cannabisnews.com: Giunchigliani's Marijuana Measure Criticized





Giunchigliani's Marijuana Measure Criticized
Posted by CN Staff on March 21, 2003 at 14:11:22 PT
By Ed Vogel & Glenn Puit, Review-Journal 
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal 
A Clark County prosecutor on Thursday accused Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani of proposing changes to state driving laws that would lead to more people high on marijuana causing highway deaths. "This is another attempt by a pro-marijuana lobbyist to make marijuana legal," said Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, head of the Vehicular Crimes Unit. "They know people who drive on marijuana kill people." 
Booker is upset because Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, introduced Assembly Bill 362 earlier this week. He made his comments during an interview in Las Vegas. Under the bill, a person may not drive on highways in Nevada if their blood carries more than 20 nanograms per milliliter of the hallucinogenic substance that is found in marijuana. That concentration is 10 times the current standard of 2 nanograms per milliliter. Giunchigliani said legislators put the 2 nanograms standard into law in 1999 without conducting any hearings and doing little or no research. "It was pulled out of the air in an amendment approved on the floor," she said. "In talking with toxicologists, I found 20 nanograms is the recommended number for driving impairment." The argument over impairment levels was an issue in the trial of Jessica Williams, who was charged in a March 2000 accident in which her van careened into a youth work crew collecting trash in the median of Interstate 15. Six teenagers were killed. Prior to trial, her attorney argued the 2 nanogram level was impermissibly arbitrary because there was no scientific proof that a driver would be impaired at that level. Prosecutors agreed there was no scientific basis to say that a driver would be impaired at this level. But they added that, unlike alcohol, scientists have failed to pinpoint an impairment level for marijuana. As a public safety measure, legislators could have prohibited drivers from having any measurable amount of marijuana in their system, prosecutors said. They said legislators instead set a low threshold to account for the possibility of passive ingestion, such as through second-hand smoke. The Nevada Supreme Court sided with the prosecution on this issue and upheld the law. However, District Judge Michael Douglas last month overturned Williams' conviction on unrelated grounds. She remains in custody pending a new trial. Giunchigliani thought it curious that Booker referred to her as a "lobbyist," something she has not been since the 1987 Legislature when she represented the Nevada State Education Association. She has been a legislator since 1991. Booker was one of the leading opponents to the Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement drive last fall to legalize marijuana in Nevada. Giunchigliani was a paid consultant for the organization. By a vote of 61 percent to 39 percent, Nevadans rejected Question 9 to allow adults to possess 3 ounces or less of marijuana. During the 2001 Legislature, Giunchigliani sponsored the bill to set up the medical marijuana program that allows sick people to grow pot. Under her bill, the Legislature also abolished the state law that made it a felony offense to possess any marijuana. It now is a misdemeanor punishable by a $600 fine to possess an ounce or less of marijuana.Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author:  Ed Vogel & Glenn Puit, Review-Journal Published: Friday, March 21, 2003Copyright: 2003 Las Vegas Review-JournalContact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles:Judge Decides Bail for Williams http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15725.shtmlJessica Williams: Judge Throws Out Convictionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15569.shtmlAttorney Challenges Law in Williams' Casehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13230.shtml
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Comment #15 posted by Imprint on March 23, 2003 at 01:14:57 PT
suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession
March 21, 2003 
Four arrested in raid on Carson house
	
Staff reports 
Carson City SWAT team members raided a Heather Way house, where two men and two women were arrested before dawn Wednesday on suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession.Tri-Net drug enforcement officers said they found a liquid, which is being tested to see if it is an illegal drug.A Tri-Net investigator, who declined to give his name, said neighbors have complained about traffic at all hours at 1416 Heather Way, which is near Seeliger Elementary School.Police said they found hypodermic devices, scales and iodine crystals in the house.Police raided the house about 5 a.m. and arrested Randy Hazeltine, 45, on suspicion of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession. His bail was set at $1,710.Also arrested on suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession were Angela Madden, 28; Jeffry Cramer, 40; and Veronica Patterson, 37. Their bail was set at $1,105 each
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Comment #14 posted by observer on March 22, 2003 at 18:11:22 PT
Like an ongoing morality play
NIDA- Themes in Chemical Prohibition, William L. White, 1979:
''Like an ongoing morality play, this same issue gets played out-repeatedly today with a new cast of characters. As bills are introduced to lower criminal penalties for various illicit drugs, ... ''2003: '' 'This is another attempt by a pro-marijuana lobbyist to make marijuana legal,' said Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, head of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.'' ''... one can anticipate any number of legislators standing to attack reduced penalties as an invitation for use and a first step toward legalization''
http://drugwarpropaganda.gotdns.org/t.cgi?7 
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Comment #13 posted by i420 on March 22, 2003 at 15:48:16 PT
Double whew
Thanks Virgil for finding the truth. True credit for finding the story goes to www.inorml.org action email group
www.inorml.org
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Comment #12 posted by paulpeterson on March 22, 2003 at 08:57:10 PT
VIRGIL
Whew, thanks for confirming that this Walters guy DID NOT REALLY say those awful things. I was beginning to think that guy was lifted up by the heinous war against some countries to think he could increase his rhetoric beyond the din of his "usual lines". The problem is, of course, that this stuff is NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM WHAT SOME OF THESE GOONS REALLY BELIEVE!Of course, now that we are talking about an adventuresome el presidente that has invaded a sovereign nation to foist "weapons of mass destruction" to supposedly rid that country of those rumored WOMD's it may well develop that Britain's leader (in trouble at home for his support of his heinous act) loses control, meaning that the shrub will have gotten rid of a leader "tolerant" of decriminalization. Also, the Canadians might get some backlashing as well, due to their lack of support for the shrub.Just checking in, of course, but thanks again for confirming that this worst nightmare might not be quite as close as I had thought. (Who knows, maybe this is the sort of paranoia that I need to "ask my doctor for details" about, eh?) 
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Comment #11 posted by Virgil on March 22, 2003 at 08:32:43 PT
Walter's story in comment7 is fake
The story in comment7 comes from fakeinfo.com- http://www.fakeinfo.com/buzzchat/addicts1.htm
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Comment #10 posted by Dark Star on March 22, 2003 at 07:11:53 PT
Name Change Needed
The title of Drug Czar may have been appropriate to some, but given the rabid vitriol of his recent propaganda statements on cannabis, John Walters might be more appropriately labeled as Drug Führer!Remember, you heard it here first.
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Comment #9 posted by Dark Star on March 22, 2003 at 07:05:25 PT
i420
We need a citation on your story. This needs to be disseminated far and wide. Please state source, and URL if available.
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Comment #8 posted by JSM on March 22, 2003 at 06:58:56 PT
i420
Utterly amazing comments. The really frightening aspect of that is HE BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS and that is what we are up against in this country - a moral crusade that will take no prisoners. Thanks for your posting. 
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Comment #7 posted by i420 on March 22, 2003 at 04:51:08 PT
 u gotta read this...
marijuana addicts cause mayhem
 
HIGHLAND PARK, TEXAS - While meeting in this affluent Dallas suburb with a local organization, Housewives Against Gangs and Stealing, chief of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy John Walters told about the serious problem the nation faces involving marijuana addicts. 
"They get so hopelessly addicted that they spend most of their time either looking for the drug, or stealing whatever they can find to pay for their habit. Anything else - personal hygiene, hobbies and interests, family - falls by the wayside. Soon they are possessed, heart and soul, by the criminal terrorist gangs that smuggle and sell the stuff in this country."Of course, in the time they aren't spending looking and stealing, they're involved in lots of monkey business. That's what I'd like to talk about now."The so-called drug czar, wearing a grey business suit (and looking a bit like a young Captain Kangaroo, according to one woman at the meeting of HAGS), told about recent incidents involving users of marijuana. The room fell still as Walters continued."Marijuana addicts are responsible for much of the rioting that occurs in the world. In other countries it's worse than it is here. But if you recall the riots in Seattle a few years back...there was a huge mob of addicts that converged on that city. They blocked traffic and smashed windows. The cost of the social disorder was huge. An important meeting of world leaders was disrupted. And even average Seattle residents were affected by this mass display put on by the addicts."That's just one of the more prominent examples. Every day there are marijuana addicts who act funny in public places. It has become so common that no one stops to think about it. You never see stories about it in the newspapers or on television.Note:There was a picture above this sentence ... 
an example of the equipment and material employed by some typical addicts of the stupifying substance"When you see something like that, you should give the terrorist-abettor a stern, cold glare. The drug addicts call that 'the hairy eyeball' and it can fill them with feelings of paranoia, because of the drug's effects. Don't take your eyes off them until they cringe in terror and slink off out of the place. Try to get a policeman if there's one around; but it's little use calling it in, since that happens so often they usually can't do much."Walters said that social science backs up the administration's policy on marijuana. "They say that the marijuana smokers treated by psychologists and psychiatrists are addicted to the drug. They also say that 12-step programs, which require belief in God, are the only thing that works to break the addiction. That tells you something. God is on our side."Until all users are rounded up for government-sponsored reprogramming, the drug czar said that individual citizens can help in dealing with the problem. "If you even think someone is a marijuana addict, he almost certainly is. Why would you tend to believe that if it weren't true? Everyone has seen it before, intuitively, everyone knows it. Just like you know it when you see a drunk - it's obvious."You can confront them: 'Is that marijuana I smell? Why are your eyes so red?' But of course, they will attempt to slide out of the direct questioning. Don't let them. Keep hammering with the questions: 'Why are you avoiding looking at me? Why don't you answer my questions?' and follow them if you can, continuing the interrogation. If you can attract a policeman's attention, the person can be searched and, no doubt, will be found in possession of the drug. If not, a simple urine test will prove quickly and cheaply that the person is a marijuana addict.""Any person who uses the drug is, in fact, addicted. It stays in your system for a month or longer even after usage is stopped." - drug war czar John Walters
 Urinalysis not only constitutes possession (an illegal substance is in the person's system; therefore they possess that substance), but demonstrates addiction as well. "Any person who uses the drug is, in fact, addicted. It stays in your system for a month or longer even after usage is stopped. That's why the addiction is so hard to break - it stays with the person longer than the average stay in a hospital facility!"Walters suggests that parents can help eliminate drug use. "Parents, you can search your children's rooms. Do so as often as you feel is necessary to guarantee your child does not have drugs. Home urine tests are available to make sure there are no drugs in your child's body."Even landlords can help the official effort. "Every landlord has a right to do routine maintenance on their property. Do so as often as possible if there are any tenants you have even the slightest suspicion about. Eventually, something will turn up right out in the open. Call the police immediately. Don't leave the premises until they've arrived."And if nothing is right out in the open, think creatively. There's a leak in the sheetrock in the ceiling of the master bedroom's closet. A screwdriver accidentally fell in the box down by the shoes. The refrigerator made a humming noise audible outside the door. It doesn't take a genius to come up with routine explanations such as that."But don't worry," he said. "Chances are, none of the creative thinking will even be needed. After all, remember what I said. If you even think a person is a marijuana addict, he almost certainly is one. I believe the margin of error is worth the effort, if we ever intend to win the War on Drugs once and for all."Employers who have not instituted mandatory drug testing are probably harboring addicts, Walters said. "We've had widely available, cost-effective tests for a long, long time now. Why some companies have failed to institute such testing is beyond me. Unless, of course, they are aiding and abetting the lawbreakers in their criminal activity."Walters said his office would soon release a comprehensive list of companies that do not require drug testing of their employees. Although he said that at this time, the government cannot "officially" call for a boycott of those companies, groups like HAGS could do the job by using the government-provided information. "We can put these terrorist-supporters out of business for good, or at least get them to do something they should be doing already."Marijuana addicts are doomed, said Walters. "Their time is up. They can either get God and get straight, or they can suffer the consequences of their criminal behavior. And they can go right to hell when they die, because that's where they're going. They can't say I didn't warn them."
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Comment #6 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on March 22, 2003 at 04:11:16 PT
LTE
Sirs,  Gary Booker says that "people who drive on marijuana kill people," and that's his reasoning for being against the measure proposed by Assemblywoman Giunchigliani. But people who drive on coffee, cigarettes, and prescription medications kill people too. Mr. Booker is assuming that the cause and effect relationship with marijuana is similar or worse than drunk driving, but studies show marijuana has very different effects. Just last September, the Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs concluded that "cannabis alone, particularly in low doses, has little effect on the skills involved in automobile driving." Question 9, last year's initiative to legalize marijuana in Nevada, was sponsored in large part by Peter Lewis, CEO of Progressive Insurance. Does Mr. Booker really think that Mr. Lewis would back this initiative if the studies showed legal marijuana leading to rising accident rates?-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Canadian Senate Committee summary (the quote I use above is on page 19):http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/rep-e/summary-e.pdf
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Comment #5 posted by krazee12 on March 21, 2003 at 20:37:23 PT:
Mr. Booker IS a bald-faced Liar...
According to my May 1980 issue of Car & Driver there was an objective test with measured standards with a prior control measurement of unimpaired operators as a baseline, then of the reaction times of the same impaired drivers. On a closed track with cones,motor control observations and simulated impending car crashes at random, the slightly stoned drivers ACTUALLY increased their reaction times as time seems to SLOW down BECAUSE the brain is completing processing information QUICKER(in less time,which would compare only to a decrease in processing speed while straight). There became consequentially therefore more time to judge and avoid collisions.The bottom lime was that slightly stoned drivers were safer than straight.It is obvious to that see Mr. Bookers statments ARE without logic or rationale and are a prime example of last gasp hysteria. 
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on March 21, 2003 at 18:13:44 PT
Booker's Full of It!
"This is another attempt by a pro-marijuana lobbyist to make marijuana legal," said Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, head of the Vehicular Crimes Unit. "They know people who drive on marijuana kill people."Didn't Booker lose all of his credibility during the Question 9 campaign? I'm sure most folks in Nevada have learned that they can't believe a word this guy says. If marijuana caused accidents, there would be 92 car pile-ups on every freeway because everyone is partaking in the magical herb, despite the laws! You say you want a revolution?Anti-war protests sweep globe:
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6161781%5E1702,00.htmlWorldwide protests denounce war in Iraq: 
http://www.iht.com/articles/90535.htmlThird veteran US diplomat quits over Iraq war: 
http://www.prolog.net/webnews/wed/aa/Qiraq-war-us-diplomat.R6d2_DMK.htmlDixie Chicks axed by Clear Channel:
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2003/03/17/daily14.htmlMedia Giant Clear Channel PAYING for pro-war rallies! 
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/showcase/chi-0303190157mar19.storyBoycott Clear Channel Communications:
http://www.boycottclearchannel.com/THE PERFECT STORM - Part I - by Michael C. Ruppert:
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/031903_perfect_storm_1.htmlKaminski's Best 9/11 Sites — 4th Edition:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00024.htm
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Comment #3 posted by i420 on March 21, 2003 at 15:16:06 PT
Woman of the world...
Well, she's the woman of the world
And God she know it
She'll turn my head
Every time she shows it
Yeah, nothing you can do
Nothing you can say
No way you can try to change her way
She might be gone tomorrow
Honey, say what you gotta say
Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy what a woman
http://aerosmith.com
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Comment #2 posted by delariand on March 21, 2003 at 14:59:05 PT
Liar
"This is another attempt by a pro-marijuana lobbyist to make marijuana legal," said Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, head of the Vehicular Crimes Unit. "They know people who drive on marijuana kill people." Propaganda tactic: Follow a truth with a lie, in the hopes that people won't notice the switch. People who drive on marijuana kill no more or less than people who drive sober. They also kill much less than people who drive on alcohol.
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on March 21, 2003 at 14:52:31 PT
Great Assemblywoman
Lets get this straght. NV. wants to tax cannabis --regulate it right. enter drug zar sent from DC to hook up with the police --against many of its members wishes noless. outcome from this--prohibition--and the black market stays on the people. are we or are we not fighting for freedoms at this very moment == laying down our bests lives for liberty. its past time to regulate what is impaired or not. Assemebywoman Giunchigliani gets my utmost respect for starting this long overdue change in bad laws. 
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