cannabisnews.com: 2002: The Year in Marijuana 2002: The Year in Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on January 14, 2003 at 07:41:37 PT By Kristina Ackermann - Staff Writer Source: Daily Nexus International policies on the use and possession of marijuana underwent some major reforms in 2002. Canada and England are leading the way to decriminalization while the United States remains reluctant to accept medicinal uses of the currently illegal drug. Although the issue remains hotly contested, pro-marijuana organizations say they are steadily making ground. Decriminalization, eh? On Dec 9, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announced Canada could do away with criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use as early as this spring. This statement came days before the release of a special House of Commons report recommending Parliament to decriminalize the use and cultivation of marijuana for personal use. This announcement is consistent with a previous study by the Canadian Senate's Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that recommended Parliament regulate the use and distribution of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes for people over 16 years old. Under decriminalization, persons found with small amounts of the drug would receive an administrative fine, but would not be subject to arrest or a criminal record. Keith Stroup, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said Cauchon's statements are "an acknowledgement that criminal marijuana prohibition is more damaging to society than the responsible use of marijuana itself." Stroup said U.S. law enforcement spends $7.5 to $10 billion annually enforcing marijuana laws. According to the FBI, 720,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges in 2001. Rethinking the Law On July 9, England's Home Secretary David Blunkett reaffirmed plans to reclassify marijuana so its possession is no longer a cause for arrest. "The current classification of cannabis is disproportionate in relation to the harm it causes," Blunkett said. "We must concentrate our efforts on the drugs that cause the most harm, while sending a credible message to young people. I will therefore ask Parliament to reclassify cannabis from Class B to Class C." Under British law, Class C is the least harmful category of illegal drugs, punishable by a maximum of two years in prison. Stroup said the policy change is "an honest and common-sense approach that will refocus Britain's drug policies on those substances that cause the greatest harm." Blunkett said he anticipates the new policy to be enacted by July 2003. No Gateway in Sight According to a study released Dec. 2 by RAND, a nonprofit institution dedicated to the improvement of policy and decision-making through research and analysis, marijuana use by adolescents does not lead to the use of harder drugs. This dismissed the "gateway theory" and raised doubts regarding the legitimacy of federal drug policies based on this premise. Using data from the U.S. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, researchers concluded that teenagers who tried hard drugs were predisposed to do so whether or not they tried marijuana. Andrew Morral, associate director of RAND's Public Safety and Justice unit, said the study raises serious questions about the legitimacy of basing national drug policy decisions on the false assumption that marijuana is a gateway drug. "The survey suggests that policies aimed at reducing or eliminating marijuana availability are unlikely to make any dent in the hard drug problem," Morral said. NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said most people who try marijuana never graduate to harder drugs. "Statistically, for every 104 Americans who have tried marijuana, there is only one regular user of cocaine, and less than one user of heroin," St. Pierre said. "For the overwhelming majority of marijuana smokers, pot is clearly a terminus rather than a gateway." Previous studies criticizing the gateway theory include a 2002 Canadian Senate report and a 1999 report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. The latter study concluded that the "most consistent predictors of serious drug abuse appear to be intensity of marijuana use and co-occurring psychiatric disorders or a family history of psychopathology, including alcoholism." Not Just Blowing Smoke In May, GW Pharmaceuticals Executive Chairman Geoffrey Guy announced that nonsmoked, cannabis-based medicines could receive British regulatory approval in 2003. The London-based company is currently testing the efficiency of marijuana extracts for analgesia and symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In Phase 2 trials, nearly 80 percent of patients sustained "clinically significant therapeutic benefit" from the cannabis-based sublingual spray. Benefits include relief from pain, bladder-related symptoms, tremors and a 50 percent reduction in the use of opiates. If the British government licenses the drug, other European nations and Canada are expected to do the same. A Trip to the Doctor's Office Takes On a New Meaning On Oct. 29, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the federal government may not sanction doctors who recommend marijuana therapy to their patients. Possession and use of medicinal marijuana is legal in eight states if a physician recommends it. Chief Judge Mary Schroeder said the federal government's threats to sanction doctors who advised their patients to use medical marijuana "struck at core First Amendment issues of doctors and patients." "A doctor's recommendation does not itself constitute illegal conduct and therefore does not interfere with the federal government's ability to enforce its laws," Schroeder said. Judge Alex Kozinski said locally grown medical marijuana "does not have any direct or obvious effect on interstate commerce; therefore, federal efforts to prohibit it exceed Congress' power under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution." A coalition of California physicians and patients initially challenged the federal policy in 1997 after officials threatened to sanction any doctors who complied with California's Prop 215, the Medical Use of Marijuana Act. Source: Daily Nexus (CA Edu)Author: Kristina Ackermann - Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, January 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 Daily NexusContact: opinion dailynexus.comWebsite: http://www.ucsbdailynexus.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Conant vs. Walters & Judge Kozinskihttp://freedomtoexhale.com//cw.htmCauchon Says Pot Could Be Decriminalized Soon http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14931.shtmlMarijuana No Gateway to Cocaine and Heroinhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14879.shtmlA Win for Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14612.shtmlBritain To Relax Laws for Millions of Dope Smokershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13339.shtml Medical Cannabis on the NHS Moves a Step Closer http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12900.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by druid on January 15, 2003 at 09:51:12 PT Latest Gallup State of the Nation results STATE OF THE NATION * George W. Bush Approval Rating Most Recent Rating: 2003 Jan 10-12 58% Approve 37% Disapprove View full trends: http://www.gallup.com/poll/stateNation/ * "State of the Country" Satisfaction Rating Most Recent: 2002 Dec 5-8 46% Satisfied 51% Dissatisfied View full trends: http://www.gallup.com/poll/stateNation/ * Economic Confidence Ratings Most Recent: 2002 Dec 19-22 24% Excellent/Good 76% Only fair/Poor View full trends: http://www.gallup.com/poll/stateNation/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 18:10:33 PT News from Baptist Press Teen Drug Use, Smoking Declines as Pro-Marijuana Group Goes on OffensiveJan 14, 2003By Erin Curry Copyright: 2001 - 2002 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist PressNASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Fewer teenagers are choosing to use illegal drugs, drink alcohol and smoke, according to an annual survey conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.The declines are being reported at a time when the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has announced a new offensive against the Bush administration's anti-drug policy.The survey for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, known as "Monitoring the Future," is conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and tracks substance abuse among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders using a randomly selected sample of 44,000 students in 400 schools, according to The New York Times Dec. 17. It is said to be the most reliable indicator of teenage substance abuse.Complete Article: http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=15023 [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by The GCW on January 14, 2003 at 17:51:42 PT Richard, thanks for the news. Is it too far fetched to consider immediately starting a (some kind of) counter bomb, phrased or titled as: STOP THE CRACK POT BILL, aimed at stopping crackpot prohibitionists by exposing them as crackpots. Crackpots has the connotation with crack house, with the hook of deflecting and clarifying the attention that the "crack house" phrase many generate which may be more damaging than the rave word. Crackpot has the pot / cannabis hook too.It seems there has been some use of parody or satire to confront the drug warriors, (is it working?) the word crackpot may help with the next round.Crackpot is a fair and accepted way of referring to someone that's crazy.-Commercial:This is the pot. (show image of pure naked plant material)AND This is the crackpot. (show image of John "Pee" Walters, or like...)(teach which one is really more harmful)This is the crackpot responsible (and point).Brainstorming...,If You know someone looking for a new phrase to compete with crackhouse perhaps exposing the crackpot as over zealous is one way to do it. Don't citizens dislike the overzealous? [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by mayan on January 14, 2003 at 17:49:00 PT Thanks! Thanks for the polls,folks & thanks for posting about the RAVE act, Richard! I was just getting ready to post about it but I see you beat me to it! We cannot let it pass!THE RAVE ACT RETURNS: http://www.nomoredrugwar.org/music/rave_act.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Patrick on January 14, 2003 at 17:43:54 PT Latest poll results 8:27pm EST Is Pres. Bush doing a good job? * 36770 responses Yes 49% No 51% [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 17:09:42 PT cannabinol Thank you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by cannabinol on January 14, 2003 at 17:05:14 PT: Colin's current status. Colin was transferred to Sudbury prison on December 16, 2002.He is still in good spirit, and in a better situation in his new 'home', which is more lenient than a regular prison, and meant to prepare Colin on a life in freedom, in a few months.He wrote us a cheerfull letter, he is ready to stand up against his authorities again, for what they have put him through. I think he should have a long holiday on the mainland of Europe first. The Dutch Experience Book. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dumbstruck on January 14, 2003 at 15:58:07 PT: RAVE Act Re-Introduced If I'm remembering the RAVE Act correctly, it seems like that could be used to shut down any music(i.e. rock)concert. Any place they know drugs (i.e. pot) are being used, they could seize. Walters and Ashcroft will pee their pants if this one flies. What's the going rate for a hockey arena now days anyways? 2002: The Year in Marijuana [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 13:57:04 PT Thanks Richard I appreciate the information. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Richard Lake on January 14, 2003 at 13:48:19 PT: FWD: RAVE Act Re-Introduced!! Urgent Action Needed Please take note of this important action alert from the Drug Policy Alliance. This has serious implications for Hempfests and even reform-oriented organizational meetings! The worst part is that the RAVE Act is now part of a Democratic wish list called the "Domestic Security Act." This also a great issue to mobilize students and other like-minded organizations around. This would clearly open-up hesitant venues to hosting NORML benefits since they're affected by this terrible legislation as well.Thanks,Christopher Mulligan NORML ---------------------Last year you helped the Drug Policy Alliance stop the RAVE Act from becoming law. This year supporters of the draconian drug war bill are back with a vengeance. They have stopped calling it the "RAVE Act" and have stuck its provisions in a popular omnibus domestic security bill. This is a common Congressional ploy: put controversial bills that can't go anywhere on their own into important bills, so that Members of Congress are forced to vote for them. Your help is needed to stop these disguised RAVE Act provisions from becoming law!!!The bill, S.22, is sponsored by Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD). The troubling drug war provisions are in the section entitled "Crack House Statute Amendments"ACTIONS TO TAKE*** Call your two Senators. You can contact your Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. To find out who your Senators are go to: http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm. Tell them: 1) You oppose the "crack house statute" amendments in S.22. 2) These provisions are just like the provisions in the RAVE Act last year. 3) The provisions would endanger public health, free speech, and property rights. 4) Urge them to contact Daschle's office and work to get these provisions removed from S.22. ** Fax Senator Daschle (even if he is not one of your two Senators). To fax Senator Daschle go to: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1448.** Please forward this action alert to your friends and family. The Senate needs to know that voters find this bill unacceptable.For more information on the RAVE Act and how the S. 22 "crack house" provisions will affect public health, free speech, and property rights see: http://www.nomoredrugwar.org/music/rave_act.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 13:32:44 PT Nuevo Mexican You're welcome and thanks for the poll you posted. I voted and it appears real close to the MSNBC Poll results. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Nuevo Mexican on January 14, 2003 at 13:27:24 PT Thanks for the poll FOM, here's another! This one is from Netscape: Grade Bush, so far, A: 25%, F: 25% looks like the Freepers are out there! http://home.netscape.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 13:10:57 PT Poll: MSNBC Question of The Day Is Pres. Bush Doing a Good Job?Current Results:* 29170 responses Yes -- 50% No -- 50% Vote Here: http://www.msnbc.com/news/778726.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 12:55:10 PT p4me I removed a / but it still didn't fix it. I haven't been able to fix links that don't work after they are posted. I can fix a word if I need to but not a link. No problem though. You got the right link with your new post. PS: Thanks for the Hemp links on the other thread. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 12:50:17 PT Just a Comment I've noticed that in any of the reviews of 2002 I don't think I've seen any reference to the Initiatives. It seems that they weren't important to remember but actions by courts and individual countries seem to be. Does that mean Initiatives are not going to work anymore and we must go thru the court system? Just wondering. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on January 14, 2003 at 12:50:02 PT lThe DE link below should be http://www.hempcity.net/press/thedutchexperience/index.htmlI forgot how to get a frame address with a copy and paste. This should work as it came from a frame source. Fell free to correct the link, FoM. I should have tested it in the preview screen like I did this one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by p4me on January 14, 2003 at 12:42:54 PT The story of the Dutch Experience International policies on the use and possession of marijuana underwent some major reforms in 2002.Yes and one continuing story in the saga Free Cannabis is the Dutch Experience. The coffeeshops are still in the UK although nobody wants publicity and I am sure the DEfenders still gather at the park near the site of the Dutch Experience. I do not know the extint of the vigil but there is no way the people in the UK are going to accept the banning of cannabis when the big problem is that the country is drunk. Reform will come to the UK because the culture is changing as the alcoholics livers give out and the young are told that cannabis is the ideal recreational substance. The Liberal Democrats have called for total legalization and they are on the rise and Blunkett's warmongering is only helping. The DEfenders live with the confidence that there will again be a coffeeshop in Stockport. It is just a question of when.The messageboard to the DE has been down about a month and it will be going back up at http://www.hempcity.net/ sometime soon. Meanwhile there is a moving testimonial to the power of the Internet that includes color pictures and the story of the Dutch Experience. You should see the handshake between Colin Davies and Nol Van Sheik and your belief in the British movement for Free Cannabis will be restored if you ever lost it. This link should take you to a good read- http://www.hempcity.net/press/thedutchexperience/index.htm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment