountable for the bogus propaganda they will certainly distribute? Spineless fascists! Yes, it does seem as though they are on their heels in this case. They know they don't have the support of the citizenry!!! I would love to see this video. I bet it is worth a few laughs anyway. Dan B is right. The truth is on our side & freedom has nothing to fear from the truth. The truth will set us free! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dan Hillman on June 14, 2001 at 12:36:00 PT Cops want to go on murdering. Anyone who's ever been busted for pot and has tried to talk to the arresting cop will hear the following: "hey I don't make the law, I just enforce it. If you want it changed, go to the legislature."But of course, cops have proven that they care very much which way the laws slant, and will ignore the law when it goes against their wishes, as they have proven in countless cases of harrasment, imprisonment and even murder of cannabis patients in states where medical cannabis is legal. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on June 14, 2001 at 12:10:59 PT: Hach Act, Revisited According to the language on the WWW site Observer provided, federal employees can lobby for or against a ballot initiative. However, that does not mean that they should. If they do, it should be mandatory that their information is true and factual, not the kind of propaganda that I suspect is being disseminated (e.g., lies about Dutch and Swiss policies, alleged rises in cannabis use by teens after Prop. 215, etc.). I hope that some industrious soul in Idaho will share with the rest of us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Randøm_ on June 14, 2001 at 11:47:27 PT Into the light of day in Ohio Ahhhh! Do I detect the opressors gathering in little huddles masses to get a little attention for their cause? Well, I for one think that it's great to have "them" starting the underground movements within nameless committees ... an obvious turning of the tables .. it seems "we, the people" are actually on the popular side, finally. As the prior comment to mine so eloquently pointed out, this is introducing the dialouge to the people of Ohio, and that is the first step. "All great journeys begin with but a single step." ~Confuscius (I think). [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by observer on June 14, 2001 at 11:46:15 PT Violates Hatch Act U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency representative Larry Hedberg presented video and statistical evidence of how marijuana law reform organizers and financiers have come out on the winning side of popular votes in Arizona and CaliforniaI don't think it is ... ``The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government . . .''http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm``. . . The Hatch Act also applies to the political activity of certain state and local government employees. Covered employees under the act are persons principally employed by state or local executive agencies in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. ''http://www.osc.gov/hatch_b.htmOf course, we all know what these fascists and secret police really think of the law, haveing seen so many examples. Where it can be plausibly argued that "the law" such agents claim to follow gives government more power over citizens, that's the law that will be mentioned. Laws that restrain government from trampling traditional rights of citizens, on the other hand ... well, they're forgotten every time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by JSM on June 14, 2001 at 09:51:55 PT Dan B Well said Dan. We can not win without dialogue and this is start. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on June 14, 2001 at 09:19:08 PT: Potayto, Potahto Hey, JR, we need to be careful about spelling this word, or be accused of pulling a Dan Quayle. It is:potato, not potatoepotatoes, not potatosWhile we're at it, the history of South American plants is pertinent. Potatoes were embraced by Europeans, but the tomato took a long time to be accepted. Many thought it toxic. Suppose it were outlawed, as is being done with cannabis and products of Erythroxylum coca now: "Law enforcement reported a record seizure of 200 lbs. of tomato paste with a street value of $15,000 ----"Plants are innocent. People make bad laws. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by JJM on June 14, 2001 at 09:15:14 PT: more media Ethan and Dan are right. We need to use this against them, by exposing them. They would do the same for us, if we lied about pot...So, if ANYONE out there has video or audio, feel free to email it to airjose narcosoft.com or snail me US ZIP 32724-3841, and I'll actively make sample tapes and disks, and distribute them freely. Like AOL, only with a green leaf on the cover.Jose Melendez,narcosoft.com technology with substance"We'd rather sell Cannabis." Drug War is INDUSTRY - Arrest Prohibition [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on June 14, 2001 at 09:14:03 PT Famous Potatos >>"You'll notice this material is not copyrighted," ISP Maj. Dan Charboneau said. "Copy it, distribute it, talk about it in your home town." And post it on cannabisnews.com and every other reform website on the planet!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on June 14, 2001 at 08:48:52 PT: Is This Legal? "U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency representative Larry Hedberg presented video and statistical evidence of how marijuana law reform organizers and financiers have come out on the winning side of popular votes in Arizona and California."This may well be a violation of Federal law. In essence, this fellow is legislatively lobbying. His job is to deal with existing law, not influence what he thinks it should be. Perhaps he needs to learn what it means to run afoul of the law.I know of patients from Idaho that have used clinical cannabis. Perhaps they may wish to weigh in on this. Although it may seem surprising, the Lynn Hastings case occurred in Idaho. The Supreme Court of that state ruled that it was a medical necessity for her to smoke cannabis to treat her juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, after a prolonged legal battle in November 1991. The Feds are bucking a trend that has resonated with the public in even the most conservative areas. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dan B on June 14, 2001 at 08:36:14 PT: Believe It Or Not, Good News This article is good news for a couple of reasons. First, we now know just how afraid they are of the truth. Those of us who have been studying this issue for a while know that the side with the "half-truths" is the government's pro-drug-war side, not the people who want to see marijuana legalized. They know that what we have to say is the truth, and that fact forces them into attack-the-messenger mode. They can do no better than that.Second, we know exactly who our enemies are. I would encourage any Idaho residents out there to get hold of one of these videotapes so we can mount an effective point-by-point campaign against them. As mentioned above, the truth is on our side. But it would be nice to know exactly what lies they are spreading so we can effectively counter them.Third, this manipulative action on the part of the Boise government will galvanize people in support of marijuana legalization. It will serve as a call to arms for those who disagree with the way the drug war is currently being handled. In effect, they are drumming up supporters for our side by revealing their lies well in advance of any campaign designed to change the draconian laws there.So, let's get on this, folks. If this is their idea of firing the first volley, we can surely be hopeful in any effort to pass sane marijuana legislation in Idaho.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Post Comment