cannabisnews.com: Teton County Library Draws Fire for Book on Pot





Teton County Library Draws Fire for Book on Pot
Posted by CN Staff on February 21, 2004 at 14:20:58 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press 
Jackson, Wyo. -- The county library is being criticized for carrying a how-to book on growing marijuana."I do not understand why, when so much of our county resources are devoted to dealing with the problem of substance abuse, you have chosen to spend tax dollars to purchase a how-to crime manual," Robert Gathercole said of the "Marijuana Grower's Handbook" in an e-mail to library Director Betsy Bernfield and the Teton County Commission.
He demanded an explanation and wondered if the library would also carry books on bomb-making, assassination, how to make methamphetamine and child pornography.Bernfield said she will put the book on hold once the current borrower returns it."We take challenges very seriously," she said. "We try to purchase books that reach a broad spectrum of the community."The book was written by Ed Rosenthal, who penned the "Ask Ed" column in High Times, a magazine which deals with marijuana and its cultivation. Rosenthal has frequently been arrested on pot cultivation charges.Gathercole's complaint does not mark the first time people have reacted against a publicly owned book in the county. The school district banned "When Dad Killed Mom," an award-winning children's book on domestic violence, but the public library still has the book.Former librarian Sueellen Carman said a library selects books based on criteria such as accuracy and authority. "A good library will have some books that people will take offense to," she said. "You need all kinds of ideas.She said it is censorship if a library takes a book off its shelves that meets selection criteria.The American Library Association's freedom to read statement says, "These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals."Bernfeld said the library has established procedures for dealing with complaints. "We talk to the person about it to see if we can get to the bottom of the concern and if they still aren't satisfied we take it to the library board," she said.Complete Title: Teton County Library Draws Fire for Book on Pot-GrowingSource: Associated Press Published: Saturday, February 21, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press Ed Rosenthal's Pictures & Articles http://freedomtoexhale.com/trialpics.htmCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #7 posted by billos on February 22, 2004 at 01:46:34 PT:
What's next?..... a real life Farenheit 451
I do not understand why, when so much of our county resources are devoted to dealing with the problem of substance abuse, you have chosen to spend tax dollars to purchase a how-to crime manual," Robert Gathercole said of the "Marijuana Grower's Handbook"I will save America even if it destroys it in the process- George Bush, 2007
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by ekim on February 21, 2004 at 16:16:11 PT
GCW Mar 3 04 Denver Mile High Rotary 07:00 AM 
Michael Moore says in his new book Dude where is my Country, the Library allowed his book Stupid white men a chance when others wanted it pulled. But seems that this is different as CO has a Med Cannabis law. And allowing the people to educate themselves on this plant is only in keeping with the rights of the Med Law. http://www.leap.cc/events/events.php
Mar 2 04 Cultural Baggae Radio Show 10:00 AM Jack Cole Houston Texas USA 
 Dean Becker of radio station KFPT 90.1 FM, hosts a Round Robin Panel of LEAP Speakers on Race and Drug Prohibition. The Houston Press on 9-25-2003 stated "Becker monitors the drug war like Fox News monitors the war on terrorism." Mar 3 04 Denver Mile High Rotary 07:00 AM Howard Wooldridge Denver Colorado USA 
 The Denver Mile High Rotary welcomes Speaker Howard Wooldridge for breakfast and discussion of drug prohibition, public health and the criminal justice system. Location: University Club, 17th Ave. and Sherman. Mar 3 04 Denver Lodo Rotary 12:00 PM Howard Wooldridge Denver Colorado USA 
 Speaker Howard Wooldridge sits down with the Denver Lodo Rotary over lunch and discusses the failures of drug prohibition and its impact on the citizens of the world. Location: Wynkoop Brewery, 18th & Wynkoop. Mar 4 04 2nd UK National Drug Treatment Conference 07:00 PM Eddie Ellison London Victoria England 
 Eddie Ellison, LEAP, entertains the delegates at the 2nd Annual Drug Treatment Conference with the award-dinner speech outlining some of the hilarious effects of prohibition during his police career. Mar 4 04 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Debate 07:00 PM Howard Wooldridge Albuquerque New Mexico USA 
 Speaker Howard Wooldridge will debate Finn Selander, Demand Reduction Coordinator for the DEA. Location: University of New Mexico, Student Union Building, Lobo rooms A & B. The sponsoring group is the SSDP UNM Law School Chapter. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by The GCW on February 21, 2004 at 15:39:20 PT
Post #4, should have indicated:
Cont.Viewed at: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/business_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_82_2671917,00.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by The GCW on February 21, 2004 at 15:37:30 PT
Help wanted:
Viewed at: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/business_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_82_2671917,00.html 
US CO: Reuteman: All ideas welcome for Mile High marketing February 21, 2004Denver - the only city where you don't have to get on a plane to join the Mile High Club. 
OK, that slogan didn't quite make the cut at Wednesday's "marketing summit" organized by Mayor John Hickenlooper.Also left on the cutting room floor was the suggestion that Denver legalize marijuana and give new meaning to the phrase Mile High City. Source: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by cloud7 on February 21, 2004 at 15:09:45 PT
Another nail in the bill of rights' coffin
Woe to the library brazen enough to carry a controversial book in the USSA.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on February 21, 2004 at 14:52:55 PT
Let's get rid of recipe books then too
I am tired of paying for the excesses of food addiction in this country. Adult onset diabetes showing up in teenagers? How expensive is that growing health care problem going to be?Let's make War on Betty Crocker if we're going to make war. Most cookbooks are manuals for a lifetime of food addiction. And of course they have these in the library.If we don't want to rip the cookbooks out of the libraries, then maybe there's a more peaceful, less armed solution for encouraging better personal health in America.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 21, 2004 at 14:36:24 PT
When Will This Stop?
I barely recognize our country anymore.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment